Released on February 9, 2009
The Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure (SCETI) has entered into a strategic alliance to conduct joint research on advanced road building techniques.
The partnership between SCETI and the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) will encompass all facets of transportation and infrastructure research including developing advanced road materials and systems that perform better in the extremes of the Saskatchewan climate. TTI is located at Texas A&M.
"This partnership advances our goal of re-establishing Saskatchewan as a North American leader in the construction, maintenance and management of transportation systems and infrastructure," Minister of Highways and Infrastructure Wayne Elhard said. "Being on the leading edge of technology and innovation will help ensure that the more than half a billion dollars we invest in transportation annually is used as effectively as possible."
Located at the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, SCETI's mandate is to further leading edge research and train world class transportation engineers. It also provides a "living laboratory" that facilitates field experimentation and validation of the systems developed through real-world evaluation and testing.
"Through partnering with lead research institutions such as TTI, the Centre of Excellence will be able to significantly leverage our research efforts and quickly establish ourselves as world-leaders in innovative transportation research and professional development," Dr. Janusz Kozinski, Dean of the University's College of Engineering and Chairman of the Board of the Centre of Excellence said. "We look forward to the many benefits to be gained through this partnering relationship with TTI."
"The Texas Transportation Institute is excited about the possibilities for pavement research that will result from the collaboration with the University of Saskatchewan." Dr. Dallas Little P.E., Snead Chair Professor in the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering and Senior Research Fellow Materials and Pavement Division said. "In particular access to the northern climate field testing and the Canadian Light Source will greatly augment the research program at TTI."
"This agreement establishes a cooperative relationship for the Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence and one of the world's largest transportation research organizations to directly collaborate on technologies specifically developed to meet the infrastructure needs of road agencies. With our partner facility the Canadian Light Source (CLS), this agreement will enable us to undertake state of the art research and professional training on a global scale," Dr. Curtis Berthelot P.Eng., Director of the Centre of Excellence said. "This agreement will benefit the Saskatchewan road infrastructure, as well as form the foundation for a long lasting beneficial relationship for all involved."
As one of North America's most export-dependent jurisdictions, transportation is critical to Saskatchewan's economic and social prosperity. At nearly 26,000 km, the provincial highway system is the largest in Canada on a per capita basis. Including municipal and grid roads, the province's road network is one of the largest in North America on an absolute basis.
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For more information, contact:
Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Anne-Marie Cey
College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-966-1473