University Transportation Centers
In FY 2020-21, California-led UTCs worked in partnership with DRISI to support the research needs of Caltrans and the state of California, primarily in the areas of mass transportation, rail, traffic operations, and transportation planning. The UTCs are fully integrated within institutions of higher learning that advance the state of the art in transportation research and technology and cultivate the next generation of transportation professionals.
The following three FAST Act-funded UTCs completed research initiated in prior years by the end of FY 2020-21.
The Mineta Consortium for Transportation Mobility (MCTM)
MCTM, led by the Mineta Transportation Institute at San José State University, conducts research, education, workforce development, and technology transfer activities to improve mobility of people and goods and make our nation’s transportation system safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient for all. MCTM primarily supports the research needs of Caltrans’ divisions of Rail and Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, and Traffic Operations. Consortium members include:
- Howard University
- Navajo Technical University
- San José State University
- The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The National Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST)
NCST, led by the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis, provides national leadership in advancing environmentally sustainable transportation through cutting-edge research, direct policy engagement, and education of our future leaders. NCST serves as one of the U.S. DOT’s five national UTCs and is addressing the FAST Act research priority area of Preserving the Environment. NCST primarily supports the research needs of Caltrans’ Division of Transportation Planning. Consortium members include:
- California State University, Long Beach
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of California, Riverside
- University of Southern California
- University of Vermont
The Pacific Southwest Region University Transportation Center (PSR)
PSR UTC, led by the University of Southern California, addresses the FAST Act research priority area of Improving Mobility of People and Goods by conducting an integrated, multidisciplinary program of research, education, and technology transfer aimed at improving the mobility of people and goods throughout the region. The PSR UTC program is organized around four themes: technology to address transportation problems and improve mobility; improving mobility for vulnerable populations; improving resilience and protecting the environment; and managing mobility in high-growth areas. PSR UTC primarily supports the research needs of Caltrans’ divisions of Rail and Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, and Traffic Operations. Consortium members include:
- California State University, Long Beach
- Northern Arizona University
- Pima Community College
- University of California, Davis
- University of California, Irvine
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of Hawaii