who we are

The Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE) is the focal point for transportation at Iowa State University, a premier land-grant university.

CTRE performs transportation research for public and private agencies and companies; manages its own education program for transportation students; and conducts local, regional, and national transportation services and continuing education programs.

CTRE traces its roots to 1983 when it was established as one of the Federal Highway Administration's 10 original Rural Technical Assistance Programs (now Local Technical Assistance Programs). See a brief history of CTRE.

CTRE staff

At the core of CTRE is the expertise of its faculty and staff. CTRE staff members are nationally recognized experts in transportation engineering, planning, safety, systems management and operation, and policy. These staff excel in combining their knowledge and resources with other university-based organizations, transportation agencies, consulting firms, and industry to develop and manage robust research teams.

Review a list of CTRE staff members, including contact information and brief resumes.

Map to CTRE

CTRE is located in Ames, Iowa, home of Iowa State University. CTRE has its offices in the ISU Research Park just south of Highway 30 and east of Elwood Drive. See the map for more precise directions.

Centers and programs

CTRE has become an umbrella for a diverse group of other transportation-related centers and programs that we call our "logo" programs.

More about CTRE

Annual reports

Get a snapshot view of CTRE's activities through its annual reports (which are actually biennial reports since they're published every two years rather than every year).

CTRE en Route newsletter

CTRE en Route is a biannual e-newsletter that highlights CTRE projects and people. Sign up to receive a twice yearly email with links to stories on the web.

Advisory board

CTRE advisory board members represent key constituents for transportation research in the private and public sectors at the federal, state, and local levels. The board, formed in 1997, reviews and assesses CTRE's programs, recommends new activities, and provides input regarding marketing and other management issues.

Mission

CTRE's mission is to develop and implement innovative methods, materials, and technologies for improving transportation efficiency, safety, and reliability, while improving the learning environment of students, faculty, and staff in transportation-related fields.

Read the complete mission statement or view the pdf version.

CTRE's partnerships

CTRE partners with public, private, academic, and professional organizations to accomplish a variety of goals including research and training.

In 2003 CTRE signed a collaboration agreement (24 kb pdf) with the Iowa DOT and the Iowa Regents' universities: Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa that will facilitate transportation research to benefit Iowa.

CTRE's resources

CTRE is well placed in central Iowa to tap into rich physical and human resources at Iowa State University and the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Economic development for Iowans

Ninety-four percent of CTRE's financial resources go directly to transportation-related research, outreach, and education in Iowa. Learn more about CTRE's value-added investment.

Training facilities

A videoconference / computer classroom is available to the Iowa Department of Transportation, Iowa's city and county transportation agencies, Iowa State University centers, institutes and departments, and the ISU Research Park for meetings and workshops.