The road ahead: IDOT visitors explore transportation technologies

Illinois Center for Transportation recently welcomed Illinois Department of Transportation visitors to discuss current and future transportation technologies.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Charles Isbell and other U. of I. representatives welcomed IDOT Secretary Gia Biagi and other agency members, Senator Paul Faraci, and Village of Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall.

They discussed continued ways to maintain Illinois’ national leadership in transportation and enhance its position through the Illinois Autonomous and Connected Track. The planned research and testing facility will connect industry, researchers and government agencies to accelerate technology development, support commercialization and create economic opportunities.

The group expressed support for the I-ACT initiative, noting it will provide an opportunity for regional economic reinvention, support the transportation supply chain by attracting manufacturers to Illinois, and continue to position Illinois as a leader in transportation.

They also learned about ICT and IDOT’s research achievements through the agencies’ joint research program. ICT and IDOT have worked together to improve Illinois’ transportation since the 1940s, with the partnership strengthening after ICT’s founding in 2005. Through their research program, the two agencies have brought together industry members, academic professionals and government agencies to improve the transportation system in Illinois and beyond. To date, they’ve completed 355 joint projects, with 46 currently in progress.

ICT also welcomed 34 guests participating in IDOT’s Executive Leadership Development Series, a professional development program designed for current and emerging leaders within IDOT. Attendees, representing 17 IDOT units, toured ICT’s facilities and learned about ongoing ICT-IDOT research, including work on accelerated pavement technology, pavement energy harvesting, sustainable asphalt materials, and more.