April 26, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Tom Petri reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration has released a $1,560,000 grant to the University of Wisconsin's newly designated National University Transportation Center (UTC) in Madison. The University is one of ten universities to receive a designated National UTC grant in last year's surface transportation reauthorization bill.

National UTCs are authorized to receive up to $16 million over five years, which must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with non-federal funds. This year's funds represent the first year's installment.

"The funds going to Madison will be used to research better ways to build a sustainable freight transportation infrastructure and system in our state and region," said Petri. "To stay competitive, we need to find more efficient and reliable ways to handle freight on our highways."

Petri is the Chairman of the House Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee, and was instrumental in securing the funds for Wisconsin.

Dr. Theresa Adams, the Program Director at the National UTC at the University of Wisconsin, said, "We're very excited about this and all the opportunities this will bring to the University with regard to research in the area of freight transportation."

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta said of the grant, "By training our next generation of transportation innovators and performing vital research, our university centers are critical partners in keeping Wisconsin and the entire nation moving safely and efficiently."

The UTC program was created in 1988 to meet the nation's need for the safe, efficient and environmentally sound movement of people and goods through research, education and technology transfer. Participating universities are involved in a variety of advanced and applied research ranging from intelligent transportation systems and fuel-efficient vehicle deployment to innovations that will improve passenger safety and reduce traffic and freight congestion. National UTCs are expected to provide national leadership in advancing research and technology solutions to America's transportation challenges.