Study History, Premise, Purpose, Membership and Management

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, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and the FHWA.  On August 1, 1997, Wilbur Smith Associates, as the lead consultant, was authorized by the Alliance to proceed with the approved LATTS work scope.

The premise of the study was the recognition that Latin America is poised for growth and that the recent boom in exports is a sign of things to come. Trade liberalization, which includes lowering and eliminating tariffs, combined with economic restructuring and privatization in Latin America presents huge trade potential. Therefore, the purpose of LATTS was to identify trade opportunities with Latin America, evaluate infrastructure investments needed to support growth in international trade, and develop strategies to guide infrastructure investments. The overall goal is to help the Southeastern Transportation Alliance states develop their competitive advantages to maximize production and wealth at home while, at the same time, broadening their global market opportunities.

Following the completion of LATTS (Phase I) in March 2001, the Study was taken to the next level under the name of LATTS II. Throughout LATTS II, interim products consisting of presentations and technical memoranda will be produced and submitted to the Alliance Members for review. Please, click on the LATTS II button in the upper left corner of this page for more information on this phase of the Study.

Where are We Now

To continue the original study initiatives, the member states decided to form an independent entity called ITTS (Institute for Trade and Transportation Studies.) The Institute, owned by the region states, will perform specialized analysis and research that individual states would need and could not undertake singularly.  Please, click on the ITTS button in the upper left corner of this page for more information on this final phase of the Study.