MTI awarded $15 million for transportation research

The Mineta Consortium for Equitable, Efficient and Sustainable Transportation, led by the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University in California, this week received $10 million in federal funding for transportation research.

MTI's research projects will focus on increasing participation in U.S. transportation systems and workforce using data and public opinion to inform policy, infrastructure and technology, university officials said in a press release. The research will also focus on under-served communities; reducing transportation's impact on climate change; and building a more resilient supply chain.

The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation University Transportation Center Program, which supports transportation research, education, workforce development and technology transfer activities, university officials said. Matching funds from regional and state partners, including the California Department of Transportation, bring the grant's five-year total to $15 million, they added.

Earlier this month, USDOT announced up to $435 million in grant awards for 34 university transportation centers working on the next generation of transportation innovation for roads, bridges, rail, transit and advanced air mobility.

The consortium involves other partners, including Howard University, Navajo Technical University and the University of South Florida.