At educational institutions nationwide, engineering enrollment is decreasing while the demand for skilled transportation engineers is increasing. The ITE Transportation Education Council provides a focal point for identifying and addressing emerging and evolving needs of educational institutions. Membership in ITE's Transportation Education Council comprises a cooperative alliance of administrators, faculty, researchers, professional trainers, practitioners, students and others interested in actively pursuing initiatives that will lead to greater involvement in ITE and the profession. The interests of college or university students and pre-college students (through interaction with primary and secondary school teachers) are inherently represented by this Council.

The ITE Transportation Education Council seeks to initiate and increase the participation of educational institutions (at all levels) in the Institute and the profession, improve the depth and breadth of services offered to educational institutions, encourage representation of educational institutions in leadership roles in the Institute, support the Institute in identifying education-related early warnings or target program areas that deserve special attention or resources and provide a significant "voice" and expertise in the Institute's workforce/professional development activities through direct representation and involvement on Institute task forces, initiatives, etc.

The ITE Transportation Education Council carefully monitors education-related policies in the interest of its members. One example is ASCE's Policy 465 Academic Prerequisites for Licensure and Professional Practice in which ASCE supports the concept of the Master's degree or equivalent as a prerequisite for licensure and the practice of civil engineering at a professional level. This policy has direct implications for graduate-level enrollments and institutional resource requirements at colleges and universities.

Awards

Each year, the ITE Transportation Education Council provides judges for the Outstanding Student Paper and Outstanding Student Chapter Competitions. In addition, the Council recognizes unique or innovative ways of attracting students to or retaining professionals in the field of transportation engineering through its Award for Innovation in Education.

Products

The ITE Transportation Education Council has developed and maintains several notable on-line products including:

• Web-based Directory of Transportation Engineering Course Syllabi and Materials. This web site provides links to course syllabi and other web-based course materials to allow university faculty to more effectively share information regarding the courses that they teach.
• Training Opportunities Clearinghouse. This website links to seminars and course information in the areas of intelligent transportation systems, traffic operations engineering, transportation planning, and transportation safety.
• Practical Problems in Transportation Engineering Repository. This "living repository" contains a library of topic-oriented practical problems in transportation for use as class exercises by faculty.
• Recruitment Toolbox for Transportation Professionals. This electronic “toolbox” assimilates proven transportation-related activities and exercises for a variety of age groups to better support professional participation in local recruitment efforts.

Publications

In 2003, the ITE Transportation Education Council revised the ITE Student Chapter Manual which still serves as the premier guidance document for student leaders initiating and operating a Student Chapter Program at their respective educational institution.

Joining the Council

This is an exciting time to be involved in ITE, with unparalleled attention being put towards the challenge of workforce development. The ITE Transportation Education Council, with its diversity in activities and member expertise and enthusiasm, has the potential for significant contribution in addressing this challenge. Please join us!

To join the ITE Transportation Education Council, contact Jennifer Byrd at (202) 289-0222, ext. 124.

A list of Council Executive Committee members can be found in the membership directory under ITE Council Executive Committee members. A list of Council members can be found under ITE Councils. Select the appropriate Council from the dropdown menu and click "Search".

Current Projects and Project Leaders

A list of council projects can be found in the ITE Council and Headquarters Project Directory. Select the appropriate council from the drop down menu and click “Find Project”.  For information about joining a committee contact the project leader or if none is listed, contact Aliyah Horton, ITE, 202-289-0222 ext. 137.