Friday, January 25, 2008
The research center for
transportation is one of
four created in Ohio.
YOUNGSTOWN — A new facility created to develop more fuel-efficient vehicles, protect bridges from terrorist attacks and create longer-lasting highway pavement is looking for research proposals.
Youngstown State University’s Center for Transportation and Materials Engineering, funded through a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, is now open and ready for business.
“The economic future of the United States is inextricably tied to the safe and efficient operation of the nation’s transportation systems, and that makes the work of this center vital,” said Martin Abraham, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, in which the new center is located.
Congress passed legislation nearly three years ago to fund 22 University Transportation Centers across the nation to advance technology and expertise in transportation.
With the assistance of U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, YSU was selected as one of four sites in Ohio, along with Cleveland State University, University of Toledo and University of Akron.
The strategic plan for the YSU center was recently approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the center is now accepting proposals from faculty and others to participate in research activities.
“With rising gasoline costs and our aging highway system, the need for the kinds of research that this center will provide is timely and important,” said Peter Kasvinsky, YSU associate provost for research and dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research. “It is imperative that we think creatively about the future of the nation’s transportation infrastructure.”
The YSU center’s theme is “Transportation: Mobility, Longevity and Sustainability.”
Research will focus on increasing the longevity of the nation’s transportation infrastructure, developing sustainable designs with minimal environmental and ecological impact and identifying new materials and new applications for materials and manufacturing processes for use in all modes of the transportation industry.
Cynthia Hirtzel, the center’s executive director, noted that Ohio maintains and operates the fifth- largest interstate road system in the nation and that the state has the fifth-highest traffic volume. In addition, Ohio has the second-highest number of bridges and is fourth in the nation in total number of motor vehicles.
“Building on YSU’s established expertise in materials research and engineering, as well as in other fields of engineering and engineering technology, this center will strive to develop approaches that will improve the efficiency, durability, safety and effectiveness of the state’s and the nation’s roadways,” Hirtzel said.
The center is overseen by a 23-member advisory board consisting of YSU faculty and local industry, engineering, transportation and economic development representatives. Deadline for submitting research proposals is Feb. 11.
A five-member executive committee of the advisory board, along with Hirtzel, will choose the research projects. That selection should be made by no later than May 5.
For more information, contact Hirtzel at (330) 941-2421 or by e-mail at cshirtzel@ysu.edu.