The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) announced $15 million in grants to two new national University Transportation Centers (UTCs) to advance research and education programs that address critical transportation challenges facing our nation.

Reflecting the popularity of the program, U.S. DOT received 51 competitive grant applications for the two new national UTCs. The University of South Florida will focus on “Congestion Relief” and Washington State University will focus on “Improving the Durability and Extending the Life of Transportation Infrastructure."

“These two new University Transportation Centers will help develop answers to two key problems facing drivers in America — congestion and deteriorating infrastructure. Traffic jams and potholes cause daily problems for motorists, wasting their time and causing damage to vehicles,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology Diana Furchtgott-Roth.

The funding for these two additional UTCs was appropriated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018. Each UTC will receive $7.5 million.

UTCs advance U.S. technology and expertise in the many modes and disciplines composing transportation, and address workforce needs for the next generation of transportation leaders.