The transportation industry is entering a new era. From connected infrastructure and all-electronic tolling to emerging mobility technologies and evolving customer expectations, today’s leaders must balance innovation with the responsibility of building public trust.
In this episode of Toll Talk, hosts Alex Fakeri and Kalie Jakovics welcome Joi Taylor Dean, CEO of the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority (RMTA) and President of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), for a conversation about leadership, collaboration, and preparing the transportation industry for what’s next.
Whether you’re a transportation professional, tolling executive, or simply interested in the future of mobility, this episode offers valuable insights into how today’s decisions will shape tomorrow’s transportation network.
Sometimes the Best Career Paths Aren’t Planned
One of the most inspiring parts of the conversation is Joi’s career journey.
Originally pursuing a legal career, she never imagined she would eventually lead a transportation authority or become President of one of the industry’s most influential organizations. Her path included law, public utilities, government affairs, strategic consulting, and relationship building before ultimately becoming CEO of RMTA in 2017.
It’s a reminder that transportation benefits from leaders with diverse experiences and perspectives. Great leadership often comes from embracing unexpected opportunities rather than following a perfectly straight career path.
The Value of the IBTTA Community
After attending her first IBTTA conference in 2018, Joi quickly realized the organization was unlike any professional association she had experienced.
She found an industry filled with leaders who were willing to answer questions, share best practices, and genuinely help one another succeed. Those relationships continue to shape her leadership today and reflect one of IBTTA’s greatest strengths—its collaborative community.
IBTTA continues to provide education, advocacy, networking opportunities, webinars, and conferences that bring together transportation professionals from around the world.
Learn more about IBTTA’s conferences and educational programs:
https://www.ibtta.org/events/
“Driving What’s Next”
As IBTTA President, Joi introduced her theme for the year: Driving What’s Next
The initiative is built around three pillars:
- Investment
- Impact
- Influence
Together, these pillars create a roadmap for strengthening the tolling industry while preparing it for future challenges.
Investment: Developing Future Leaders
The transportation industry depends on its people.
Joi discussed the importance of investing in professionals at every stage of their careers through leadership development, education, mentorship, and continued learning.
Among the initiatives being developed are:
- Leadership webinar series
- Structured mentorship opportunities
- Professional growth for new, mid-career, and seasoned professionals
As agencies continue modernizing infrastructure, investing in people remains just as important as investing in technology.
Mentorship Matters
One message stood out during conversations with the IBTTA Young Professionals Council (YPC):
Young professionals want mentors.
Joi explained that meaningful mentorship creates opportunities for knowledge sharing while helping prepare the next generation of transportation leaders. Building those relationships benefits both experienced professionals and newcomers alike.
Workforce development has become one of the industry’s biggest priorities, making mentorship programs increasingly valuable for agencies planning for long-term success.
Learn more about YPC:
https://www.ypcouncil.com
Impact: Looking Beyond Traditional Tolling
Transportation is changing rapidly.
During the episode, Joi discusses how the industry should be thinking beyond traditional highways and preparing for connected vehicles, advanced mobility, and even emerging technologies like advanced air mobility.
Rather than waiting for disruption, transportation leaders have an opportunity to help shape how future mobility systems integrate with today’s infrastructure.
For additional information on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ITS Joint Program Office:
https://www.its.dot.gov/
The Federal Highway Administration also provides resources on transportation innovation, operations, and future mobility:
https://highways.dot.gov/
Influence Through Collaboration
Another key pillar of Joi’s vision is expanding collaboration.
IBTTA continues working alongside transportation agencies, engineering organizations, policymakers, and industry partners to strengthen advocacy efforts and improve mobility across North America and beyond.
Strong partnerships help ensure the industry continues sharing best practices while addressing common challenges together.
Building Public Trust
Perhaps the most important discussion centered around customer trust.
As transportation systems become increasingly digital, customers naturally have questions about privacy, technology, and how their information is being used.
Joi shared her own experience participating in a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) pilot. Even with her deep understanding of transportation, she found herself asking the same questions many drivers would:
- Who has access to my information?
- Why is it needed?
- What’s the benefit for me?
Those questions highlight why transparency is so important when introducing new technologies.
The Federal Highway Administration continues researching road pricing and mileage-based user fee programs as agencies evaluate future transportation funding strategies:
https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/
Communication Is Just as Important as Technology
Innovation alone isn’t enough.
Transportation agencies must also communicate clearly with the public.
Throughout the conversation, Joi emphasizes that agencies need to consistently explain the value of new technologies, demonstrate how customer data is protected, and build confidence through transparency.
As technology continues to evolve, customer education will remain one of the industry’s most important responsibilities.
Final Thoughts
The future of tolling isn’t simply about building smarter roads.
It’s about investing in people, embracing innovation, strengthening partnerships, and earning the trust of the communities transportation agencies serve.
Joi Taylor Dean’s leadership vision reminds us that transportation is ultimately about people. Technology may continue to evolve, but collaboration, mentorship, transparency, and strong leadership will always remain at the heart of successful mobility solutions.
Want to hear the entire conversation?
▶ Watch Episode 43 of Toll Talk: “Leading the Future of Tolling: A Conversation with IBTTA President Joi Taylor Dean“
You can also explore more transportation insights and episode recaps on Under the Gantry, the official Toll Talk blog:
https://tolltalkpodcast.com/blog/
