Through its University Transportation Centers, our Research and Innovative Technology Administration is working hard to improve the future of transportation. At these centers, expert faculty, graduate students, and even undergrads work side-by-side doing the research that helps keep the state-of-the-art in transportation moving forward.
Earlier today, for example, I blogged about an exciting traffic forecasting technology being developed by IBM, the California Department of Transportation, and the University of California, Berkeley. And UC Berkeley is one of our University Transportation Centers.
Lightweight fiber-reinforced polymer bridge decks allow faster bridge repair
Last week, research teams from UTC's across the country gathered at DOT headquarters to share work that is--or will soon be--changing transportation. And, if the projects displayed at University Research Technology Transfer Day are any indication, the future of transportation is safer, faster, smarter and greener than today.
One team from Kansas State University demonstrated bridge replacement panels made of Fiber Reinforced Polymer honeycombs that are 25 percent lighter than current concrete bridge decks. This means the repaired bridge can actually handle more vehicle weight on the original bridge structure, which gives freight carriers more options to get where they're going. The panels are also faster to install, so travelers face fewer detours and lane closings. And they save the state departments of transportation money that can be stretched into making more bridges safer.
The Trusted Truck program would save good drivers, carriers from unnecessary inspections
Other projects on display covered aviation, rail, transit, bikes, cars, and pedestrians. And all of them are working to advance one or more of DOT's strategic goals: safety, livability, state of good repair, economic competitiveness, and environmental sustainability.
Another terrific benefit of DOT's partnership with universities across America is that while we're helping academic experts deliver real-world solutions to market, we're also developing the next generation of transportation professionals among students.
I can't tell you how important that is to the safety and economic competitiveness of future generations of Americans.
Given the impending bankruptcy of the US and the cascade failure of its states, infrustructure spending is going to become third world scarce over the next couple of decades.
It would be interesting to find out what Countries your graduates are planning to work in. If there is some place out there practicing enough fiscal discipline to have a future for transportation, I might think about moving. They say you are never too old to try something new. Although it does get harder to learn a new languages past 40 according to most sources I have read.
Posted by: Dave Imrett | April 15, 2011 at 01:02 PM
Some University Transportation Centers perform poor research that does not support the USDOT strategic goals. This is particularly true in some of National UTCs that have been earmarked in the last transportation bill. For example,the Oklahoma Transportation Center has been receiving $3.5 Million each year since 2005 and there is nothing worthwhile to show. To solve transportation problems, research dollars should be awarded based on competition in esponse to well defined problems.
Posted by: SAA | April 15, 2011 at 05:58 PM