Addressing Expertise Gaps in Transportation with Staff Augmentation

Transportation agencies across North America are facing challenges in staff retention and development, accompanied by an ongoing reduction in workforces. At the same time, new federal funding is providing states with billions for infrastructure. In this environment, finding the staff to complete projects has become a high-priority concern for many agencies.

HDR’s latest Experts Talk interview features Principal Consultant Brian Blanchard, who has more than 40 years of experience in the transportation industry, including more than three decades in leadership positions at the Florida Department of Transportation, last serving as assistant secretary. He shares why staff augmentation is needed now more than ever, the benefits it can bring, contract considerations and what to expect when adding embedded consultant staff. Republication of the article or separate interviews with Brian are available on request.

“In many cases, private consultants offer specialized expertise that cannot be found at public agencies,” Blanchard said. “These insights can be particularly valuable on projects dealing with emerging technology, sustainability, broadband, new alternative delivery methods or other areas where agencies may not have a long history, but which are major focuses of current federal funding.”

HDR’s Experts Talk interview series shines a light on various aspects of transportation infrastructure design and delivery. Each subject matter expert offers unique expertise and insights about new and ongoing trends, emerging technologies and the human side of infrastructure.