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.

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.

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.

A man in a blue blazer and light blue shirt smiles at the camera against a plain grey background.

Wireless Technology Developed by TTI’s Vickich Leads to Safer and More Efficient Roadways

Mike Vickich, a Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) software engineer in the Research & Implementation Houston office, has dedicated over 25 years to developing technology-based transportation solutions to improve the safety and efficiency of transportation networks. Through his work at TTI, Vickich has contributed to patented products that are being utilized to manage traffic and optimize transportation network operations throughout Texas and the United States.