Transportation Research Board 2022 Annual Report (2022)

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TRB 2022 ANNUAL REPORT • 9 reputations on impartial and rigorous scientific research. The step of sharing that information with audiences who need it and can put it into action is equally important. Survey results after 2021’s virtual TRB Annual Meeting showed that attendees valued the face-to-face format over an online option. After determining that a fully hybrid event—one held in person and fully accessible remotely—was logistically and financially infeasible, TRB staff spent months research- ing the safest ways to hold in-person events, consulting public health experts and other organizations that run large meetings, and Gathering Face-to-Face and Webcam-to-Webcam In January 2022, the TRB Annual Meeting, which thousands in the field of transportation research look forward to, resumed in person. It is a unique opportunity for policy makers, administrators, practitioners, researchers, and representatives of government, indus- try, and academic institutions to meet and address all things transportation. The program covers all transportation modes and nearly every imaginable relevant subject related to transportation. TRB and the National Academies stake their U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addresses attendees at the 2022 TRB Annual Meeting. Risdon Photography CONVENING

10 • TRB 2022 ANNUAL REPORT together outstanding speakers and experts to share ideas on some of the most complex issues facing the transportation industry: • Sessions at the Sustainability and Emerging Transportation Technology (SETT) Conference addressed ways that policy makers, the private sector, and others can work together to support transportation innovations that promote sustainability and benefit all users of the transportation system, particularly in terms of public health, equity, and accessibility. • The Automated Road Transportation Symposium (ARTS) included panelists who represented a wide variety of private indus- tries, as well as academia, government, and research. Topics included safety, business development, roadway operations, public acceptance, and legislative and regulatory affairs, all of which spanned local, federal, and international spheres. • TRB’s Conference on Scenario Planning in Transportation created a space for conversations around the challenges associated with embracing the process. Scenario planning has obvious future potential in preparing agencies' organization and operational responses to the unexpected, such as increasingly common extreme weather events or global health emergencies. • Combining two long-standing conferences basing decisions on the best available data and experience. A rigorous COVID-19 counter- measure plan was developed, reviewed, and updated right up to the days of the event. Numerous actions were taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure, including proof of vaccination, required masking, layouts that afforded more room for social distanc- ing, and removal of several traditional but nonessential events that tended to be more crowded. Approximately half of the 400 com- mittee and subcommittee meetings provided remote access, and high-profile sessions were recorded and posted online for those who could not attend in person. Events proceeded with flexibility to accommodate new formats. In addition to the Annual Meeting, TRB— through conferences and workshops—brought “Despite the challenges related to COVID-19, TRB functioned well, provided great content, and made me feel safe while attending. Well planned!” — Consultant from Tallahassee, Florida, and first-time TRB Annual Meeting attendee Risdon Photography

TRB 2022 ANNUAL REPORT • 11 across TRB’s more than 60 total webinars this year. When multiplied across attendees, TRB awarded up to 25,000 accreditation hours through its agreements with the Registered Continuing Education Program for professional engineers, the American Planning Association for certified planners, the American Association of Airport Executives, and the American Bar Association. More than 90 percent of attendees join regularly, and the satisfaction rate remains above 90 percent. Approximately 3,000 state DOT employees attended webinars in 2021. New York, North Carolina, and Wisconsin DOT employees lead the pack in taking advantage of the courses available at no charge to TRB sponsors. TRB’s webinar program has been at the forefront of virtual connections for more than 10 years. Most webinars are based on research published by TRB. More than 250 volunteers shared their knowledge through presentations to more than 6,000 webinar registrants in 2022. Each webinar offers a question-and-answer session, allowing real- time opportunity to connect and learn from the exchange. Collaborating on Future Technology and Policy To share perspectives on all of the big- gest issues surrounding automated vehicles and shared mobility, TRB offers the Forum on Preparing for Automated Vehicles and Shared Mobility Systems. Long-term goals of on inclusive and accessible transporta- tion, the TRANSED: Mobility, Accessibility, and Demand Response Transportation Conference addressed the need to better connect the transportation analyses conducted by academia and agencies to conditions on the ground for providers of sustainable and accessible mobility solutions. Focusing on Deeper Discussions Additionally, a few events with more limited audiences took place at the National Academies buildings to drive collaboration further. The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) and Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) each hosted Insight Events focused on specific areas affecting their respective industries. TCRP took a closer look at air quality and communicable disease—specifically in buses—by virtually bringing together transit industry leaders, subject-matter experts, and other thought leaders. Stakeholders shared their knowledge to help identify possible solutions to the problems, as well as areas of research to be undertaken in future TCRP projects. ACRP took a wide-lens look at the mid- term future (2035) and long-term (2060 and beyond) trends in the aviation industry. Attendees also discussed promoting collabo- ration, fostering innovation, and helping to identify areas of future research. In a separate event, the program connected various experts to discuss the challenges posed by systemic racism in the aviation industry, why it matters, actions that can be taken collectively to create solutions, and future research ideas for ACRP on this subject. Summaries of the TCRP and ACRP Insight Events will be published in the new Transportation Insights series. Learning from the Experts Firsthand Every year, TRB offers professional devel- opment to thousands of researchers, practitioners, and transportation professionals through an extensive webinar program. TRB webinars have a loyal following in the work- force. Nearly 100 credit hours were offered via professional development accreditation services Top Five Most Attended TRB Webinars 1. Temporary Pavement Markings and Removal Practices in Workzones (382 attendees) 2. Pedestrian Analysis—Current Practice, Resources, and Applications (358 attendees) 3. Transportation in an Aging Society—The Future Is Now (339 attendees) 4. What’s New in the HCM7 and Why It Matters (338 attendees) 5. Transportation Planning and Project Development Quality-of-Life Practices (334 attendees)

12 • TRB 2022 ANNUAL REPORT accessible to as many participants as possible. This year's visits focused on how state DOT employees can take advantage of participation in TRB, including in such areas as resiliency and climate change; infrastructure; transfor- mative technologies; workforce issues; safety; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. All state DOTs had the option to participate in virtual group visits this year, and most chose to take the opportunity. Including More Diverse Voices The transportation industry is complex and is composed of a wide range of actors. TRB partners with other organizations to ensure its advice, research, and collaboration are equi- table and include all voices. TRB volunteers lead the conversations that the transportation industry has around critical issues. The community recognizes the value in having representation from all stakehold- ers. Staff and standing technical committee members have worked hard to help diversify the makeup and leadership of these commit- tees over the long term. In 2022, the number of new committee chairs who self-identify as female went from nearly 30 percent to more than 50 percent in the course of a year. The number of committee chairs who self-identify as American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/ African American, and Hispanic/Latino rose from just over 8 percent in 2017 to approxi- mately 10 percent in 2022. the program are increasing safety, reducing congestion, enhancing accessibility, increas- ing environmental and energy sustainability, and encouraging economic development and equity. A July meeting of the Forum— including representatives from the European Union—was held in coordination with ARTS. Participants discussed the potential for twin- ning and partnering projects. Finding Solutions for State Agencies TRB’s State Partnership Program is a joint effort between TRB and state DOTs. TRB has been visiting state DOTs since the 1940s. Virtual group visits in 2022 allowed a focus on specific topics while continuing to be Committee Diversity 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% All TAD Committee Members % Members selecting American Indian/ Alaska Native, Black/African American and/or Hispanic/Latino % Members selecting female