Competencies

  • Core Competencies for Highway Safety Professionals
    Research Results Digest 302 presents five (5) core competencies for highway safety professionals practicing in any mode or specialty, supported by 37 learning objectives. Specialists may have or require additional competencies in their own field or organization. The competencies were developed by the TRB Subcommittee for Highway Safety Workforce Development, representing NHTSA, FHWA, GHSA, AAA, professional associations, and academia. The competencies may be used to assess individual abilities, determine workforce requirements, develop curricula, assess course materials, target professional development, and provide cross training. The authors, Paul Jovanis and Frank Gross, also identify that few if any universities offer much training in highway safety, in either civil engineering or public health. Contact: Charles Niessner, TRB.

  • State Departments of Transportations
    States transportation agencies such as South Carolina have begun incorporating the Core Competencies into job descriptions for employees responsible for roadway safety.

    TCCC Safety Matrix – the Transportation Curriculum Coordinating Council (TCCC) has developed matrix of competencies for highway technicians at state and local departments of transportation. The Council is developing a list of training courses to help employees satisfy these competencies. The National LTAP Association (NLTAPA) has adopted the TCCC competencies for use with local governments.

  • United States Department of Transportation (USDOT)
    FHWA has several sets of competencies for its own highway safety professionals, including a “Headquarters Safety Engineering Competency Framework”, “Field Safety Engineering Competency Framework”, Safety Engineer Development Guide for participants in the Professional Development Program (PDP), and a guide for professionals in a Technical Career Track. Contact THE PCB Program Manager.

    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also has set of competencies for highway safety professionals.

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Program Contact

Benjamin Gribbon

202-366-1809