Research
The Mack‑Blackwell Transportation Center (MBTC) conducts nationally relevant research
to advance resilient, efficient, and innovative multimodal transportation systems.
Leveraging Arkansas’s strategic network of road, rail, and river corridors, MBTC focuses
on addressing real‑world challenges related to maritime and multimodal infrastructure,
freight mobility, supply‑chain reliability, and data‑driven transportation systems.
Through strong partnerships with government agencies, industry leaders, and academic
collaborators, MBTC’s research supports improved system performance and long‑term
economic competitiveness.
As home to the U.S. Department of Transportation Tier 1 Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center (MarTREC) and the National Science Foundation EPSCoR-funded Arkansas Smart Transportation Research Incubator through Data Engineering and Science
(AR‑STRIDES), MBTC leads cutting‑edge research that translates complex data and technical analysis
into actionable insights for transportation stakeholders.
Current research initiatives demonstrate how MBTC applies these strengths to deliver practical tools and insights that support transportation planning, investment, and operations.
Advancing Data‑Driven Maritime Freight Planning
The TransMAP project, led by the University of Arkansas in collaboration with the
Texas A&M Transportation Institute and supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Maritime Administration, improves access to and understanding of maritime freight
data. By transforming large, complex datasets into intuitive, user‑friendly tools,
TransMAP supports more informed planning, investment, and operational decisions—contributing
to a safer, more efficient, and more reliable transportation system.
Access the TransMAP Data Hub here.Strengthening Infrastructure Resilience Against Drone Threats
MBTC plays a central role in the multi‑institution project Soft Target Protection Against Unmanned Aerial System Threats (March 1, 2025 – February 29, 2028), funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’
Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). Led by Dr. Heather Nachtmann, this effort focuses on stakeholder engagement and the development of a risk‑based
decision support tool that helps organizations prioritize cost‑effective, passive
protections against unmanned aerial systems. Drawing on expert input from government,
industry, and security professionals, the project combines applied research with advanced
systems modeling to deliver actionable, scalable solutions for protecting critical
infrastructure and civilian environments nationwide.
Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center
University of Arkansas
4190 Bell Engineering Center
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: 479-575-6021
Email: mbtc@uark.edu