Browse by Programs
UGPTI's program areas focus on specific transportation issues, but united within the Institute, they share expertise, staff and other resources to form an overall program with the flexibility to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
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
Advanced Transportation Technology Center for Freight Mobility, Infrastructure, and Safety (ATTC–FMIS) focuses on the intersection of autonomous trucking, infrastructure optimization, and transportation safety. Research that integrates advanced sensor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics will transform transportation systems to meet the growing demands of moving people and goods via multimodal transportation while ensuring safety, sustainability, efficiency, and equitable access.
Contact: Pan Lu, (701)212-3795, pan.lu@ndsu.edu
Center for Surface Mobility Applications and Real-time Simulation environments (SMARTSe) applies advancements in sensing, wireless communications, mobile computing, data science, cybersecurity 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
Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation and Sustainability (CTIPS) integrates advanced sensing technologies and automation in data collection and analysis to revolutionize the preservation of existing transportation systems. Research also addresses long-standing disparities in infrastructure within the region, especially those stemming from the relatively poor quality of rural and Tribal roads.
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, (303)871-7773, 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
Mountain-Plains Consortium (MPC) conducts research, education, and technology transfer related to transportation challenges and opportunities in the Upper Great Plains and Intermountain West. NDSU, via UGPTI, is the lead university in this eight-university consortium. MPC is a competitively selected University Transportation Center sponsored by the USDOT.
Contact: Denver Tolliver, (701)231-7190, denver.tolliver@ndsu.edu
North Dakota Local Technical Assistance Program (NDLTAP) fosters safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost effective highway, road, and street systems by exchanging technology with local units of government and the transportation community through training, technical assistance, and information services. Key areas for hands-on, online, and distance training include safety, gravel road management, construction topics, rural road maintenance, 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, (701)217-9076, ronald.hall@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
Small Urban and Rural Center on Mobility (SURCOM) increases the mobility of small urban and rural residents in the United States and abroad through innovative research, education, and outreach. Recent research has focused on mobility for those aging in place, the intersection of transportation and health, vehicle needs for rural agencies, low emissions technologies for rural and tribal transit, and mobility needs in rural communities.
Contact: Jeremy Mattson, (701)231-5496, jeremy.w.mattson@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 serves its members and the broader transportation community. TLN’s initiatives ensure that DOT employees as well as other transportation professionals, such as local governments, tribal agencies, and consultants working on behalf of the public sector are equipped to adopt new technologies, work safely, and perform technical tasks accurately and efficiently. 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 and Sustainability (CTIPS).
Contact: Chris Padilla, (701)202-5730, chris.padilla@ndsu.edu
UGPTI Focus Areas
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 and Tribal areas where they must operate on various road surfaces, in inclement weather and with few landmarks or road signs. Key topics include markets for implementation, safety, planning, innovation, public acceptance, and policies and regulation.
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