DOT Press Release: University of Minnesota Gets DOT Grant

08/27/96

DOT Awards $874,576 Grant to University of Minnesota


WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of
Transportation Mortimer L. Downey today announced a Research and
Special Programs Administration (RSPA) $874,576 grant to the
University of Minnesota for transportation research.

"President Clinton and Secretary Pena are strongly committed to
research to meet our country's future transportation needs," Downey
said. "This is vital if we are to increase our efficiency and remain
competitive internationally. DOT's University Research Institutes
provide valuable data and analysis on a variety of transportation
topics and encourage talented students to pursue careers in the
transportation field."

The grant will be used to operate the Institute for Intelligent
Vehicle-Highway Concepts at the University of Minnesota. In the coming
year, the institute will conduct research and educational projects on
intelligent- transportation topics such as automatic detection of
driver fatigue, collision avoidance devices, vehicle emissions
measurement and railroad crossing safety.

The University Research Institutes were created by the Intermodal
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. The purpose of the
institutes is to advance U.S. technology and expertise through
research, technology transfer and education at university-level
centers of excellence. Each of the six institutes conducts activities
in differing areas of transportation research.

"An investment in research and education is an investment in our
country's future," RSPA Administrator Dr.  D.K. Sharma said. "As we
look toward the future, our goal is to secure the best and brightest
minds for the transportation industry. The University of Minnesota is
well suited to helping us achieve that goal and we look forward to a
successful partnership with this fine institution."

An electronic version of this document can be obtained via the World
Wide Web at: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/index.html.