$4.6 million Grant Establishes New Consortium & Climate Change Research Program

SAN JOSÉ, CA – JUNE 6, 2022 – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced on June 2nd over $368 million in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program funds, including $46 million to California rail projects. From this grant, San José State University’s Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) will receive $4.6 million to help create a multi-university consortium in order to establish a Climate Change and Extreme Events Training and Research (CCEETR) program.

MTI will partner with Colorado State University-Pueblo, Michigan State University, Oregon State University, and the University of Hawaii for this program. These universities are members of the Center for Surface Transportation Testing and Academic Research (C-STTAR) consortium working with ENSCO and the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, CO. Together, this consortium will lead the nation in research that identifies risk mitigation strategies and preventative measures to improve the U.S. rail network’s resiliency.

The CCEETR program, led by MTI, will develop, demonstrate and disseminate risk mitigation strategies and preventative measures aimed at improving the U.S. rail network's resiliency against impacts of climate change and extreme events caused by the environment. The program plans to work closely with railroads throughout the industry and test various technologies at the Transportation Technology Center and on revenue service track.

Climate change and the consequential impacts of sea-level rise, coastal storms, landslides, extreme temperatures, wildfires, and inland flooding pose a significant risk to the North American freight and passenger rail network. This grant enables the collaboration of C-STTAR partner universities to combat the catastrophic impacts that threaten lives, destroy equipment, disrupt service, and cost billions. The program will work to preserve and protect the transportation sector and the communities they serve.

“I’m proud to celebrate the establishment of the CCEETR program, which will utilize SJSU’s expertise to improve rail safety and harden our rail network against the effects of climate change,” said CA Representative Zoe Lofgren.

ABOUT THE MINETA TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE

At the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University (SJSU) our mission is to increase mobility for all by improving the safety, efficiency, accessibility, and convenience of our nations’ transportation system. Through research, education, workforce development and technology transfer, we help create a connected world. Founded in 1991, MTI is funded through the US Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security, the California Department of Transportation, and public and private grants, including those made available by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1). MTI is affiliated with SJSU’s Lucas College and Graduate School of Business.

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