National Summer Transportation Institute Program

Background:  In 1991, the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and other Minority Institutions of Higher Education Task Force recommended that partnerships be established to increase the participation of HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Serving Institutions in the Agency's Federal and Federal-aid highway Programs.  The partnerships were required to have, at a minimum, the active participation of an FHWA Division Office, a State Department of Transportation (DOT) and a college or university.  In response to the recommendation, the FHWA South Carolina Division Office, the South Carolina DOT and the South Carolina State University (SCSU) developed a transportation-focused career awareness initiative entitled "Summer Transportation Institute" (STI).  This USDOT/FHWA educational initiative addressed a crucial workforce need for the transportation industry.  An unprecedented number of transportation employees are or will soon become eligible for retirement.  This creates a need for and provides a great opportunity to prepare youth for future transportation careers.

The STI Program is designed to introduce secondary school students to all modes of transportation careers and encourage them to pursue transportation-related courses of study at the college/university level.  From the success of the first STI on the SCSU campus in 1993, other FHWA Division Offices, State DOTs and colleges and universities expressed interest in and established STIs.  After a six-year pilot program, Congress in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century authorized funding for the first transportation career education program for secondary school youth entitled the  "National Summer Transportation Institute" (NSTI).

To date, the NSTI Program has expanded from one university to over 67 colleges and universities, with more than 8,000 students participating in the program.  Participating colleges and universities throughout the United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico serve as host sites.  States, colleges and/or universities, and private organizations interested in participating in the program should contact their local FHWA division office.

About the NSTI Program

• Vision
• Program Objectives
• Organizational Structure
• Conducting a STI
• NSTI Program Logo

Authorities

• In 1998, Congress authorized funding for the NSTI Program under Section 1208 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.
• The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Section 5204(d)(1) - Training and Education Program: The NSTI (referred to in SAFETEA-LU as the "Summer Transportation Institute") is part of the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program which funds program for outreach to elementary school and secondary school students. The FHWA Office of Civil Rights administers and funds the NSTI Program.
• 23 U.S.C., Section 140(b) as amended by Public Law 105-178, Section 1208, 112 Stat. 18: Provides the authority to award a cooperative agreement for the NSTI.

Annual Reports

The NSTI Program is currently under redevelopment; additional information about the program will be available on this website within the next few months.