1. Intermodal Freight Transportation Institute
Martin Lipinski, Director Emeritus

2. IFTI: Background
Founded in 2007 through funding from federal SAFETEA-LU legislation
2012 second round of federal funding as part of the CFIRE consortium
University of Memphis led the southern hub of CFIRE
The Intermodal Freight Transportation Institute (IFTI) was created in April, 2007 with funding provided in the 2005 federal SAFETEA-LU transportation legislation. The University of Memphis received funding for two separate programs. This funding, with the required matching funds from government and private sector sources, approached $7 million. The monies have been used to establish IFTI, support education programs, conduct research and provide outreach/technology transfer in the area of freight transportation and logistics.
In June, 2012, the initial federal funding ended and IFTI received notification in January, 2012 that the proposal submitted by a consortium of ten universities headed by the University of Wisconsin, Madison Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE) was funded for one year by the U.S. DOT at $3.5 million (extended through 2016). The University of Memphis serves as the southern hub for the team. Other schools in the southern hub are Vanderbilt University, The University of Alabama, Huntsville, and the University of Southern Mississippi. The consortium must match the grant dollar for dollar with non-federal sources and complete all work within two years. The purpose of this strategic plan is to guide IFTI as it transitions into the future.

3. IFTI: Funding Partners

4. IFTI: Mission
Mission: IFTI will be a nationally recognized leader in linking people to solutions in freight and logistics through research, education and technology transfer activities.
Collaborative partnerships form the foundation of all of our efforts.

5. RAIL RUNWAY RIVER ROADWAY
Quadra- Modal Strategy
RAIL RUNWAY RIVER ROADWAY
5th r is research. Looking at local and regional universities. University of Memphis has mad a commitment to working with transportation community.

7. River
4th Largest Port on Inland Waterway System

8. Runway
Largest Cargo Airport in US
Second Largest in the World

9. Roadway
2 Interstate Highways +2 New Interstates
+ 4 Major US Highways

10. IFTI: Pillars
Research
Education
Outreach

11. IFTI: Research Road River Rail Runway Transportation Operations
Transportation Planning
Transportation Workforce
Road River
Rail Runway
Here I focused on the fact that we have a wide range of project activity, with three primary focus areas, but that the bulk of our work this year has centered on transportation workforce research.

12. IFTI: Research Memphis Infrastructure Plan
DRA Transportation Needs Assessment
Many DOT Projects
NEW: Biologistics Research Cluster
Partnership between FedEx Institute of Technology and IFTI
Primary focus areas – interdisciplinary :
Demand for biologistics services expected to increase by more than 60% by 2020
12% of Memphis workforce in TDL

13. IFTI: Outreach Activities
Annual State of Freight Conference
Partnership with MWTC Port Night Event
2nd annual Biologistics Summit in partnership with FIT
2018 Choosing Transportation Summit
Over 250 industry professionals, college, and high school students
National speakers and participants
State of Freight was hosted in partnership with MWTC Port Night this year- attracted many new attendees from all over the country- hosted about 125 public and private sector professionals for the conference

14. IFTI: Education and Training
K-12 (Transportation Academy)
Undergraduate (Civil Engineering – Transportation concentration)
Graduate (MSc., PhD, NEW: Graduate Certificate)
Training (Freight Transportation Leadership Academy)
Mention we hosted annual CUTC meeting, co-sponsored student research symposiums

15. IFTI: New Projects Transportation-STEM Academy at East High
Opened this fall with 90 9th graders
Program tracks in engineering, aviation, logistics, and diesel technology
National Transportation Career Pathways Initiative – Operations Lead
Transportation Systems Management & Operations Workforce – NCHRP in partnership with Gannet Fleming
Transportation Apprenticeship Accelerator
All students at East required to take engineering freshman year, can then choose program track
All students will earn some sort of credential by graduation - dual enrollment, certifications, etc.
We lead the industry engagement, and have more than 50 active partners in this work.

16. IFTI’s Impact
In AY :
Over 1.2 M in annual research expenditures (over $14M since inception in 2007)
3 post-doctoral researchers, 22 graduate students, and 13 undergraduate students funded
21 peer-reviewed publications and 56 peer-reviewed or invited presentations by IFTI researchers
Conferences and professional development sessions hosted by IFTI engaged over 300 professionals from 33 states.

17. Transportation Workforce Development: Moving the Needle

18. Landscape of Transportation Workforce
Attracting the next generation
EARLY intervention
Tell the story!
Alternative recruitment and retention strategies – it’s all about motivation….and recruiting who you really need...
“You can’t be what you can’t see”
- Marian Wright Edelman, founder of The Children’s Defense Fund

19. Landscape of Transportation Workforce
Key Challenges
Lack of awareness
‘Everyone’ needs a 4-year degree
Misperceptions of occupations
Multiple generations working together – and they value different things…
Aligning education to workforce needs

20. ACADEMIC PROGRAM OF STUDY INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION
Transit and Freight Operations Pathway: Diesel Mechanics/ Diesel Shop Technicians
KSAs
ACADEMIC PROGRAM OF STUDY
INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION
JOBS & WAGES
Knowledge of Vehicle Systems/ Mechanical Aptitude
Knowledge of Electrical and Hydraulic Systems
Knowledge of Local Agency Procedures/ Standard Design Principles
Time and Task Management Skills
Ability to work a flexible/irregular schedule
Ability to operate relevant equipment or software
General Computer Skills
In addition to the certifications listed below:
Automotive or Medium/ Heavy Duty National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification
Annual Inspector Certification
Brake Inspector Certification
608 and 609 HVAC – Refrigeration Certification
Advanced Level
High School Diploma or GED Required
Vocational/ Technical Training Required
Trade School Certification or Diploma in Diesel Technology
Associate's degree
ADVANCED LEVEL
3-7 years experience fleet maintenance or diesel equipment maintenance and repair (education can count toward experience in most cases)
Senior Diesel Technician/ Mechanic
Diesel Fleet Mechanic Technician II
Diesel Mechanic III
Senior Diesel Technician/Mechanic
Head Diesel Mechanic
$31.50 in Transit and $26.44 in Freight (mean hourly rate from job descriptions)
Relevant Industry Certifications for Technicians and Mechanics:
Driver’s License
Class A or B CDL with Passenger and Airbrake Endorsements
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification
Journeyman’s Card
Diesel Mechanic Certification
Some additional relevant certifications:
Transportation Workers Identification Card
HVAC Certification
Forklift Certification
Welding Certification
Valid DOT Medical Card
MID LEVEL
Knowledge of Vehicle Systems/ Mechanical Aptitude
Knowledge of Equipment Management
Communication Skills, Written and Verbal
Ability to work well on a team
Interpersonal Skills
Possess a good attitude/work ethic
General Computer Skills
Ability to operate relevant equipment or software
Additional Vocational/ Technical Training Preferred in Diesel/Automotive Mechanics
Diesel Technician
Heavy Duty Diesel Technician
Fleet Services Technician
Truck & Trailer Diesel Tech.
$35.97 in Transit and $29.13 in Freight (mean hourly rate from job descriptions)
1-4 years experience heavy duty diesel or automotive equipment repair and maintenance
(education can count toward experience in some cases)
High School Diploma or GED Required
Knowledge of Vehicle Systems/ Mechanical Aptitude
Knowledge of Diesel Technology
Knowledge of Equipment Management Practices
Communication Skills, Written and Verbal
Time and Task Management Skills
Ability to follow/ interpret instructions
Ability to operate relevant equipment or software
Diesel Mechanic
Diesel & Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Diesel Truck Mechanic
$26.67 in Transit and $29.10 in Freight (mean hourly rate from job descriptions)
Additional Vocational/ Technical Training Preferred
Trade School Certification
Associate's degree
ENTRY LEVEL
1-5 years experience in heavy equipment mechanics (education can count toward experience in some cases)
High School Diploma or GED Required

21. Freight Operations Pathway: Data Science Analyst / Logisticians + Project and Program Managers
KSAs
ACADEMIC PROGRAM OF STUDY
INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION
JOBS & WAGES
Knowledge of Transportation, Warehousing, Supply Chain, and Logistics
Analytical, Mathematical, or Problem-solving Skills
Communication Skills, Written and Verbal
Interpersonal Skills
Managerial/ Supervisory Experience and Leadership Skills
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs
General Computer Skills
Access, SQL, or other database software
Advanced Level
ADVANCED LEVEL
Senior Analyst, Logistician, or Project Manager
Senior Manager Global Logistics & Fulfillment
Senior Supply Chain Program Manager
Vice President / Director of Supply Chain
Logistics Analyst Senior
$35.22 (mean hourly rate from job descriptions)
Bachelor’s degree required
Major coursework in Business,
Computer Science, Economics,
Engineering, Finance, Logistics,
Management Info Systems, Mathematics, Operations, Statistics, or Supply Chain Management
4-12 years in project management in a global supply chain environment
PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification
Driver’s License
Knowledge of Transportation, Warehousing, Supply Chain, and Logistics
Communication Skills, Written and Verbal
Analytical, Mathematical, or Problem-solving Skills
Time and Task Management Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Organizational Skills/ Detail Oriented
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs
General Computer Skills
Intermediate Level
MID LEVEL
Program/Project Manager or Level III
Supply Chain Manager
Transportation Analyst III
Logistics Program Administrator
Transportation Operations Manager
$32.45 (mean hourly rate from job descriptions)
Bachelor’s degree required (or Associate’s degree for some Logistics Analyst positions)
Major coursework in Logistics, Business Analytics, Mathematics, Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering or other technical field
3-10 years in years in Operations, Program Management, Project Management, Procurement and/or Logistics Management
PMP
CPM (Certified Project Manager)
MPM (Master Project Manager)
CPIM (Certified Production and Inventory Management)
Knowledge of Transportation, Warehousing, Supply Chain, and Logistics
Knowledge of Project Management Practices
Communication Skills, Written and Verbal
Analytical, Mathematical, or Problem-solving Skills
Possess a good attitude/work ethic
Interpersonal Skills
Presentation Skills
Time and Task Management Skills
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs
Entry Level
Bachelor’s degree required (or Associate’s degree for some Logistics Analyst positions)
Master’s degree or MBA sometimes preferred
Major coursework in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Software), Computer Science, Mathematics, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Operations, Statistics, or Business (Economics, Finance, or Accounting)
1-5 years Project Management, Supply Chain Procurement or Inventory Planning in a manufacturing company (background in statistical/ data analysis a plus)
ENTRY LEVEL
Certified Professional Logistician (CPL) preferred
PMP Certification a plus
Customs Broker's License
Certified Lean Manager
Forklift Certified
Driver's License
Analyst or Logistician
Logistics Analyst
Logistician
Supply Chain Management Specialist
Data Scientist
Operations Systems Analyst
Application Engineer
$17.00 (mean hourly rate from job descriptions)

22. DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Autonomous Vehicles
Shared Mobility
IoT
Blockchain
Virtual Reality
Data Analytics
3D Printing
Misc Technology
Energy
Artificial Intelligence
Navigation and Tracking

23. Thank You,
Thank You Very Much