The Technical Activities Council-consisting of the overall Chair and the Chairs of each of the Groups -provides a forum for interchange and interaction among the Groups, between the Groups and the TRB Executive Committee, and between the Groups and TRB staff. Technical Activities Council members who are in their second year of their three-year term serve as the Council's representatives to the TRB Executive Committee.

The Technical Activities Council assists in identifying emerging topics of interest to the transportation community and cross-cutting issues. The Council helps facilitate interaction among Groups, Sections, and committee to address cross-cutting issues and opportunities. The Council also fosters outreach efforts to other transportation organizations and groups.

The Technical Activities Council plays a significant role in refining and implementing processes and techniques for improving the quality of meetings and publications emanating from Technical Activities Division volunteer activities. The Council also serves as a focal point for the continuing review in each of the Group Executive Boards of the need for establishing new committees and for discharging those that are no longer necessary.