Research | Transportation Research and Education Center

TREC research addresses complex transportation problems by drawing on multiple disciplines, including engineering, planning, economics and design, from across the Portland State University campus. Use the search box at right to search for a specific project.

NOTE: If you're looking for projects from our partner campuses, use the NITC research search.

Research Highlights

Affordable Housing Trip Generation Strategies and Rates

Principal Investigator: Kelly Clifton

Co-Investigators: Kristina Currans , Susan Handy , Robert Schneider

Assessment and mitigation of transportation impacts based on travel demand is required by state, federal, and local laws in California. Determining trip generation is typically the first step in preparing these transportation impact analyses, and current industry standard practice relies on trip rates published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). However, ITE protocols emphasize vehicle trip rates without sensitivity to urban context or socioeconomic characteristics, which can... Read More

A North American Survey of Electric Bicycle Owners

Principal Investigator: John MacArthur

Co-Investigator: Christopher Cherry

Electric bicycle (e-bike) use is a rising phenomenon in North America as a growing number of manufacturers produce a variety of bicycles which can accommodate the needs of diverse populations. With the growth of the e-bike industry, e-bike users are an increasingly integral part of both the transportation network and recreational trail system. However, little research has been conducted on e-bikes within North America, especially on the individuals who have purchased e-bikes. The first-known ... Read More