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twc@transportcenter.orgResource Center
The Transit Workforce Center is pleased to host a curated collection of publications and other materials to assist stakeholders engaged in transit workforce development. The Resource Center includes case studies, training materials, research reports, and other materials of interest, including publications produced by federal government agencies, transit organizations, and independent research entities. Resources may be filtered by topic, resource type, and transit mode. This TWC blog post explains how to use the Resource Center.
We are continuing to update the Resource Center regularly. Please contact us via the Request Help menu option if you would like assistance using the Resource Center or are looking for resources on a particular topic. We also welcome suggestions of topics or specific resources to add.
Content in external resources linked from the Resource Center is solely the responsibility of the resource authors and does not necessarily reflect the perspectives of or endorsement by the Transit Workforce Center.
Fostering AI-Ready Building & Moving CTE Pipelines
This report explores how current and projected developments in AI are revolutionizing building and moving occupations, the potential exposure of building and moving occupations to AI-driven workforce automation, and how building and moving career and technical education providers can prepare their learners for a workplace increasingly shaped by AI technologies.
Advance CTE
March 2025
TOPICS: Career Pathways, Policy and Planning, Retention, Training
Public Transportation Safety Certification Program (PTSCTP)
The Public Transportation Safety Certification Program, provided by the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) and supported by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), covers the minimum requirements to enhance the technical proficiency of safety personnel who work in the rail transit industry.
U.S. Department of Transportation
February 2025
TOPICS: Safety and Health, Training
The Public Transportation Safety Certification Program, provided by the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) and supported by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), covers the minimum requirements to enhance the technical proficiency of safety personnel who work in the rail transit industry. Two groups are required to complete the PTSCTP training:
- State Safety Oversight Agency personnel and contractors who conduct safety audits and examinations of rail transit systems
- Rail transit agency personnel and contractors who are directly responsible for safety oversight
Bus transit agency personnel and contractors who are directly responsible for safety oversight are not required but encouraged to participate in PTSCTP.
Latinos in Transit Membership Guide
Latinos in Transit is committed to empowering professionals in the transit industry to achieve leadership roles by advancing opportunities for workforce development, mentorship, networking, and education. The LIT Membership Guide explains membership levels and benefits, as well as programming, access, participation, opportunities, and more.
Latinos in Transit
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Understanding Absenteeism in Public Transport Operations
Absenteeism has been a persistent problem that can directly impact an organization’s ability to meet the demands of providing service. Factors such as operator job satisfaction, the attractiveness of the profession to current and future workers, and the evolving attitudes towards work all contribute to absenteeism playing a role in workforce availability. Several APTA members participated in a global study on operator absenteeism. The result is a report which aims to describe the causes and impact of absenteeism, while identifying action plans that organizations can use to address the issue. This report was developed by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP).
American Public Transportation Association
February 2025
TOPICS: Policy and Planning, Retention, Workforce Shortage
Understanding the Prevalence of Mental Health and Behavioral Distress in Transit Assaults
This research aims to better understand the prevalence of mental health and behavioral distress in transit assaults and present corresponding targeted response and mitigation methods to reduce victimization trends. It includes a literature review, a data presentation and overview of reported public transit assault-related events, an examination of the contributing factors to those events, and documentation of 10 transit agency case studies. It discusses various approaches and strategies that transit agencies have used to prepare transit vehicle operators and other frontline workers to better recognize mental health presentations and engage appropriately. The research team gathered additional data from case study sites, including the methods used to address assault-related challenges and the successful community engagement and partnerships. The report provides findings and policy and practice recommendations.
Mineta Transportation Institute
February 2025
TOPICS: Policy and Planning, Retention, Safety and Health
Understanding the Prevalence of Mental Health and Behavioral Distress in Transit Assaults and Presenting Targeted Response and Mitigation Methods to Reduce Victimization Trends
This research aims to better understand the prevalence of mental health and behavioral distress in transit assaults and present corresponding targeted response and mitigation methods to reduce victimization trends. It includes a literature review, a data presentation and overview of reported public transit assault-related events, an examination of the contributing factors to those events, and documentation of 10 transit agency case studies. It discusses various approaches and strategies that transit agencies have used to prepare transit vehicle operators and other frontline workers to better recognize mental health presentations and engage appropriately. It also highlights evidence-based practices that transit agencies can use to better prepare their systems and provide tools employees can use to better communicate with individuals who may be having mental health-related episodes. The research team gathered additional data from case study sites, including the methods used to address assault-related challenges and the successful community engagement and partnerships. The report provides findings and policy and practice recommendations.
The Seven Key Elements of All Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven pathway to high-quality careers where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience; progressive wage increases; classroom instruction; and a portable, nationally recognized credential. The U.S. Department of Labor recently updated the way we describe Registered Apprenticeship Programs to reflect the worker safety elements embedded in those programs.
Workforce GPS
January 2025
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Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven pathway to high-quality careers where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience; progressive wage increases; classroom instruction; and a portable, nationally recognized credential. The U.S. Department of Labor recently updated the way we describe Registered Apprenticeship Programs to reflect the worker safety elements embedded in those programs.
FTA-Sponsored Technical Assistance Centers
FTA’s Technical Assistance and Workforce Development Program (49 U.S.C. § 5314) and the Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. § 5312) fund technical assistance centers through national nonprofit organizations across a number of areas to improve public transportation. These nonprofit partners and the work they do play a critical role in supporting public transit agencies.
Federal Transit Administration
TOPICS: Apprenticeship, Career Pathways, Community Engagement, Hiring and Recruitment, Labor-Management Partnerships, Low-No, Mentorship, Policy and Planning, Procurement, Program Evaluation and ROI, Retention, Safety and Health, Trainer and Mentor Development, Training, Workforce Shortage
FTA’s Technical Assistance and Workforce Development Program (49 U.S.C. § 5314) and the Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. § 5312) fund technical assistance centers through national nonprofit organizations across a number of areas to improve public transportation. These nonprofit partners and the work they do play a critical role in supporting public transit agencies. Their services help to:
- Improve transportation for older adults and people with disabilities
- Drive the adoption of mobility management and related promising practices
- Accelerate innovative mobility practices and strategies
- Support rural communities
- Leverage new transit technologies
- Train the public transit workforce
- Provide workforce development technical assistance
- Support research projects selected by the transit industry that address day to day issues
- Support the transit industry meet safety regulations
National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)
The National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) delivers expert, focused technical assistance to transit agencies and organizations in rural areas and small cities to use or develop transit technologies and innovations that make services more cost-effective and efficient. N-CATT’s work supports FTA’s mission and focus on innovation by developing and supporting transit programs and services in rural and small-city America.
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)
The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) is a national technical assistance center funded by FTA with guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living to promote the availability of transportation options that serve the needs of people with disabilities, seniors and caregivers with a focus on the Section 5310 program and other transit investments. NADTC supports the delivery of more effective, efficient, high-quality and coordinated specialized transportation services that maximize federal investments. NADTC provides technical assistance, information and referral; develops field training; implements interactive communication and outreach strategies; and supports communities in assessing their needs and developing innovative transportation solutions.
National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP)
The National Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) was established by FTA in 1987 to provide a wide range of professional services and products. National RTAP addresses the training and technical assistance needs of rural and tribal transit programs across the nation and supports state RTAP programs. National RTAP provides comprehensive free technical assistance programs and resources including training materials, webinars, newsletters and technical briefs, peer resources, research, and innovative technology initiatives. The National RTAP also manages the Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL), which provides a sustainable methodology and platform to access resources across a diverse range of transportation technical assistance centers and FTA.
Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
The Shared-Use Mobility Center is a public-interest organization dedicated to achieving equitable, affordable, and environmentally sound mobility across the US through the efficient sharing of transportation assets. By connecting the public and private sectors, piloting programs, conducting new research, and providing policy and technical expertise to cities and regions, SUMC seeks to extend the benefits of shared mobility for all. The Shared Mobility 2030 Action agenda includes improving access to public transit, on-demand shuttles or buses, ride-on-demand services, carpooling and vanpooling, and carsharing, bikesharing and scooter-sharing.
Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM)
The strategic goal of CCAM, operated but the Community Transportation Association of America, is to support federal agencies, their grantees, partners, and stakeholders in improving transportation access for people with disabilities, older adults, and individuals of low income. CCAM promotes and facilitates human services transportation, public transit, and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) coordination that advances people’s access to everyday destinations.
Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL)
The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) provides a viable methodology and platform for access and findability of rural and tribal transit coordination resources across a broad range of transportation technical assistance centers and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
National Rural Transit Assistance Program
TOPICS: Apprenticeship, Career Pathways, Community Engagement, Hiring and Recruitment, Labor-Management Partnerships, Low-No, Mentorship, Policy and Planning, Procurement, Program Evaluation and ROI, Retention, Safety and Health, Trainer and Mentor Development, Training, Workforce Shortage
Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL)
The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) provides a viable methodology and platform for access and findability of rural and tribal transit coordination resources across a broad range of transportation technical assistance centers and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The FTA-funded Technical Assistance (TA) Centers participating in this ongoing work are:
- National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)
- National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)
- National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM)
- National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP)
- Shared Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
- Transit Workforce Center (TWC)
The TACL Task Force uses a systematic review process for resources included in the database. New resources will be added on a quarterly basis. Let us know if you would like to serve as a peer reviewer for our resources.
Why was TACL created?
The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) published Public Transportation: Enhanced Federal Information Sharing on Coordination Could Improve Rural Transit Services in January 2020. GAO recommended that FTA “develop a communication plan that will effectively share information with state and local stakeholders on coordination opportunities in an accessible and informative way.” This effort was created to improve interagency resource coordination between FTA and its five TA Centers.
How can TACL be used?
TACL resources can be used to identify high quality technical assistance on transportation coordination. The resources can be used for research, training, practice, operations, planning, and other purposes. We encourage authors to cite TACL resources.
Ready to get started?
Visit http://transportation-tacl.org. Click on the Training tab at the top for instructions.
If you have a question about TACL, or if you would like to be considered to become a TACL peer reviewer, please contact info@nationalrtap.org