Emerging Leaders in Transportation 2018

Overview

The Emerging Leaders in Transportation program develops early-career transportation professionals to develop and promote innovations within their organizations. The two-day program includes professional development with executive leaders, communication work through networking activities, and site visits to major transportation management locations.

The Emerging Leaders program has grown in popularity: for the 2016 class of 23 participants, 103 applications were received. Following the program, 85 percent of participants reported that it was “highly valuable.” In the 2018 program, the Rudin Center for Transportation will draw upon leading experts to participate in a four-part workshop series addressing policy issues, leadership skills, and technical innovation.

Emerging leaders will learn how to evaluate the feasibility of innovation for their workplaces, incorporate it into the workflow, and build long-term technology plans. These discussions will contribute to an invigorated leadership cadre, with a systematic understanding of planning for the future and how to bring new organizational tools to their agencies. Two sessions will include field trips to transportation facilities, such as an airport or transit management center, to gain perspective on managing large infrastructure systems. By preparing emerging leaders for the future, we will strengthen the capacity of transportation agencies to adopt livability initiatives, enhance the region’s economic competitiveness, and implement technological improvements for everyday commuters and travelers.

Deliverables

At the conclusion of the Emerging Leaders program, the following deliverables will be provided:

A summary of the panels and workshops
Recommendations for transportation employers to develop early-career workers
Results of the participant survey

Personnel

Sarah Kaufman

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Mitchell Moss

CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigator	Sarah M. Kaufman
Funding Source	C2SMART
Total Project Cost	$37,500
USDOT Award #	69A3551747124
Start and End Dates	01/01/2018-12/31/2019
Implementation of Research Outcomes	Participants develop plans to incorporate innovative tools or practices within their organizations, such as new workflows, data analysis tools, networking activities, and access to educational programs.
Impacts/Benefits of Implementation	Participants reported high satisfaction rates with their knowledge exchange and leadership development. They also appreciate fact time with executive leadership, as well as one another, and maintain these contacts throughout the years. Transportation agencies and companies enjoy new efficiencies and programs, as well as employees who are more ready to take on leadership roles. In a mark of post-program success, of the 18 participants from the 2014 program, nine were promoted or got new jobs within one year of the program. Since the 2015 program completed, half of the 20 participants have already received promotions or new positions.