The Southwest Region University Transportation Center (SWUTC) was established at the Texas A&M University System in October 1988. The SWUTC is comprised of a consortium of three universities within Region 6:
The Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University serves as the lead institution. The SWUTC is headquartered in College Station on the main Texas A&M campus.
The U.S. DOT furnishes an annual grant of $2 million to the SWUTC, provided that at least an equivalent amount of non-federal funding can be matched for SWUTC functions. The non-federal matching requirement is being funded with general revenues from the State of Texas, TxDOT, as well as contributions of in-kind services provided by each member institution of the SWUTC.
The SWUTC has developed a stable, consistent program that is maturing in its role as a center of excellence for transportation research and education in Region 6. The theme for the SWUTC is Transportation Solutions to Enhance Prosperity and the Quality of Life. To put this theme into operation, the Center's scientists, engineers, and students focus their research expertise upon advancing four strategic thrusts for Region VI: support economic growth and trade; enhance mobility, accessibility and efficiency; promote safety and safe environment; and development of the transportation workforce. Producing usable results in such areas as improving transportation activities along the Texas-Mexico border; innovative transit service programs; dynamic travel demand management; development of new solutions to realize safe communities; and educational outreach programs to build a diverse transportation workforce for the 21st Century.