FHWA Office of Tribal Transportation

One Program, Seven Centers
We Are Here To Help!

The FHWA OTT is responsible for the administration, stewardship, and oversight of the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) for Tribes that have direct funding with FHWA (FHWA Agreement Tribes). In addition, the FHWA OTT provides program and project support services for all federally recognized Tribes including the TTAP as the primary FHWA office dedicated to tribal transportation.

Program and Project Support

TTAP Team

Leads coordination of TTAP Centers with FHWA and U.S. DOT Offices providing supplemental training (e.g. FHWA National Highway Institute (NHI), technical assistance (e.g. FHWA Resource Center) and technology transfer (e.g.
FHWA Every Day Counts Initiatives) services to build capacity for Tribal nations.

Field Operations Team

Regional Tribal Coordinators provide stewardship and oversight, technical assistance, and project reviews of the TTP for FHWA Agreement Tribes.

Program Administration Team

Subject matter experts on programs and disciplines from environment, planning, safety, and bridges - ready to assist with Tribal program and project needs.

Discretionary Grants Managment Team

Transportation specialists assisting Tribal nations in the delivery of awarded transportation projects.

Additional Funding

TTP Bridge Program
Provides additional funding to improve the condition of eligible Tribal transportation bridges for various activities including planning, design, engineering, preconstruction, construction, and inspection.

TTP High Priority Funding
Competitive set-aside funding of the TTP for a Tribe whose annual funding under the TTP is insufficient to complete their highest priority project.

TTP Safety Funding
Competitive set-aside funding of the TTP to address the higher rates of fatal injuries associated with transportation for the Native American and Alaska Native populations of our country. Projects may include transportation safety plans, safety data assessments and analyses, systemic roadway departure countermeasures, infrastructure improvements and other eligible activities as listed in 23 U.S.C. 148(a)(4).

Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP)

The TTAP is administered by the FHWA OTT and is the primary FHWA Training and Education Program dedicated to serve all Tribal nations.

TTAP Team Roles and Responsibilities

LEAD implementation of program delivery by setting strategic direction and providing stewardship and oversight of TTAP Centers.

MANAGE cooperative agreements with TTAP Centers; provide program funding; review and approve final TTAP Center deliverables.

COLLABORATE with TTAP Centers, FHWA, DOT, and BIA to ensure efficient and tailored services are provided for all regions.

TTAP Program

DELIVERY - The “Next Generation of TTAP” reintroduces a regional model with seven TTAP Centers to better address local Tribal transportation needs.

VISION - Through mutual respect and understanding, enhance the quality of life in Tribal communities by building capacity to administer and manage their transportation programs and systems.

TTAP Center

MISSION - Serve as a go-to local resource for Tribal transportation training, technical assistance, and technology transfer needs and opportunities to effectively carry out the TTAP Vision.

STEERING COMMITTEE - At least 50% Tribal representatives; regional U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and FHWA representatives; and subject matter experts. This group provides input on TTAP deliverables (Work Plan and Needs Assessment) and priorities of services (training, technical assistance,
technology transfer). Tribal representation is critical to ensuring TTAP services meet the needs of the region.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT - Process for determining and prioritizing TTAP Center services conducted by each TTAP Center with input from each Steering Commitee and reflected in the Annual Work Plan.

ANNUAL WORK PLAN - Operational plan reviewed and approved by FHWA for each TTAP Center that sets specific goals and objectives developed from the Needs Assessment results and informed by input from each Steering Commitee. It describes and outlines the prioritized Tribal transportation support operations and activities to be accomplished.

TTAP Center Services

TRAINING - Offering a variety of low-to-no cost training programs in a variety of online, in-person, or hybrid methods; and may be singular events or part of a larger curriculum.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE - Assist with transportation issues or questions relative to Tribal projects or programs. On-demand support can be accessed through phone, email, and/or in-person assistance. TTAP Centers can assist Tribes in navigating to a solution in coordination with FHWA and BIA Tribal coordinators and regional engineers.

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER - Build awareness of relevant, proven solutions to address Tribal transportation specific problems including technological improvements, tools, or techniques.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - Help maximize the benefits of Tribal financial and staffing resources, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations by offering career pathway resources.

Training and Resources for Tribes

Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) 101

This self-paced introductory training provides an overview of the TTP program, funding, and implementation through FHWA for Tribal Staff, Leadership, and Tribal Transportation Program Managers. Link to Training 

TTP Transportation Improvement Program

FHWA, in partnership with BIA and Tribal governments, implements the Tribal transportation planning process, including the development of a Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), and annual TTP Transportation Improvement Program (TTPTIP). Link to TTP Transportation Improvement Plan Program

TTP Webinars

Recorded webinar series covering various Tribal transportation topics including planning, reporting, safety and self-governance. FHWA OTT Webinars Link

TTAP Center Directory