Organizational Structure
CTS is an independent university center reporting to the Office for System Academic Administration. Approximately 75% of the CTS budget goes to faculty, staff, and graduate students for conducting research in their academic departments.
- Internally, CTS is organized into groups that are responsible for carrying out specific aspects of the CTS mission.
- Groups provide services to support sponsored programs, which have different needs according to their sponsors' goals.
- Sponsored research programs are carried out by University faculty and research staff within academic departments, with support from CTS groups.
This structure allows flexibility to meet changing program needs, promotes the efficient use of resources, and integrates diverse program activities.
Groups
Note: The CTS Staff Directory contains names and contact information for all CTS staff members. Staff are organized into the following groups:
CTS Leadership
Strengthen the role, impacts, and effectiveness of CTS with its many customers and stakeholders through program and resource development initiatives and strategic repositioning. Ensure that CTS is supporting the land-grant mission of the University and the strategic directions of University administration.
Program Directors
Pursue funding opportunities with external sponsors and provide program leadership to meet sponsor and client needs. Program directors can be CTS staff or department faculty/staff members.
Financial Strategy and Administration
Support programs by providing financial expertise and management. Work with program directors to position CTS for sponsor opportunities through strategic alliances, formal agreements, and contracts. Provide administrative support in front desk operations, facilities, human resources, and special projects.
Program Development and Delivery
Sustain and grow CTS through client relations, funded contracts, faculty and research staff teaming, sponsor partnerships, and quality deliverables. Develop and monitor cross-cutting teams as needed to ensure timely and effective delivery of projects.
Communications and Information
Serve on project teams to develop communication and information products and services for programs. Ensure that CTS is a highly visible resource through knowledge transfer to multiple audiences; continuous innovation; advanced design, writing, and technology; and dual emphasis on production management and quality management.
Department Faculty and Staff
Develop project proposals, lead and support students, manage laboratories, and meet sponsor needs in carrying out funded programs and projects.
Sponsored programs
CTS works to attract sponsored funding for a variety of programs. Current programs include:
Mn/DOT Research Program
Annual state-funded program for conducting research in several disciplines to address problems facing the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Institute
Multidisciplinary research and educational organization, focusing on the application of advanced information-processing, communications, and control technologies to current transportation issues.
Minnesota Guidestar
Minnesota's intelligent transportation systems program; working to research, test, and deploy advanced transportation technology to save lives, time, and money.
Minnesota Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)
Diverse federal program providing training and technical assistance to Minnesota’s local transportation agencies, with additional funding and support from the Minnesota Local Road Research Board.
Minnesota Local Road Research Program
Annual program funded by Minnesota counties and cities for research on road design, construction, and maintenance.
Airport Technical Assistance Program (AirTAP)
Training program for Minnesota's airports, funded by Mn/DOT's Office of Aeronautics.
Continuing Education and Outreach Programs
Customized short courses, events, and publications to meet sponsors' needs.
University Faculty and Research Staff
CTS works with faculty and research staff in over 25 academic departments to carry out sponsored research projects. These principal investigators prepare proposals, recruit and supervise graduate students, work with sponsors technical staff, prepare research reports and articles, and present findings at conferences and other events. Key transportation researchers are selected as CTS Faculty and Research Scholars.
Affiliated Faculty and Researchers
Many departments, research labs, and university organizations contribute to transportation research through CTS.
CTS Faculty and Research Scholars
Leading researchers and educators who work closely with CTS to identify new research opportunities and develop new initiatives for transportation education.