Center at California State University, Long Beach Receives $7.66 Million through U.S. Department of Defense for Work on Maritime/Port Transportation Technology


The Center for the Commercial Deployment of Transportation Technologies (CCDoTT) at Cal State Long Beach has received $7.66 million through the U.S. Department of Defense for the 2002 fiscal year, announced CSULB President Robert C. Maxson, who added that another $4.3 million has also been appropriated for 2003.

CCDoTT will use the funds to continue its research in identifying emerging transportation technologies for marine transportation and port/terminal facilities that have both military and commercial applications.

The research is designed to enhance the ability of the Department of Defense to move vital goods rapidly into and out of ports in support of rapid deployment to objective areas in the event of a wide-scale military mobilization. In addition, the research has the potential of benefiting the commercial sector through improved efficiency of port operations.

“The allocation of these funds shows the confidence the federal government has in the work being done at the center. It also shows the importance of the center’s work to our country’s welfare,” said Maxson, who also expressed his appreciation to Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald for their support of the program.

“We’re extremely grateful for the appropriation,” he added, “and look forward to providing both the government and the commercial sector with important breakthroughs in improving marine port and terminal operations.”

Established in 1995, CCDoTT is an academic center at CSULB that focuses on transportation technologies to enhance the competitive position of the U.S. commercial marine system and the capability of the Defense Transportation System (DTS). Sponsored by the U.S. Transportation Command and the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, the center partners with military, government, commercial and academic institutions.

“The focus of the center is quite unique in that it addresses advanced technology develop-ment programs with application to both commercial and military requirements,” said Marianne Venieris, director of transportation programs for the CSULB Foundation, which oversees CCDoTT. “We really have our own niche here because we work so closely with industry and the community.”

Traditionally, the focus of the center is and has been on technology development. Now, it is focusing on demonstrations that will validate both the technology and the related required program integration and processes in support of both commercial and military operational implementation.

Already familiar with the commercial side of transportation and logistics because of her involvement with CSULB University College and Extensions Services’ Center of International Trade and Transportation (CITT), Venieris said CCDoTT has given her the opportunity to understand the military aspects of transportation and logistics.

“If there is a national emergency, the Department of Defense will utilize commercial ports,” Venieris explained. “We cannot afford to have our ports down here working at less than their optimum pace.

“Our programs in the agile port sector are seeking to assure minimum disruption of commercial cargo movement within the marine port and terminal systems in the event of a military cargo surge requirement,” she continued. “That is the idea behind some of the work the center does, and it is fascinating to see how the money we spend for the military comes to benefit the commercial sector.”

CCDoTT’s technology development programs also include high-speed sealift hull and propulsion developments, agile marine ports and terminal systems, rapid deployment and intermodal management support tools and cargo security inspection and oversight.

Among the projects within those programs are the development of a high-speed trimaran and high-speed waterjet propulsors, a transportation automated measurement system, an asset tracking system, a command center of the future and a transportation Internet portal.

Venieris anticipates cuts in future appropriations from the federal government primarily because of 9/11, which put an increased focus on security issues for the country. That re-focus, however, could turn into a positive for CCDoTT.

“You can’t afford to stand still no matter what the money situation is. You always have to look for new programs and projects,” Venieris said. “We are extending activities to include more local organization participation in advanced technology development. We are also going to look for new initiatives, and those new initiatives will be, to a large extent, in the area of security technology. With the security issues that have arisen since 9/11, there are many, many opportunities to get additional funding and do additional projects. That’s what we are looking into in the future here.”

Media Contacts: Rick Gloady, 562/985-5454
Shayne Schroeder, 562/985-1727