Managing the entire transportation system requires an integrated understanding of all modes. While the focus of transportation system management and operations (TSMO) has been largely focused on vehicles, understanding how the transportation system can work better for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit can help provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation options to improve communities and economic vitality for people and businesses.

To encourage practical grounding of transportation from the different vulnerable road user perspectives, PSU's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) held a two-day training workshop for a cohort of around 100 Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) staff members.

The two-day workshop, which featured classroom presentations as well as mobile tours on bike, foot, and public transportation, was held September 26-28 at Portland State University. Presentations on topics like Transporta…

Portland State University (PSU) researchers will create a "Research Roadmap for Institutionalizing Transportation Equity," in an attempt to identify and standardize best practices relating to social equity in transportation organizations. Led by principal investigator Aaron Golub, a professor in the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning at PSU, the project is supported by a $250,000 funding contract from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). Along with PSU researchers, the project team also includes AOA (Ontiveros & Associates, LLC) and Bills Formula Consulting LL.

Read more about the project: NCHRP Project 20-123(19) Equity Research Roadmap.

WHAT WILL THE EQUITY ROADMAP DO?

All people, regardless of their background, income, or physical abilities, need access to safe, affordable, and convenient transportation options and services. State departments o…

Since 2011, Portland State University and the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation have offered a unique opportunity to students: a two-week study abroad course that introduces participants to cities with stellar bike cultures. In past years, classes have explored the Netherlands. This year’s class of fourteen students, led by Professor John MacArthur and supported by funding from the Scan Design Foundation, explored Denmark. See photos from the trip.

Students chose to go on the trip because they knew of the countries’ renown as excellent places to cycle and wanted to learn new strategies that they could bring back to the US. Melissa Kostelecky, a PSU student pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Transportation, was inspired to take the tri…

Classes begin Tuesday, September 26 for the 2023 Fall term at Portland State, and there are some great courses this term for transportation professionals, including a unique "research into comics" seminar (read more about how this class relates to transportation!). Lifelong learning is a guiding principle of PSU, and anyone interested can take courses through the non-degree application process or as a post-baccalaureate student. Taking a course can be a good way to see if one of our graduate degree programs is right for you. Check out the course offerings below to see what's available this fall.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Non-degree or non-PSU students s…

Since 2016, the Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University has hosted a free transportation summer camp for high school students. Isa Swain, an incoming sophomore in civil engineering at Portland State University, exemplifies why TREC engages in K-12 education: students' interest in transportation doesn't have to wait until the university. After attending the summer camp in 2020, Swain came to PSU to study civil engineering last year and is now on track to become a transportation professional. She also served as a camp counselor for this year's cohort of students. We interviewed Isa to get her perspective on the PSU summer camp and what it offers to students.

ABOUT THE CAMP

The 2023 transportation summer camp was held last month, with activities including bike tours, a jet boat tour, an exploration of the inside of a couple of Portland's bridges, a bridge-building contest, and of course the…