The program will fund research on mobility, congestion, safety, and other crucial transportation issues.

A press release from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) outlines a program that will provide $450 million in grant funding to up to 35 University Transportation Centers (UTC).
Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, said “These investments will lead to cutting edge transportation research, train a diverse next generation of transportation professionals, and ultimately help the American people get to where they need to go much more quickly and affordably.”
The program, open to U.S. non-profit educational institutions, includes several focus areas:
- Improving Mobility of People and Goods;
- Reducing Congestion;
- Promoting Safety;
- Improving the Durability and Extending the Life of Transportation Infrastructure,
- Preserving the Environment;
- Preserving the Existing Transportation System; and,
- Reducing Transportation Cybersecurity Risks.
According to the press release, “Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), DOT intends to select up to five National UTCs, 10 Regional UTCs, and up to 20 Tier 1 UTCs, each of which will conduct a combination of research, education, workforce development, and technology transfer and implementation activities.”

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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