April 25, 2002

Contact: James Roberts, Research and Public Service, (785) 864-7248; Jill Hummels, School of Engineering, (785) 864-2934.

Transition means new course for KU Transportation Center

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas Transportation Center is heading in new directions.

The center's director, Joe Lee, a professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, has stepped down from the post, and a three-member executive committee has been established to oversee the center on an interim basis and establish a framework for new levels of achievement. The executive committee will work on developing innovative strategies to meet the swiftly changing needs in the transportation industry and uncover untapped research possibilities for the center. Professor Lee will remain on the KU faculty and continue to conduct transportation research at KU.

James A. Roberts, associate vice chancellor for research and public service, praised Lee for his efforts at the center.

"He's made many valuable contributions, and we do appreciate his service," Roberts said. "He's been there from the beginning of the center."

The sentiment was echoed by Steven L. McCabe, chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering.

"The Transportation Center has developed under Joe Lee's leadership to be a major technology transfer service to the people of the state of Kansas," McCabe said. "Joe's efforts have made the KUTC a nationally known center and one that is widely respected."

Roberts indicated that the timing and need for innovative strategies and ideas at the center are crucial in today's difficult economic setting.

"We'd really like to see the center expanding," Roberts said. The goal is to transform the center to a larger, more robust, research center. "Bigger centers have critical mass. They can offer more services. It's also a good way to develop more interdisciplinary research." Ideally, faculty focusing on other scientific endeavors at KU would be able to lend their expertise to research projects. A move in this direction could mean additional federal research funding and greater research opportunities for faculty and students.

University administrators have pinpointed the center as a key area for growth in resourceful research in the transportation arena and beyond. The three-member committee, appointed by Roberts in consultation with university administrators, will oversee the center's day-to-day operation during a short interim period. The committee will ultimately recommend a vision for the center, Roberts said. The committee's tasks will include establishing goals for the center and possibly developing a restructuring plan for the center to better serve the needs of the state and the center's research partners.

Committee members are Don Green, Deane E. Ackers distinguished professor of chemical and petroleum engineering and co-director of KU's Tertiary Oil Recovery Project; Victor Frost, Dan F. Servey distinguished professor of electrical engineering and computer science and director of KU's Information and Telecommunication Technology Center; and Charles Decedue, courtesy professor of pharmacology and toxicology and executive director of the Higuchi Biosciences Center.

"We also appreciate these three individuals' stepping forward to do this," Roberts said. "Their commitment to this endeavor is significant and is indicative of their dedication and service to the university."

After the committee has articulated a vision and direction for the center, the university will initiate a search to hire a permanent director.

University officials believe the center has strong potential to secure additional research funding, particularly in the federal arena, that will ultimately benefit the students, faculty and the people of Kansas. To be successful, the center's staff will have to develop new ways of thinking and fresh approaches to acquire those previously untapped funding sources.

"We recognize the KU Transportation Center's value in terms of providing service to the state of Kansas in the transportation area," Roberts said.