HISTORY
of TTI
Over 75 Years of Innovation in Transportation Research
Driving
SOLUTIONS
SHAPING THE FUTURE
Founded in 1950, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) was created to address the growing need for research that could improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of Texas’s transportation system. Rooted in a decades-long collaboration between the Texas Highway Department and the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, TTI formalized its mission under the leadership of visionaries like DeWitt Greer, Gibb Gilchrist and Thomas H. MacDonald. From its earliest days, the Institute has championed interdisciplinary research, innovation and public service. More than 75 years later, TTI remains a national leader in transportation research — shaping policy, testing emerging technologies and solving real-world challenges under the guidance of its Agency Director Gregory D. Winfree.
our story
Begins
The groundwork for TTI was laid long before its official founding. In 1917, the newly created Texas Highway Department began working with the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University), using its laboratory facilities to support highway development. This early collaboration led to a formal cooperative research agreement in 1948 — an innovative partnership between state government and higher education that would become the model for transportation research across the nation.
In 1950, TTI was officially chartered by the Texas A&M Board of Directors with a mission to enlist the College’s broad resources to improve transportation across all modes. That mission remains at the heart of our work today.
1917
Texas Highway Department began working with the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University)
1948
A formal cooperative research agreement was reached between state government and higher education
1950
TTI was officially chartered by the Texas A&M Board of Directors
Our
Founding Fathers
TTI was shaped by the foresight of three pioneering leaders in transportation:
Gibb Gilchrist
December 23, 1887 – May 12, 1972
Mr. Gilchrist was instrumental in the creation of TTI, and, working with Mr. DeWitt C. Greer, in developing the working relationship with the Texas Highway Department.
DeWitt C. Greer
July 27, 1902 – November 17, 1986
Mr. Greer (Texas A&M, Class of 1923) was known as the Dean of the Nation’s Highway Administrators and was a contemporary of both Gibb Gilchrist and Thomas H. MacDonald. He worked with Mr. Gilchrist in establishing TTI and was responsible for developing the cooperative research program with the Texas Highway Department.
Thomas H. MacDonald
July 23, 1881 – April 7, 1957
Mr. MacDonald was the first chief of the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads and was known as the father of modern highways. Following retirement in 1953, he came to Texas A&M to work with Mr. DeWitt C. Greer and Mr. Gibb Gilchrist in organizing the programs of the newly created Texas Transportation Institute. He provided direction and guidance to TTI until his death in 1957.
Leadership
Through the Decades
Since its founding in 1950, TTI has had six agency directors. Each director has played a pivotal role in expanding the Institute’s reach, advancing transportation research, and strengthening the partnership with the State of Texas. Their collective vision and expertise have helped shape TTI into one of the most respected transportation research agencies in the nation.
Our Directors
Gregory D. Winfree
Director, 2016-Present
Mr. Gregory D. Winfree (St. John’s University ’86, Georgetown University ’89) was appointed Agency Director of TTI in December 2016, after six years in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, where he served most recently as Assistant Secretary. Prior to his USDOT appointments, he was Corporate Counsel for several Fortune 500 corporations in natural resources and metals, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals and polymers. Under his leadership, TTI is expanding its footprint in technology-related research and innovative infrastructure laboratories and is undergoing a strategic planning process.
Dennis L. Christiansen
Director, 2006-2016
Dr. Dennis L. Christiansen (Northwestern University ’70) joined TTI in 1971 as a Graduate Research Assistant. He served as Deputy Director for 13 years prior to becoming Director in 2006. An expert in traffic operations and transportation planning, he was International President of the International Institute of Transportation Engineers in 1996. Under his leadership, TTI significantly diversified its research portfolio, charted a strategic future direction, and moved into its first state headquarters building in 2009.
Herbert H. Richardson
Director, 1993-2006
Dr. Herbert H. Richardson (MIT ’55), a member of the National Academy of Engineering, came to Texas A&M in 1984 as Dean of Engineering and Deputy Chancellor for Engineering. He served as Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System from 1991 to 1993 and as TTI Director from 1993 until his retirement in 2006. Under his leadership, TTI expanded its relationships with the academic sector, added significant infrastructure, and doubled annual research expenditures.
Charley V. Wootan
Director, 1976-1993
Dr. Charley V. Wootan (Texas A&M University ’50) joined TTI in 1956 as an Associate Research Economist. He served as Associate Director from 1966 to 1976 and as Director from 1976 to 1993 and received numerous national awards. He was one of the founders and first President of the Council of University Transportation Centers in 1979. He served as Chair of the Transportation Research Board in 1983. Under Dr. Wootan’s leadership, TTI grew to become the largest university-based transportation research agency in the nation.
Charles J. “Jack” Keese
Director, 1962-1976
Mr. Charles J. “Jack” Keese (Texas A&M University ’41) returned to A&M in 1948 after serving four years as an Army officer in Europe and the Pacific and three years with the Texas Highway Department. After receiving his M.S. degree, he served as Traffic Engineer for the City of Midland, returning to Texas A&M and TTI in 1955. Mr. Keese served as the second Director of TTI from 1962 until heart surgery forced his retirement in 1976. Under Jack Keese, TTI attracted excellent professional staff and grew into national prominence.
Fred J. Benson
Director, 1955-1962
Mr. Fred J. Benson (Kansas State University ’35) came to A&M in 1937 as a faculty member in Civil Engineering. He was instrumental in the organization of TTI and served as the first Director until 1962, at which time he became Dean of Engineering. He retired in 1980 as Deputy Chancellor of Engineering, and as President of the Texas A&M University Research Foundation in 1982. Dean Benson’s leadership in the early years enabled TTI to become a viable organization and set the guidelines for its continued growth.
Shaping the
Future
From roadside safety and congestion management to connected vehicle testing, TTI continues to tackle transportation challenges with forward-thinking solutions. Now headquartered at the Texas A&M-RELLIS Campus in Bryan, Texas, the Institute leads national efforts in vehicle-to-everything deployment, advanced data analysis and sustainable infrastructure.
With a focus on six key areas — technology, connected and automated vehicles, mobility, human factors, energy and data innovations — TTI is tackling the toughest transportation challenges and anticipating how infrastructure must evolve. Under the leadership of Director Gregory D. Winfree, the Institute is leveraging bold ideas and applied research to ensure safer, smarter and more resilient systems for the future of mobility. His strategic direction continues to position TTI as a trusted national leader in how people and goods move across Texas and beyond.
The Institute leads national efforts in vehicle-to-everything deployment, advanced data analysis and sustainable infrastructure.
