USDOT Awards $14 million Grant to the UFTI

 

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These nine universities in the Southeast are represented in the STRIDE Center’s consortium.

DOT awards UF Transportation Institute $14M for traffic congestion research

Gainesville, Fla. — A consortium led by the University of Florida Transportation Institute, UFTI, has been named the Region 4 (Southeast) University Transportation Center by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and provided with $14M in funding to develop novel strategies for reducing congestion over the next five years.

The Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation, Development and Education Center, or STRIDE, consortium consists of nine university partners in the region: Auburn University, The Citadel, Florida International University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Jackson State University, North Carolina State University, Tennessee Technological University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It is led by UFTI director and professor Lily Elefteriadou.

“STRIDE will address congestion through the use of new technologies available in vehicles, telecommunications capabilities, and shared autonomy in transportation,” Elefteriadou said. “We will also strengthen our educational activities and technology transfer initiatives throughout the region and nationally.”

Last month, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced that $300.3 million in grants would be awarded to 32 appointed University Transportation Centers around the country in an effort to advance research and education programs that address critical transportation issues.

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The STRIDE grant will address these five areas to reduce congestion.

“Our nation faces unprecedented challenges from population growth, a changing climate, and increasing freight volumes,” said Foxx. “Universities are at the forefront of identifying solutions, researching critical emerging issues, and ensuring improved access to opportunity for all Americans.”

Foxx also noted that the centers will provide opportunities for students to work with leading experts in conducting cutting-edge transportation research.

“As a land-grand university, UF is committed to serving the needs of our citizens,” said Cammy Abernathy, dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. “More and more autonomous vehicles are merging into our lives and UFTI is a frontrunner in helping to make that a smooth transition for everyone.”

Contact
Dr. Lily Elefteriadou; elefter@ce.ufl.edu <352-294-7803>