Capabilities

Funding for repair and maintenance of U.S. road, rail, energy, and water systems consistently falls short of what is needed. Data-based frameworks to manage assets help agencies make tough choices about where, when, and how much to invest.

An accurate picture of infrastructure health is key for timely, economical preservation. New tools can quickly gauge overall or elemental condition, assess structural integrity, quantify deterioration, and detect small issues before they become big ones.

Congestion has consequences: lost productivity, poor air quality, structural degradation, stressed-out travelers, and more crashes. Solutions lie with faster, smarter tools and methods; cutting-edge data analysis; and fresh approaches.

From the right asphalt mix design, to more accessible BIM systems incorporating 3D data, to QC methods during and after construction, ideas that help us build better and smarter often emerge from research.

Data is good—knowing how to use it is better. Solid data analysis can identify vulnerabilities in critical assets, calculate risks, battle congestion, uncover secrets of natural disasters, reveal patterns in bridge behavior, and much more.

It is essential for infrastructure to be stronger and last longer. Innovative materials and rehabilitation methods that are more durable, perform better, and reduce costs can extend the life of these assets well into the 21st century.

How we build and protect infrastructure needs to evolve with a changing world. Dense built environments make multiple critical systems vulnerable to severe weather and other disasters. We must understand risks, anticipate major events, and prepare to recover.

Good planning, smart engineering, crash reduction strategies, and awareness all increase safety. State and local agencies working to saves lives need the right tools, knowledge-sharing forums, training, and professional technical support.

Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure connection are the future of all transportation. Research will provide answers for how planes, trains, and motor vehicles communicate with each other and their environment safely and reliably.

Can we optimize energy consumption? How will we fuel our vehicles, homes, and businesses as future demand for power rises? Motivation and force of will can lead to practical, clean, efficient, and sustainable energy sources and systems.

Research has to quickly translate into practical solutions to real-world problems and hit the streets, stat! CAIT is acting with urgency to create technologies and products that help meet challenges faced by transportation practitioners every day.

CAIT trains today’s workforce and prepares tomorrow’s professionals. Inspiring students through hands-on experience and keeping thousands of workers up-to-date via hundreds of courses ensures a steady stream of transportation talent.