As one of the fastest growing regions in the world, our aging infrastructure and transportation systems have struggled to keep pace with demand and the tools we use to manage traffic are increasingly complex. With telework-enabled changes to our regional commutes and the expansion of the Link light rail network, we are entering a new era of regional transit access and micro-mobility options for first and last mile service. The purposeful integration of transportation solutions calls for a new kind of partnership designed to proactively address the mobility challenges that impact us all.
The University of Washington and Challenge Seattle united in 2016 to establish a multidisciplinary research center that is committed to advancing our region’s economy and quality of life by helping to build the transportation system of the future. Within this “center for social good” model, researchers collaborate directly with industry partners to scope implementation-ready projects.
The vision
To ensure a robust economy and quality of life for the region, Seattle needs an integrated transportation system that is reliable, safe, environmentally sustainable, forward looking, equitable and accessible.
The Mobility Innovation Center will bring together the knowledge, talents, and expertise of the University of Washington and private and public sector partners to solve real-world challenges facing our transportation system.
UW Researchers
From advanced transportation modeling to technology policy to human-centered design and engineering, University of Washington researchers are tackling some of the transportation industry’s greatest challenges.
Partners
The Center benefits from an incredible wealth of knowledge and expertise provided by our advisory committee members as well as dedicated industry professionals who engage directly with teams as sponsors and mentors.
Our innovation process
Once the mobility challenges are defined by the collaborating partners, cross-sector teams are recruited from across campus to attack regional mobility problems, develop new technologies, and apply system-level thinking to bring innovations to our regional transportation system.
The goal of the Center is to examine the readiness of our city’s infrastructure, people, technologies and public policies to incorporate new mobility innovations and support cross-sector partnerships that will help to accelerate the adoption of great ideas throughout the greater Seattle region.
Our team can help you develop projects that meet the following requirements:
- Short-term projects with 6-9 month deliverables;
- Research that can be applied in the real world;
- Technology and policy-driven solutions;
- Working with partners who are willing and able to test or implement the Center’s prototypes or recommendation
