UC Riverside has partnered with UC Davis to address climate-related challenges in the transportation sector through a new research initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT). This collaboration marks the launch of the Climate and Transportation Research Center, designed to develop innovative solutions that incorporate climate considerations into transportation planning and infrastructure.
With a $1.7 million grant from the USDOT, the center aims to catalyze advancements in transportation technologies and strategies that reduce environmental impacts. UCR will receive approximately $100,000 annually over the next five years to support its research on sustainable transportation technologies. With this initiative, UCR is part of five US DOT-sponsored transportation research centers, the most of any institution in the United States.
“UC Riverside is proud to play an important role in this effort, focusing on how intelligent transportation system solutions can help address our climate crisis,” says Matthew Barth, Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education at the Bourns College of Engineering (BCoE). He continues, "This collaboration is a critical step forward; by combining our team’s strengths, we can develop practical solutions that reshape transportation systems and cut greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Climate and Transportation Research Center will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, integrating advanced technologies into transportation systems, and developing policies that promote environmental resilience. UCR, in collaboration with UC Davis and other partners, will share research findings and best practices aimed at achieving transformative changes for a sustainable and efficient future transportation network.
The establishment of this center is part of the Biden-Harris administration's proactive measures to tackle climate change and its impact on national infrastructure. It represents a significant step toward merging scientific research with practical solutions to forge a sustainable and resilient transportation system for the nation. This initiative promises to enhance our understanding of the nexus between climate change and transportation while contributing substantially to the development of environmentally sound and sustainable transportation practices across the country.
For more information about the Climate and Transportation Research Center: USDOT Announcement.