Research Centers

The Mineta Transportation Institute directs several research centers focused on key transportation-related research.

National Transportation Finance Center (NTFC)

The NTFC funds research in cutting-edge practices in surface transportation finance and disseminates the results widely to aid policy makers. NTFC emphasizes research into “smart” finance options – revenue and finance tools that not only raise needed transportation revenues but also promote social goals, such as environmentally sustainable transportation systems, congestion management, and social equity.

In recognition of the critical role that transportation finance plays in transportation policy making, the Mineta Transportation Institute established MTI’s National Transportation Finance Center (NTFC). The NTFC funds research in cutting-edge practices in surface transportation finance and disseminates the results widely to aid policy makers.

NTFC emphasizes research into “smart” finance options – revenue and finance tools that not only raise needed transportation revenues but also promote social goals, such as environmentally sustainable transportation systems, congestion management, and social equity.

NTFC Research

Allied Telesis National Transportation Security Center (NTSC)

Our nation’s transportation systems, infrastructure, and skilled professionals ensure the safe and secure movement of people and goods and are vital to our nation’s economic and social prosperity. MTI established its National Transportation Security Center (NTSC) in 1996 to protect our industry and the communities we serve.

The NTSC conducts research on pressing security issues including physical safety, cybersecurity, emergency management and crisis planning, and other current and emerging threats.

Until March of 2025, NTSC maintained a Database on Terrorist and Serious Criminal Attacks against public surface transportation, supported by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). While we no longer update this database, our research continues, and publications based on the data collected remain publicly available online.