U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Competitive Grant Solicitation for Nearly $5 Million for Four New University Transportation Research Centers

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As part of its University Transportation Centers (UTC) program, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking applications from institutions of higher education for four new Tier 1 UTCs, with total awards of $4.925 million.

“Our University Transportation Centers are not only the seeds of our future transportation system, they serve as living labs, bringing research to reality.  Four new UTCs will address a variety of important 21st century transportation topics,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary Diana Furchtgott-Roth.

Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity, DOT intends to fund one UTC in each of the following specific topic areas: 

1. Highly Automated Transportation Systems Research;
2. Communications Technology and E-Commerce Effects on Travel Demand;
3. Implications of Accessible Automated Vehicles and Mobility Services for People with Disabilities; or
4. Strategic Implications of Changing Public Transportation Travel Trends.

Only U.S. non-profit institutions of higher education are eligible to apply or to be members of a proposed UTC consortium.  Non-profit institutions of higher education may include qualifying two-year institutions.

These Tier 1 UTCs will support research needs that DOT has identified under two of the FAST Act research priorities (49 U.S.C. § 6503(c)(1)): “Promoting Safety” and “Improving Mobility of People and Goods.”