About Us

The National Center for Transit Research is located that the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida.  The following provides more information about CUTR and USF.

Theme of NCTR

The theme of NCTR is to make public transportation and alternative forms of transportation, including managed lanes, safe, effective, efficient, desirable, and secure. The goals of NCTR are: to minimize traffic congestion, maximize mobility options, promote safety and security, improve the environment, and enhance community sustainability. This will be accomplished by conducting applied and advanced research, energetically disseminating the results, and expanding the workforce of transportation professionals through education and training to address the challenges and opportunities of the future.

NCTR Advisory Committee

The NCTR Advisory Committee was created consists of 13 experts in the public of public transportation research and affiliations are as follows:

• Joe Calabrese, CEO, Greater Cleveland Regional Transportation Authority
• Roy Chen, Office of Technology, Federal Transit Administration
• Ed Coven , State Transit Office Manager, Florida Department of Transportation
• Wendell Joice, PhD. Team Leader, Alternative Workplace Arrangements Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA
• Minnie Fells-Johnson, PhD.Public Transportation Consultant
• Richard Long, Director, Office of Research, Florida Department of Transportation
• Perry Maull, Operations Manager, Indiana University Campus Bus Service
• Bill McCloud, Senior Vice President & COO, Veolia Transportation
• Jose-Luis Mesa, Director, Miami-Dade MPO
• Louis Sanders, Director of Research, American Public Transportation Association
• Eric Schreffler, TDM Institute, Association for Commuter Transportation
• Donna Vlasak, Senior Program Officer, Transportation Research Board
• Joel Volinski, Director, National Center for Transit Research at the University of South Florida

Overview of the CUTR

• Emphasis on innovation applied to public policy
•  Nationally recognized
• $80+ million in externally funded research
• 45+ full-time research faculty
• Multidisciplinary, multimodal focus
• National Center for Transit Research designation

The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), established in 1988, has become recognized nationally and serves as an important resource for policymakers, transportation professionals, the education system, and the public. With emphasis on developing innovative, implementable solutions to transportation problems, CUTR provides high quality, objective transportation expertise in the form of technical support, policy analysis, and research support that translates directly into benefits for its project sponsors.

A significant factor in CUTR's success and a unique aspect of the Center is the responsiveness resulting from its faculty of full-time employees dedicated to conducting research. The multidisciplinary research staff includes experts in economics, planning, engineering, public policy, and geography who develop comprehensive solutions for all modes of transportation while combining academic and "real world" experience. CUTR conducts nearly $8 million in research annually for a variety of public and private sector sponsors in Florida and the United States, including the Florida Legislature, the Florida Transportation Commission, and state and local governments, agencies, and organizations. Areas of research include public transportation, transportation planning, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), transportation demand management (TDM), transportation economics and finance, geographic information systems, access management, alternative fuels, and transportation safety, among others.

CUTR houses the National Center for Transit Research, designated by the U.S. Congress in 1991 and reaffirmed in 1998 and in 2002, and the National Bus Rapid Transit Institute, sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration and in partnership with the University of California-Berkeley. Through NCTR and NBRTI, CUTR conducts research projects in rapidly growing urban areas to develop innovative, pragmatic approaches that will enable public transportation to better meet the evolving needs of U.S. citizens.

CUTR's Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles

Mission

To serve as a resource for policymakers, transportation professionals, the education system, and the public by providing high quality, objective transportation research.

Vision

To earn and maintain a national reputation through excellence and innovation in transportation research.

Values

We maintain the highest level of integrity. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We practice open and honest communications and share information freely. We strive to make CUTR a fulfilling place to work. We contribute to the quality of life in our communities.

Guiding Principles

• We contribute to the public good through high quality, objective transportation research, delivered on time within budget.
• We emphasize innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to solving transportation problems.
• We proactively cultivate clients to assure the long-term sustainability of the Center.
• We encourage individual initiative, balanced with cooperation and teamwork to best apply the appropriate expertise to each project.
• We are responsive to the suggestions and concerns of others.
• We value a diverse staff and provide equal opportunities for employment, professional development, and advancement for qualified individuals.
• We participate in self-improvement and professional development programs to achieve our maximum potential.
• We contribute to the future of the transportation profession by providing practical work experience and educational opportunities for students.
• We reward quality and excellent performance. We encourage charitable activities.

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