A drone flying above a multi-lane highway with cars traveling in both directions through a desert landscape.

Rethinking the Chase: How UAVs Could Make High-Speed Pursuits Safer

High-speed vehicle pursuits are among the most dangerous situations faced by law enforcement and the public. Each year, these chases result in crashes, injuries and, in too many cases, fatalities. In regions like El Paso, Texas, the frequency of such pursuits has increased sharply, raising concerns among policymakers and communities about how to respond more safely and effectively.

Yianni Tsapakis, wearing a blue suit and red tie, accepts the TRB Blue Ribbon Award for the Highway Traffic Monitoring Committee from another man in a dark suit and glasses. They are smiling and standing indoors at a formal event.

TTI’s Tsapakis Leads TRB Highway Traffic Monitoring Committee to Second Consecutive Blue Ribbon Award

For the second consecutive year, the Highway Traffic Monitoring Committee (ACP70), chaired by Ioannis “Yianni” Tsapakis, assistant program manager and research scientist at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, has been honored with the Blue Ribbon Award by the Transportation Research Board (TRB). This year, the committee earned recognition in the Research category for Identifying and Advancing Ideas for Research through the Development of Two e-Circulars Over Six Years and Collaboration with Multiple Committees and Organizations.

Aerial San Antonio Downtown

TTI’s Debbie Albert Shares Traffic Tips to Navigate the NCAA Men’s Final Four

The excitement is building as San Antonio gears up to host the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four, alongside a packed schedule of events, including live music, tailgates and parades. With an influx of visitors, expect increased traffic around the Alamodome and downtown throughout the event. TTI Research Engineer and Community Coordination Program Manager Debbie Albert shares expert tips to make your trip a smooth and stress-free experience.

A person wearing a helmet rides a bicycle in a designated bike lane on a city street with trees and parked vehicles nearby.

TTI Researchers Publish National Guide to Safer Bikeway Design

A multidisciplinary team led by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) has published a new national guide focused on improving the safety of on-street bicycle facilities. National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Research Report 1136: On-Street Bicycle Facility Design Features—A Guide was developed by TTI in collaboration with Toole Design Group, Portland State University and Safe Streets Research & Consulting.

Seven men in business attire pose in an office, three seated in front holding documents, with U.S. and Mexican flags and bookshelves visible in the background.

TTI and TAMIU Launch Innovative Study Funded by NADBank on Zero-Emission Cross-Border Transportation

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development (TCBEED) and the North American Development Bank (NADBank) recently announced the launch of a transformative $250,000 study to analyze the impacts of implementing zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in cross-border trade operations.

Two people posed in front of Texas A&M University insignia; a woman in a light blue top on the left and a man in a checked shirt on the right, both smiling at the camera.

TTI’s Levien and Schrank Selected as Regents Fellows for 2023–2024

The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has named two leaders from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) as Regents Fellows for the 2023–2024 fiscal year. Established in 1988, the award recognizes and honors service, extension and research professionals who have provided exemplary professional service to society that has created large and lasting benefits to Texas and beyond.

Group of individuals posing for a picture in front of a city backdrop.

Celebrating 50 Years of AMIVTAC: Cross-Border Collaboration on Transportation Safety and Infrastructure

Ing. Salvador Fernández Ayala, Presidente de la XXV Mesa Directiva Nacional de la Asociación Mexicana de Ingeniería de Vías Terrestres (AMIVTAC), invited TTI Research Scientist Juan Carlos Espinosa and TTI Associate Transportation Researcher Micah Leonard to present at AMIVTAC’s 50th Anniversary.

Two teens stand together holding a sign promoting seat belt use, with text stating most teen drivers wear their seat belt, from a 2024 Texas safety report.

YTS Report Reinforces the Positive for National Teen Driver Safety Week

National Teen Driver Safety Week, scheduled for Oct. 20–26, 2024, is an initiative dedicated to educating parents and teen drivers about the dangers of distracted driving and other critical risk factors. Vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for youth under 25 in Texas and the U.S., and young drivers have a higher crash rate than older, more experienced drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The goal of this week is to raise awareness of the challenges teens face behind the wheel, but also highlight the positive behaviors of our youngest road users.  

A group of people pose for a photo outside the Texas A&M Transportation Institute building, standing beside a sign displaying the institute’s name and address.

USDOT Visits CARTEEH

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Office of the Assistant Secretary of Research and Technology (OST-R) has been visiting University Transportation Centers (UTCs) to enhance their understanding of the consortiums’ research agenda and to express appreciation and support for their contributions.

Six people stand side by side holding award plaques in front of a projector screen; one person is seated in a wheelchair.

Recognizing Excellence in Impaired Driving Prevention

The Texas Impaired Driving Task Force (TxIDTF) is dedicated to eliminating impaired driving across the state. Comprised of law enforcement, prosecution, prevention, advocacy, media development/communications and more, the task force works diligently to combat one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities in Texas. To honor those making significant contributions to this mission, TxIDTF, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, annually presents the Texas Impaired Driving Safety Awards.

Six people, four standing in an office and two appearing on a large video screen, pose for a group photo in front of a wall with plaques.

2024 TTI Summer Internship Program

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) successfully concluded its 2024 Summer Internship Program on Aug. 2, marking another year of impactful engagement with students through hands-on transportation research. Held over 10 weeks at the Texas A&M RELLIS Campus, the program was a collaborative effort between the Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH), the National Center for Infrastructure Transformation (NCIT) and the Southern Plains Transportation Center (SPTC).

Five people stand behind a Texas A&M Transportation Institute booth with brochures, papers, and a screen displaying a city map.

El Paso Trade Fair Showcases Future of Border Transportation Solutions

On Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) researchers shared their research at the Customs and Border Protection El Paso Field Office (EPFO) 2024 Annual Trade Fair. The event, themed “Building Toward the Future,” gathered representatives from state, local and federal agencies focused on enhancing cross-border transportation.

Seven people stand outdoors in front of large illuminated V2X letters, with city buildings, flags, and water in the background.

USDOT Awards $19.2 Million in Advanced Vehicle Technology Grants to Texas to Serve as National Model and Help Save Lives on Our Nation’s Roadways

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced on Aug. 9 that it is awarding a $19.2 million grant to Texas under the Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment program to advance connected and interoperable vehicle technologies. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) will receive the grant for the Texas TRUST Project: Transforming Roads, Unleashing Smart Technologies that will serve as a national model to accelerate and spur new deployments of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies. The Texas grant was awarded as part of a $60 million grant package awarded to Arizona, Texas and Utah.

Kyle Field stadium at dusk with bright lights illuminating the structure; cars are visible in the parking lot and on the road in front.

Gearing Up for Aggieland Traffic: Know Before You Go

What normally draws crowds to Bryan-College Station are the roaring Texas A&M Aggies. However, for two weekends in June, new faces will be attracting a new set of visitors to Aggieland. With a capacity hold over 100,000 fans, Texas A&M University’s Kyle Field is set to welcome a plethora of soccer fans and country music enthusiasts into its stands—and its surrounding streets—on June 8 and  June 15, 2024. Additionally, Olsen Field will host the NCAA baseball super regionals from June 8–10.

Two smartphones display driving analytics apps, showing a driving score, stats, charts, and a map route, against a green and blue gradient circle background.

Revolutionizing Data Collection in Road Safety Research: The You in the Driver Seat App

Since its launch in October 2020, the You in the Driver Seat (YDS) app has revolutionized data collection efforts in combating distracted driving among young drivers. Developed by Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s (TTI’s) Youth Transportation Safety (YTS) program — which seeks to save lives and prevent injury among youth through education, empowerment, and peer-led outreach — the YDS app promotes safe, distraction-free driving to individuals aged 16 – 25.

A group of professionals in business attire stands around a banner listing universities participating in the National Center for Infrastructure Transformation.

Infrastructure Transformation & Transportation Resilience: TEES & TTI partnering with UTCs at CIR

Last year, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the recipients of grant awards for National, Regional and Tier 1 University Transportation Centers (UTCs). Among the awardees, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), and Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) of Texas A&M University System were selected to either lead or partner with eight UTCs. Researchers from the Center for Infrastructure Renewal are working on infrastructure related topics at four of these centers. 

Public Transportation

Shaping the Future of Public Transportation: TCRP Research Milestones

One of the main ways the public transit industry conducts research that develops practical solutions to its challenges is through the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). In recent years, numerous contributors from Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), especially those in TTI’s Transit Mobility Program, have performed research and published practical reports for TCRP.