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TTI Summary

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Since 1950, the Texas Transportation Institute has sought solutions to the problems and challenges facing all modes of transportation — surface, air, pipeline, water and rail.

A member of The Texas A&M University System, the Institute annually works with nearly 200 sponsors at all levels of government and the private sector. TTI is the largest participant in the Texas Department of Transportation research program.

Recognized as one of the finest higher education-affiliated transportation research agencies in the nation, TTI has made research breakthroughs across all facets of modern transportation. Virtually every mile of roadway in Texas has benefitted from TTI research.

With headquarters on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, TTI maintains a full-service safety proving grounds facility and erosion control laboratory in Bryan, and has offices in Arlington, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Galveston, Houston and San Antonio. At any one time, TTI has research projects in about 30 U.S. states and 20 foreign countries.

The Institute is well positioned to offer objective and credible guidance on a wide range of transportation topics and issues.

Statewide Research Network

map of texas showing locations of TTI's research network.
Headquarters
  • College Station
Urban Offices
  • Arlington
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • El Paso
  • Galveston
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
Proving Grounds Research Facility and Erosion Control Laboratory
  • Bryan
Pecos Research and Testing Center
Regional Divisions
  • Lamar University
  • Prairie View A&M University
  • Texas A&M International University
  • Texas A&M University–Commerce
  • Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
  • Texas A&M University–Galveston
  • Texas A&M University–Kingsville
  • Texas Southern University
  • The University of Texas at El Paso
  • West Texas A&M University

TTI research has a proven impact, resulting in lives, time and money saved.

The Texas Department of Transportation has conservatively estimated that the benefit-cost ratio of its research is in excess of 5:1. TTI has saved the state of Texas and the United States billions of dollars through strategies and products developed through its research program. Below are just a few examples.

  • Improving Roadside Safety. Major advancements have occurred in the design of roadside safety devices such as guard rails, crash cushions and sign supports, as well as anti-ram barriers in the area of homeland security. More than 540,000 TTI-patented highway safety devices are in use in the United States and throughout the world. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated these devices have saved more than 10,000 lives.
  • Advancing Mobility. Justification, planning, design and operating guidelines for extensive high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane systems implemented in Houston and Dallas have led to significant increases in transit usage and carpooling, a reduction in congestion and a benefit-cost ratio of more than 6:1.
  • Providing Real-Time Traffic Data. Innovative travel time web information systems serving the Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth areas average more than 7.5 million page views per day. Motorists in those urban areas can easily view information on traffic incidents, lane closures and travel speeds or see roadside camera images and messages posted on electronic signs.
  • Measuring Urban Congestion. TTI prepares the definitive national study documenting congestion costs and trends in 85 urban areas. The 2007 study, which was reported on by more than 700 media outlets across the country, provides invaluable input into policy and transportation decisions at the state and national levels.
  • Enhancing the Environment. TTI's vehicle emission modeling techniques are used across the state and at the Federal Highway Administration. In the second phase of a $3 million Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant, TTI researchers are using this technology to focus on reducing emissions from idling trucks, which account for an estimated 13 million gallons of wasted diesel fuel and 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxides emissions every day.
  • Educating Teen Drivers. The Teens in the Driver Seat® peer-to-peer safety outreach program has been implemented in 150+ Texas high schools. Participant surveys indicate a 30 percent decrease in teen cell phone usage and text messaging while driving and an 11 percent increase in teen seat belt usage.

Research Centers

TTI is home to a number of state and national centers, which illustrate the breadth and significance of the Institute's research program.

various photographs related to TTI research

  • Association of American Railroads Affiliated Laboratory — Privately funded by the railroad industry.
  • International Center for Aggregates Research — Privately funded by the aggregates industry; The University of Texas is a partner in this center.
  • Southwest Region University Transportation Center — The federally designated center for Region 6; partners in this center include Texas Southern University and The University of Texas.
  • Center for Transportation Safety — Established by the Texas Legislature to be a focal point for transportation safety-related research and activities.
  • Center of Excellence in Transportation Computational Mechanics — Designated by the Federal Highway Administration to advance computer simulation and analysis of roadside safety improvements.
  • National Training and Technical Assistance Center for the Travel Model Improvement Program — Designated by the Federal Highway Administration to advance transportation planning modeling.
  • Center for Ports and Waterways — Established by the Texas Legislature in 1995 and designated as a National Maritime Enhancement Institute by the U.S. Maritime Administration to improve maritime transportation.
  • University Transportation Center for Mobility — Federally designated as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's University Transportation Centers program.
  • Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research — With headquarters in El Paso, the center, established by the Texas Legislature, focuses on traffic management, border mobility and air quality to enhance the efficient, safe and secure movement of people and goods across the U.S. borders.
  • National Pipeline Safety and Operations Research Center — An academic partnership with New Mexico State University, established to coordinate research activities that promote the safe and efficient transportation of petroleum and chemical commodities through the United States' extensive pipeline network.

various photographs related to TTI research

Workforce Development

The close academic ties with Texas A&M University have enabled TTI to support and enhance the undergraduate and graduate educational experience by not only facilitating student participation in ongoing transportation research, but also preparing students for transportation careers.

TTI employs approximately 625 people, including more than 200 students. About 50 Texas A&M faculty regularly work on TTI research projects. Many of TTI's researchers are recognized national and international leaders in their fields. TTI has trained more than 4,000 transportation professionals, 2,800 of whom are in Texas.

Map of the United States showing where TAMU graduates and/or former TTI employees are practicing transportation professionals.
Cities in which Texas A&M University graduates and/or former TTI employees are practicing transportation professionals

2009 Budget

TTI's fiscal year 2009 budget is $52.1 million. Historically, TTI has been successful in leveraging state funds to obtain federal funding. The Institute earns more than 80 percent of its budget each year through research contracts, and is the largest university contractor with both the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Academy of Sciences.

TTI's Mission

To solve transportation problems through research, to transfer technology and to develop diverse human resources to meet the transportation challenges of tomorrow.

Contact

Dennis L. Christiansen, P.E.
Agency Director
Texas Transportation Institute
The Texas A&M University System
College Station, TX 77843-3135
ph. (979) 845-1713 · fax (979) 845-9356
dennis-c@tamu.edu

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