The discussion at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) Advisory Council meeting held at Circle T Ranch in AllianceTexas (near Fort Worth) in September focused on the work of TTI‘s new Policy Research Center (PRC), recently funded by the Texas Legislature. TTI Agency Director Dennis Christiansen credited the council with the initial formative ideas for the center.
“All of you have been extremely supportive of TTI‘s research efforts in the area of transportation policy and funding, and this new center would not have happened without your support,” Christiansen said. “With our growing population and changing transportation technology, there is a great need in the state for this kind of effort.”
Ginger Goodin, director of the new center, and Cathy Reiley, center associate director, gave the center update. Bill Stockton, TTI executive associate director, led the discussion about the center’s focus areas. The PRC‘s primary purpose is to serve as an independent resource to the legislature, providing analysis of the state’s transportation policies and their economic impacts. Center researchers also provide on-call support to the legislature.
State Rep. Larry Phillips, chairman of the Texas House Transportation Committee, gave a summary of transportation legislation during the 2013 legislative session. He recognized TTI for the assistance the Institute provides to legislative members.
“Saving lives, time and resources is what you do,” Representative Phillips said. “TTI provides fact- and science-supported information to explain the problems and needs in transportation, which is extremely helpful.”
Christiansen gave an update on other TTI activities, and Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director Phil Wilson also provided an update on his agency. The meeting was hosted by Council Member Russell Laughlin of Hillwood Properties.
