Capacity Building for U.S. Transit Professionals.
The IPTP coordinates capacity building programs for U.S. transit professionals to learn from international transit agencies that are world leaders in areas relevant to U.S. transit operations such as bus rapid transit, fare collection, public private partnerships and safety and security. The FTA also collaborates with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the Transportation Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) International Transit Studies Program (ITSP) on their capacity building programs.
For information and reports on recent TCRP International Transit Studies Program (ITSP) missions, visit http://www.tcrpstudymissions.com/.
Capacity Building for Foreign Transit Professionals.
The IPTP plans and develops capacity building programs for foreign transit professionals who seek to learn more about U.S. innovations and best practices. As appropriate, participants take part in classroom instruction, teleconferences, practical training, and site visits drawing upon the resources and expertise of the public and private sectors.
Recent Human Capacity Building Programs include:
United Kingdom Fact Finding Mission 2008. FTA Administrator James Simpson led a fact-finding mission to London in May 2008. The U.K. has emerged as one of the world’s great innovators in public transportation. Some of the topic areas that were explored were security measures, congestion pricing, privatization and congestion mitigation. Read More.
France 2008 Public Private Partnerships. FTA Deputy Administrator Sherry Little led a delegation to a U.S./France workshop on the financing and operation of transit projects through public private partnerships (PPP’s). France is a world leader in PPP’s, local governments and transit authorities have extensive experience in public/private financing, leasing, concessioning, franchising, and contracting. The workshop was held in St. Etienne, France and featured French and American experts discussing best practices in PPP’s.
Nigeria 2008. FTA participated in the 4th Lagos Economic Summit, in April 2008. The theme was “Making Lagos Africa’s Model Mega-City.” With Lagos’ population rising to 20 million people, the focus of the Summit was on managing growth through sustainable transportation and infrastructure development.
Panama 2008. The FTA with the assistance of the U.S. Embassy in Panama convened a conference call in September 2008 to provide guidance on the coordinated efforts and resources needed to strengthen the capacity of Panama’s transportation system and develop an intermodal plan for Panama’s two major corridors. Read More.
Singapore 2007. In February 2007, a delegation form Singapore’s Land Transport Authority visited the U.S. to study bus rapid transit systems. The delegation met with transit agency officials from Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Singapore is planning to implement BRT corridors to complement its rail system.
South Africa 2007. A delegation from South Africa participated in an Orientation Visit sponsored by the US Trade and Development Agency. The FTA coordinated the delegation’s meetings with the Georgia DOT to discuss their experiences planning for the 1996 Summer Olympics. South Africa will be hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Netherlands 2006. FTA organized a study mission for a delegation of officials from the Netherlands interested in ensuring mobility access for persons with disabilities. The delegation met with the FTA and DOT’s General Counsel, APTA, the American Association of Retired Persons and transit agency officials in Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, and Chicago.
Russia 2006. In October 2006, FTA and APTA participated in a conference in Moscow attended by high level officials, academics and leaders of the public and private sectors on creating and managing effective urban transport systems. Discussion topics included: financing public infrastructure development, new technologies to improve ridership, safety and security, and transportation services for the elderly and disabled.
