Center for Transportation Research
Established at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the Center for Transportation Research is a nationally recognized hub that solves modern transit challenges through cutting-edge research, workforce development, and community outreach.
Mobility Research at UTK
Impact
About the Center
Established in 1972, the Center for Transportation Research (CTR) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a nationally and internationally recognized hub for cutting-edge transit innovation. Managing a robust portfolio of $14.5 million across more than 300 active programs and projects, CTR bridges the gap between academic research and real-world impact by tackling modern transportation challenges. By driving transportation research, workforce development, and community outreach, CTR equips the next generation of researchers, students, and professionals to shape the future of transportation.
Our 2025 Annual Report
CTR closed fiscal year 2025 at $14.5 million in annual expenditures. Three years ago, that number was $8.1 million. We nearly doubled the center’s research enterprise by investing in people, partnerships, and the research areas where Tennessee has a right to lead.
Click the button below to read the full CTR 2025 Annual Report.
Tennessee Transportation Assistance Program
The Tennessee Transportation Assistance Program (TTAP) is a CTR initiative and the state’s official LTAP center. Funded by TDOT and the FHWA, we provide training and technical resources to Tennessee’s transportation workforce. Our mission supports both public and private professionals in building safer, more efficient roadways. We bridge the gap between research and practice to improve infrastructure statewide.
Center for Freight Transportation for Efficient & Resilient Supply Chain
The University of Tennessee leads the Center for Freight Transportation for Efficient & Resilient Supply Chain (FERSC), a Tier-1 University Transportation Center consortium funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Focusing on the national priority of improving mobility of people and goods, FERSC addresses critical freight and logistics challenges through economic efficiency, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
International Cycling Safety Conference
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is hosting the 14th Annual International Cycling Safety Conference (ICSC 2026) from November 3–5, 2026, marking only the second time this global event has been held in the United States. Bringing together world-leading researchers, industry professionals, and advocates to advance infrastructure and policy for safer streets, the conference highlights Knoxville’s vibrant, growing cycling culture. Reflecting a deep commitment to vulnerable road user safety and sustainable mobility, the UT Center for Transportation Research is proud to support ICSC 2026 as a premier sponsor.
How CTR is Helping Shape the Future of UT Student Travel with Uber Vouchers
Through a new pilot program with Uber, our researchers are examining how 2,000 freshmen form transportation habits, providing the data necessary to modernize campus infrastructure and reduce the footprint of “car storage”. This collaboration with the Boyd Center ensures that every ride taken informs a more accessible and sustainable future for our university community.
News
- CTR Welcomes Ukrainian Scholar Oleksandr Bondarenko for Collaborative Transportation Research
- Affiliated Faculty Help Position UT as Leader in AI’s Engineering Revolution Through TCE
- Advanced Mobility Innovation Lab introduces East Tennessee students and teachers to transportation technology
