Center for Transportation Studies awarded $6 million from Federal Transit Administration to address transportation insecurity | University of Minnesota Skip to main content
Wordmark of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities
News and Events

Utility Menu

  • MyU
  • One Stop
  • Jobs

Common Search Terms

  • Housing
  • Libraries
  • Bookstore
  • Tuition Cost
  • Academic Calendar

News Section Menu

  • Topics
  • Story Archive
  • For Journalists
  • Events

Task List

  • MyU
  • One Stop
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Agriculture & Environment
    • Architecture & Design
    • Arts & Humanities
    • Business & Management
    • Campus Affairs
    • Education
    • Health
    • Law & Policy
    • Science & Technology
    • Social Sciences
    • Sports & Recreation
  • Story Archive
  • For Journalists
  • Events

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. News & Events
  3. Center for Transportation Studies awarded $6 million from Federal Transit Administration to address transportation insecurity
News Release

Center for Transportation Studies awarded $6 million from Federal Transit Administration to address transportation insecurity

February 9, 2023
Digital drawing showing a group of people in front of a public transportation-style bus with a city skyline in the background.

The University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies and its partners have been awarded $6 million by the Federal Transit Administration to design and lead a new Mobility, Access and Transportation Insecurity: Creating Links to Opportunity Program (MATI). 

“Access to food, employment, healthcare, education and other essential services is tied to circumstances such as limited income and inability to drive, as well as a lack of social resources,” said Kyle Shelton, CTS director and project co-lead. “This substantial award from FTA provides our team with the ability to engage people on the community level to provide real-world solutions to transportation insecurity.”   

According to FTA, one in four Americans is unable to regularly and reliably access transportation they require to meet their daily needs. A growing body of research indicates that transportation insecurity is a significant factor in persistent poverty. Nationally, several well-established policies and programs aim to address food insecurity and housing insecurity, but not transportation insecurity. 

"Transportation gives us the freedom our nation was founded upon," said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. "Without reliable and resilient transportation, more people will end up in poverty, and fewer will be able to improve their lives. This grant will improve access to jobs, food and healthcare — the ingredients to a better quality of life."

MATI researchers will identify and address the contributing factors leading to transportation insecurity. The research team includes project co-lead Professor Yingling Fan from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and partners Toole Design Group, the Center for Neighborhood Technology and Urban Movement Labs. The researchers will work with communities and mobility providers across the country to develop and implement participatory demonstrations that rely on public transportation to mitigate transportation insecurity, evaluate outcomes and effectiveness, and document impacts and potential strategies. The project is anticipated to conclude in 2027.  

Read the Federal Transit Administration announcement.

-30-

About the Center for Transportation Studies
The Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota is a national leader in transportation research, engagement and education. CTS collaborates with public-sector, industry and academic partners to shape transportation systems that are sustainable, serve the needs of all users, support a strong economy and improve our collective quality of life.

  • Categories:
  • Science and Technology
  • Social Sciences
  • Transportation
Share this story
  • Link to share current story on Twitter
  • Link to share current story on Facebook
  • Link to share current story via email

Media Contacts

After hours line

University Public Relations
(612) 293-0831 [email protected]

Main Line

University Public Relations
(612) 624-5551 [email protected]

Allie Bean

University Public Relations
612-625-0552 [email protected]

Michael McCarthy

612-624-3645 [email protected]

More stories in Science and Technology

Computer chip
News Release

Researchers create breakthrough spintronics manufacturing process that could revolutionize the electronics industry

University of Minnesota researchers, along with a team at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), developed a breakthrough process for making spintronic devices that has the potential to become the new industry standard for semiconductors chips that are essential to computers, smartphones and many other electronics. The new process will allow for faster, more efficient spintronics devices that can be scaled down smaller than ever before. ​​

3D illustration of a G protein coupled receptor on a cell membrane.
News Release

Protein engineers navigate toward more targeted therapeutics

New research on protein receptors could lead to breakthroughs in improving drug delivery.

Editor's picks

The Met in New York
Feature

Encountering art across America

Viewing world-famous art without the filter of a screen or a print is an experience not everyone can have, but for one student, it was life-changing.

Participants in a nature program paddle canoes on a body of water.
Feature

Nurturing nature

Grad student Lucas Rapisarda leads a program for immigrants combining nature learning with adult English language courses.

An assortment of animals in children's clothes play jump rope and swim in a pond.
Feature

A medical student’s book teaches kids to appreciate differences

“The Way We Play,” by medical student Hugh Burke and Kylie Donohue, uses familiar animals to teach acceptance and teamwork.

Colin Bracewell playing guitar on stage and singing into mic
Feature

Blending business and the arts

Colin Bracewell combines his love of music with business to fuel his budding indie-pop career.

See all stories
UMN Crookston UMN Morris UMN Duluth UMN Twin Cities UMN Rochester

System Campuses

  • System Website
  • Crookston
  • Duluth
  • Morris
  • Rochester
  • Twin Cities

For Journalists

  • Find an Expert
  • For Journalists
  • Guidelines for Journalists
  • Meet the PR Team

Contact

[email protected] 612-624-5551
Do you know what
the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
does for you?
Driven to Discover Campaign

Connect with us

  • Link to U of M's Facebook page
  • Link to U of M's Instagram page
  • Link to U of M's LinkedIn page
  • Link to U of M's Tiktok account
  • Link to U of M's Twitter page
  • Link to U of M's Youtube page
Wordmark of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities
  • Crookston
  • Duluth
  • Morris
  • Rochester
  • Twin Cities
© Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
Privacy Statement | Report Web Disability-Related Issue
Website Feedback