U of I National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology Receives Funding Toward Regional Transportation Needs
June 13, 2023
U of I National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology Receives Funding Toward Regional Transportation Needs
The University of Idaho’s National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology (NIATT) is part of a six-member multi-institutional consortium that has received a $15 million renewal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to address transportation and mobility needs in Idaho and beyond.
The renewal grant was awarded to Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans), which represents Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, and is one of 10 regional university transportation centers.
As part of the PacTrans consortium, NIATT has funded research that uses technological advances to develop data-driven, sustainable solutions for the diverse transportation needs of the Pacific Northwest. NIATT has led transportation education and student outreach needs and recognizes the importance of cultivating and supporting future leaders.
NIATT is one of several research institutes on the University of Idaho campus and has been active in university-wide, multi-disciplinary activities since 1998.
“NIATT is focused on transportation issues ranging from traffic safety to roadway infrastructure, and from clean vehicle technology to workforce development,” said Kevin Chang, NIATT Director and civil and environmental engineering professor. “We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to continuing to address the mobility needs across the region.”
NIATT is also funded through multiple federal and state-level transportation agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD).
“NIATT will continue to build our research footprint and provide financial support to many students in the form of research assistantships and internships, and advance our working relationships and seek out new ones with colleagues from across the College of Engineering and U of I,” Chang said.
Chang was appointed to lead the national center in February 2022. His experiences come from previous leadership positions in industry and multiple engineering societies.
“Some of the key things that I have learned from my career are to surround yourself with good people and to be a good listener. We can check off the box on the first part. NIATT, the College of Engineering, and the University of Idaho are blessed with great faculty and staff. It’s my role to take care of the second part and to gather those shared insights. I’m excited about NIATT’s possibilities and eager to move us forward in a collaborative manner.”
For more information, contact NIATT at niatt@uidaho.edu.
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to more than 12,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu.