The University of Toledo is leading the charge in Ohio to develop new innovations in transportation and logistics.
UT is working on many projects across a broad range of the transportation sectors, including highways, rail and intermodalism, maritime, and air transportation. Transportation systems provide unparalleled access to jobs, recreation, education, health care, and the many other activities that sustain the economy and enrich lives.
Some of the cutting-edge research being done at the University to improve transportation in state projects such as short sea shipping, which is transporting goods over the Great Lakes instead of by congested highways, intermodal development and using alternative fuels comprise.
“Our hope is to make the community and the state say, ‘I have a transportation issue, where can I go? The University of Toledo,’” said Richard Martinko, director of the UT Intermodal Transportation Institute and UT Federal University Transportation Center. “We want to be a catalyst to the community and align directly with our UT relevant University strategic plan.”
The state recently recognized what is being done at UT when Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut named The University of Toledo a Center of Excellence in Transportation and Aerospace.
“In competing for outside research funding, top faculty and high-tech jobs, it is critical for Ohio’s colleges and universities to focus their unique strengths to incite innovation and keep fast-growing companies and talent in our state,” Fingerhut said.
A total of six Centers of Excellence in Transportation and Aerospace were recognized at different universities throughout Ohio. Other centers are located at Case Western Reserve University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Dayton, Ohio State University and Wright State University.
Ohio has 180 public airports, eight interstate highways, 36 freight railroads and 25 waterfront ports, giving it a competitive advantage for importing and exporting both within the community and nationwide.
This also gives UT ample opportunities to continue to create new developments for the future, Martinko said, adding that being recognized as a Center of Excellence in this area gives the University credibility and traction in the state.
As a Center of Excellence, UT will partner with the state and use its academic resources in transportation and logistics to create jobs and strengthen Ohio’s ability to create new developments in commercialization.
This is the University’s third Center of Excellence. UT was acknowledged as a Center of Excellence in Advanced Energy in October and a Center of Excellence in Biomedicine and Health Care in February.
