ADOT invests in college-led Arizona Transportation Institute
Engineering deans (left to right) Charles Chadwell of NAU; Kyle Squires of ASU; David W. Hahn of the U of A; Karla Petty, FHWA Division Administrator for Arizona; and Jennifer Toth, ADOT director, sign a letter of understanding for AZTI.
In a first for the state, the Arizona Department of Transportation is investing in a tri-university consortium to undertake research vital to safety, sustainability and the economy. Coordinated in Engineering at the University of Arizona, the institute capitalizes on strengths of the state’s three public universities.
ADOT provided $6.5 million this fiscal year for the Arizona Transportation Institute. Over the following two years, ADOT will continue funding at up to $11.5 million in total, pending approval by the the Federal Highway Administration.
AZTI, modeled after successful transportation centers in several other states, provides a structure for collaborative teams to propose and implement projects most beneficial for Arizonans, positions universities to receive additional federal research dollars, improves transportation engineering outreach and education, and boosts workforce development.
"We're tremendously excited to partner with talented faculty and students in a way that can improve the lives of Arizonans, support our state's economy and promote transportation engineering as an exciting and essential career," said ADOT Director Jennifer Toth.
Yao-Jan Wu, AZTI executive director and U of A professor of CAEM, said the institute will streamline proposal and funding processes so research teams can leverage strengths across the state.
The institute's projects are expected to lead to additional grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation, he said, as federal awards require strong collaboration and the kinds of findings AZTI will generate.