Transportation agencies are operating in an era of rapid change, facing mounting pressures from workforce shifts, emerging technologies, and growing public and stakeholder expectations. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern that offered practical strategies to help agencies strengthen their internal capabilities and navigate evolving demands. Presenters explored why building organizational capacity is more critical than ever, introduced tools and resources from the Advancing Capability-Based (ACB) guidance, and shared real-world examples of how agencies are applying the ACB framework in practice. Attendees gained actionable insights to support long-term success through strategic capability development.
This webinar is based on NCHRP Project 20-24(95)A, "Ensuring Essential Capability for the Future Transportation Agency".
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program.
The slides are available. 
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Facing future challenges: Why transportation agencies need to build and enhance capabilities now more than ever – Hyun-A Park, Spy Pond Partners, LLC
• Exploring the ACB guidance: Tools and resources for building capabilities – Lori Richter, Spy Pond Partners, LLC
• Moving from theory to practice: Applying the ACB framework – Chris Young, Texas Department of Transportation
• Question and answer session moderated by Deanna Belden, Texas A&M Transportation Institute

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Describe the components of the ACB framework, including change forces, capability needs, and practical adaptation strategies
• Access and navigate tools and resources such as the ACB Guidebook, videos, toolkits, case studies, job descriptions, and shared library
• Apply guidance and successful practices from the ACB framework to build and enhance agency capabilities

 
Professional Development Hours
This webinar was delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.
American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits
This webinar was approved by the American Planning Association (APA) for 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) Credits. CM credits provide continuing education opportunities for AICP Certified Planners to continue their professional skills and knowledge. To receive CM credits, Certified Planners should visit the TRB event webpage on American Planning Association and register their participation. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.