TRB announces changes to committee structures, activities

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) announced on June 4 that it will be sunsetting its current standing technical committees in favor of a new structure its executive officers said will be “more cohesive and easier to support.”

TRB Executive Director Victoria Sheehan and Technical Activities Division Director Ann Brach revealed the changes, effective immediately, in a letter sent out to TRB mailing lists, noting that the organization had been developing a plan to streamline and strengthen its committee structure even before recent shifts in federal priorities.

Interested in joining a committee? Let TRB know, or apply to be a Friend of a committee.

“By simplifying the structure, volunteers will be free to contribute their expertise while accountability remains with staff,” the letter reads, directing those who want to learn more to explore new functions within MyTRB as well as a webpage complete with an interactive organizational chart to explain the changes.

The letter also explains the next steps for volunteers associated with the now retired committees this summer.

“Over the next few months, former Committee Chairs will be asked to assist in wrapping up ongoing work, bringing it to an appropriate conclusion to lay the groundwork for a stronger, more sustainable system of collaboration,” Sheehan and Brach wrote in the letter.

The letter acknowledges that some industries may perceive the impact differently from others, but states that these changes are in the best interest of the industries TRB represents.

“TRB will no longer support subcommittees, helping ensure clearer coordination and more direct communication. We recognize that this is a significant shift for many of you. Some groups may feel like they’re losing something. That’s real, and we don’t take it lightly. We have launched a website where you can learn about the new structure and have added functionality to MyTRB to allow you to express interest in joining one of the new committees. You can also sign up to be a friend of the committees you are interested in.”

“We’re not just responding to change — we’re shaping what comes next. This restructuring isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of a stronger, more responsive TRB—built to meet the challenges today and in the future. With a more focused committee structure, TRB staff will be better positioned to provide meaningful support to volunteers. Volunteers will have clearer roles, better communication channels, and more relevant opportunities to contribute where their expertise is most needed. This change is about setting up the people who power TRB—staff and volunteers alike—to do their best work.
We want to be clear: the work of the past doesn’t disappear with this change. Your contributions—whether as a chair, member, or friend—have built the foundation we’re now strengthening. This new structure builds on that legacy; it does not replace it.”