Driving innovative, accessible, real-world transportation solutions
The Transportation Initiative at Penn (TRIP) is a hub for research, innovation, and applied solutions in transportation at the University of Pennsylvania. We bring together scholars, students, public agencies, and private partners to address today's most complex mobility challenges.
Turning academic research into actionable transportation solutions
Launched in 2025 under the direction of Leslie Richards, a nationally recognized leader in the field and former CEO of both PennDOT and SEPTA, TRIP connects Penn's world-class academic expertise with the practical needs of mobility systems.
TRIP is about bridging the gap between research and implementation — turning ideas into action that improves communities.
Leslie Richards
Founder & Executive Director
Recent publications and events
The Road to Practical AI in the Transportation Sector
A report from the TRIP Launch Event examining how artificial intelligence and predictive analytics can be applied to transportation safety, infrastructure, and operations.
Building a New Research Agenda for the Transportation Sector
Leaders from academia and public agencies discuss the priorities that should shape transportation research over the next decade.
Special Briefing: Transportation Opportunities & Challenges in the New Federalism
How shifts in federal policy are reshaping state and local transportation finance and infrastructure priorities.