WASHINGTON, D.C. –
Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the University of Maryland at College Park has received more than $800,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) as part of the University Transportation Center (UTC) program. The money will be used to work with the DOT to solve national and regional transportation challenges.
“I am so proud of the University of Maryland for their dedication to finding real solutions to our transportation problems. This funding is great news for the school and the entire state,” said Senator Mikulski. “As a part of the UTC program, Marylanders can count on the Terrapins to help keep them on the move by improving congestion and safety on our roads and highways.”
“Solving transportation problems takes innovation and creativity, and I am pleased that the University of Maryland at College Park has been selected by the DOT to help find solutions that will lessen congestion and improve our transportation network. A smooth-flowing transportation system is critical to our nation’s future economic growth, and I know that the University of Maryland has the resources and talent to make a major contribution in this effort that will benefit our state and our nation,” said Senator Cardin.
The UTC program was established in 1987 with the mission of advancing U.S. technology and expertise in the many disciplines comprising transportation through the mechanisms of education, research and technology transfer at university-based centers of excellence. Participating UTCs are expected to work collaboratively with the DOT and state and local transportation stakeholders, and provide leadership in making national and regional contributions to solving immediate and long-range transportation challenges.
University of Maryland at College Park was one of 36 universities who competed for a four-year designation as a DOT-sponsored UTC in the 2005 Transportation Reauthorization bill (SAFETEA), which authorizes each of the selected universities to receive up to $1 million per year. Today’s funding is part of the University’s designation. Federal UTC grants must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with non-federal funding.
Senator Mikulski is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Cardin is a member of the Budget Committee.
