The Center for Transportation Research (CTR) was created in 1971 to foster and facilitate interdisciplinary research, public service, and outreach in the field of transportation at UTK. It is housed in the UTK College of Engineering.

Research Partners

  • Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • National Transportation Research Center, Inc.
  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Knox County Schools
  • Tennessee Department of Transportation
  • Governor’s Highway Safety Office

Achievements

Since its inception, CTR has grown steadily. The center today has nearly 50 full-time staff, numerous affiliated faculty and students, and over $10 million in sponsored activities. CTR is home to the Region 4 University Transportation Center, one of 10 regional centers funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. CTR also houses Tennessee’s federally funded Local Technical Assistance Program providing training, technology transfer, and technical assistance to city and county highway agencies throughout the state. In 2009, CTR launched the first issue of the Journal of Transportation Safety & Security, a peer-reviewed international publication that addresses transportation safety.

CTR has three objectives:

  • To develop and sustain the technical expertise within the university for high quality transportation research;
  • To foster within the university a transportation research program that is recognized for excellence, applicability, innovation, and productivity;
  • To serve the research and training needs of the region’s public and private sectors.

CTR oversees funded programs in transportation education, research, training, and operations. Center staff members collaborate in these interdisciplinary initiatives with university faculty and students in economics, logistics, geography, psychology, planning, law enforcement, education, and public affairs.

Research Highlights

The center recently created the state-of-the-art UT Driving Simulator Laboratory. This lab is a multi-use facility and the cornerstone of a multi-disciplinary program of teaching, research, and experiential activities. It is an advanced research tool used in transportation engineering, vehicle technologies, and psychology.

CTR staff support transportation infrastructure development in rural Tennessee through evaluation of the state’s County Seat Connector Program and technical support for the state’s rural planning organizations. The center has also been instrumental in the development of new rail/truck intermodal facilities in rural communities.

Education

The center supports the education of the next generation of transportation professionals through programs aimed at high school students, financial support and research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate transportation engineering students, and workforce development. In addition, CTR teaches and develops courses for the National Highway Institute.

Public Service / Outreach

Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) — Through education programs and infrastructure improvements, the federal Safe Routes to School initiative encourages elementary and middle school children to walk and bike to school. In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, CTR helps communities identify effective bicycle and pedestrian safety projects and prepare SRTS grant applications to implement these measures.

Tennessee Transportation Assistance Program (TTAP) — TTAP assists city and county transportation agencies throughout Tennessee, serving as a resource for problem solving and helping to improve the state of practice. TTAP brings both staff engineers and university faculty together in addressing transportation issues. The program’s continuing education courses are attended annually by thousands of state, city, and county transportation personnel.

Tennessee Vans Program/Knoxville Commuter Pool — Tennessee Vans provides vehicles, insurance, maintenance, and fleet management assistance statewide to public agencies and private non-profit groups that need a cost-effective means of transport. Vehicles provided by Tennessee Vans to these organizations carry individuals to and from work, job training and other activities, generally in areas where public transportation is limited.

Tennessee Traffic Safety Resources Services (TTSRS) — TTSRS is a statewide resource service of the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, providing traffic safety educators, program providers, professionals, law enforcement, safety advocates, and individuals with free and timely materials and information to use in improving highway safety awareness.

Contact Information

Dr. David B. Clarke, P.E., Director
Center for Transportation Research
The University of Tennessee
309-S Conference Center Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-4133
Phone: (865) 974-1812

Email: dbclarke@utk.edu

Website: http://ctr.utk.edu