The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) in Bryan/College Station, Texas is a transportation research agency. The institute was created in 1950, primarily in response to the needs of the Texas Highway Department (now the Texas Department of Transportation). TTI is a state agency and a member of the Texas A&M University System.
With more than 350 professional researchers, more than 200 public and private sponsors, TTI works on approximately 700 research projects annually, resulting in more than 140 million dollars in the annual research expenditures.
The institute maintains a close association with the Texas A&M University College of Engineering, the College of Architecture, and the Bush School of Government and Public Service, as well as other academic units within Texas A&M University and the larger Texas A&M University System.
Headquartered on the Texas A&M University System RELLIS Campus in Bryan, Texas, TTI maintains a roadside safety proving ground facility and several laboratories there. TTI has urban offices in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Waco and area offices in Laredo, Corpus Christi, and Washington, D.C. TTI operates several state and national research centers.
Administration The director is Gregory D. Winfree, J.D. He is assisted by a deputy agency director, chief operating officer, five associate agency directors in research and others.
Research Capabilities TTI conducts research across various transportation modes, focusing on crash reduction, safety, congestion management, mobility, and system sustainability and resilience, using data-driven solutions. Technology Connected and Automated Vehicles Human Factors Mobility Data Innovations
Centers TTI is home to several national centers, some of which TTI leads and others in which TTI is a primary partner. Center for Efficient Mobility (lead) Center for Railway Research (lead) Center for Transportation Computational Mechanics (lead) Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center (partner) National Center for Infrastructure Transportation (partner) Southern Plains Transportation Center (partner) Southern Regional Climate Center (partner) University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (partner)
State Centers TTI is home to several centers created by the State of Texas or at the Institute level. Center for Alcohol and Drug Education Studies (lead) Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research (lead) Center for Ports & Waterways (lead) Center for Transportation Safety (lead) Center for Infrastructure Renewal (partner)
Notable research projects Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) – GPR is a nondestructive geophysical method that "sees" underground and produces a record of subsurface features—without drilling, probing, digging, or coring. Since 1988, researchers at TTI have been developing, testing, and implementing GPR technology for TxDOT to use in its road repair and maintenance activities.
Roadway Congestion Index (RCI) – To evaluate mobility levels on Texas streets and freeways, TTI developed the RCI, which is now computed annually for over 85 major U.S. cities.
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) – TTI's ITS research has been implemented in several major Texas cities. Real-time train detection and analysis systems have expedited emergency vehicle dispatch, enhanced signal operations, and averted major accidents.
HOV Lanes and Managed Lanes – Since the 1980s, many major metropolitan areas have developed HOV or High Occupancy Vehicle lanes to help with traffic flow and provide incentives for carpooling and public transit. TTI has become known as the nation's leader in HOV lane research. Some cities have taken the HOV lane concept one step further in the development of what's being called Managed Lanes.
Teens in the Driver Seat – TTI has developed a peer-to-peer driving safety program. Teens in the Driver Seat relies on young drivers themselves to create safety messages and then serve as the messengers to make their peers aware of the risks of teen driving.
See also
Clearview (typeface)
References
External links tti.tamu.edu - Official Website