{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://larsen.house.gov/usdot-awards-14m-mobility-research-uw-led-transportation-center", "USDOT awards $14M for mobility research at UW-led transportation center", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "University of Washington: USDOT awards $14M for mobility research at UW-led transportation center  \n\tBy Jennifer Langston\nThe U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded approximately $14 million over five years to a multi-university, regional transportation center led by the University of Washington to fund research aimed at improving the mobility of people and goods across the Pacific Northwest.\nThe competitive funding, which local and regional agencies and companies will match for an expected total of $28 million, advances the work of the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium, or PacTrans. It\u2019s one of 10 regional University Transportation Centers across the U.S. and represents Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.\nThe new grant will expand PacTrans\u2019 focus, which previously included data-driven solutions for transportation safety and sustainability, to address all aspects of the region\u2019s diverse mobility challenges. That will include everything from alleviating traffic congestion to improving transit accessibility for people with disabilities, improving the reliability of trip-planning tools and expanding rural transportation options.\nOther university partners include Boise State University, Gonzaga University, Oregon State University, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Idaho and Washington State University.\n\u201cThis exciting new grant will allow us to address broader mobility challenges, of which our region certainly has many,\u201d said PacTrans director Yinhai Wang, a UW professor of civil and environmental engineering.\n\u201cWe\u2019re seeing rapid population growth in both Portland and Seattle, but we also have the very rural areas like Alaska, with very few people living in a vast landscape. So the question is: How can we offer transportation mobility to people in very different living environments?\u201d Wang said.\nThe federal program\u2019s funding commitment is five years, much longer than the previous two UTC awards, providing valuable stability and opportunity. The universities may also partner with private companies and other stakeholders with economic and social interests in improving the reliability and efficiency with which people and goods move around the region. The proposal had strong support from members of the Congressional delegations across the involved states.\n\u201cTransportation mobility is one of the great challenges facing Washington state as we seek to remain competitive now and in the future,\u201d said Sen. Patty Murray. \u201cThis funding will support important advances that will benefit our local communities and the nation as a whole.\u201d\nPotential research topics include expanding the use of wireless sensors to collect data and connect traffic systems, integrating self-driving vehicles into traffic operations, exploring transit deserts across the region, strategic freight planning and car-sharing for elderly communities.\n\u201cWhen it comes to transportation problems, I have found that most folks want facts and data to guide decision-making,\u201d said Rep. Rick Larsen, a senior member of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. \u201cThat is why this grant is important \u2013 it will help the UW and its PacTrans partners develop smarter transportation solutions that will help drive job growth and keep the economy moving.\u201d\nMatching funders include transportation industry partners and local transportation agencies, including the four states\u2019 transportation departments and the City of Seattle.\n\u201cConsidering the transportation challenges facing America, our country needs this innovative research being done by these universities to help speed up freight movement and reduce congestion,\u201d said Sen. Maria Cantwell.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://larsen.house.gov/usdot-awards-14m-mobility-research-uw-led-transportation-center"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3868561945855618, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}