Texas Transportation Institute

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) is a department at Texas A&M University that researches the safety and efficiency of vehicles, roads, and rails. The institute acts as an official agency of the Texas Department of Transportation and the Railroad Commission of Texas, and it coordinates with other similar government agencies around the United States.

Most of the institute's research is on the safety of cars and highways. Several innovations have come out of TTI, including the slip base for highway signs and special endcaps for guardrails that reduce the collisison injuries.

The TTI was created in 1950 and has become the largest university-affiliated research agency in the country. Its research receives regular media attention due to its annual Urban Mobility Study, which provides data on traffic congestion in major U.S. cities.

The institute works with sponsors at all levels of government and the private sector. TTI is well positioned to offer objective and credible guidance on a wide range of transportation issues.

TTI employs approximately 600 people—52 percent professionals, 10 percent support staff and 38 percent graduate and undergraduate students. More than 40 members of the TTI professional staff hold joint academic appointments.

TTI's program of practical, applied research helps hundreds of sponsors address a range of transportation challenges. For example, through decades of research in just the highway area—planning, design, construction, maintenance, safety and operations—virtually every mile of roadway in Texas has been positively impacted by some aspect of the TTI program. Through research, development and technology transfer, TTI is helping to meet the transportation needs of tomorrow.