About the Operations Academy

The Operations Academy is a two-week, total immersion transportation management and operations program. It was developed in response to the increasing demand for personnel with skills in these areas. The program uses a mix of classroom instruction, workshops, and analysis of existing systems to ensure the retention of the principles presented. It provides opportunities to practice and internalize the principles learned which is not possible in traditional classes and short courses. The completion of this program represents a significant accomplishment for each participant. Acceptance to the program is competitive, and requires the nomination of a local, State or Federal transportation agency. It also requires a commitment on the part of those attending the program to satisfy the pre-study requirements, and to spend two uninterrupted weeks participating in the Academy’s activities. The academy provides a significant development opportunity to career professionals in transportation management and operations. Due to the amount of hands-on activity that is required by the program, class sizes are limited to 25 participants per session. The development of the Operations Academy was funded by the Eastern Transportation Coalition and the Center for Advanced Transportation Technology (CATT) at the University of Maryland.

For more information go to the Operations Academy Senior Management Program website.

  • October 2013 Graduate, Captain David Allen from North Carolina Highway Patrol is presented his graduation certificate by FHWA Executive Director, Jeff Paniati.

  • The first Coalition members to attend the Operations Academy Senior Management Program when it began in March 2007.

  • October 2018 Graduates.

  • October 2017 Graduates.

  • October 2016 Graduates.

  • November 2015 Graduates.

  • October 2014 Graduates.

Program Objectives Participants Nomination Process Scholarships
  • Describe the impact of transportation management and operations on the mobility and safety of the highway system.
  • Manage an organization whose primary mission is transportation management and operations, or an organization that includes operations as one of its key activities.
  • Effectively advocate the creation of an operational focus within their agencies.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the technical tools of management and operations and the conditions under which they can be effectively applied and managed.
  • The opportunity to develop relationships with peers from other jurisdictions.

The Senior Management Program is designed for mid to high level managers whose existing or future responsibilities include transportation management and operations.

Any student who is interested in participating in the Operations Academy must be nominated by a public or federal agency. The nomination form will be reviewed and the student will be informed if he/she has been accepted. The schedule for the application process can be found on the Operations Academy website.

The Eastern Transportation Coalition has funding available to provide full scholarships to employees of Coalition member agencies. If you would like to be considered for one of the scholarships available, you will need to complete and return the nomination form and check Coalition Scholarship under payment options. Scholarships will cover tuition and room/board; participants are responsible for their own travel costs. Nominees selected will be from a variety of Coalition members and states, and represent a variety of operations related responsibilities.