Directors Report
Annual Report
Fiscal year 2007 saw a balanced program overall in terms of research topics. A broad array of subjects is being addressed, ranging from pavements and bridges to bicycle facilities, from inland ports to international container shipments, and from economic justice to innovative public-private partnerships.
Furthermore, CTR is undertaking highly relevant projects, the outcomes of which are pertinent not only within the state but nationwide. These projects are a reflection of the Center’s strong relationship with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
- National economics: CTR is addressing all modes of transportation, including multi-modal processes. One groundbreaking project is determining the financial impact of Texas ports on both the regional and national economy.
- Demographic forecasting: Transportation is a derived demand so demographic developments are essential to forecasting—and meeting—transportation needs. CTR is assisting on a UTSA project to develop Texas demographic patterns, essentially drawing a picture of what TxDOT will be focused on in 20 years.
- Making room: The seemingly impossible is happening: Texas is running out of room. Given this unprecedented situation in the largest of the contiguous states, rights-of-way (R/W) are an important topic right now. CTR researchers are investigating R/W encroachments in an attempt to plan now for future growth.
Out of the research emerge highly usable publications that shine a bright light on the path to implementation. One standout example is the Guidebook for Identifying, Measuring and Mitigating Environmental Justice Impacts of Toll Roads (0-5208-P2) [PDF file, 1.07 MB].
Another achievement of FY 2007 is the continued success of student involvement in the research program. CTR actively recruits and retains graduate research assistants, who are a critical element of the program. CTR is producing the next generation of engineering professionals.
Through the education component of its program, CTR is training tomorrow’s transportation professionals.
In particular, the TxDOT State Planning and Research (SPR) program is the cornerstone of CTR's research activities. Smaller program elements such as the Southwest University Transportation Centers (SWUTC) Program are essential to program vitality.
The SWUTC program is part of a major national initiative designed to foster university-based, long-term research that encompasses all transportation modes, and to attract the nation’s best students to the study of transportation. During FY 2007, 11 research professionals and 22 students participated in this program.
The SWUTC sponsors the Advanced Institute for Transportation Infrastructure Engineering and Management (AI), a program whose mission is to increase the number, quality, and diversity of professionals entering the transportation sector. During FY 2007, 24 graduate students and 7 undergraduate students participated in the AI program.
CTR’s commitment to education is notable, as the per-person costs of supporting the education component are increasing faster than the contracted amounts. On average, more than 250 research personnel were supported each of the last six years. However, due to recent increases in student stipends, salaries, and—most significantly—tuition, the number of students supported decreased in FY 2007 as compared to the last 10 years, during which the number supported rose steadily.
FY 2006* CTR Staff
| Faculty participating in program | 58 |
| Code 1000 researchers (FTE) | 26 |
| Non-code 1000 technical (FTE) | 17 |
| Graduate researchers | 124 |
| Undergraduate researchers | 61 |
| TOTAL | 286 |
*Most recent figures available