RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: TRANSPORTATION EQUITY

Transportation Workforce Development For State DOTs Addresses Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (Southeast Region)

UFTI Transportation Equity Program Director, Dr. Mehri Mohebbi, along with a team of researchers, investigated how to increase diversity and promote inclusion in training, recruiting and workforce retention efforts of southeastern Departments of Transportation (DOTs). The STRIDE-funded project, Transportation Workforce Development for State DOTs to Address Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), produced a framework that defines the 3 Ps of Equitable Transportation Workforce Development (ETWD) including: promoting employees’ engagement in diversity planning; prioritizing investments in areas lacking diversity; and providing non-monetary incentives and benefits.

Dr. Mohebbi notes that the transportation industry lacks diversity across a variety of jobs and levels and that it is important to build a diverse workforce that reflects communities’ demographics. A more diverse workforce ultimately “contributes to the business goals of transportation agencies and creates the foundation for long-term relationships with the communities those agencies serve.” While initially focused on DOTs, the framework can be used by other transportation agencies, professional organizations and the private sector. For more information go to: transportation.institute.ufl.edu/research/transportation-equity-2.

Research Team:

Dr. Mehri Mohebbi, University of Florida, Dr. Virginia Sisiopiku, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr. Dimitra Michalaka, The Citadel, Dr. Kweku Brown, The Citadel