US Department of Transportation Awards Rutgers $2.83 Million to Lead Research on Improving Transportation Infrastructure
Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) recognized as one of five national university transportation centers
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded Rutgers $2.83 million annually for at least two years to lead research on improving the country’s transportation infrastructure – most notably roads, bridges, ports and pipelines.
With this grant, the department recognized Rutgers as one of five national university transportation centers and the nation’s top center to focus on the department’s “state of good repair” research priority.
Receiving the award is the university’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT), which will lead a group of nine universities to address technical and management issues that will make the country’s transportation infrastructure stronger. There are two other New Jersey schools in the consortium: New Jersey Institute of Technology and Princeton University.
“CAIT is proud that USDOT has recognized the research program we’ve been building for more than 15 years,” said Ali Maher, director of CAIT. He noted that this is the fourth time since 1997 that CAIT has earned major funding under the department’s University Transportation Center (UTC) program, but the first time it has received one of the national awards. Previous awards have largely focused on local, state and regional needs.
Maher said the grant will fund projects to increase safety, reduce congestion, improve the environment, find better ways to fix bridges and develop tools that ensure money invested in infrastructure yields maximum benefits.
CAIT is affiliated with the Rutgers School of Engineering and works closely with the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
Further information on the award is available from CAIT and the USDOT.