BUILD Q3 2018

40 Build Q3 2018 ahall Transportation Institute (RTI) is the leading research institution in the Multimodal Transportation and Infrastructure Consortium (MTIC) which is funded through the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The firm harnesses advanced transportation technology, leverages re- sources and employs strategic processes to improve the economic com- petitiveness of the Appalachian Region as well as the nation, through its connections to the national and global transportation system. Applying these efforts, alongside cultivating relationships with private industry and public agencies, facilitates the fulfilment of RTI’s mission of “Transportation and Economic Development in Mountain Regions.” Based in Huntington, West Virginia, it provides an ideal location for RTI’s headquarters. Located in the heart of the Appalachian Region, Huntington features the largest inland river port in the nation. Huntington is the home to the intersection of two major rail lines and a variety of ad- ditional infrastructure, including the site for the new Heartland Intermodal Gateway at Prichard. In addition, RTI benefits from being located here as these amenities afford abundant opportunity for conducting site-specific research supporting intermodal planning, as well as analysing economic factors that will improve mobility and global connectivity. For RTI, the increased focus on transportation research is critical. Throughout the United States, infrastructure is decades old, in both advanced decay and inefficient. At RTI, their advanced research program emphasises innovative solu- tions and applications to promote safe and efficient rural transportation systems, as well as infrastructure designed for the Appalachian Region but with global application. Looking at the RTI research team, it includes engineers, skilled research- ers and transportation professionals who represent a broad range of knowledge and expertise within the industry including intelligent transpor- tation systems, infrastructure and economies, to name just a few. As for the firm’s educational services, RTI supports a comprehensive curriculum relating to transportation. The complementary cross section of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education coursework support- ed by RTI has been designed to produce a highly skilled transportation Solving Transportation Challenges The Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute (RTI) is a leader in transportation research and economic development solving transportation challenges and addressing future needs through applied multimodal research, workforce development and advanced technology transfer. We profiled RTI following their recent success in BUILD’s Interior Design Awards, where they were awarded the accolade Earthquake Damage Alleviation Expert of the Year 2018. R workforce capable to design, deploy, maintain and operate current and future complex transportation systems in Appalachia and throughout the nation. At RTI, they award a limited number of Graduate Research Assistant- ships (GRA) to full-time students who are pursuing the Transportation Systems and Technologies and Transportation and Logistics programs. GRAs provide a tuition waiver and a stipend to fully-admitted students who meet eligibility criteria. In addition, these students also work for RTI principal investigators gaining valuable, hands-on experiences and learning about transportation-related economic development challenges in the Appalachian region and other rural regions of the United States. RTI also financially supports additional students through graduate assist- antships, internships and undergraduate hourly stipends. The students work alongside the faculty to complete research, education and tech- nology transfer projects. The faculty employed in the advanced degree programs will potentially be participating in transportation research, or technology transfer projects that offer continuous opportunities to recruit students for relevant part time employment. Looking ahead to what the future holds for the firm, the team at RTI will continue to use an integrated approach to investment in transportation infrastructure and economic development initiatives to attract new busi- ness, creating high-paying jobs and improving the overall strength and stability of the nation. Which is why, private industry, public agencies, educational institutions and research facilities must partner together to maximise resources, information exchange and emerging technologies.