Date: April 29, 2008
Contact: Sara Borchik, 334.844.3591, borchse@auburn.edu

Auburn ITE chapter receives grant to study trip generation

Auburn's student chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) was one of nine universities selected to receive a grant to support study to collect transportation information. The Auburn chapter, whose faculty adviser is Rod Turochy, proposed to collect data at the new Sam's Club store in Auburn. The $1,000 grant will be used to support chapter activities such as recruitment and travel during the data collection, which is conducted by student volunteers.

The chapters were given the assignment to generate relevant technical data for transportation engineers and planners, while facilitating ITE student chapter activity and student mentoring by transportation professionals. The project had to focus on practical, day-to-day research in transportation engineering and planning through the collection of basic data.

The grant selection criteria included a detailed scope of work, level of effort chart and schedule. In addition, the application required a section on the role professionals would play in the project. Use of active or retired ITE members to provide oversight, assistance and mentoring to students with the data collection effort was mandatory.

Other grant awardees and their projects for 2008 are:

• Oregon State - Free-standing discount store/superstores
• University of Memphis - Senior adult housing/assisted living/congregant care facility
• University of Waterloo - Stand-alone specialty food
• University of Nebraska - Fast food-sandwich store
• Texas A&M University - Self-storage facility
• Brigham Young University - Senior adult housing
• University of Utah - Senior adult housing/assisted living
• University of Massachusetts - Self-storage facility