Snake calculus and the Transport Factorization

We gently introduce the snake calculus from the viewpoint of higher Teichmüller theory, culminating in the definition of a so-called transport matrix. This algebraic tool serves as the building block of a machinery we here call Transport Factorization, that was introduced in collaboration with Marta Mazzocco to advance the representation theory of generalized Hecke algebras. Time permitting, an explicit (truly higher Teichmüller) application of such machinery will be detailed.