The director of the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), based at Texas A&M University, updated the Board of Regents at its last meeting of recent and future activity.
Dennis Christiansen provided details of a new asphalt surface developed by TTI that improves traction on wet roads and reduces noise. The new surface is being applied on the Earl Rudder Freeway through Bryan/College Station and on Highway 6 between Navasota and Hempstead.
Dennis Christiansen comments on TTI’s new asphalt surface.
The director also told the regents a recently completed TTI project along Interstate 45 between Houston and Dallas is designed to avoid the hurricane Rita evacuation disaster.
Details of new I-45 hurricane evacuation monitoring program.
Christiansen told regents TTI received a 20 percent increase in state funding, in part to cover two special projects.
TTI also recently entered agreed to a $7 million dollar contract with the State Department to provide safety barriers around U.S. embassies.
Description of new barrier system around U.S. embassies.
Christiansen says patents from TTI has generated $55 million dollars in royalty money and 60 percent of the royalties sent to the Office of Technology Commercialization comes from the Institute.
Overview of royalty revenue received from TTI patents.
Christiansen says TTI’s work has saved over 10,000 lives. Among the more recent lives saved was an A&M student whose car at 70 miles per hour struck a guard rail designed by the institute and walked away from the crash.