CUTR participates in TTC’s inaugural conference & tour

CUTR participated in the inaugural Transportation Technology Center (TTC) Conference and Tour in Pueblo, Colorado in early November. The conference hosted 300 participants to learn more about the site and its abilities. Lisa Staes, CUTR associate director, discussed the Center for Surface Transportation Testing and Academic Research (C-STTAR) consortium and its role with ENSCO. This consortium of eight universities and academic research centers was established to provide expertise in research focus areas across all modes of surface transportation, including intermodal transportation, which will support TTC initiatives. CUTR will conduct and participate in actionable research and testing across key surface transportation safety technology areas which includes:

• Advance human factor initiatives
• Provide solutions to critical needs and challenges across the transportation industry
• Support and advance emergency management programs and strategies – including infrastructure and operational resiliency
• Facilitate collaboration and coordination between government, other research institutions, academia, and the industry
• Develop tomorrow’s transportation professionals
• Create opportunities for student research participation and industry engagement
• Employ a comprehensive approach to provide workforce development and technical training through realistic training environments and the latest technologies in course development and delivery

In 2021, C-STARR was awarded a $4.6 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant to the Mineta Transportation Institute to establish a Climate Change and Extreme Events Training and Research Program with C-STTAR members, Oregon State University, CSU-Pueblo, Michigan State, and the University of Hawaii.

C-STTAR member universities were recently awarded a second CRISI grant with CUTR as the lead institution. This $17M Comprehensive Approach to Promoting Railroading Careers and Developing the Current Rail Industry program has been designed to address the stability and growth of its workforce. Across 13 individual projects, C-STTAR members will engage primary and secondary school students, university students, and existing railroad employees.

Ms. Staes, Sisinnio Concas, PhD, Jodi Godfrey, and Achilleas Kourtellis, PhD, toured the facility, networked with colleagues, and discussed future partnerships and research opportunities.