The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has entered a six-year, $48 million agreement with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Illinois Center for Transportation at The Grainger College of Engineering. This new contract, effective July 1, aims to further their longstanding collaboration focused on addressing the state's diverse transportation needs through innovative research and development.
"We are excited about our progressing partnership with the Illinois Center for Transportation," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. "Together, we will continue to lead the way in innovative new technologies and practices to prepare our multimodal system for the future and better serve the public."
The partnership prioritizes developing and implementing next-generation mobility technologies while ensuring a safe, resilient, and net-zero emission transportation system by 2050. This includes creating safer and more sustainable infrastructure, reducing congestion, achieving more equitable transit systems, and preparing for autonomous vehicles.
"This agreement is a testimony of the long and sustainable relationship between IDOT and the University of Illinois," said UIUC Chancellor Robert J. Jones. "We are pleased that the Illinois Center for Transportation continues to be at the forefront of developing transportation technologies that benefit the state, nation, and world at large."
The collaboration between IDOT and the University of Illinois dates back to the 1940s, with the partnership with the Illinois Center for Transportation beginning in 2005. Over the years, industry members, academic professionals, and government agencies have joined forces to complete nearly 320 projects, with more than 40 new projects scheduled to be underway by this fall.
This renewed agreement marks a significant milestone, ensuring that Illinois remains at the forefront of addressing key transportation challenges and leading the way in the development of innovative solutions for the future.
