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The University of Tennessee Transportation Center is one of the
oldest and largest university-based transportation research centers
in the country, and is a nationally recognized leader in transportation
research and education with roots extending back to the Tennessee
Department of Transportation Highway Research Program in the 1920s.
The Transportation Center, organized in 1970, began full-time
operation in March of 1972, and has gained national recognition
as a leading research center in transportation. Beginning with
one full-time employee, the Center quickly became involved in
transportation-related research activities and found itself at
the forefront of research which has influenced national policy.
In July 1972, a satellite office was opened in Nashville to coordinate
the management of the Tennessee Department of Transportation's
University Research Program and highway safety research for the
Governor's Highway Safety Program. By 1977, research activities
and staff size had increased dramatically. During this period
total billings reached a peak of over $3,000,000 per annum, and
the Center had employed 112 full-time staff, 75 part-time faculty,
and approximately 200 graduate students who provided a wide variety
of expertise in all areas of transportation. The Center's operations
had expanded to include a project office in Chattanooga, primarily
for the purpose of housing the Motor Vehicle Diagnostic Inspection
Demonstration Project.
Early projects undertaken by the Center included participation
in the Child Passenger Safety program, in which we conducted an
evaluation of the impact of the Tennessee Child Passenger Protection
Act on reducing injuries and fatalities among children under four
years of age who were involved in automobile accidents. Through
this program the Center was instrumental in promoting legislation
which led to the State of Tennessee becoming the first state in
the nation to help protect children from injury and death in automobile
accidents through enactment of a law requiring the use of child
safety restraint devices in moving vehicles for children under
the age of four.
Another early project implemented by the Center was the establishment
of an operational organization to promote the greatest possible
fuel economy in the utilization of vehicles, both private and
public. This project lead to the establishment of the Knoxville
Commuter Pool, a ridesharing information center, a vanpool program,
a ridesharing computer matching program, vanpool and carpool insurance
programs, and areawide public relations, research, and evaluation
programs.
As our first decade passed, the Transportation Center continued
to grow and expand into diverse new areas of research, particularly
in the search for increased efficiency with special emphasis on
improving transportation safety. Projects were undertaken in such
areas as Curb Space Management, Federal Transit Funding, Intercity
Bus Deregulation, Railroad Abandonments, and the Transport of
Sodium Compounds. Other projects involved the demonstration of
the use of a small fleet of electric vehicles for municipal services,
and studies continued in ridesharing management, highway grade
crossing safety, and school bus accidents.
With the advent of applied computer technology during the Center's
earlier years, the opportunity to utilize new technology tools
in the conduct of research projects resulted in the establishment
of the Pellissippi Research Facility. In 1992, the Center opened
the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Resource Center at the
Pellissippi location. Today this facility is a state-of-the-art
laboratory equipped with the latest and most sophisticated hardware
and software, which is being applied successfully to long-standing
and newly emerging issues in transportation and resulting in solutions
to transportation needs and problems.
In more recent years, the Center has worked to develop efficient
and cost-effective solutions to fuel availability and usage through
alternate sources. Working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
a methanol fleet demonstration project was conducted with fleets
of vehicles being modified to operate on methanol. Performance
was monitored and resulting data analyzed and compared to comparable
gasoline powered vehicles.
Another focus of the Center which began in the early years and
has continued with steady growth has been the study of the impact
of highway construction projects on archaeological resources.
This research now covers the entire state and is conducted for
federal, state, and local governments as well as private firms.
Influences of the Transportation Center have reached an international
level as many of our research staff have been invited abroad to
share results of research studies with other nations. During May
1994, researchers visited and toured the railroad network in several
parts of China, examined newly built rail lines in the Gobi Desert
area as well as visiting operations in Manchuria and meeting with
the senior staff of The Professional Design Institute of the Railway
Ministry of China. Staff members have visited Central and South
America, Australia, and several European countries presenting
research studies and sharing information.
The Center has been at the forefront of some very important research
areas, and the results of our research have influenced national
policy and the implementation of activities within the transportation
field. The Transportation Center has received national recognition
for much of its research. Through the twenty-five years since
the Center was established, we have been actively involved with
numerous transportation groups such as the Transportation Research
Board of the National Academy of Sciences, the Association of
Commuter Transportation, and many others both locally and on a
national level. We were one of the founding members of the Council
of University Transportation Centers, the Tennessee Transportation
Technology Coalition, and Southeastern Consortium of University
Transportation Centers.
Council of University Transportation Centers:
The Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) is comprised
of 53 universities. Its purpose is to strengthen the role of transportation
research inside and outside of the university environment. CUTC
is organized to exchange information on the various issues confronting
the Centers in their respective universities, and to provide a
resource to universities aspiring to increase their role in transportation
research.
Southeastern Consortium of University Transportation Centers:
The Southeastern Consortium of University Transportation Centers
(SECUTC) was created in 1987, and is comprised of the same universities
that make up the STC. The primary mission of the SECUTC is to
serve as a focal point for bringing together academic, governmental,
and private resources to develop a safe, economical, and efficient
transportation system by providing information and training, technical
assistance, and research for both providers and users of the transportation
system.
Tennessee Transportation Technology Coalition:
The purpose of the Tennessee Transportation Technology Coalition
(T3C) is to study, develop, test, and evaluate Intelligent Transportation
Systems Technology, support alternative fuels research and demonstration,
conduct highway infrastructure research, support vehicle manufacturing
initiatives and support other transportation related initiatives.
The membership of the T3C is open to public and private entities
who have interest and expertise in transportation areas. The current
members include: US Department of Energy (DOE); Tennessee Valley
Authority (TVA); Tennessee DOT (TDOT); Oak Ridge National Laboratory
(ORNL); The University of Tennessee; University of Memphis; Tennessee
Technological University; East Tennessee State University; Vanderbilt
University; Raytheon Company; Science Applications International
Corporation (SAIC); Lockheed Martin Energy Systems; and Electric
Transit Vehicle Consortium.
In addition, dozens of faculty and students are involved in Center activities and projects. These faculty and students represent a number of academic units including:
Contributing to the success of the Center has been the dedication
of the staff in enhancing the effectiveness of a wide variety
of programs providing for efficient and effective learning and
research opportunities for our students. By their willing assistance
in teaching classes, serving as adjunct faculty and guest lecturers
and providing technical expertise for faculty publications, the
staff has contributed significantly to accomplishing the goals
and objectives of the Center.
In bringing together research faculty having transportation backgrounds
with colleagues from other disciplines that traditionally are
not associated with transportation issues, the Center provides
a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to research. This
allows for quick and effective response to specific research opportunities
with creative and dynamic solutions. Much of the Transportation
Center's success is a result of our commitment to the principle
that the interdisciplinary approach to research and problem-solving
provides the best opportunity for innovative, practical solutions.
The Transportation Center currently serves as the Tennessee headquarters
for the Federal Highway Administration's Local Transportation
Assistance Program. The Transportation Center is also the lead
university in the Southeastern Transportation Center, one of the
regional US Department of Transportation (DOT) University Transportation
Centers, and a partner in one of the four National Maritime Enhancement
Centers. In addition, the Center manages the Tennessee Department
of Transportation Research Program for the State of Tennessee,
as well as state vanpooling services and local ridesharing programs.
The Transportation Center receives funding support from two basic
sources. A significant amount of support is allocated by the University's
state funds, with the majority of revenues generated through sponsored
research activity. In fiscal year 1973, the first year the Center
received funding support from the University, our base budget
was $37,012. By fiscal 1980, this support had increased to $166,906,
and in 1995 we received $486,841 in total internally funded support.
During that same period, our sponsored research funds have increased
from $337,060 in 1973 to a total of $6,712,758 in new grants and
contracts during fiscal year 1995.
The Transportation Center is organized around three major functions--Research,
Community and Economic Development Services, and Training and
Technology Transfer--that reflect the Center's current focus as
seen on the next page. Each of these divisions is organized to
best apply their unique skills to specific multidisciplinary,
results-oriented research projects, education and training programs,
and other public service activities.
We look forward in the next twenty-five years to continuing progress
and success in our research programs as we strive for even greater
contributions to the transportation industry. Our goal of excellence
and leadership in support of comprehensive transportation research,
community and economic development services, and training and
technology transfer will be sustained by the strength and dedication
of our staff, student, and faculty resources.
1970 The University of Tennessee Board of Regents establishes
the Transportation Center, consolidating all of the transportation
research activities at the University.
1973 Chattanooga and Knoxville car/buspool projects are implemented.
These pioneering projects set the standard for similar nationwide
projects, eventually leading to the creation of the Knoxville
Commuter Pool.
1974 Motor Vehicle Diagnostic Inspection Demonstration Project
is implemented. This $3 million project funded by the NHTSA assessed
the impact of periodic inspections on motor vehicle maintenance
costs and emissions--establishing guidelines for state emissions
testing programs.
1975 Knoxville Commuter Pool created. The Center operates the
Knoxville area's public ridesharing program, and provides a unique
opportunity for student and faculty involvement.
1977 Transportation Center receives US DOT Urban Mass Transportation
Administration Administrator's Award for Outstanding Public Service.
1978 Evaluation of the impact of the Tennessee Child Passenger
Protection Act. This landmark project proved the benefits of a
statewide public information and education program on child restraint
laws. It prompted the establishment of restraint laws and programs
nationwide.
1980 Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Demonstration Project initiated.
The Transportation Center operates a fleet of electric vehicles
designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of this emerging technology.
1981 Innovative Railroad-Highway Crossing Active Warning Devices
project begins. This project evaluated three improved traffic
control systems for grade crossings, beginning the Center's continuing
involvement in this critical safety area.
1982 Pavement Testing and Evaluation Project begins. This 4-year
project focused on research and practical demonstration of a Falling
Weight Deflectometer to perform pavement tests on Tennessee highways
and airport runways.
1984 Transportation Energy Data Book published. With the publication
of this document, the Center begins its research partnership with
Oak Ridge National Laboratory/Martin Marietta Energy Systems.
1985 Evaluated the transportation factors involved in the potential
siting in Tennessee of a Monitored Retrieval Storage (MRS) Facility
for High Level Wastes. The Center's role in this study identified
the transportation needs, procedures, and concerns for the transport/storage
of radioactive materials.
1987 Archaeological testing of Saturn Parkway site completed.
First Transportation Center archaeology project, focusing on the
archaeological evaluation and excavation of a highway construction
site. Since 1990, similar projects have generated over $1 million
annually, placing the Center at the forefront of contract archaeology
studies relating to highway projects.
1989 Tennessee Transportation Assistance Program (TTAP) established.
This program, one of 40-plus similar programs nationwide, provides
technical information and assistance to Tennessee municipal and
county governments.
1990 Transportation Center sponsors the First International Symposium
on Railroad-Highway crossings.
1991 Center's ADANS staff receives national recognition for this
contributions to the Desert Shield/Storm military transport and
logistics efforts.
1992 Center publishes Reducing Nonpoint Source Water Pollution
by Preventing Soil Erosion and Controlling Sediment on Construction
Sites - A Training Manual for Construction Inspection Personnel.
With five printings between March and December, this report has
become the Center's most widely distributed publication. It also
marks one of many successes for the Center's Training Division.
1993 Tennessee Vans program expanded to over 100 vans statewide.
This program is a statewide commuter vanpool service that provides
vehicles, insurance, maintenance, and fleet management assistance
to public agencies and private non-profit groups that need a cost-effective
means of travel.
1994 Community Health Research Group completed the Tennessee Alcohol
and Other Drug Needs Assessment Study, providing baseline needs
assessment data for AOD treatment and prevention needs and demands
of the adult population of Tennessee, setting the stage for further
cooperative enterprises between CHRG and the State of Tennessee.
1995 Relocated Center from former offices in South Stadium Hall
to larger renovated facilities in the Conference Center Building
adjacent to the Knoxville campus, resulting in greater efficiency
for Center operations.
1996 Selected by the Department of Transportation to host the
National Education Summit presided over by Secretary Pe-a, in
October.
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