The Mobility Matters podcast addresses mission-critical issues facing the professionals who design, develop, operate, and maintain the mobility systems that get people where they need to go and transport essential goods for communities and families throughout the country.
Join host Tyler Reeb, Director of Research & Workforce Development at the Center for International Trade & Transportation, as he delves into pressing mobility issues in each episode.
Listen to the latest episode below.
Episode 1: Equity & Mobility in Indian Country
In 1991, Congress authorized the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to implement the Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP), which worked to build professional capacity within federally recognized Tribes to support the management of their transportation assets. In 2017, FHWA consolidated the seven regional TTAP Centers into just one, and two years later suspended the program entirely. Today, the TTAP remains suspended pending the release of new guidance and funding, however there is an ever-growing consensus that the program should be reconstituted to provide regionally specific technical assistance for tribal communities throughout the United States.
In this premier episode, we explore why engaging and developing the Tribal workforce is critical to maintaining the nation’s rural transportation infrastructure and how the future of Tribal technical assistance is key to achieving that goal. Join Tyler and his special guests in this timely discussion.
Ron Hall, TRB Standing Committee Native American Transportation Issues (full interview)
Cameron Ishaq, FHWA Special Liaison, LTAP/TTAP Initiatives (full interview)
Raquelle Myers, Executive Director, National Indian Justice Center (full interview)
Be sure to also check-out the companion webinar, broadcast nationally on November 17th, 2021, which takes a look at the history of Tribal technical assistance, the importance of maintaining strong rural/Tribal engagement, and how a national research summit could become an effective venue for assessing the needs of Tribal communities.