Collaborative Opportunities in Transportation
The national transportation system accounts for an estimated 20% of
the U.S. gross national product, and is critical to our nation’s
economy and security. Historically, researchers specializing in the
transportation system (i.e. engineers) have focused on developing
expertise within their respective subfieldsof infrastructure, vehicles
and users. 
To
better address the challenges in transportation research, multiple disciplines
need to work collaboratively. Many of these issues require a broader
understanding of cognition, history, health, society, and the work force,
and how they operate in the transportation context. For example,
long haul truck drivers are required to spend exhaustive hours on the
road and to meet various safety (e.g. minimum break times) and environmental
(e.g. maximum idling times) standards that effect their health and safety. A
relevant research question in this area might include, “How does
the unique lifestyle of truck drivers affect decision-making, driving
behavior, and family function?” Such research would require expertise
in substance abuse, cognition/human factors, sociology, family and
human development, and workforce development, in addition to traditional
engineering. Other possible interdisciplinary research questions:
- How do we design, engineer and finance the infrastructure we need
for the 21st Century?
- What economic and work force development is required to promote trucking
as a profession?
- Historically, how has the development of the railroads and other transportation
systems shaped our society and culture?
While researchers have developed a deep understanding of the trade-offs for
their own subspecialties, there has not been a corresponding integrated
understanding of the relative impacts across all components of the broader
system.
