Clean Transportation Research Complex

Created in 2023 with the expansion of the existing Environmental and Emissions Research Facility (EERF) and the construction of the Grid Interactions Research Facility (GIRF), the Clean Transportation Research Complex (CTRC) is a collaboration between the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station. Under the CTRC umbrella, the EERF addresses automotive technology and environmental impact of transportation, and the GIRF explores the electric grid, microgrids and their components and controls.

Environmental Facility Testing

The EERF, opened in January 2010, is a testing facility that is part of the Environmental Testing Facilities Division at TTI. The research and testing conducted in this facility help lower vehicle emissions, improve air quality in non-attainment areas that do not meet EPA’s air quality standards, and provide reliable, consistent information for state and national policy makers.

The facility offers numerous opportunities for testing new vehicles, components and automotive products — as well as many other products — for their durability under severe temperature, humidity and other weather-like conditions. Tests cover areas such as:

• Emissions from vehicle idling for cars, trucks and buses, including “cold” starts
• Engine fuel consumption and emissions testing
• Hybrid technologies
• Clean fuels
• Vehicle components such as air conditioners, heaters and auxiliary power units
• Infiltration of pollutants into vehicles
• Emissions reduction technologies
• Evaporative emissions
• Alternative fuels
• Lubricants and oils
• Insulation materials
• Ability of plant material to absorb emissions
• Steel and concrete construction components
• Agricultural and food products

Electric Grid Facility Testing

The GIRF explores the electric grid, microgrids and their components and controls. It includes laboratories operated by Texas A&M University electrical and computer engineering faculty and is home to numerous different research tools related to the electric grid.

• Advanced power distribution system (APDS)
• Power hardware in the loop (PHIL)
• Walk-in chamber
• Solar field

Schedule a Tour

Contact us to schedule a tour of the CTRC facilities.