IBM and Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), the largest university-based transportation research agency in the U.S., agreed to collaborate on research and development of intelligent transportation projects in Texas and beyond.

The agreement will bring together research scientists and engineers from IBM and TTI researchers, faculty and students, who will work with state and municipal agencies to explore technologies and innovations that will help solve transportation issues in Texas initially, and eventually worldwide.

The main objectives of the IBM-TTI collaboration are to jointly pursue funding of selected transportation initiatives that are part of the federal intelligent transportation research agenda and create a long-term, sustainable operational model open to state transportation agencies and universities in the U.S. and around the world.

In the near term, the collaboration will provide the opportunity for proofs-of-concept and extensive pilot deployments at the state and regional level.

TTI is working on projects with local and national research sponsors related to traffic data and mobility applications. These projects include new transportation management strategies to help public agencies operate freeways, streets and transit systems more efficiently.