News

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded nearly $2 million to a national research consortium that includes lead institution Ohio State University as well as the University of California-Irvine and the University of Texas at Austin. The grant will create a new Tier 1 University Transportation Center (UTC). According to the DOT, these centers aim to “advance research and education programs that address critical transportation challenges facing our nation.”

Over 80 percent of annual car crashes could be prevented by vehicular  communications, a recent NHTSA report demonstrates. To improve vehicular communications and substantially improve safety benefits for all, TxDOT funded the Communications and Radar-Supported Transportation Operations and Planning (CAR-STOP).

Virginia-based company, General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) recently joined the WNCG Industrial Affiliate Program as a level one member. GDMS is a business unit of General Dynamics, the global aerospace and defense company and a leading provider of mission critical systems across land, sea, air, space and cyber domains. The company has a global presence in secure communications and networking, command and control systems, imagery sensors and cyber. They are particularly interested in WNCG’s expertise in wireless research, mobile security and antenna design.

In 2013, 32,719 fatalities resulted from traffic crashes, most of which were caused by driver error. Across the globe, people are facing longer commutes and five Texas communities are in the top 26 most congested cities in the United States. Traffic congestion creates about 4.8 billion hours of travel delay and affects the environment through increased carbon footprints and higher fuel consumption.