Wednesday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced more than $18.7 million in grants to 11 University Transportation Centers (UTCs) that are using new technologies and developing innovative approaches to improve transportation systems throughout the country.

The awards were made by the U.S. Department of Transportation's (U.S. DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). UTCs conduct research that directly supports U.S. DOT priorities and are a critical part of the national transportation strategy.

UTCs also maintain vital partnerships with regional, state and local transportation agencies to help find solutions to challenges facing local communities. In addition, RITA's UTC program is now leading the efforts to develop a National Transportation Workforce Development Strategy to ensure our nation has access to a diverse, multi-disciplinary and highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of the 21st century transportation system.

RITA provides $81 million in annual funding to 136 colleges and universities conducting transportation research and providing the training needed to manage today's transportation infrastructure through the UTC program. UTC colleges and universities trained 32,000 practicing transportation professionals in 2009.

For more information or a list of recent recipients, click here.