Research

The Mineta Transportation Institute conducts a broad range of research activities that investigate and solve issues related to safe, efficient mobility for all in California, the nation, and the world. The movement of people and goods, which keeps communities connected and the economy strong, relies on the advancement of this research. New knowledge drives the development of effective, safe, financially sound policies, planning, infrastructure, and investments to create, maintain, and improve transportation systems that serve everyone. 

Principles & Themes

Our research attracts and engages Research Associates (RA), Consulting Associates (CA), and student research assistants while fostering collaborative partnerships within the California State University system, broader academia, local and global communities, and the transportation industry.

MTI research includes technical research, policy and management research, and other endeavors that provide both long-term and immediate practical value for the industry and the communities it serves while advancing MTI’s mission of improving mobility for all. 

 To that end, MTI research generally falls under the following areas of emphasis:

• Active transportation
• Freight & goods movement
• Planning & policy
• Security & counterterrorism
• Sustainable transportation & land use
• Transit & passenger rail
• Transportation economics & finance
• Transportation engineering 
• Transportation technology
• Workforce & labor

Engage with MTI Research

MTI research impacts everyone, and we work to ensure individuals of all backgrounds, including students, working professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders have access to and can understand what we have discovered and how it can benefit them. 

MTI’s research community is dynamic and always growing. Faculty, students, and professionals across the California State University system and beyond are invited to contribute their expertise to advance safe, sustainable, and efficient mobility.

• Explore Ongoing Research

Research that is underway can be viewed at our Research in Progress page. 

• Access Completed Research

All completed research reports can be accessed at our Publications page. 

• Join Our Research Network

A list of Research and Consulting Associates is available to view, as well as the forms to apply for RA and CA certification and information about ongoing and upcoming requests for proposals.

• Stay Informed

Beyond the pages listed above, MTI shares research widely in multiple formats to increase accessibility and impact. We host and sponsor webinars, symposia, and conferences; publish press releases, newsletters and special features, and an Executive Director’s Blog; contribute to peer-reviewed journals and external publications; and are always exploring new ways to ensure our research findings reach scholars, students, industry professionals, decision-makers, and the public. Connect with us on the following social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter/X.

• Check Out Past Events

MTI organizes, supports, and participates in many events each year. These include national summits, regional forums, industry conferences, and other special events and broadcasts. These events are resources for learning, networking, and connecting people and ideas. Check out all our past events to learn more.

Impact

MTI research directly informs local, state, and federal policy decisions. Our findings have shaped infrastructure investments, improved safety standards, and supported workforce development programs across California and the country. Since 1991, MTI research has helped create a more connected world, and we continue to conduct research that improves how people and goods are moved in the Bay Area and around the world.