By Brianne Eby-Stockert and Abigail Wolfgram

 On March 7 and 8, 2024, WTS International (WTS-I) hosted a policy symposium in Washington, D.C. Across 10 sessions, policymakers and representatives from both the public and private sector discussed the latest in transportation policy.

 Setting the stage for the symposium, Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg provided a keynote address outlining U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)-wide progress and initiatives, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) impaired driving Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, and the electric vehicle charging program.

 A panel of staff from key Congressional committee’s spoke about efforts to measure progress on implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and planning for the next transportation reauthorization.

 A final highlight from the first day was hearing from a panel of USDOT’s operating agency administrators and deputy administrators, who shared insights about their agencies’ proudest moments since enactment of the IIJA. They also noted cross-agency trends and challenges, such as workforce development, and outlined future opportunities. For example, NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman focused on the National Roadway Safety Strategy’s efforts to expand safety protection emphasis to those outside the vehicle, and the Federal Transit Administration’s Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool described investment in bus manufacturing as a key opportunity for the transit industry.

 Day two kicked off with a keynote address from Wendy Chun-Hoon, Director of the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, who shared resources, including the Women’s Bureau’s Equity Toolkit, and strategies for recruiting and supporting women in the workforce.

 After a legislative and election year update from Channon Hannah, a Principal at Carpi & Clay Government Relations, the next session turned local with a panel of local government leaders and representatives to talk about how they’re enacting local policy and how they’re implementing federal and local policy.

 The symposium concluded with a final panel of USDOT leaders who discussed USDOT updates to the DBE Program and highlighted how this critical policy work is making a difference in expanding disadvantaged business’ access to federal contracts.

 As we head into an election year, the 2024 WTS-I Policy Symposium helped attendees navigate our current political and policy landscape. We look forward to next year’s panel and hope you will consider joining WTS-I in 2025 for more insights!

On March 7 and 8, 2024, WTS International (WTS-I) hosted a policy symposium in Washington, D.C. Across 10 sessions, policymakers and representatives from both the public and private sector discussed the latest in transportation policy.

Setting the stage for the symposium, Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg provided a keynote address outlining U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)-wide progress and initiatives, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) impaired driving Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, and the electric vehicle charging program.

A panel of staff from key Congressional committee’s spoke about efforts to measure progress on implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and planning for the next transportation reauthorization.

A final highlight from the first day was hearing from a panel of USDOT’s operating agency administrators and deputy administrators, who shared insights about their agencies’ proudest moments since enactment of the IIJA. They also noted cross-agency trends and challenges, such as workforce development, and outlined future opportunities. For example, NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman focused on the National Roadway Safety Strategy’s efforts to expand safety protection emphasis to those outside the vehicle, and the Federal Transit Administration’s Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool described investment in bus manufacturing as a key opportunity for the transit industry.

Day two kicked off with a keynote address from Wendy Chun-Hoon, Director of the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, who shared resources, including the Women’s Bureau’s Equity Toolkit, and strategies for recruiting and supporting women in the workforce.

After a legislative and election year update from Channon Hannah, a Principal at Carpi & Clay Government Relations, the next session turned local with a panel of local government leaders and representatives to talk about how they’re enacting local policy and how they’re implementing federal and local policy.

The symposium concluded with a final panel of USDOT leaders who discussed USDOT updates to the DBE Program and highlighted how this critical policy work is making a difference in expanding disadvantaged business’ access to federal contracts.

As we head into an election year, the 2024 WTS-I Policy Symposium helped attendees navigate our current political and policy landscape. We look forward to next year’s panel and hope you will consider joining WTS-I in 2025 for more insights!