Committed to transportation safety and efficiency worldwide.

We provide multidisciplinary transportation research to automotive companies, independent labs, and government agencies. 

Mcity test track and digital twin side-by-side

Our experts are pioneers, catalysts, and innovators.  

Based in Ann Arbor, in proximity to Michigan’s automotive industry, the Transportation Research Institute’s team of dedicated faculty and staff offers independent, high-quality, and rigorous research and testing at facilities that encompass physical, virtual, and big data capabilities.

  • YouthShape.US: A new study of the body size and shape of U.S. children and youth

    YouthShape.US: A new study of the body size and shape of U.S. children and youth

    “Most product designers today are looking up data on body size in the same way their predecessors did in the 1960s,” says Matt Reed, Don B. Chaffin Collegiate Research Professor and head of UMTRI’s Biosciences Group. “Our goal is to provide a new, dynamic way of interacting with the data through online apps.”

  • Technology evolves but human behavior drives outcomes

    Technology evolves but human behavior drives outcomes

    UMTRI experts attend the 2025 Human Factors and Ergonomic Society Annual Meeting – ASPIRE – and share UMTRI’s ongoing commitment to advancing human factors research.

  • UMTRI celebrates 60 years of research excellence!

    UMTRI celebrates 60 years of research excellence!

    We are in the midst of a transportation revolution, driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. From autonomous vehicles to intelligent traffic management systems, UMTRI is leading in the evolution of how people and goods move safely and efficiently around the world.

Celebrating 60 years of transportation research excellence.