|
 |
Monday,
August 11, 2003
Contact: Kristi Clemens, (202)
366-4043
FTA 27-03
U.S.
Department of Transportation Announces $2 Million Grant To University of South
Florida's Center for Urban Transportation Research
Tampa,
FL-U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today announced two grants
totaling more than $2 million for the University of South Florida's Center for
Urban Transportation Research (CUTR). The
grant will be used to provide education, research, and technology transfer for
the transit industry.
"This
grant reflects the Bush Administration's commitment to increased innovation by
strengthening federal and university research and development funding.
Such strategic investments will benefit transit passengers around the
country by providing a safer and more reliable national transportation
system," said Secretary Mineta.
During
a press conference in Tampa, Federal Transit Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn
presented a ceremonial check for more than $2 million to the University of South
Florida.
"Public
transportation is an engine of economic growth. And, I am pleased that the FTA is partnering with the
University of South Florida's Center for Urban Transportation Research to help
people across the country experience the many benefits of public transportation,
including a healthier economy, increased community mobility, reduced congestion,
and energy conservation," said Administrator Dorn.
"The practical and relevant research coming out of CUTR will lead to
cost effective, common sense transit solutions for communities throughout the
country."
The
funds awarded today, in the amount of $2,048,375, will be used to support
research that will help increase transit ridership, identify methods to attract
and retain transit's future workforce, improve the safety and security of
transit passengers and operators, and improve the efficiency of transportation
services. The first grant of $1.8
million represents FY 2002 and 2003 funding of the University Transportation
Centers (UTC) program as stipulated by TEA-21.
The second grant of $248,375 supports the National Bus Rapid Transit
Institute, which disseminates information about BRT to major urban areas around
the country.
The UTC Program is administered by RSPA, the Research and Special Programs
Administration of DOT, with funding from FTA and the Federal Highway
Administration. The grants must be
matched by recipients on a dollar-for-dollar basis at a minimum, leveraging the
value of the federal investment. Information
on the UTC program is available on the Web at: http://utc.dot.gov/.
# # #