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University Transportation Centers Program
Developments in transportation technology over the decades have caused the world to expand, not in dimension, but in terms of accessibility. Transportation has always played a major role in society. The degree of efficiency in getting people or goods from one point to another plays a pivotal role in determining the health of an economy and the general well being of a nation.
Recognizing the need to encourage efficient movement in all transportation sectors of the country, the U.S. Department of Transportation established the University Transportation Centers (UTC) program in 1987 (Title 49, U.S. Code Appendix 1607c), which provided for the establishment and operation of 10 transportation centers, one for each of the federal regions.
Since that time, the UTC program has expanded to include 33 centers, as authorized by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) enacted by Congress on June 9, 1998. TEA-21 authorizes up to $194.8 million for grants to establish and operate up to 33 UTCs throughout the U.S in FY 1998-2003.
The mission of the UTCs is to advance U.S technology and expertise in the many disciplines comprising transportation through the mechanisms of education, research and technology transfer.
TEA-21 also established education as one of the primary objectives of a UTC, institutionalized the use of strategic planning in university grant management, and reinforced the program's focus on multi-modal transportation. All UTCs are required to match federal funds dollar for dollar.
The UTC program is managed by the Office of Innovation, Research and Education of the Research and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation.
Text is provided courtesy of the TRB 80th Annual Meeting (January 8, 2001) |
