FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 16, 2000
Contact: Patricia Klinger
Tel.: (202) 366-4831
RSPA 30-00

U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today announced transportation research grants totaling $21.8 million for university-based centers of excellence in transportation at 25 centers.

"President Clinton and Vice President Gore are committed to improving transportation safety, expanding education opportunities and protecting the environment," Secretary Slater said. "These grants will help ensure quality education and encourage students to explore technological innovation for the nation’s transportation system."

Thirty-three university transportation centers (UTC) are funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Collectively, the UTCs include more than 80 schools throughout the United States. All of the centers conduct combined programs of research, education, and technology transfer activities.

The UTC Program, which is administered by the DOT’s Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), has produced more than 1,200 research reports and involved more than 3,500 university students and faculty in the study of transportation. UTC Program grants must be matched by recipients on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

"Working with these schools will help secure some of the best and brightest minds for transportation in the 21st century and encourage innovative transportation research and development," RSPA Administrator Kelley S. Coyner said.

The following institutions received grants:

• San Jose State University, Norman Y. Mineta International Institute for Surface Transportation Policy Studies, $646,800;
• University of Southern California, National Center for metropolitan Transportation Research, $431,200;
• University of California, University of California Transportation Center, $862,300;
• University of Central Florida, Center for Advanced Transportation Systems Simulation, $431,200;
• University of South Florida, National Center for Transit Research, $655,500;
• University of Idaho, National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology, $646,800;
• Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., Safe, Quiet, and Durable Highways Institute, $431,200;
• Iowa State University, Midwest Transportation Consortium, $862,300;
• Morgan State University, Baltimore, Md., National Transportation Center, $1,000,000;
• Assumption College, Worcester, Mass., Center for Transportation and Environmental Education for the 21^st Century, $262,200;
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New England University Transportation Center, $862,300;
• University of Minnesota, Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute, $2,000,000;
• University of Missouri - Rolla, Center for Advanced Materials and Non-Destructive Testing Technologies, $431,200;
• Montana State University, Western Transportation Institute, $1,724,600;
• New Jersey Institute of Technology, National Center for Transportation and Industrial Productivity, $646,800;
• City University of New York, University Transportation Research Center, $862,300;
• North Carolina State University, Center for Transportation and the Environment, $970,000;
• North Dakota State University, Mountain Plains Consortium, $862,300;
• Pennsylvania State University, Mid-Atlantic Universities Transportation Center, $862,300;
• University of Rhode Island, University of Rhode Island Transportation Center, $1,748,000;
• South Carolina State University, South Carolina State University Transportation Center, $262,200;
• University of Tennessee, Southeastern Transportation Center, $862,300;
• Texas A&M University, Southwest Region University Transportation Center, $862,300;
• George Mason University, ITS Implementation Research Center, $1,748,200;
• University of Washington, Transportation Northwest, $862,300.

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Briefing Room