Browse by Programs

Advanced Traffic Analysis Center (ATAC) collects and analyzes traffic data to support decision makers who plan, operate, and fund transportation systems at the local, regional, and state level. Primary areas of work include intelligent transportation systems, traffic operations, and metropolitan transportation planning and travel demand modeling.

Contact: Bradley Wentz, (701)231-7230, bradley.wentz@ndsu.edu

Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation and Sustainability (CTIPS)—formerly the Mountain-Plains Consortium (MPC)—integrates advanced sensing technologies and automation in data collection and analysis to revolutionize the preservation and improvement of transportation systems, leading to safer, more reliable transportation infrastructure. Areas of implementation include management of non-highway assets, fault detection of rail lines and yard infrastructure, more frequent and cost-effective monitoring of low-volume roads and remote highway facilities, and disaster assessment and response.

Contact: Denver Tolliver, (701)231-7190, denver.tolliver@ndsu.edu

Commercial Vehicle Safety Center (CVSC) is a point of contact for universities, law enforcement, and driver licensing agencies looking to establish partnerships to improve commercial vehicle safety. CVSC hosts biennial Commercial Vehicle Safety Summits, sponsors webinars and provides resources in addition to conducting research and analysis. Research focuses on analyses intended to identify the causes of unsafe commercial vehicles, drivers, and companies, as well as methods to improve safety.

Contact: Brenda Lantz, (720)470-1871, brenda.lantz@ndsu.edu

DOT Support Center (DOTSC) provides engineering design assistance and transportation information technology support to transportation managers to ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. Undergraduate engineering students in the center work under the direction of DOT engineers to prepare plans, estimates, and studies for real world projects. Computer science students provide IT support and assist staff in the development of applications such as a local road surface selection tool, the online ND Truck Weight Calculator, and the Geographic Roadway Inventory Tool (GRIT).

Contact: Bradley Wentz, (701)231-7230, bradley.wentz@ndsu.edu

North Dakota Local Technical Assistance Program (NDLTAP) promotes safe, efficient, and cost-effective transportation systems across all roadway networks. By facilitating the exchange of technology and expertise, NDLTAP supports local governments and the broader transportation community through comprehensive training, technical assistance, and information services. Core training areas—delivered in-person and remotely—include roadway safety, gravel road management, construction practices, rural maintenance strategies, and asset management.

Contact: Bryon Fuchs, (701)224-3801, bryon.fuchs@ndsu.edu

Northern Tribal Technical Assistance Program (Northern TTAP) provides transportation outreach and technical assistance to tribes across the Upper Great Plains and Intermountain West. The program works with American Indian tribal governments to build tribal capacity in program management, grow the tribal workforce, cultivate and coordinate partnerships, facilitate technology transfer and the implementation of innovations, and share results of similar initiatives across the country. The program is a collaboration funded by FHWA, led by the UGPTI, and includes the Local Technical Assistance Programs at Western Transportation Institute/Montana State University, University of Nebraska, South Dakota State University, and the University of Wyoming.

Contact: Ron Hall, (970)217-9076, ronald.hall@ndsu.edu

Rural Innovations in Sustainable Economy and Freight (RISE Freight) advances sustainable, resilient, and economically vital freight systems for rural and agricultural regions. Research and outreach focus on innovative and multi-modal freight solutions, rural supply chain innovations, economic resilience and competitiveness, data technology deployment and workforce development.

Contact: Pan Lu, (701)212-3795, pan.lu@ndsu.edu

Rural Transportation Safety and Security Center (RTSSC) promotes and enhances the region’s transportation safety and security through research, education, and outreach. Staff members conduct safety analyses to evaluate and guide local, state, and federal initiatives. RTSSC’s research tracks trends in road safety factors, such as impaired drivers, youthful drivers, and occupant protection.

Contact: Kimberly Vachal, (701)231-6425, kimberly.vachal@ndsu.edu

Surface Mobility Applications and Real-time Simulation environments (SMARTSe) applies advancements in connected and autonomous systems, cybersecurity, data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to advance multimodal and intermodal transportation system efficiencies, responsiveness, reliability, sustainability, safety, and security.

Contact: Raj Bridgelall, (408)607-3214, raj.bridgelall@ndsu.edu

Transportation Learning Network (TLN) promotes safe and efficient transportation by connecting people through enhanced communication, workforce development, education, professional growth, technology transfer, and research. TLN ensures that DOT employees and other transportation professionals, such as those in local governments, tribal agencies, and consulting companies, are equipped to adopt new technologies, work safely, and perform technical tasks. TLN is a dynamic partnership with the Departments of Transportation in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, and the Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation & Sustainability (CTIPS). TLN’s LearnTracks initiative provides learning pathways for engineering, maintenance, and shop technicians, featuring targeted training and professional development opportunities that strengthen technical skills, promote safety, and support career advancement across all partner states.

Contact: Chris Padilla, (701)202-5730, chris.padilla@ndsu.edu

Agricultural Freight movements of bulk commodities, production inputs, and processed products are critical to the economic vitality of North Dakota and the surrounding region. UGPTI conducts economic inquiry, marketing studies, and policy analysis to improve the competitiveness of the region's producers and businesses.

Contact: Kimberly Vachal, (701)231-6425, kimberly.vachal@ndsu.edu
or Alan Dybing, (701)231-5988, alan.dybing@ndsu.edu

Autonomous Trucking research and outreach focuses on implementation of the technology in rural areas where they must operate on various road surfaces, in inclement weather and with few landmarks or road signs. Key topics include safety improvements resulting from autonomous trucking, operational consideration in rural and northern areas, operational safety plans, public policy and regulation, and industry and public engagement.

Contact: Denver Tolliver, (701)231-7190, denver.tolliver@ndsu.edu

Rural Traffic Analysis involves the use of detailed rural travel demand models to forecast traffic volumes on North Dakota's road network, helping estimate the impact to state, county, and local roads due to energy development, changing agricultural production and marketing practices, and other factors that influence transportation patterns.

Contact: Alan Dybing, (701)231-5988, alan.dybing@ndsu.edu

Transportation Data Intelligence Lab researchers will receive, process, and analyze data from field sensors, cameras, and many other sources, enabling UGPTI to perform advanced data analytics, develop artificial intelligence solutions and tools, contribute timely transportation information to travelers and transportation management centers, train students, and facilitate future research all to support the vision of safe and efficient movement of people and goods.

Contact: Bradley Wentz, (701)231-7230, bradley.wentz@ndsu.edu