As we conclude 2025, I am pleased to highlight a year of meaningful accomplishments at the Nebraska Transportation Center (NTC) across four core areas that define our mission and impact.
Education & Workforce Pathways
Developing the next generation of transportation professionals remains a core commitment. This year, NTC again hosted the Discover Transportation Engineering and Tracks to the Future summer programs for high school students, providing hands-on exposure to transportation careers. We expanded the Transportation Seminar Series to offer professional development hours for practicing engineers and facilitated the Nebraska ITE Student Meet & Greet, which brought companies to campus to connect with UNL students pursuing transportation-related fields. NTC also provided internship opportunities to three students who supported our clean transportation initiatives. Meanwhile, the Mid-America Transportation Center (MATC) delivered its STEM Academy and Roads, Rails, and Race Cars programs, and the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility (MwRSF) offered undergraduate researchers opportunities to engage in real-world safety projects. Finally, NTC supported 19 students in traveling to the 2026 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, demonstrating our strong commitment to career development and workforce preparation.
Community Outreach & Statewide Impact
NTC continued to expand its presence across Nebraska through programs and events that engaged practitioners, communities, and the public. The Nebraska Clean Cities and Communities Coalition hosted the webinar Get Plugged In: EV Infrastructure Planning for Small Fleets and Multi-Family Housing in collaboration with local utilities and the Electric Power Research Institute. NTC also organized and hosted an EV First Responder Training in York, Nebraska, for volunteer firefighters and law enforcement personnel, and supported the Lincoln Electric System’s EV Ride & Drive event. In addition, NTC convened a stakeholder workshop with approximately 60 participants, including commercial motor vehicle drivers, DOT staff, contractors, safety professionals, and community members, to raise awareness of CMV-specific challenges and gather input to inform the future development of real-time, proactive work zone alert systems.
Partnerships with Agencies & Industry
Strategic partnerships remained central to NTC’s success this year. We continued our strong collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Transportation, federal partners, and the Midwest Pooled Fund program. Notable engagements included hosting the U.S. Department of Transportation leadership team at UNL to showcase our transportation program and exchange ideas on the future of transportation research, as well as welcoming Senator Deb Fischer and NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy for a roundtable discussion focused on electric vehicle safety. This year, the NDOT–UNL Research Summit was held on the UNL campus and structured to facilitate efficient matching of NDOT research needs with UNL expertise through brief, focused presentations by UNL faculty and NDOT divisions, followed by a networking lunch. These coordinated efforts ensure that NTC’s work remains relevant, responsive, and aligned with emerging transportation needs in Nebraska and beyond.
Research, Innovation & Thought Leadership
NTC maintained a robust research portfolio in 2025, with nearly 75 active research projects across NTC, the MATC, and MwRSF. A key initiative supporting research innovation was the launch of the Nebraska Transportation Center Quarterly Roundtable, envisioned as a catalyst for collaboration and idea generation. Guided by the principle that “small conversations = big ideas,” the roundtable brings together UNL faculty and students, practitioners, and community members over lunch to explore contemporary transportation topics. Another major initiative launched this year was the NTC Fellows program, designed to elevate interdisciplinary engagement and strengthen the University of Nebraska’s transportation research community. Through these initiatives, along with continued faculty leadership in publications, technical events, and professional forums, NTC remains committed to advancing transportation research, innovation, and thought leadership at the local, regional, and national levels.
As we look ahead to celebrating NTC’s 20th anniversary and MwRSF’s 50th anniversary in 2026, I am deeply grateful for the dedication of our faculty, researchers, staff, students, and partners. Your collective efforts strengthen our impact across Nebraska and the nation.
I wish you a joyful holiday season and a successful 2026.
Nathan Huynh
