University Transportation Centers Program Tier 1 Competition 2020
RFP Summary provided by the agency
The UTC Program advances the state-of-the-art in transportation research and technology, and develops the next generation of transportation professionals. The Congressionally-mandated program has been in place since 1987 to help address our nation’s ever-growing need for the safe, efficient and environmentally sound movement of people and goods.
Each UTC is a consortium of two- and four-year colleges and universities that come together to form a unique center of transportation excellence on a specific research topic. Together, they advance U.S. technology and expertise in the many disciplines comprising transportation through education, solutions-oriented research and technology transfer, and the exploration and sharing of cutting-edge ideas and approaches.
The U.S. Dept. of Transportation seeks applications for four new Tier 1 University Transportation Centers, intending (subject to the merits of applications received) to fund one UTC in each of the following specific topic areas:
- Highly Automated Transportation Systems Research
- Communications Technology and E-Commerce Effects on Travel Demand
- Implications of Accessible Automated Vehicles and Mobility Services for People with Disabilities
- Strategic Implications of Changing Public Transportation Travel Trends
Under statutory restrictions, lead/grantee universities on the twenty current Tier 1 UTCs with grants initially awarded in 2016 are not eligible to receive one of the new Tier 1 grants; non-lead consortium-member universities on current Tier 1 UTCs are eligible. More information about this is contained in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
What is the mission and focus of the program: research, social, economic or others?
Research and Development
How do you submit to this opportunity?
Apply on grants.gov
Who are the target applicants: cities, universities, companies, small business, nonprofits, or others?
Private institutions of higher education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
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.
Example project(s) summaries from past RFPs:
National Institute for Congestion Reduction.
Research Priority: Reducing Congestion
UTC Partners: Lead University: University of South Florida, Consortium Members: University of California Berkeley, Texas A&M University, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez
https://www.cutr.usf.edu/nicr/
Research Priority: Improving the Durability and Extending the Life of Transportation Infrastructure
UTC Partners: Lead University: Pennsylvania State University, Consortium Members: George Mason University, Lehigh University, Morgan State University, University of Delaware, Virginia Tech, West Virginia University.
http://r3utc.psu.edu/
Teaching Old Models New Tricks (TOMNET)
Research Priority: Improving Mobility of People and Goods
UTC Partners: Lead University: Arizona State University, Consortium Members: Georgia Institute of Technology, University of South Florida, University of Washington.
http://www.tomnet-utc.org/
