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If you are a student, faculty member, or other affiliate of the Nebraska Transportation Center, we are eager to share your news of your work and accomplishments.
Send your information to Madison Schmidt at mschmidt24@unl.edu and it could appear in NTC's website, newsletter, Facebook, and Twitter.
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Message from the Director
DECEMBER 2024
As we wrap up 2024, I am delighted to reflect on another successful year for the Nebraska Transportation Center (NTC) and our valued partners. This year, our funded awards totaled $8,689,538, marking a significant increase of 53% from 2023 . This achievement underscores the hard work and dedication of our faculty, research staff, and students and it stands as a testament to the innovative research taking place at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). A key focus this year was redefining the vision and mission of our transportation program while establishing short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals to ensure continued growth and impact.
This year also brought exciting opportunities to showcase our work to influential leaders. In July, we welcomed Senator Deb Fischer, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, and senior representatives from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), the Lindsay Corporation, and other distinguished guests to the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility (MwRSF). They observed an electric vehicle crash test at MwRSF’s Outdoor Proving Grounds, a testament to our leadership in safety-related research, including highway-rail grade crossing safety, roadside safety, and military and defense safety. In September, we hosted the U.S. Department of Transportation leadership team, who visited UNL to learn more about our transportation program’s vision and plans. During their visit, they toured our state-of-the-art facilities and observed a full-scale crash test at MwRSF, further underscoring the impact of our research.
Looking ahead, we are excited about UNL’s strong representation at the 2025 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, taking place January 4–9 in Washington, DC. This year, 25 UNL faculty members and research staff, along with 22 students —most supported by NTC—will attend and present their research. Their contributions highlight the depth and breadth of our expertise in transportation research. A full list of presentations can be found on our center’s website. Additionally, we look forward to hosting the UNL reception on Sunday evening, a wonderful opportunity for the University of Nebraska community to reconnect and for current faculty, staff, and students to engage with alumni and other friends of our program.
As announced previously, NTC serves as the host organization for the Nebraska Clean Cities and Communities Coalition (NEC4), which is soon to receive official designation from the U.S. Department of Energy. Through NEC4, we are dedicated to supporting Nebraska’s communities and partners in adopting affordable, convenient, and energy-efficient vehicles and infrastructure to enhance the transportation of people and goods.
Finally, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to NTC’s success this year. Your dedication and collaboration have been integral to our achievements. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a prosperous 2025!
