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Functional Research Areas

Transportation research plays a critical role in enabling the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to provide for the efficient, safe, and environmentally sensitive movement of people and goods in a rapidly changing global economy. The Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) is responsible for coordinating and managing research within Caltrans. Shown below are the DRI functional research areas:

Functional Research Areas:

Environmental	Transportation Safety and Mobility
Habitat Mitigation Landscape Noise Reduction Threatened and Endangered Species	Facility Operations Researc Roadside Safety Traffic Vehicle Loads
Maintenance	Pavement
Highway Durability Material Durability Non-Destructive Testing Sign Maintenance	Flexible Pavement Pavement Products Product Evaluation Rigid Pavement
Modal	Planning / Policy / System Information
Bus Rapid Transit Rail Smart Personal Mobility	University Transportation Centers Policy University Programs in Transportation Research
Geotechnical / Structures
Composites Geotechnology Materials Seismology Structural Connections Traffic Network Simulation University Programs in Transportation Research