Transportation Research at Portland State
In 1966 the first transportation studies center was established at PSU. Since then our transportation faculty and staff expertise has grown to worldwide recognition, and expanded to include the multitude of disciplines that inform transportation decision-making: planning, engineering, economics, design, psychology, information technology and more. Our researchers do work locally with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, the Oregon DOT, Metro, TriMet, and more; as well as being tapped to take on national projects. We are also a member of the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans), a regional University Transportation Center (UTC) funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Explore the decades of transportation research at PSU here, or dig into some of our key research areas below.
Bicycling
Portland State University researchers have a broad knowledge of active transportation design principles. Through our Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Design program, we host annual bikeway design workshops which draw professionals from all over the globe, and research from the TREC team has informed NACTO’s Urban Bikeway Design Guide, FHWA’s Bikeway Selection Guide, the FTA’s Manual on Bicycle and Pedestrian Connections to Transit, the FHWA’s Strategic Agenda for Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation and many other design guidebooks. Our expertise includes protected bike lanes and intersections, bike boulevards, integrating with transit, and more.
Learn more about some of our most impactful research on bicycling here, or see all our projects on bikes here.
Data and Modeling
Data-driven policy and strategy are critical to meeting transportation goals. Where there is insufficient or incomplete data, there can be no effective solutions. It’s why at Portland State University we’ve focused our research efforts over the years on filling data gaps, and why we house two national data clearinghouses – PORTAL and BikePed Portal – aimed at making transportation data more easily accessible to researchers and practitioners.
Learn more about some of our most impactful research on collecting and using multimodal data here, or see all our projects on data and modeling here.
E-Mobility
Electrification offers many promises for our transportation system. Under the leadership of TREC's sustainable transportation program manager, John MacArthur, TREC has developed a wealth of research around electric mobility options such as e-bikes and e-scooters to understand the potential for these emerging modes to address mobility needs, increase access to active transportation options, and address sustainabilty goals. Findings from this research have been used in policy discussions at the local, regional, state and federal level.
Learn more about some of our most impactful research on e-mobility here, or see our larger body of work on electric vehicles here.
Economics and Policy
TREC research on economics and policy explores the financial, regulatory, and social impacts of transportation systems. We examine the costs and benefits of infrastructure investments, pricing strategies, and funding mechanisms, alongside policies that promote sustainable and efficient transit. This research often informs decision-making on issues like congestion, environmental impact, and accessibility. By analyzing trends and outcomes, we support the development of equitable, cost-effective, and forward-looking transportation solutions.
Learn more about some of our most impactful research on economics and policy here.
Equity and Environmental Justice
Transportation research on equity and environmental justice addresses how transportation systems impact marginalized communities and seeks to create fair access to transit resources. This research evaluates how policies, infrastructure, and transit options affect low-income populations, communities of color, and areas with high environmental burdens. It aims to identify disparities, reduce pollution exposure, and improve access to opportunities such as jobs, healthcare, and education. By centering equity, this research supports more inclusive transportation planning that prioritizes social and environmental well-being for all.
Learn more about some of our most impactful research on equity and environmental justice here, or see all our equity projects here.
Freight and Logistics
PSU research in freight transportation and logistics examines efficient goods movement, supply chain management, and infrastructure. Our work aims to optimize operations, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact across global networks.
Learn more about some of our most impactful research on freight and logistics here.
Infrastructure and Resiliency
The strength of a transportation system depends largely on the condition of its infrastructure, from the smallest footpath to the largest freeway. And the bridges serve a crucial role in connecting those transportation systems, carrying traffic over otherwise impassible features. Considering that value, it's doubly important that bridges stand up to earthquakes, especially considering that quakes will disrupt so much else of the built environment. And so research at PSU places a special emphasis on resilience and recovery in those systems. Portland State's infraStructure Testing and Applied Resarch Laboratory (iSTAR), tests the resiliency of engineered structures and their materials by reproducing the shaking of real earthquakes.
Learn more about all of our projects on engineering for resiliency here.
Land Use and Housing
Portland State both reflects and advances a national reputation for considering land use and transportation together. Oregon laws emphasize the importance of transportation and land use in addressing greenhouse gas emissions and our research supports the state in leading this initiative, particularly in the area of modeling and forecasting tools.
We examine transit-oriented developments to see their effects on housing, jobs and society, including low-income immigrant communities. We also look at the best ways to balance access to businesses along roadways with the need to avoid conflict between various road users. Our research serves to inform thoughtful access management policy that fosters a vibrant economy and safe road users.
Learn more about all of our projects on transportation and land use here.
Safety
Transportation research on safety investigates methods to reduce accidents, protect road users, and improve vehicle and infrastructure design. It prioritizes strategies to enhance public safety and prevent injuries across all transit modes.
Learn more about some of our most impactful research on safety here.
Shared Mobility
Shared mobility refers to transportation services that allow users to access vehicles and transit resources on a shared basis, rather than owning them individually. This can include car-sharing, bike-sharing, ride-hailing (e.g., Uber, Lyft), scooter-sharing, and even shared public transit options like vanpools or microtransit. Shared mobility aims to provide flexible, cost-effective transportation solutions that reduce individual vehicle ownership, lessen traffic congestion, and support sustainable urban mobility by maximizing resource use and reducing environmental impacts.
Learn more about some of our most impactful research on shared mobiity here.
Traffic Engineering
Learn more about some of our most impactful research on traffic engineering here.
Transit
Public transit systems hold promise for serving urban areas safely and efficiently. Yet challenges within transit districts and from outside factors make that service inherently difficult. Research at Portland State has offered insight to transit agencies on planning, operations and safety. And we look at the mixed-use developments designed with access to transit in mind. Our research focuses on the traffic and roadway design that affect transit planning along with operations issues such as keeping vehicles on time and evenly spaced, placing stops where they best serve goals, and scheduling drivers to promote safety and efficiency. It also includes determining which routes best meet community and agency goals and gaining a better understanding of transit users.
