FAST Act transportation research funds awarded

University of Maine, Rutgers and Penn State will split more than $7.7 million to support their transportation research and technology programs.    Three universities were selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation to receive funds to support their transportation research and technology programs.
   Funds for the University Transportation Center (UTC) program currently are authorized through the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act for fiscal years 2016 to 2020.
   The schools to each receive $2,570,600 are the University of Maine’s Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center, Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation and Pennsylvania State University’s Center for Integrated Asset Management for Multi-modal Transportation Infrastructure Systems, $2,570,600.
   According to DOT, 13 UTCs applied for the competitive grants.
   The congressionally mandated program has been in place since 1987 to help address the country’s need for the safe, efficient and environmentally sound movement of people and goods.