Talk about leading the charge: UNC Charlotte, specifically the Department of Civil Environmental Engineering, was awarded $7.7 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation to research innovative solutions to improve the nation’s transportation systems.
Referred to as multimodal transportation, this research will encompass modes of travel including air and seaports, road and railways, as well as bicycle and pedestrian trails.
As urban areas like Charlotte continue to grow, residents often experience congestion, delays and inadequate transportation options. The University looks to counteract this and improve the region’s quality of life.
UNC Charlotte will launch the Center for Advanced Multimodal Mobility Solutions and Education (CAMMSE). The center, located on main campus, will work alongside Texas Southern University, the University of Connecticut, the University of Texas at Austin and Washington State University to develop innovative transportation approaches.
(Principal investigator Wei Fan)
Wei Fan, associate professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at UNC Charlotte, is the principal investigator for the center. “Multimodal transportation is important in attracting people to urban areas, creating communities that are resilient and robust and improving the overall quality of life. We will use our research expertise to solve real-world problems for Charlotte Area Transit (CATS) and North Carolina Department of Transporation (NCDOT)” said Fan.
Former U.S. Transportation Secretary and Charlotte mayor Anthony Foxx announced the award in mid-January. “Our nation faces unprecedented challenges from population growth, a changing climate and increasing freight volumes. Universities are at the forefront of identifying solutions, researching critical emerging issues and ensuring improved access to opportunity for all Americans.” (Anthony Foxx pictured right)
Want more?
Get the full scoop from Professor John Daniels from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering:
