MRI 3 focuses on improving rural mobility through the provision of affordable transportation services. This will be achieved by evaluating the reliability of our regional freight network and developing novel approaches for improving the performance of the freight system. MRI 3 will also develop innovative tools to study and optimize multimodal transportation network connectivity to enhance system performance, advance economic development, and support businesses in Region 4. 

Project 3-1: Optimal and Safe Route for Freight Transportation in Rural Areas  

PIs:  Evangelos Kaisar (FAU), Mei Chen (UK), Zhen Ni (FAU), Venktesh Pandey (NCAT) 

Duration:  08/01/2023 to 06/30/2025; Funding:  $458,045 (Federal: $254,414; Non-Federal: $203,631) ; Status: Completed

Project R3-3: An Analysis of Demand Response Transit (DRT) Travel of the Elderly, Women and the Disabled in Rural Areas: Implications for Future DRT Systems for All

PI: Candace Brakewood (UTK) 

Duration: 01/15/2024 to 07/14/2025; Funding: $150,928 (Federal: $75,000; Non-Federal: $75,928); Status:  Completed

Project 3-1-2: Enhancing Rural Freight Resilience in the Southeastern U.S.: Data-Driven Modeling and Decision Support for Supply Chain Efficiency  

PIs:  Evangelos Kaisar (FAU)

Duration: 06/01/2025 to 05/31/2027; Funding: $357,657 (Federal: $155,228; non-Federal: $202,429); Status: Active