Fundedby a $3.5 million federal grant andan additional $3.5 million in matching funds from various state transportationdepartments, the Woodruff Foundation and others for the first two years, theUTC will bring together a consortium of universities in Georgia, Florida andAlabama including the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, GeorgiaSouthern University, Southern Polytechnic State University, Clark AtlantaUniversity, Spelman College, University of Alabama at Birmingham, FloridaInternational University and University of Central Florida. Known as theNational Center for Transportation System Productivity and Management, theGeorgia Tech UTC will focus on transportation issues of importance to thenation, state and metropolitan areas.

In a related program, Georgia Tech hasalso been named as a collaborator in the US DOT’s Regional UTC led by theUniversity of Florida. The University of Florida and Georgia Tech will bejoined by Auburn University, Florida International University, University ofNorth Carolina, North Carolina State University, University of Alabama at Birminghamand Mississippi State University to form a regional consortium that will focuson transportation issues impacting the Southeast. Georgia DOT will also providesome matching funds for this effort.

“Georgia Tech is uniquely qualified tolead the University Transportation Center. It is home to one of the largest andmost accomplished transportation and logistics research programs in the U.S.and is responsible for many of the strategic improvements that have beenmade to Georgia’s infrastructure,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “I applaud theefforts of all of those who were involved in this important project.”

Accordingto Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson, the UTC designation providesnational recognition of Georgia Tech’s capabilities and expertise in contributingto transportation solutions for the nation, state and metropolitan area.

“Weare pleased to take a leading role in working with our industry, government anduniversity partners to devise solutions for our state and regionaltransportation challenges,” he said. “I want to thank the US Department ofTransportation, Governor Deal, Georgia Department of Transportation, Woodruff  Foundation and the Georgia congressionaldelegation for their support of this important work."

Fundingfrom the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation supported the initial proposal led by ateam from Georgia Tech including Michael Meyer, director of the GeorgiaTransportation Institute and Civil Engineering professor; Catherine Ross,director of the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development; and KenStewart, senior advisor for industry. An advisory board including industry,government and university representatives from throughout Georgia, Florida andAlabama also provided direction for the grant submission and will continue toprovide advice and counsel to the UTC.

Additionalfunding for the UTC will come from the Georgia DOT, the Woodruff Foundation anduniversity partners. Future support will come through government, private andcorporate resources.

Thepurpose of the UTC is to advance U.S. technology and expertise in the manydisciplines comprising transportation through research, education andtechnology transfer as well as provide a critical transportation knowledge baseoutside the US DOT and address vital workforce needs for the next generation oftransportation leaders.

The class was divided into three teams, each researching one of the author's life and writing, the writing of that period in American Literature, along with the history and cultural implications of each building technique. In addition, they designed and built children's playhouses in that particular style. The students sourced material from a range of venues, worked out labor schedules, developed safety criteria, solicited site plan approval, and constructed playhouses which will eventually be given to charity.

The students presented their work during exam week in an opening reception that included the houses, slideshows about the design and construction process, various representations of their research including magazines, posters, cider, and clam chowder. The log structure, representing the research on Bernd Heinrich will be moved into the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons in February in anticipation of his lecture on March 7.