ITS in Academics

ITS University Workshop #4
September 22-23, 2016 | ITS America Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Day 1 Presentation | September 22, 2016

ITS Workforce Study Project Overview

Presenter: Anthony Shaw
Presenter's Org: ITS America

HTML version of the presentation
Image descriptions are contained in brackets. [ ]

<< Return to Workshop Files

---

Slide 1: ITS Workforce Study Project Overview

• Goals of the project
  • Conceptual framework for understanding the ITS workforce
  • Framework Table - compilation and classification of relevant KSAs and tasks
  • Industry interviews and subsequent findings
• Main project deliverables
  • Spreadsheet-based Framework Table
  • Final project report that documents findings
• For this meeting
  • Initial findings
  • Feedback on conceptual framework

Slide 2: Framework Overview | ITS Workforce Project

Slide 3: Job Description Analysis

[This slide contains a table of job titles for a number of companies.]

Slide 4: Framework: Categories for Analysis

[This slide contains a table with four columns: Generalized Position Type, Sector, Specialty Area or Discipline, and Phase of Project Cycle.]

Slide 5: (No title)

[This slide contains a screenshot of a Microsoft Excel table titled “Framework and interviewee list.” It consists of eight columns: Generalized Position Type, Organization, Sector, KSA/Task, KSA or Task, Specialty Area or Discipline, Additional Specialty Area or Discipline, and Phase of Project Cycle.]

Slide 6: (No title)

[This slide contains a screenshot of the same Microsoft Excel table as the previous slide. A dropdown menu for the column titled “Specialty Area or Discipline” is circled in red.]

Slide 7: (No title)

[This slide contains a screenshot of the same Microsoft Excel table as the previous two slides. A row midway down the table with the Organization name Atkins North America is surrounded by an orange rectangle, as is the column titled “Specialty Area or Discipline.”]

Slide 8: Framework Results

• Created an initial conceptual framework for further analysis of ITS workforce needs and trends
• Compiled a large sample of KSAs and tasks currently required of ITS workforce
• Developed a tool for ITS professionals in positions with authority for hiring and developing the workforce
• Would like feedback from University Workshop participants

Slide 9: Industry Interviews Overview | ITS Workforce Project

Slide 10: Interviewees

• AECOM
• APTA
• Booz Allen Hamilton
• Bridj
• Delaware DOT
• Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
• HNTB
• Kimley-Horn

• Maricopa County (AZ) DOT
• Michael Baker International
• Michigan DOT
• Montgomery County (MD) DOT
• Parsons Brinckerhoff
• RouteMatch
• Timmons Group
• Washington State DOT

Slide 11: Interviewees, cont’d

[This slide contains a pie chart of Interviewees by Sub-sector: Civil Engineering (10), State DOT (4), County DOT (4), Software (2), Metropolitan Planning Organization (1), Management Consulting (1), and Industry Association (1).]

Slide 12: General Findings

• Variety of position types
  • Engineering, technician, business development, project management
• All phases of project cycle
• Interdisciplinary nature
  • No single college major on which organizations can recruit/rely on as a pipeline
• Future technology
  • Short-term ITS deployment needs outweigh future technology in importance
• Soft skills are highly valued
  • Especially as individuals advance

Slide 13: Public Sector Perspectives

• Transportation/traffic engineering is foundational
• Operations knowledge should be leveraged to inform design
• Interdisciplinary knowledge is increasingly important
• Soft skills!
  • Written/verbal communications
  • Willingness and ability to learn independently
  • Task/project management and contracts administration
• No university pipeline - no single major on which to rely for candidates
  • Candidate pool lacks education, training, and experience in ITS
  • ITS training occurs on the job
• Must compete with private sector for limited candidate pool
• Job specs can be opened up successfully to widen candidate pool

Slide 14: Private Sector Perspectives

• Transportation/traffic engineering is foundational
• Operations knowledge should be leveraged to inform design
• Interdisciplinary knowledge is increasingly important
• Soft skills!
  • Written/verbal communications
  • Willingness and ability to learn independently
  • Task/project management and contracts administration
• No university pipeline - no single major on which to rely for candidates
  • Candidate pool lacks education, training, and experience in ITS
  • ITS training occurs on the job
• Career paths move towards task/project/program management and business development
• Software and technology companies represent new directions for the ITS workforce
  • Come with their own unique needs

Slide 15: Next Steps

• Report: Submit draft report for review
• Framework table: Further refine by separating and consolidating list of KSAs and tasks
  • To resemble the NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• Feedback from University Workshop participants:
  • On conceptual framework categories and definitions
• Professional Capacity Building: continue to support JPO’s PCB program
  • Trainings
  • University Workshops
  • Others

↑ Return to top