Professional Capacity Building

Attract – Train – Retain A Quality Transit Workforce

2001 Highlights. The Professional Capacity Building Program is a workforce development program designed to assist the transit industry in the development of a highly skilled, multi-disciplinary, and diverse transit workforce for the 21^st century—equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to deploy and manage the safe and secure operations of the technologically advanced national public transportation network.

The National Transit Institute—A Training and Education Resource for the Transit Industry--focuses on the training and development needs of the transit industry, provides new methods and techniques to improve transit workforce performance and increases workplace productivity. More than 60 courses are offered throughout the U.S. for federal, state, and local transit employees in areas related to federal programs and industry needs, including—Homeland Security. Terrorist events of September 11 guided the Institute to act quickly and focus on anti-terrorist training needs of the transit industry. Two new transit security training courses are now available for front-line employees and supervisors, System Security Awareness for Transit Employees, and Security Incident management for Transit Supervisors. Both courses were built specifically for the transit industry, in cooperation with federal agencies including the FTA, FAA, and FBI, as well as transit agencies, labor unions, and security professionals.

The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)— Addresses the Needs of the Transit Workforce through innovative research, education and information sharing, and develops innovative near-term solutions to meet the demands placed on the transit industry. TCRP products, such as new transit paradigms, transit industry best practices, and security tools for countering terrorist threats, as well as forums for the exchange of ideas and sharing of information are being developed and used to equip the transit workforce with the resources necessary to deploy, operate and maintain the safe and secure operation of the national transportation network. TCRP also conducts the International Transportation Studies Program to assist the professional development of transit managers, public officials, and others charged with public transportation responsibilities. The Transportation Research Board, which administers TCRP, maintains a listing of all TCRP projects and products on the TCRP website. One free copy of any TCRP publication is available to anyone via American Public Transportation Association’s website.

The University Transportation Centers Program—Educate & Recruit Future Transit Professionals through education, research and technology transfer. It is the only program in the United States that provides higher education for the next generation of transportation professionals and connects them to career opportunities in the industry. The 33 University Centers are internationally recognized centers of excellence, fully integrated within institutions of higher learning that serve as a vital source of leaders who are prepared to meet the nation’s need for safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sound movement of people and goods. FTA Website URL [http://utc.dot.gov/].

Funding: $3,991,200 Schedule: July 2001 - June 2002

Performer: National Transit Institute, Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center

Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

120 Albany Street, Suite 705, New Brunswick, New Jersey 0890 1-2163

Investigator: Paul Larrousse, Director Phone: 732.932.1700 Fax: 732.932.1707

FTA Project Monitor: Lydia Mercado, TRI Phone: 202.366.5741 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [lydia.mercado@fta.dot.gov] [plarrousse@Rutgers.nti.edu]

Description: This project provides ongoing support to the National Transit Institute/NTI

[49 U.S.C. § 5315], established in 1992 at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey to meet the training and development needs of the transit industry workforce. The institute develops and teaches new methods and techniques to improve transit workforce performance and increase productivity in the workplace. Courses are conducted locally at sites nationwide on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from advanced technology and multi-modal planning to management development and training effectiveness. Transit Trainers Workshops are conducted annually to bring together trainers and human resources specialists from the industry to learn the latest techniques in training and to share training experiences on the job. In addition, NTI and FTA are working together to develop and present workshops and seminars designed to assist the transit industry in understanding and implementing advanced public transportation systems, as well as transit workplace safety and security practices. Programs on geographic information systems, automatic vehicle locator, smart card and innovative technologies are just a few of the topics under development for future presentation. Two new transit security training courses for frontline employees and supervisors are now offered. NTI serves as a major resource in support of the implementation of federal regulations and policy initiatives, as well as implementation of new and innovative practices and technologies. 

Funding: $6,750,000 Schedule: September 2001 - September 2002

Performer: National Academy of Sciences, Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001

Investigator: Christopher W. Jenks Phone: 202.334.3502 Fax: 202.334.2006

FTA Project Monitor: Lisa Colbert, TRI Phone: 202.366.9261 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [lisa.Colbert@fta.dot.gov]

Description: This project provides ongoing support to the Transit Cooperative Research Program [49 U.S.C. § 5314(a)]. The program focuses on issues significant to the transit industry with emphasis on local problem-solving research. The FTA Strategic Plan and the Research and Technology Five-Year Plan provide the framework for TCRP efforts, which include research in a variety of transit fields such as: planning, service concepts, vehicles and equipment, facilities, operations, human resources, maintenance, policy, and administrative practices. TCRP synthesis reports summarize best transit industry practices and have been useful to transit operators.

Since TCRP's inception in 1992, approximately 1,500 research problem statements have been submitted, and the TCRP Project Selection and Oversight Committee, comprised of industry representatives, has designated 303 projects and studies to address these problems. More than 1,300 representatives of the transit industry have served on panels, which guide TCRP projects, providing a direct channel for promptly disseminating results to those who can apply them in practice. TCRP products include 69 Research Reports, 37 Transit Synthesis Reports, 42 Research Results Digests, 16 Legal Research Digests, 24 Transit IDEA Reports on development of innovative products and processes, and 9 software products. Over 400,000 copies of these products have been distributed. The Transportation Research Board administers the program and maintains a publications list and description of all TCRP studies on its website. In addition, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) maintains a TCRP Dissemination website, to assist in the dissemination process to the transit industry. All TCRP publications are available electronically for immediate access through these websites.

Funding: $6,000,000 Schedule: September 2001 - Sepetember 2002

Performer: Research and Special Programs Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590

FTA Project Monitor: Lewis Clopton, TRI Phone: 202.366.5741 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [lewis.clopton@fta.dot.gov]

Description: This project provides continued support for the U.S. Department of Transportation's University Transportation Centers Program (49 U.S.C. § 5505). It is the largest program in the United States that provides higher education for the next generation of transportation professionals and connects them to career opportunities in the industry. This program furthers the Administration’s investment in transportation by planning to meet the transportation challenges of the 21st Century. The mission of these 33 University Centers of Excellence is to advance U.S. technology and expertise in the many disciplines comprising transportation through education, research, and technology transfer. The Centers program focuses on the transfer of knowledge relevant to national, state, and local issues, and builds professional capacity in the next generation of transportation professionals. The Centers address transportation management, research and development matters with special emphasis to increasing the number of highly skilled individuals entering the field of transportation. Recent FTA efforts have broaden the focus of the Centers to better encompass transit industry research needs and to link the program with undergraduate and graduate elements of the other educational institutions, as well as with initiatives in the Department of Transportation. Investing in this program not only provides valuable research to solve transportation problems, but also provides highly educated transportation professionals who will steer transportation policy and management well into the 21st Century. Website URL [http://utc.dot.gov//]

Funding: $1,995,600 Schedule: September 2001 - September 2003

Performer: University of Alabama at Birmingham

1530 Third Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35294

FTA Project Monitor: Pauline D’Antignac, TRI Phone: 202.366.0234 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [pauline.dantignac@fta.dot.gov]

Description: This cooperative agreement provides funding to the lead university, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, in behalf of the Great Cites Universities Transportation Initiative. The Great Cities Universities Initiative is a coalition of 17 public research universities that are located in major American cities, share common characteristics, vision, and common commitment to service, achievement, and excellence in the urban environment. This includes a collaborative effort to focus on the application of advanced technologies and innovative strategies to solve transportation problems in urban areas with specific attention to the transit field. Research will be conducted in areas of importance to urban areas such as educational reform, community development, and transportation--emphasizing the application of advanced transportation technology, such as geographic information systems (GIS) and computer modeling to enhance local government analytic capabilities and service delivery. By assessing, developing and utilizing the latest technologies and innovative management practices in the transit field, together they will promote more effective transit planning and more efficient utilization of federal transportation resources. The Great Cities Universities have a common determination to maintain and build the greatness of American cities, strengthening both the institutions and communities through strategic alliances and public-private partnerships that have local impact. This is a congressionally directed project.

Small Business Innovation Research Program

Funding: $220,000 Schedule: November 2000 - December 2002

Performer: Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142

Investigator: Joseph Henebury Phone: 617.494.2051 Fax: 617.494.2370

FTA Project Monitor: Stewart McKeown, TRI Phone: 202.366.0244 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [stewart.mckeown@fta.dot.gov]

Description: The Department’s Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) is an annual program that seeks to capture the entrepreneurial initiative of small high technology firms to help meet federal research and development objectives. Annually, the Department solicits research proposals from small businesses that address high priority research needs of its individual agencies and that have potential for commercialization. FTA looks for projects that respond to transit research needs and, at the same time, enhance the innovative capacity and global competitiveness of small high-tech businesses. Projects are selected through a competitive process. The SBIR program has three phases. Phase I projects are designed to determine the feasibility of a particular product or concept and may be funded up to $100,000 for a performance period up to six months. Phase I research firms are eligible to participate in Phase II based on results of Phase I efforts, potential for commercialization, and availability of

appropriated funds to support Phase II. Phase II is the principal research effort designed to develop the product or concept to the point where it is commercially viable. Phase II projects have a period of performance up to 2 years and may have a dollar value of $500,000. Phase III projects use private sector assistance and funding for pursuing commercial applications of R&D funded in Phases 1 and II. Overall the program provides FTA with valuable research assistance and stimulates technological innovation and growth of small high-tech research firms.

SBIR Website [http://www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir].

Funding: $56,000 Schedule: July 2001 - August 2001

Performer: Department of Commerce

U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, Washington, DC 20230

FTA Project Monitor: Rita Daguillard, TRI Phone: 202.366.0955 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [rita.daguillard@fta.dot.gov]

Description: The purpose of the Trade Mission project was to promote exports of American transit related goods and services to the countries of Southeast Asia by introducing U.S. suppliers to foreign markets. The FTA International Mass Transportation Program led a trade mission that met with key stakeholders and decisionmakers in Bangkok, Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Guangzhou and Shenzen, China; and Hong Kong. Participating companies included the American Public Transportation Association, ITS America, Bechtel, Cummins, Louis Berger & Associates, Parsons Transportation Group, Manna Consulting, Transit Sales International, and Rockwell Automation. The FTA International Mass Transportation Program was established under TEA-21. The program is designed to inform the domestic mass transportation industry about technological innovations available in the international marketplace, and to undertake activities that may afford domestic business the opportunity to become globally competitive in the export of mass transportation products and services.

Funding: $76,000 Schedule: March 2001- May 2001

Performer: Federal Transit Administration

International Mass Transportation Program, Washington, DC 20590

FTA Project Monitor: Rita Daguillard, TRI Phone: 202.366.0955 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [rita.daguillard@fta.dot.gov]

Description: The purpose of this project was to highlight U.S. transit related services and technologies at the International Union of Public Transport’s (UITP) City Transportation 2001 Exhibition, held in London, England. The FTA International Mass Transportation Program staff organized a U.S. pavilion, featuring the transit products and services of major American organizations and corporations of the industry. Among those represented at the U.S. Pavilion were the following: American Public Transportation Association, Easter Seals Project Action, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Impulse NC, Spear Technologies, Digital Recorders/TwinVision, Chance Coach, Parsons Transportation Group, Transmetrics, NextBus Information Systems, I/O Controls, AMEREX, Kaletel, MultiModal Applied Systems, and Washington Group International.

Funding: $399,754 Schedule: September 2001 - March 2003

Performer: Kensington Systems, Inc.

4021 Murdstone Court, Suite 301, Fairfax, Virginia 22033-2826

Investigator: Glenda F. Wilson Phone: 703.278.8600 Fax: 703.352.6935

FTA Project Monitor: Clarissa Swann, TCR Phone: 202.366.0800 Fax: 202.366.3475

Email [clarissa.swann@fta.dot.gov]

Description: Transportation is vital in maintaining mobility for persons with disabilities—provides links to employment, health care centers, community affairs, and improves the overall quality of life. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that public transportation services and facilities, including trains and rail stations, be accessible to persons with disabilities. New rail stations, those designated as key stations and where substantial station facility alterations have occurred, must be made accessible. To be eligible for federal funding, the grant recipient must self-certify compliance with ADA requirements. Key station compliance assessment is one of the most important aspects of ADA rail oversight. The objective of this continuing compliance assessment project is to assist the FTA staff in implementing its ADA rail oversight responsibility. The compliance assessment includes onsite evaluation of 150 additional existing and new key stations at 13 rail systems. The contractor will assess the selected key and new rail stations, prepare a final report and follow-up activity with transit systems to ensure that recommended actions are taken to correct deficiencies noted in the compliance assessment. Key rail station assessments have facilitated a significant increase in the number of fully compliant key rail stations over the last several years. Assessments assure that stations certified as ADA compliant remain in actual compliance with current standards. The FTA Office of Civil Rights selects key rail stations for review.

Funding: $250,000 Schedule: January 2001 - December 2002

Performer: AFL-CIO Working for America Institute

815 16^th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006

Investigator: Brian Turner Phone: 202.466.8010

FTA Project Monitor: Pauline D’Antignac, TRI Phone: 202.366.0234 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [pauline.dantignac@fta.dot.gov]

Description: Changing technology and the increasing demand for a skilled and diverse workforce put a premium on training and education at both the entry level and career development levels in the transit industry. This cooperative agreement supports the Transport Workers Union of America need to better understand and utilize the advanced transit technologies and new job and skill requirements within the transit workforce in the five cities represented by the Transport Workers Union. The project is targeted to increase the awareness and need to begin the development of transit workforce education and training programs linked to the new technologies and innovative services and management techniques, that improve the performance and increase productivity in the transit workforce. Project activities include an evaluation of previous pilot training programs, a pilot assessment of transit workforce needs and skill requirements, along with the development and pilot test of a curriculum for two new occupational skill sets based on new technologies and current skill shortages in mass transit. Both a pilot assessment and an educational program will be developed in San Francisco and Houston, based on an earlier effort centered in New York City, Philadelphia, and Miami. Educational materials and curricula, training materials and programs will be developed, designed, and delivered to improve performance and increase productivity in the transit workforce, represented by the Transport Workers Union in five cities.

Funding: $25,000 Schedule: October 2001 - October 2002

Performer: Cerebral Palsy of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, Inc.

3901 Woodhaven Lane, Bowie, Maryland 20715-1299

Investigator: Dr. Charles McNelly Phone: 301.262.4993 Fax: 301.262.4982

FTA Project Monitor: Linda King, TCR Phone: 202.366.0816 Fax: 202.366.3475

Email [linda.king@fta.dot.gov]

Description: This project is a continuation of a program funded since 1994 to provide young adults with disabilities attending high schools in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, with exposure to careers in transportation and technology. The program is in its seventh year. It is designed to introduce student to the professions, disciplines, and summer employment opportunities in the transportation sector. Students have the opportunity to attend and participate in workshops at the Department and to test their interests and abilities in a real world working environment. The young adults are provided with career counseling and information pertaining to the career and educational opportunities in the transportation sector. This program helps to ensure equal opportunity in DOT-assisted programs and to promote diversity in the workforce, the transportation industry, and supporting professions.

Funding: $75,000 Schedule: September 2001- September 2002

Performer: American Public Transportation Association

1666 K Street, NW, 11^th Floor, Washington, DC 20006

Investigator: Lou Sanders Phone: 202.898.4086 Fax: 202.898.4070

FTA Project Monitor: Helen Tann, TRI Phone: 202.366.0207 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [helen.tann@fta.dot.gov]

Description: The objective of this amendment is to provide the resources necessary for the American Public Transportation Authority (APTA) to further engage in outreach activities that advance a better understanding of the transit element of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) program and FTA International Mass Transportation Program. Under this project, APTA will conduct regional workshops designed to promote adoption of integrated ITS Transit technologies in public transportation, information exchange activities, and increase public awareness of the benefits of ITS Transit products and services at both the national and international levels. Workshops will focus on ITS Transit best practices, deployment of Traveler Information Systems, and ITS Transit applications in Bus Rapid Transit.

Funding: $50,000 Schedule: February 2001 - February 2006

Performer: Leon Snead & Co.

416 Hungerford Drive, Suite 400, Rockville, Maryland 20850

Investigator: Leon Snead Phone: 301.738.8190 Fax: 301.738.8210

FTA Project Manager: Carolyn Thompson, TAD Phone: 202.366.5470 Fax: 202.366.3808 Email carolyn.thompson@fta.dot.gov] [leonsnead.companypc@erols.com]

Description: This project provides ongoing support for the continuation, improvement, and distribution of the Federal Transit Administration's Best Practices Procurement Manual. The manual is designed to assist recipients of federal funds in conducting third party procurement activities and in meeting the federal standards documented in FTA Circular 4220.1D. The project also provides support for industry task force meetings, electronic helpline, and the maintenance and updating of the Procurement System Review Handbook. The Best Practices Procurement Manual is currently available on the FTA Internet Website.

Funding: $100,000 Schedule: September 2001- September 2002

Performer: Micro Information Systems

1921 Eden Way North, Suite 123, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320

FTA Project Monitor: Robert Owens, TBP Phone: 202.366.1689 Fax: 202.366.7116

Email [robert.owens@fta.dot.gov]

Description: This project furthers the development of the FTA public website on the Internet World-Wide-Web. It includes website support in the areas of electronic publishing, information dissemination, and system development and design. The website is a comprehensive and customer-oriented service providing users with an extensive amount of information and knowledge about FTA and its programs, products, policies, partnerships, and future role in transit. The website has become a key tool for customer service, communications, knowledge management, research and outreach activities. It provides rapid and easy to timely transportation information, products, and services, including FTA’s national research and technology program, strategic plan, performance indicators, grants, legislation, and publications. The website sereves as a port of entry to a large array of electronic resources, including safety and security programs and technologies, online databases, electronic document libraries, education and training centers, international programs, cooperative research programs, specialized transportation, and employment centers. The website provides links and portals to public transportation systems and resources. Grantees, the general public, researchers, practitioners, consultants, congressional staff and the transportation community-at-large all make routine use of the electronic global storehouse of information available on the FTA customer-oriented website.

Funding: $100,000 Schedule: January 2001 - January 2002

Performer: Palisades Consulting Group

24 West Railroad Avenue, Suite 161, Tenafly, New Jersey 07670

Investigator: Eva Lerner-Lam Phone: 201.567.0088 Fax: 201.384.6779

FTA Project Monitor: Helen Tann, TRI Phone: 202.366.0207 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [helen.tann@fta.dot.gov]

Description: This project will develop a training course to assist transit professional in developing the knowledge, experience and skills required for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) information management. Although the focus is on managing ITS information, the approach considers ITS information management in the context of the total transit agency system. Successful implementation of this program will increase transit industry’s awareness of the importance of a system’s approach to information management, including how the application of advanced technologies and innovative techniques result in safer, integrated, and more efficient transit operations. This is the first phase of a multi-phase program. Emphasis is on delivering quality training, upgrading the skills and knowledge required of ITS professionals to perform effectively and efficiently in transportation service. The project fosters and supports the Department’s ITS Professional Capacity Building Program, designed to assist transportation professionals in developing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to deploy, operate, and manage ITS projects at all levels of government, academia, and public and private sectors. The project is funded under the National ITS Program, administered by the Department’s ITS Joint Program Office.

Funding: $1,500,000 Schedule: February 2001 - March 2002

Performer: Signal Corporation

3040 Williams Drive, Suite 20, Fairfax, Virginia 22031

FTA Project Monitor: Gary Delorme, TPM Phone: 202.366.0201 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [gary.delorme@fta.dot.gov]

Description: The FTA has significant interest in revising, improving and maintaining the congressionally mandated and Internet-based National Transit Database (NTD) [49 U.S.C. 535(a)(1)(2)]. It is the FTA official and national database of statistics for the transit industry, and the only comprehensive source of domestic transit data, including safety and performance data. Each year approximately 600 transit operators report to FTA on transit activities in more than 400 urbanized area. NTD data are reported to Congress, used for transit services planning, to apportion billions of dollars in Urbanized Area Formula funds back to reporting transit agencies, and to provide benchmarks for FTA Strategic Plan. The FY 2001 project activities are designed to better serve NTD stakeholders by providing training for the 600 transit agencies that collect and report public mass transportation financial and operating data to the NTD reporting system. This project also provides for new software development to help process the data reported via the Internet, as well as for software to run the urbanized area apportionment formula. This is the third and final phase of the project. Major upgrades to the NTD software system and components will be tested and implemented, as well as the newly revised NTD web-based reporting modules. NTD improvements are based on stakeholders’ concerns, namely those raised by the National Transportation Safety board. This is a congressionally directed project.

Funding: $150,000 Schedule: July 2001 – July 2002

Performer: National Academy of Sciences, Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC

FTA Project Monitor: Lisa Colbert, TRI Phone: 202.366.9261 Fax: 202.366.3765

Email [lisa.Colbert@fta.dot.gov]

Description: This project provides ongoing support to the core activities of the Transportation Research Board (TRB)—a unique source of independent expertise that develops and disseminates innovative research information addressing transit issues. The TRB core activities are designed to generate information, share ideas, and transfer knowledge about FTA's Research and Technology programs and projects with partners in the transportation community and with the general public. This core program support enables TRB to maintain an extensive network of transit experts in research, operations, and academia to work together on commonly held critical transit needs, and to resolve these issues through transit research, discussion, and dissemination. Under this project, activities of the TRB core research program and FTA Research & Technology Program areas are published and communicated in various formats--information packets, journals, brochures, best practices manual, annotated bibliographies, and other materials that will create public awareness of the benefits of transit.

Another core activity supported under this project is the Department’s Transportation Research Information Service (TRIS) online bibliographic database–the world’s most comprehensive source of surface transportation information in the world. In 2001, 26,000 records were added to TRIS, about 1650 were transit records. The TRIS database now totals 549,710 records. TRIS is available worldwide and contains both (1) summary descriptions of unpublished research in progress, and (2) document abstracts of published literature on highway research, rural, urban, and intercity transit research, highway safety research, railroad research and maritime research. The web version of the TRIS Database (published research) is available on the Internet as TRIS Online. The Research in Progress database (unpublished research) is available on the TRB Website.