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.
Episode 2: Choosing ITS: Smarter Communities and Careers!
What if we could reduce pedestrian fatalities by a power of 20? What traffic was safer and less congested during your daily commutes? And what if communities across the country became more accessible—opening up a whole new world of meaningful career and quality of life improvements for previously underserved populations? If this all sounds good, then stay tuned for more information about the potential of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).
Join Mobility Matters Host Tyler Reeb and ITS experts Eric Rensel, Kevin Comstock, and Stephanie Ivey as they delve into why community leaders should choose to implement ITS technologies and why emerging and incumbent professionals should choose ITS careers.
Episode 3: From Invisible to Essential: Covering Freight in the Media
During the 2022 International Urban Freight Conference (I-NUF), Mobility Matters Host Tyler Reeb moderated a keynote panel to discuss changing public perceptions of the supply chain and how media professionals are changing (or not changing) their approach to covering the topic. Tyler was joined by Sarah McGregor, Bloomberg Los Angeles Bureau Chief, Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, and Dan Ronan, Transport Topics Associate News Editor.
Join Tyler and three leading media voices as they reflect on lessons learned and challenges associated with covering supply chain issues before, during, and after the pandemic.