Current

Transportation Initiative at Penn (TRIP)

Leslie Richards has launched a new Transportation Initiative at Penn (TRIP), a hub for research, innovation, and real-world solutions in transportation housed in the Institute for Urban Research.

Current Themes

Urban Development

Transportation Initiative at Penn (TRIP)

Driving Innovative, Accessible, Real-World Transportation Solutions

A new Transportation Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania (TRIP), led by Penn IUR Faculty Fellow Leslie Richards, is a hub for research, innovation, and applied solutions in transportation. Housed within the Penn Institute for Urban Research (Penn IUR), TRIP brings together scholars, students, public agencies, and private partners to address today’s complex mobility challenges. Our mission is to turn academic research into actionable transportation solutions that improve transit efficiency, mobility access, and sustainability in Philadelphia, across Pennsylvania, and nationwide.

Read Leslie Richards on Penn’s Ambitious New Transportation Initiative by the Weitzman School

Our Mission

TRIP connects Penn’s world-class academic expertise with the practical needs of transportation systems. We focus on:

Applied research projects that translate insights into real-world solutions
Pilot programs to test innovations in public transit, roadway efficiency, and emerging mobility technologies
Cross-sector collaboration between academia, government agencies, and private industry
Mobility initiatives that expand access to transportation for underserved communities
Data-driven approaches to improve transit operations and passenger experience

Transportation Initiative at Penn (TRIP)

Areas of Focus

TRIP engages students, faculty, state and local transportation agencies, and private partners in research and pilot programs to ensure that every project has measurable, real-world impact. TRIP's research and action initiatives address critical transportation priorities, including:

Transportation safety and crash prevention, including artificial intelligence and predictive analytics for crash reduction, preventative maintenance, and congestion management.
Access to jobs, education, and essential services
Technology deployment and data-driven innovation, including mobility data platforms that support smarter decision-making.
Smart and resilient infrastructure that adapts to user behavior in real time
System-level performance and resilience supported by sensor technologies that enhance roadway safety and transit reliability.

Applied Impact

Through hands-on student engagement, pilot programs, and partnerships with local and state agencies, TRIP ensures that every project has measurable, real-world impact.

Advisory Committee

TRIP's Advisory Board brings together leaders from academia, public agencies, and the private sector, ensuring research is practical, scalable, and implementation-ready. Please see the full list of Public Sector Advisory Committee Members here.

Sponsors and Partners

TRIP, led by Leslie Richards, is made possible through generous support from public agencies, private partners, and philanthropic organizations. Founding sponsors include Google Public Sector, Alstom, Atkins, Réalis Group Inc., INRIX, Bentley, HNTB Corporation, STV Inc., WSP USA, 4M Analytics, and Slalom.

Get Involved

TRIP actively engages students, faculty, transportation agencies, and private partners in research and pilot projects, including:

Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics for crash prevention, preventative maintenance, and congestion management
Smart infrastructure that adapts to user behavior in real time
Mobility data platforms to support smarter decision-making
Sensor technologies that enhance roadway safety and transit reliability

Join us in shaping the future of transportation.