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2019 Annual Report

Letter from the Director

I am proud to present this report of the Center for Transportation Research’s accomplishments and achievements for 2017–2019. We have made great strides in continuing education, research, and technology transfer this year, as evidenced by the number of publications and presentations by faculty and staff and the continuing relationships with our research sponsors and partners. While all our accomplishments are worthy of note, I would like to highlight a few here. CTR touches the lives of nearly every Tennessean. For example, through our Law Enforcement Liaison and Judicial Outreach Liaison programs in the Tennessee Highway Safety Office of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, we have reduced Tennessee traffic fatalities as part of the nation’s vision Toward Zero Deaths. We credit the effectiveness of these programs for helping to keep the number of crash fatalities from rising significantly, in spite of population growth and increased travel. Research CTR was awarded 21 new research grants during this period. Grant sponsors include the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), US Department of Transportation (USDOT), US Department of Agriculture, Society of Automotive Engineers, and the National Science Foundation. We have 13 continuing grants in progress that were awarded by Tennessee Highway Safety Office, FHWA, TDOT, and USDOT. Education CTR is committed to continuing education, workforce development, and professional improvement. Since July 1, 2017, we presented 47 unique courses and workshops for a total of 278 classes that were attended by more than 5,000 people. These workshops and courses are provided through our Tennessee Transportation Assistance Program, Traffic Signal Academy, and Railroad Continuing Education Program. CTR staff also teach university classes and participate in national education programs such as the Railroad Engineering Education Symposium. In addition, CTR supported the transportation related research of many graduate and undergraduate students during this period. Outreach CTR activities benefit communities throughout Tennessee. We work with law enforcement and the judiciary to improve highway safety enforcement. We collaborate with high schools, local law enforcement agencies, and service organizations to develop driving skills and safety habits in teenagers. CTR helps nonprofit community and service groups purchase vans to transport people who are disabled or otherwise mobility impaired. Collaborations Transportation research is inherently a collaborative, multidisciplinary endeavor. However, the structure of a large university hinders collaborative activities. One of CTR’s key objectives is to foster collaboration among faculty and students from departments across the university. In 2014, we established the CTR Fellows program to recognize UT faculty and staff with expertise useful in transportation research. This year’s class introduced the first Student Fellow, Mr. Hunter Sinclair. Hunter’s research interests are in transportation planning and modeling, land use impacts, and the livable city movement. This highly productive year is the result of the combined visions and efforts of many, many people. Because of these tireless contributors and supporters, CTR is laying foundations for new growth and innovation, not just in Tennessee, but also the world.

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