Our Impact

Transportation Shapes the World Around Us

From the roads we travel to the air we breathe, transportation systems influence nearly aspect of our lives. They shape global and local economies, dictate individual access to opportunities, and drive health and safety outcomes. The way we plan and invest in transportation does more than move people and goods. It shapes communities, reinforces or reduces inequities, and defines how places grow over time.

At SSTI, we imagine a world where transportation systems are judged by the opportunities they create, not how quickly traffic moves, and where public investments strengthen communities, protect scarce resources, and reflect shared values.

Safer Streets and Stronger Local Economies

For many decades, roads have been designed mainly to move cars as quickly as possible. Yet even as roads have widened, Americans spend more time driving each year and face a higher risk of death or serious injury than in any other peer country.

We promote balanced street design that is safer for everyone who uses the road or sidewalk and makes it easier for people stop, shop, and connect with their communities, instead of speeding through.

More Affordable Ways to Get Around

Transportation is one of the biggest household expenses in the U.S. On average, people spend about one-fifth of their income on car payments, fuel, insurance, and maintenance. When a car breaks down, it can mean missing work, medical appointments, or time with family.

We support public investments that give people real choices, like reliable transit and safe, convenient local options. We also advance policies that bring homes, jobs, and services closer together, improving access so everyday trips take less time, cost less money, and depend less on a single vehicle.

A Cleaner, More Resilient Future

Transportation is now the largest source of climate pollution in the U.S., responsible for roughly 30 percent of carbon emissions, along with air, water, and noise pollution. Progress has been slow as vehicles get larger and trips get longer.

We promote a practical, three-pronged approach to cleaner transportation:

Cleaner energy, including electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
More efficient travel, using modern technology, strong transit, and space to walk and bike.
Less driving overall, through smart land use, shorter trips, and emerging technologies.

How We Affect Change

State agencies control around 75% of all transportation spending in the U.S., including most federal funds, and state engineers write the codes and guidelines that determine how most roads are built. We work directly with state agencies to steer the industry toward our better outcomes and a shared vision.

For more than a decade, we have organized state transportation officials and agency staff, supporting those on the leading edge of innovation and ensuring others can follow their example. We do this by connecting peers, sharing knowledge, and empowering agencies.

Prioritizing the Right Investments

Transportation investments are often guided by political pressures and legacy priorities, rather than tying them to clear goals. We have worked alongside leaders at the Virginia Department of Transportation for nearly a decade to develop and implement its groundbreaking investment strategy, SMART SCALE, which aligns spending with clearly defined outcomes and maximizes the benefit of every dollar.

Restructuring Agencies from Top to Bottom

For decades, Caltrans was organized around moving vehicles quickly, even as California adopted ambitious goals for climate, equity, public health, and community development. SSTI partnered with Caltrans and the California State Transportation Agency at a pivotal moment to help the department rethink its mission, modernize design and performance practices, and better align transportation investments with California’s long-term priorities.

Measuring What Matters

Outdated metrics like traffic speed and congestion can point agencies to the wrong answers. We have worked with top researchers and practitioners to develop and implement tools for measuring real outcomes: access to jobs and opportunities by driving, transit, biking, and walking. Through technical assistance and pilot projects, we have supported agencies in at least six states to redefine how success is measured and reshape how they invest.