The Southeastern Transportation Alliance was formed in 1996 for the purpose of undertaking the Latin America Trade and Transportation Study (LATTS). Members of the Alliance included Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. The effort was funded through an FHWA Pooled Fund study using State Planning and Research (SPR) funds. The premise of the study was the recognition that Latin America is poised for growth and this presents huge trade potential for southeastern states. Therefore, the purpose of LATTS was to estimate trade volumes with Latin America, evaluate infrastructure investments needed to support growth in international trade, and develop strategies to guide infrastructure investments. The overall goal was to help the Southeastern Transportation Alliance states develop their competitive advantages to capture trade opportunities and the associated economic benefits. Following the completion of LATTS (Phase I) in March 2001, the study was taken to the next level under the name LATTS II. LATTS II was a two-year analysis of the critical infrastructure needs identified in LATTS (Phase I). In addition to the original (Phase I) Alliance members, the States of Missouri and Oklahoma participated in LATTS II. At the conclusion of LATTS II, Missouri and Oklahoma dropped out of the Alliance as did Texas leaving only SASHTO states as members. To continue the original study initiatives, the remaining Alliance states decided to form an independent entity entitled the Institute for Trade and Transportation Studies (ITTS). With the exception of Puerto Rico which has not participated to date, the Board of Directors for ITTS is the SASHTO Board of Directors. At the 2011 SASHTO conference, the Board resolved that given the importance of freight coordination, a regional freight institute continues to serve a critical need. To facilitate this need, the ITTS Board of Directors called for the following: 1. The Chairman to lead the effort to develop a projected budget and work plan for ITTS and to report those findings back to the ITTS Board of Directors by November 1, 2011 for approval by the Board of Directors; 2. Approval by the Board of Directors to extend ITTS until June 30, 2017, or upon expiration of existing funds or the expiration of any additional funds budgeted and approved by the Board of Directors; 3. SASHTO Board of Directors to continue to serve as the ITTS Board of Directors; and 4. The sunset of ITTS on June 30, 2017 pending passage of a continuing resolution.

The purpose of ITTS is to estimate trade volumes with Latin America and other international trade, evaluate infrastructure investments needed to support growth in international trade, and develop strategies to guide infrastructure investments. The overall goal was to help the Southeastern Transportation Alliance states develop their competitive advantages to capture trade opportunities and the associated economic benefits.

• Update the Latin America Trade and Transportation Study but expand to include all international trade. • Organize and facilitate workshops attended by ITTS member states to review trade forecasts and freight flows, and to present and compare member state transportation plans to ensure proper coordination. • Organize and sponsor an annual “Freight in the Southeast” conference to provide a continuing education and peer exchange opportunity for member states. • Within budgetary allowances, provide support to member states such as speaking at member state conferences, offering expert advice, etc.

Minimum eight states are required. Project to be funded at $39,800 per state per year. 100% SP&R funding request has been sent to FHWA for approval.