About TSRC
The Transportation Sustainability Research Center (TSRC) was formed in 2006 to combine the research forces of six campus groups at UC Berkeley: the University of California Transportation Center, the University of California Energy Institute, the Institute of Transportation Studies, the Energy and Resources Group, the Center for Global Metropolitan Studies, and the Berkeley Institute of the Environment.
Since TSRC was founded, it has been a leading center in conducting timely research on real-world solutions for a more sustainable transportation future. In addition to performing research informed by a diverse array of perspectives, TSRC also engages in education and outreach to promote its core values of sustainability and equity, to ensure that we are able to meet the transportation needs of the present without compromising future generations.
TSRC conducts research on a wide array of transportation-related issues, addressing the needs of individuals as well as the public. Research efforts are primarily concentrated in two main areas:
TSRC uses a wide range of analysis and evaluation tools, including questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, automated data collection systems, and simulation models to collect data and perform analysis and interpretation of the data. The center then develops impartial findings and recommendations for key issues of interest to policymakers to aid in decision-making. TSRC has assisted in developing and implementing major California and federal regulations and initiatives regarding sustainable transportation. These include the California Advanced Clean Cars, Advanced Clean Trucks and Fleets, Innovative Clean Transit, and Low Carbon Fuel Standard programs, and the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and clean fuel vehicle standards, among others.
TSRC is managed by the Institute of Transportation Studies of the University of California at Berkeley, and it is headquartered at the University’s Richmond Field Station.
Mission
TSRC researches innovative and readily-applied solutions that incorporate transportation technology, infrastructure, and human behavior.
TSRC develops knowledge and decision support tools to foster the introduction and adoption of sustainable transportation fuels, technologies, systems, policy, and planning.
TSRC emphasizes graduate, undergraduate, and post-graduate research, learning, and mentorship opportunities.
Vision
TSRC’s vision is to achieve a more sustainable transportation future through the development, evaluation, real-world deployment, and dissemination of innovative systems, techniques, and policies.
We emphasize education, outreach, real-world research and strategic partnerships with industry, government, and academic leaders.
Values
TSRC values key principles of sustainability and equity in conducting the center’s research and educational mission.
We define transportation sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations; this includes the three pillars of sustainability: environment, economy, and society.
TSRC emphasizes rapid response to the urgent challenges we face, promoting livability and accessibility, and fostering free and open exchange of ideas.
In upholding these values, TSRC strives to conduct research objectively that includes a diverse array of perspectives.