University Center Transportation Program

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, enacted on August 10, 2005, authorized up to $76.7 million per year from Federal FY2005-2009 funds for grants to establish and operate up to 60 University Transportation Centers (UTCs) throughout the United States.

VISION Internationally recognized centers of excellence, fully integrated within institutions of higher learning, that serve as a vital source of leaders who are prepared to meet the nation's need for safe, efficient and environmentally sound movement of people and goods.

MISSION To advance U.S. technology and expertise in the many disciplines comprising transportation through the mechanisms of education, research and technology transfer at university-based centers of excellence.

GOALS

• Education: a multi disciplinary program of course work and experiential learning that reinforces the transportation theme of the Center.
• Human Resources: an increased number of students, faculty and staff who are attracted to and substantively involved in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs of the Center.
• Diversity: students, faculty and staff who reflect the growing diversity of the U.S. workforce and are substantively involved in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs of the Center.
• Research Selection: an objective process for selecting and reviewing research that balances multiple objectives of the program.
• Research Performance: an ongoing program of basic and applied research, the products of which are judged by peers or other experts in the field to advance the body of knowledge in transportation.
• Technology Transfer: availability of research results to potential users in a form that can be directly implemented, utilized or otherwise applied

THEME  The theme of the National Transportation Research Center, Inc University Transportation Center (NTRCI-UTC) is Heavy Vehicle Safety, Operational Efficiency and Security. Knoxville, Tennessee is a critical node in the surface transportation network. This area has been used by various US Department of Transportation agencies for transportation research because of the unique problems presented by the movement of people and goods through the area. It has been estimated that on average approximately 26,000 trucks pass through Knox County each day; this presents unique safety, security, efficiency and congestion problems. The NTRCI-UTC will support the National Strategy for Surface Transportation research though research and educational activities. NTRCI-UTC will focus on research projects to reduce accidents, improve interaction between heavy vehicles and passenger vehicles, move goods more efficiently, and reduce both emissions and congestion. The UTC is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Transportation/Research and Innovative Technology Administration authorized in Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).