About

About the Center

The Center for Infrastructure and Transportation Studies (CITS) was established in 1993 to create a collaborative environment for multidisciplinary research focused on the systems that make societal activity possible within the built environment. Such systems are the backbone of civilization; and to keep pace with the information age in a sustainable world, they must evolve rapidly in all aspects of their planning, design, operation, maintenance, and metamorphosis.

Pushing this frontier within CITS are faculty and students from many different disciplines. Their interests range from civil engineering to management, and include decision sciences, electrical, chemical, mechanical and materials engineering, information technology, architecture, cognitive science, computer science, and economics. Currently, research is underway within CITS focused on advanced materials and their application; intelligent transportation systems; the use of simulation for system analysis, design and operations planning; and the development of new decision making paradigms and decision support systems.

Both real and virtual laboratories make possible this scientific advancement. Of particular note are the real-world testbeds made accessible by our partnerships with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the New York State Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the cities of White Plains and Troy, NY. Other major research partners include the New York State Energy Research and Developmment Authority, Sandia National Laboratories, and the New York State Thruway Authority.

CITS recognizes that these systems need to achieve radical improvements in productivity, reliability, environmental friendliness, and cost effectiveness if they are to keep pace with civilization's needs. The Center's aim, in this information age, is to make incisive technological breakthroughs that allow these systems to open new vistas for worldwide civilization.


About the Center The Center for Infrastructure and Transportation Studies (CITS) was established in 1993 to create a collaborative environment for multidisciplinary research focused on the systems that make societal activity possible within the built environment. Such systems are the backbone of civilization; and to keep pace with the information age in a sustainable world, they must evolve rapidly in all aspects of their planning, design, operation, maintenance, and metamorphosis. Pushing this frontier within CITS are faculty and students from many different disciplines. Their interests range from civil engineering to management, and include decision sciences, electrical, chemical, mechanical and materials engineering, information technology, architecture, cognitive science, computer science, and economics. Currently, research is underway within CITS focused on advanced materials and their application; intelligent transportation systems; the use of simulation for system analysis, design and operations planning; and the development of new decision making paradigms and decision support systems. Both real and virtual laboratories make possible this scientific advancement. Of particular note are the real-world testbeds made accessible by our partnerships with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the New York State Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the cities of White Plains and Troy, NY. Other major research partners include the New York State Energy Research and Developmment Authority, Sandia National Laboratories, and the New York State Thruway Authority. CITS recognizes that these systems need to achieve radical improvements in productivity, reliability, environmental friendliness, and cost effectiveness if they are to keep pace with civilization's needs. The Center's aim, in this information age, is to make incisive technological breakthroughs that allow these systems to open new vistas for worldwide civilization.
Center for Infrastructure and Transportation Studies Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 110 8th St Troy, NY 12180