Transportation Safety Institute (TSI)

Funding Level: $17,000,000
FTE: 51

Transportation Safety Institute’s (TSI) mission is to provide premier worldwide training, products, and/or services for people in the public and private sectors through innovative, state-of-the-art methods and technologies that contribute to the protection of life, property, and the environment

TSI was established in 1971 to assist DOT modal administrations in accomplishing their essential training requirements.  Since its inception, TSI has expanded its clientele to keep up with the needs of the Department and transportation industry.  The Institute offers premier transit, aviation, pipeline, motor carrier, highway safety, hazardous material, and risk management training nationally and internationally.

The TSI is funded via reimbursable agreements, tuitions, and fees.  TSI is a Federal cost recovery agency that develops and conducts worldwide safety, security, and environmental training, products, and/or services for both public and private sectors.  The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is the Institute’s parent organization within the Department of Transportation.  

How TSI Operates

• Direction and budget oversight provided by RITA
• Funded via reimbursable agreements, tuitions, and fees
• Operational and logistical support provided by the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center
• Associate and contract staff (industry experts) are instrumental in delivery/development of the training

Explanation of Funding Changes for TSI Planning and Management

FTE: +2

Two additional reimbursable positions are requested for the TSI Director and the TSI Office Administrator.  These positions were previously funded with appropriated funds and positions in RITA Headquarters.

Other RITA Reimbursable Programs

Funding Level: $32,000,000

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act:  A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) authorization provides funding under Title V – Research to fund National Cooperative Freight Research, Biobased Transportation Research, Commercial Remote Sensing Research, Technology Transfer Grants, Appalachian Regional Commission Grants, Rural Transportation Research Initiatives Grants, Hydrogen Powered Research Grants, Cold Region and Rural Research Grants, Advanced Vehicle Technology Grants and Renewable Transport Systems Grants.  The funding to support these initiatives is managed by RITA staff.

RITA also collects reimbursable funds to manage the Department’s Climate Change Center.