The Center for Transportation Research
The Center for Transportation Research (CTR) at The University of Texas at Austin, was established in 1963. Current and ongoing projects address virtually all aspects of transportation research, including economics, multimodal systems, traffic congestion relief, transportation policy, materials, structures, transit, environmental impacts, driver behavior, land use, geometric design, accessibility and pavements. Read the FY08 Annual Report.
Research Program
In a given year, CTR administers between 150 and 200 research projects and interagency contracts with combined budgets exceeding $12 million.
In addition to its own staff researchers, the center taps an extraordinary reservoir of expertise in multiple disciplines by collaborating with affiliated research centers, including Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory, International Center for Aggregates Research, the Center for Electromechanics, the Construction Industry Institute, the Construction Materials Research Group, and the Center for Research in Water Resources. Collaboration with Texas A&M University and other University of Texas component institutions is also an important part of the CTR program.
Education
CTR's capacity for linking research with education exceeds that of any other Texas institution. With more than 200 graduate and undergraduate students engaged in its research programs annually, the center plays a critical role in developing and maintaining a qualified pool of engineers and researchers to serve the state's future transportation needs.
Public Service
Publication of our research materials (reports, CD-ROMs, training manuals, software, brochures, matrices and guidelines, surveys, etc.) in print and online allows advanced research to benefit all who build or rely upon a sound transportation infrastructure. The Center currently publishes 100 technical reports and other research deliverables each year. CTR's Annual Symposium also showcases innovative research undertaken for TxDOT and other transportation constituents.
A robust transportation infrastructure lies at the heart of a strong economy. Toward that end, CTR's students, researchers, and faculty are committed to maintaining Texas's leadership in transportation and transportation research.