Dr. Yinhai Wang (Photo from the UW)
On May 24th, 100 transportation professionals met at the Talaris Conference Center in Seattle to celebrate the launching of the new Region 10 University Transportation Center (UTC), the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans). PacTrans is a coalition led by the University of Washington under the direction of UW professor Dr. Yinhai Wang. The coalition includes transportation researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Idaho, Oregon State University, and Washington State University. With $35 million in annual funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), PacTrans will serve as an engine and showcase for transportation research, education, and workforce development in the Pacific Northwest. Congressman Rick Larsen, an early supporter of PacTrans, delivered a keynote speech at the event. (end)