BACKGROUND

Hampton University was selected by the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), of the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT), to establish and operate a University Transportation Centers Program (Tier II UTC).  The Eastern Seaboard Intermodal Transportation Applications Center (ESITAC) is located in the Hampton University, School of Business to serve the Hampton Roads, Virginia region.  The ESITAC utilizes resources of the University in partnership with federal, state and city governments, local transit companies, private industry, and regional universities to conduct research on current transportation problems facing the Hampton Roads region. The center provides students (with special emphasis on minorities and women), the opportunity to pursue transportation-related careers.  The Hampton Roads region is at the crossroads of dynamic air, rail, road, and water modes providing inter-modal transportation systems for passengers and freight.  The recent growth in all these modes of transportation has added pressure on our highways and our environment, resulting in congestion and air pollution.  The Center, housed within the Hampton University’s School of Business, addresses these challenges through a combination of research, education, and technology-transfer programs.  The goal is to advance U. S. technology and expertise in transportation through-out the region to support safe, secure, efficient, and interconnected transportation systems

CENTER’S THEME

The theme of the Center is to enhance regional intermodal transportation systems by improving safety and efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts.

RESEARCH PROGRAM

While selecting among research projects, the needs of intermodal transportation researchers and users will be given high priority.  The Center will outreach to its partners to identify potential research areas that support the national strategy for surface transportation research.  The selected research projects will address the research and technology (R&T) needs of the national highway community and U. S. DOT’s research development and technology (RD&T) strategies through the engagement of University researchers and transportation specialists.

The following are potential research areas related to safety, infrastructure renewal, and environmental stewardship that will be expanded to reflect the Center’s theme:

1. Computational Modeling the Atmospheric Transport of Pollutants Emitted by the Highway Traffic,
2. Selective Catalytic Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides in Diesel Exhausts,
3. Non-Destructive Testing of Bridge Structures, and
4. Traffic Intersection Accident Data Analysis.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

The overall goal of the Center is to attract and educate the next generation of transportation professionals through well-designed educational and job training programs.  The education goal of the Center is to develop curriculum, courses, and delivery systems for interdisciplinary transportation programs that include experiential training in intermodal transportation operations.  The transportation education program builds upon existing related programs offered by various departments within the School of business and the University and integrates research results into courses. The end result will be the production of a well-trained, effective, and efficient workforce. The partnerships with the transportation industry will also allow the Center to offer experiential learning through summer and semester long co-ops and internships and part-time jobs.