MNTRC Research

The Mineta National Transit Research Consortium (MNTRC) research program involves a diverse and growing number of certified Research Associates (RA), Consulting Associates (CA), and student research assistants in a wide spectrum of transit-related research projects.

All completed research reports and the proceedings of MTI events can be accessed using the publications link on this page. Also available are descriptions of research in progress; a list of Research and Consulting Associates; and the forms to apply for RA and CA certification, and to manage research projects.

Research teams

  • All research teams must include at least one student who contributes substantially to the project.
  • All personnel paid through the MNTRC project grant (other than students) must be approved Research Associates (RAs) or Consulting Associates (CAs). Exceptions for hiring personnel who are not RAs or CAs will be made only for individuals with specialized expertise who are hired to consult on the project and who are not named authors of the final report. For example, a team may wish to hire a statistical expert to advise on appropriate modeling techniques for the project.

MNTRC certifies all Research and Consulting Associates prior to their involvement in any project. Certification requires a completed application with references, a résumé, and a sample of published research. Certification must be renewed every five years. 

Research projects

MNTRC certifies all Research and Consulting Associates prior to their involvement in any project. Certification requires a completed application with references, a résumé, and a sample of published research. Certification must be renewed every five years.

Project selection begins with an extensive needs assessment by staff, including input from the Federal Transit Administration and MNTRC´s Board of Trustees. Following the needs assessment, the Institute issues a formal Request for Proposals (RFP). All proposals are subjected to peer review and rigorous discussion before selection.

In close cooperation with the US DOT’s Federal Transit Administration, MNTRC focuses on addressing policy and technical matters to deliver solutions that improve public transportation. MNTRC selects only those projects with immediate and practical value for transportation officials and practitioners. Utilizing existing facilities, equipment and personnel, MNTRC has the capability to conduct research to meet the US DOT strategic goals of:

  • Safety
  • State of good repair
  • Economic competitiveness
  • Livable communities
  • Environmental sustainability

Transfer of Research Information

All completed research will be posted in the Publications section of this web site, and each report is professionally printed following successful peer review, author revisions, and editing. MNTRC will use a number of other approaches for information transfer, including sponsoring symposia, funding post-research travel for researchers to address professional conferences such as TRB, providing financial incentives for publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and developing cost-effective formats to present research summaries for distribution to practitioners.