MIT's Center for Transportation Studies is changing its name to the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics . Its mailing address, all phone numbers and e-mail addresses remain the same, but the URL for its web site has changed to http://web.mit.edu/ctl/www.
The change in name reflects the center's efforts to focus more on logistics and supply chain management. In 1998, it initiated a new interdepartmental degree, the Master of Engineering in Logistics, which prepares students for work in the logistics services industry and shipper organizations (manufacturers, distributors and retailers).
Another new effort is seeding a research program in supply chain security. Because the difficulty of managing supply chains safely has increased enormously since 9/11, the program seeks to investigate technologies and strategies for coping with the terrorist threat.
The Center for Transportation and Logistics (CTL), which celebrated its 25th year in 1998, does research in all modes of transportation, ranging from broad conceptual planning to the specifics of equipment design and operations analysis.
As part of its research program, the center participates in several coordinated efforts: the University Transportation Centers Program, a multimillion-dollar grants-matching program with the U.S. Department of Transportation; the MIT Integrated Supply Chain Management Program; the MIT Program in Intelligent Transportation Systems; and the AgeLab, a partnership between MIT, industry and advocates for the elderly.
CTL co-director Yossi Sheffi is beginning a year-long sabbatical in England. Co-director Cynthia Barnhart will continue to oversee the center's educational programs; research will be overseen on a day-to-day basis by Joseph Coughlin, director of the AgeLab and the Region One University Transportation Centers Program.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on July 17, 2002.
