MTC Asset Newsletter Winter 2005

From the MTC Director

by Tom Maze, MTC Director, Iowa State University

Over the last few months, the Midwest Transportation Consortium (MTC) has had a change in management. David Plazak stepped down as director of the MTC effective October 1, 2004.

In 1999 when I announced my resignation from ISU and resigned as director of the MTC, David graciously agreed to fill the breach. For the last five years David has done an excellent job managing the MTC, working with our partner universities, and cultivating the MTC's cornerstone—its educational program.

Starting in October 2004, I became the director of the MTC again, and David is the educational coordinator for the MTC, a role that is both consistent with David's interests and one that will allow him to maintain continuity with the MTC's educational program. If you run into David, please thank him for his leadership of the MTC over the last five years.

Waiting for reauthorization

There are three versions of the transportation reauthor-ization of TEA-21, one each from the administration, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. Each includes the UTC program, but each authorizes different grant amounts and has different structures for the number and types of center. All, however, reauthorize the 10 competitive regional centers and yet another competition.

Until there is a new bill, the US DOT continues to fund the UTC program one year at a time. While we wait to see what the future holds for the UTC program, we will continue with what has been a very successful business model—emphasizing the development of new transportation professionals (human capital) with a limited research program.

Through a competitive solicitation we have selected four research projects for funding, with two projects at ISU and two at the University of Missouri_Columbia. This year we plan to spend over half our resources on our educational program with most of the education funding going toward providing students with financial aid.

Please call me with any questions or comments. It is great to be involved and leading the MTC again.