NCTR is a program within the Center for Urban Transportation Research as a result of Congressional designations of University Transportation Centers (UTCs) beginning in 1991. In 2002, 2006, and 2011, CUTR successfully competed to retain NCTR’s status as a UTC.
The objectives of UTCs are to advance the nation’s transportation system through research, education, and technology transfer. NCTR has been one of only two transit-focused UTCs. CUTR works closely with the FTA and the FDOT to identify and conduct research projects intended to improve public transit safety, state of good repair, economic competitiveness, livability, and environmental sustainability. USF is the lead institution for the most recently awarded UTC federal grant in collaboration with North Dakota State University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Florida International University. Each partner secure matching funds from the state and local level to match the federal grant. This partnership expands NCTR’s access to other experienced transit researchers. In addition to conducting extensive research, NCTR provides opportunities for students to become familiar with transit and alternative forms of transportation as a potential career.
Submissions from 2011
Florida Bus Maintenance Staffing Practices, CUTR
Tracking Costs of Alternatively Fueled Buses in Florida, CUTR
Submissions from 2010
A Guidebook For Using Automatic Passenger Counter Data for National Transit Database (NTD) Reporting, CUTR
Assessing Air Quality Impacts of Managed Lanes, CUTR
Developing a Framework for a Toolkit for Carbon Footprint that Integrates Transit (C-FIT), CUTR
Developing a Technique That Predicts the Impacts of TDM on a Transportation System, CUTR
Evaluation of Camera Based Systems to Reduce Transit Bus Side Collisions, CUTR
Guidebook on Using American Community Survey Data for Transit Planning, CUTR
Guidebook on Using Automatic Passenger Counters for NTD Reporting, CUTR
Incorporating TDM into the Land Development Process, CUTR
Investigation of the Feasibility of Toll and Transit Agency Equity Sharing, CUTR
Moving the Bus Safely Back into Traffic Phase II, CUTR
Regional Fare Policy and Fare Allocation, Innovations in Fare Equipment and Data Collection, CUTR
Summary Report: Assessment Instrument for the Certified Transit Technician Program, CUTR
The ACS Statistical Analyzer, CUTR
Travel Assistant Device – Deployment to Transit Agencies, CUTR
Utilizing Information Technology in Innovative Marketing Approaches for Public Transportation, CUTR
Submissions from 2009
Best Practices In Transit Service Planning, CUTR
Evaluation of Smart Video for Transit Event Detection, CUTR
Impacts of More Rigorous ADA Paratransit Eligibility Assessments on Riders with Disabilities, CUTR
Quantifying Net Social Benefits of Vehicle Trip Reduction Impacts, CUTR
Routes to New Networks: A Guide to Social Media for the Public Transportation Industry, CUTR
Synthesis of Research on Value of Time and Value of Reliability, CUTR
Submissions from 2008
Creative Ways to Manage Paratransit Costs, CUTR
Development of a Large Bus / Small Bus Decision Support Tool Phase 2, CUTR
Development of an NTD Tool for Vanpool Services, CUTR
Enhancing Transit Safety and Security with Wireless Detection and Communication Technologies, CUTR
Exploration of a Shift in Household Transportation Spending from Vehicles to Public Transportation, CUTR
Integrating Transit and Urban Form, CUTR
Performance Measures and Best Practices for Incorporating Transit into the FDOT DRI Review Process, CUTR
Programs That Match Seniors With Volunteer Drivers, CUTR
Smart Phone Application to Influence Travel Behavior (TRAC-IT) Phase 3, CUTR
Testing the Impact of Personalized Feedback on Household Travel Behavior (TRAC-IT 2), CUTR
Transit Ridership, Reliability, and Retention, CUTR
Travel Assistant Device (TAD) to Aid Transit Riders with Special Needs, CUTR
Submissions from 2007
Developing a Printed Transit Information Material Design Manual, CUTR
Development of Alternative Measures of Transit Mode Share, CUTR
Economics of Travel Demand Management: Comparative Cost Effectiveness and Public Investment, CUTR
Impact of Employer-Based Programs on Transit System Ridership and Transportation System Performance, CUTR
Moving the Bus Back Into Traffic Safely - Signage and Lighting Configuration Phase I, CUTR
Toolbox for Transit Event Investigation, CUTR
Transit Extraboard Management-Optimum Sizing and Strategies, CUTR
Submissions from 2006
Bus Accident Reporting, Tracking and Analysis System, CUTR
Evaluation of Automated Vehicle Technology for Transit, CUTR
Finding Ways to Reduce Insurance and Bonding Costs for Major Transit Projects, CUTR
Guidebook for Start-up Transit Agencies, CUTR
National Smart Transportation Archive Researcher (NSTAR) Best Practices Guide, CUTR
Special Event Transportation Service Planning & Operations Strategies for Transit, CUTR
Transit Use Viability Among Older Drivers Losing Driving Privileges, CUTR
Using Local Transit On-Board Surveys for State-Level Measurement, CUTR
Submissions from 2005
A Return on Investment Analysis of Bikes-on-Bus Programs, CUTR
Assessing the Hierarchy of Needs in Levels of Service, CUTR
Case Studies in Environmental Justice and Public Transit Title VI Reporting, CUTR
Evaluating the State of Mobility Management, CUTR
Fixed Route Transit Scheduling in Florida: The State of the Industry, CUTR
Impacts of Transit Oriented Development on Public Transportation Ridership– Phase One, CUTR
Public Transit in America: Evidence from the 2001 National Household Travel Survey, CUTR
Reassessing Passenger Mile Data for Transit Planning and Fund Allocation, CUTR
State Bus Transit Safety Guide, CUTR
Strategies for an Intra-Urban Circulator System, CUTR
Teenage Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Transit Use, CUTR
Update Methodology for ADA Demand Estimates: Lessons Learned, CUTR
Submissions from 2004
2003 Transportation Management Association Survey, CUTR
Analysis of Florida Transit Bus Accidents, CUTR
Commuter Choice Program Case Study Development and Analysis, CUTR
Design Elements of Effective Transit Information Materials, CUTR
Designing Bus Transfer Facilities for Maximum Transit Agency and Community Benefit, CUTR
Evaluation of Automated Vehicle Technology for Transit – 2016 Update, CUTR
Evaluation of Shared Use Park and Ride Impact on Properties, CUTR
Florida Statewide TDM Clearinghouse, CUTR
Impacts of Transfer Fares on Transit Ridership and Revenue, CUTR
Model Regulations and Plan Amendments for Multimodal Transportation Districts, CUTR
Price Elasticity of Rideshare: Commuter Fringe Benefits & Parking Cash-Out, CUTR
Public Transportation Syntheses Series: Fare, Free or Something in Between?, CUTR
Ridership Biases and Allocation of Transit Formula Grants, CUTR
Rideshare/511 Signage in the U.S. and Canada, CUTR
Submissions from 2003
Analysis of the National Transit Database, CUTR
An Examination of the Relationship Between Organizational Structure and Transit Performance, CUTR
Best Practices in Voluntary Driving Cessation Programs for Seniors, CUTR
Bus Rapid Transit Technology: A Case Study of the LYNX LYMMO in Downtown Orlando, Florida, CUTR
GIS Applications at Florida's Transit Agencies: Scope, Trends, and Issues, CUTR
Handbook of Automated Data Collection Methods for the National Transit Database, CUTR