BACKGROUND

Public transportation agencies throughout the United States are introducing and expanding zero-emission fleets and supporting technologies. With the move to zero-emission fleets, public transportation agencies of all sizes must be forward-looking.  Public transportation agencies will need to train current employees and hire new employees with relevant education and training to plan, operate, and maintain zero-emission fleets and technologies to help decarbonize the transportation sector. It is important that employees feel supported and valued as public transportation agencies introduce and expand zero-emission fleets. Support may differ for employees at various stages of their careers, in different positions and levels within the organization, and at varying levels of education and qualifications.  Suitable training approaches should be considered and pursued, consistent with agency and employee needs. Research is needed to assess: 

• What educational, training, and development approaches have historically been effective and can be more widely used by public transportation agencies operating and expanding zero-emission fleets;
• Which cutting-edge approaches can help train and develop public transportation employees to operate and maintain zero-emission fleets;
• What role can be played by larger public transportation agencies, unions, and public-private partnerships in a state or region to leverage their training capabilities for zero-emission fleets to help mid-sized and small agencies; and
• What role could original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of the equipment used in zero-emission fleets play in supporting and developing public transportation agency workforce.  

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to develop a useful resource for public transportation agencies to use as they transition to new skills and new jobs for planning, operating, and maintaining zero-emission fleets and technologies for all modes.  

STATUS:  The research will begin December 1, 2023