TSMO Fellowship Program

This year, NOCoE launched the TSMO Fellowship Program to assist the next generation of TSMO practitioners. A major element of NOCoE's Workforce Campaign, the Fellowship Program supports participants' short and long-term career goals with a focus on advancing communications skills to complement technical expertise.

The program exists in three phases:

• Identify and Plan to ensure training and developmental experiences align with current job and career goals
• Develop and connect TSMO practitioners with resources and networks to increase the knowledge skills and abilities
• Promote and celebrate quality work being done within TSMO agencies

Each year, NOCoE and the U.S. DOT ITS Joint Program Office Professional Capacity Building Program host a competition for students to work directly with public agencies to solve real-world transportation problems.

This year’s tournament was turned into a virtual event, after the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled in-person events. Student teams quickly adapted to the new format and delivered virtual presentations at the ITE Virtual Annual Meeting. A panel of judges watched the presentations, responded with live questions for the students, and then convened to choose the University of Michigan as the winner, for the second year in a row.

Participate in the 2021 Transportation Technology Tournament.

Webinars on Emerging TSMO Practices

In 2020, NOCoE averaged four webinars a month, increasing its webinar schedule to accommodate the increased demand for online training and knowledge transfer needs. NOCoE webinars are often developed by key partners, such as the Federal Highway Administration, and are conducted by industry leaders and NOCoE staff. Webinar series, such as Talking TIM and Adventures in Crowdsourcing, have delivered high quality TSMO knowledge every month.

NOCoE Peer Exchanges

NOCoE Peer Exchanges switched to a virtual environment for 2020, with participants joining a virtual platform over a series of days to exchange information and TSMO practices.

Asset Management and TSMO Peer Exchange

The Asset Management and TSMO peer exchange featured 45-55 people from 15 organizations (State DOTs, Regional MPOs, and FHWA) representing multiple departments and groups. The peer exchange discussed how to define Transportation Asset Management for TSMO, how to develop, maintain and operate inventors for TSMO assets and the future needs of the industry. In addition to the technical dialogue, the participants provided meaningful suggestions on how NOCoE and industry partners can support Asset Management for TSMO.

Upcoming Peer Exchanges include:

• Mobility on Demand and TSMO
• Using Data for Improving TSMO
• Innovative Methods in TSMO Procurement and Contracting

TSMO Resource Connect

In 2020, NOCoE expanded the way they connect practitioners with resources via the TSMO Resource Connect effort. The TSMO Resource Connect service connects the growing TSMO industry with the people and resources they need to develop TSMO solutions and programs. While the Knowledge Center, case studies, and webinar recording library is full of valuable TSMO resources, NOCoE can now provide practitioners with more direct access to the resources and networking opportunities needed to improve your TSMO activities.

Here are some examples of how this service is helping practitioners:

• Looking for resources on any topic of TSMO
• Looking for an expert on a particular TSMO topic
• Researching new technologies or initiatives
• Learning more about an existing initiative that NOCoE is involved in
• Anything TSMO

NOCoE Strategic Advisory Council (Council) met in February 2020 to set the strategic direction expressed in this NOCoE 2021–2025 Strategic Plan. NOCoE’s first strategic plan, developed shortly after its inception to cover the period of 2016–2019, ably guided NOCoE to execute its mission, and the plan’s goals and objectives guided NOCoE’s services and products to effectively serve the TSMO community.

To identify any new strategic direction for NOCoE, the Council considered the progress TSMO has made as an institution, program, and practice among transportation organizations, as well as how industry trends and the needs of the TSMO community have evolved since NOCoE’s inception. The Council updated the Vision and Mission of the organization and devised a new set of strategic goals and objectives to leverage the good work of NOCoE to date and to continue to advance the services and programs for the TSMO community.

Equity and Access

Transportation equity, the concept of fairly distributing the costs and benefits of transportation services, is an important idea for both system users and system operators, while the concept of basic access to essential goods, services, and activities (e.g. food, health care, or employment) is inherent in NOCoE’s vision of a transportation system that works to save lives, time, and money.

As part of the Strategic Plan, NOCoE will consider the incorporation of transportation equity and providing basic access to everyone as it develops resources and tools for the TSMO community. NOCoE will also ensure its activities and services are aligned with AASHTO, ITE, ITS America, and FHWA's ongoing leadership in these areas.