A major federal grant will fund research into maritime and multimodal transportation at the Vanderbilt Center for Transportation and Operational Resiliency (VECTOR).

The $1 million, five-year grant to VECTOR from the U.S. Department of Transportation is through a consortium headed by the University of Arkansas. About 30 University Transportation Centers were selected for grants, and the one that includes Vanderbilt will receive $7 million total.

Craig Philip

VECTOR was selected as part of a consortium

 

The research is aimed at preserving the nation’s transportation system, with key components focused on education and technology transfer.

“Our research shows the use of navigation channels avoids millions of truck trips that would add to congestion already affecting our highway system,” said Craig Philip, VECTOR’s director and a research professor of civil and environmental engineering. “Given the link between international trade and gross domestic product, efficient and resilient ports are critical to the nation’s overall economy and the abilities of intermodal carriers to move freight between ports of entry and inland locations.”

The new funding will allow VECTOR researchers to continue working on the design of supply-chain networks and optimizing water routes to minimize congestion. The research focuses on efficient design and planning for barge containers, shipping cycle times, reliability, safety and environmental preservation. Funded research also will look for ways to reduce demand on ports, highways and rail systems.

Contact
Heidi Hall, 615-322-6614
Heidi.Hall@Vanderbilt.edu
On Twitter @VUEngineering
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