Recently the federal government passed a bill that included a grant of $408,300 that will be used to fund the University’s Center for Transportation and the Environment research initiatives in the coming year, according to Paul Cox, press secretary for North Carolina Rep. David Price.
According to CTE Associate Director James Martin, the center will work closely with University staff and student researchers to initiate a variety of projects.
“Our mission is to mitigate the impact of surface transportation on the environment,” Martin said. “The research funded over the years has focused on how the different elements of natural and human environments are impacted by transportation.”
Martin said the research will range from analyzing earth and water samples to considering the socioeconomic impact of humans on their natural surroundings.
“It is important for professionals to find transportation solutions while protecting, preserving and even enhancing the environment,” Martin said. “This research will help answer some of those questions.”
Cox said the University CTE is part of the University Transportation Center, which is an effort sponsored by the United States Department of Transportation to protect the environment.
“There are dozens of University Transportation Centers throughout the country, just a special designation universities get when they apply to DOT, and they prove that they have the capability and history to carry out good research,” Cox said.
He said the bill is of great importance for this state as it continues to expand in population and development.
“The research they do there is valuable for our state’s growing population, which requires more investments in structure and smarter planning,” Cox said. “The UTC specializes in the environmental impacts of growth and the development of new highways, roads and transportations systems — an issue for any community that deals with astounding growth, like we are in the Triangle.”
Cox explained that universities tend to focus on certain topics of study and devote all their research and funding towards those specific areas.
“Certain universities specialize in certain issues and N.C. State has a specialty in transportation research, so that’s why they have been selected as a UTC and continue to do this research and continue their partnership with the DOT,” Cox said.
Jay Vigen, a junior in civil engineering, said developing alternative, environmentally-friendly transportation is important to ensure the health and safety of future generations.
“Thinking in terms of the environment and our own dependence on fossil fuels, spending money now on alternative fuel research is not just wise, but entirely necessary if we hope to continue to use energy in the same fashion as we do now,” Vigen said.
Martin said he is positive that the information provided by the center will become even more relevant as environmental issues become an increasing central issue for both politicians and the general public.
“We are dealing with some really tough challenges as we move into the 21st century,” Martin said. “Environmental protection is becoming more and more a priority for our country so we need to continue to find transportation solutions.”
