U.S. DOT will provide nearly $5.2 million in two federal grants to create a Midwest Transportation center at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The grants will pay out in successive years and will fund transportation research conducted by a collaboration of six Midwest universities (including Iowa State) and state transportation researchers.
The estimated 40 students and 18 researchers will analyze the Midwest’s transportation needs in order to establish logistics for the Iowa State-centered transportation center. According to Shauna Hallmark, interim director of the Institute for Transportation, Iowa State University, research will span from measuring traffic safety to determining the quality and lifespan of pavement.
The grants will also fund education programs, leadership development, diversity promotion and outreach to students in kindergarten through high school.