North Carolina Transportation Consortium Explores Alternate Travel Options for Triangle
Asad Khattak speaks at roundtable discussion

Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Transportation Consortium (NCTC) met May 11th (2004) at the
Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) to conduct a roundtable discussion on
strategies to provide travelers in North Carolina with transportation choices beyond single occupancy
vehicles and to consider the role of technology in meeting those needs.  In attendance were high-level
decision makers from FHWA, NCDOT, and local transportation agencies as well as lobbyists from
legislative offices.  NCTC is an inter-institutional partnership of the University of North Carolina System
including NC State University, UNC Chapel Hill, NC A&T University, UNC Charlotte and public and
private transportation entities.

The most recent roundtable focused on expanding travel options for North Carolina travelers, such as
a rail system that will connect Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh as a potential measure that can reduce
mounting congestion and long commutes.  Problems in transportation that were identified include the
need to have more coordination between the public and project planning as well educating the public
in future initiatives, highlighting successes and improving land-use and transportation decisions.

NCTC also gives transportation decision makers the chance to meet in a neutral arena and explore
options and alternatives before transportation projects are even proposed.  Asad Khattak, Professor of
Transportation Planning at UNC Chapel Hill spoke about needing a more coordinated effort between entities.  
“We all have been talking about how to put our heads together to work on transportation problems.  The goal
of NCTC is to provide practical solutions for the broad range of transportation problems related to economic
development in NC in order to improve the quality of life in the state.”

For more information about ITRE and related programs