The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the University a $3.5 million research grant today.
The award, announced by U.S. Representative Timothy V. Johnson, will fund the University Transportation Consortium.
The consortium will focus on research pertaining to the rail industry, specifically looking at rail corridor efficiency, freight transportation and the development of commuter and intercity passenger rail.
Johnson hopes the grant will allow Illinois to further exceed in the railroad industry.
“Within this region, we have major freight-car manufacturers, high-speed rail and corridor alignment discussions going on at many levels,” Johnson said in a press release. “The nature of this research has implications in all those areas. As a critical railroad hub in the U.S., Illinois must continue to be an industry leader in developing the workers, the technology and the networks that make the most sense.”
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University president Michael Hogan is looking forward to the research the University Transportation Consortium will be doing.
“Illinois has the nation’s best programs in rail engineering and transit system development and operation, and these UTC’s will help the nation and region prepare for future freight and passenger rail needs,” said University president Michael Hogan in a press release.
