We address the transportation issues of Region 9 through an integrated, multidisciplinary program of research, education, and technology transfer aimed at improving the mobility of people and goods throughout the region, the FAST Act Research Priority Area 1. PSR UTC supports research that addresses the unique combination of problems in the region.

PSR Research

We conduct a multi-modal, multi-disciplinary program of research around four themes.

Technology for improved mobility. We are on the threshold of a largely unforeseen technological and social transformation in connectivity, automation, and the sharing economy that promises to revolutionize travel in our Region and beyond. This theme explores technology solutions for improving mobility for both passengers and freight and has three topic areas: technology and mobility; smart infrastructure and vehicles; and public policy and implementation.

Improving mobility for disadvantaged populations. This theme addresses mobility and accessibility problems of disadvantaged populations and has two topic areas: novel modes for improved mobility and accessibility; and land use, accessibility, mobility.

Improving resilience and protecting the environment. Resilience, or the ability to absorb shocks, recover quickly, and adapt to changing social, economic, and environmental conditions is essential to ensuring well-functioning and sustainable communities. Sustainability also requires reducing environmental problems. This theme addresses all aspects of environmental protection and has three topic areas: analyzing alternative resilience strategies; smart technologies; and reducing environmental impacts.

Managing mobility in high growth cities and regions. This theme addresses the transportation problems of regions and metro areas experiencing rapid population and employment growth are expecting to continue to grow. This theme has two areas: managing passenger demand and managing freight demand and its impacts.

Graduate Research Program

The research program includes a graduate research fellowship program at some partner universities. The first round of fellowships were awarded in Fall 2017.

Research Selection Process

We conduct open solicitations to select projects, issuing RFPs to solicit proposals, followed by an external peer review, with final selections based on peer review. Reviewers include academics outside of the PSR universities, public and private practitioners, and representatives of match funding sources.

PSR Region 9 RFPs

PSR issues RFPs approximately annually.

The first Pacific Southwest Region UTC RFP was issued on April 24, 2017. Proposals were due on May 24, 2017.

The second Pacific Southwest Region UTC RFP was issued on March 12, 2018. Proposals were due on April 13, 2018.

The third Pacific Southwest Region UTC RFP 2a was issued on October 15, 2018. Proposals were due on January 7, 2019.

The fourth Pacific Southwest Region UTC RFP was on February 15, 2019. Proposals were due on March 15, 2019.

The 2020-2021 Pacific Southwest Region UTC RFP 4 was issued on January 31, 2020. Proposals are due on February 28, 2020.

View the PSR Data Management Plan Here

View the PSR Data Management Plan Instructions Here

View the PSR Proposal Template here

For information on the RFP process, please contact:

Cort Brinkerhoff
Associate Director of Administration
METRANS Transportation Center
University of Southern California
Von KleinSmid Center, VKC 367
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0626
(213) 740-4297
[email protected]