UT to receive $2M as transit center

8/4/2005

The University of Toledo has been designated as a national university transportation center with the recent federal award of $2 million over the next four years.

The money, which was included in federal highway and mass-transit legislation that was approved by Congress last week, calls for the university to receive $500,000 each year, starting next year, said Frank Calzonetti, UT's vice provost for research and economic development.

The money is seen as an avenue for allowing UT to play a leadership role in developing improved intermodal supply-chain systems and alternative transportation methods.

Intermodal transportation is the coordination of trucks, trains, ships, and planes to move cargo.

The university will work with partners in developing its future efforts, Mr. Calzonetti said. The money will benefit the university's existing Intermodal Transportation Institute as well.

"What this will do is provide base support for the institute," Mr. Calzonetti said. The institute in the past has received some financial support from the university as well as grants and other contributions.

Mr. Calzonetti added that the university is in the midst of other collaborative transportation projects with other transportation centers, including those that involve the University of Akron, Bowling Green State University, Wayne State University, and others.

UT President Dan Johnson said he believes the new designation of UT as a national university transportation center will directly complement plans for the Northwest Ohio Science and Technology Corridor, a concept the president has been pushing in recent years.