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Online Training Resources

By Alyssa Sherman, Technology Transfer Program

Continuing education and training programs for transportation professionals are key to maintaining a successful and efficient transportation system. In a field that is constantly evolving and developing new technologies, workers must be aware of the latest techniques and must know how to apply them to their work.

However, budget and time constraints often prevent transportation professionals from leaving the office to attend training sessions. Online training programs are one solution. They provide practical training that does not require employees to leave the office. Online training programs typically offer many benefits:

• Training is available at any time, and students can access programs at home, work, or elsewhere
• The cost is usually low
• Students may navigate course material at an individual pace and may return to specific points in the training at a later time
• Online programs allows access to instructors and curriculum that are not locally available
• Programs cover a wide selection of specialized topics
• Many courses offer Professional Development credits upon completion of training

A variety of organizations and companies offer transportation-related online training programs. The providers listed below offer a range of comprehensive training programs, but they represent only a small selection of the online training that is available.

National Highway Institute (NHI)

NHI website

NHI, which serves as the training arm of the Federal Highway Administration, offers a variety of transportation-specific online training programs. At this time, NHI online courses are free.

NHI courses are geared toward transportation professionals at all levels, and explore topics including:

• Pavement Preservation
• Highway/Structure Construction and Maintenance
• Transportation Industry Ethics
• Quality Assurance
• ITS Deployment
• Transportation Planning
• Highway Federal Aid
• Roadside Design

NHI also periodically schedules "Real Solutions" webinars, which provide a forum for guest speakers to discuss solutions to real transportation-related problems they have resolved. These sessions are "live," and participants have the opportunity to interact with speakers and to ask questions. The presentations are archived online and may be accessed at any time. Past topics include "I-70 Overpass Beam Failure," "Studying Intersections and Prioritizing Safety Improvements," and "Overview of New Technologies in Driven Piles."

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

ITE website

ITE's Online Learning Gateway offers transportation professionals the opportunity to earn professional development hours and to gain current, relevant training. ITE's online courses are primarily geared toward an audience of transportation practitioners, designers, and planners. Costs vary, and are lower for ITE members. Courses are available online at any time.

ITE's courses cover pedestrian facility design, site impact analysis, capacity analysis at signalized intersections, safety analysis at signalized intersections, and traffic signal needs determinations.

American Public Works Association (APWA)

APWA website

APWA schedules live online training sessions, which are archived and available for later purchase. Training programs are geared toward public works personnel and are often appropriate for group and departmental training. APWA categorizes its online training under "Click, Listen, and Learn Programs" or "Web-Based Training." Most programs are two-hours. Prices vary and are lower for APWA members.

Topics include:

• Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector Training
• Right-of-Way Programs
• Traffic Mediation/Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety
• Private Partnerships for Public Needs
• Bridge Maintenance
• Porous Pavements

Consortium for ITS Training and Education (CITE)

CITE website

CITE provides more than 30 online courses providing advanced transportation training for transportation technicians and professionals. CITE also offers online certificate programs in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Project Management, ITS Systems, and Traffic Engineering & Operations.

Topics include:

• Systems Engineering
• Corridor Management
• Deploying ITS
• Intermodalism
• Telecommunications Technology
• Road Safety Audits
• Traffic Signals
• Traffic Flow Theory

Technology Transfer Program Training Clearinghouse

Clearinghouse website

We offer an online training clearinghouse that includes courses from more than 100 providers. Browse the Clearinghouse to find additional online training opportunities.

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