Director
Kenneth J. Button
kbutton@gmu.edu
Website
http://www.gmupolicy.net/transport/
Center Description
Center for Transportation Policy, Operations and Logistics is the cornerstone of the George Mason School of Public Policy's work in areas such as aviation, aerospace, and highway infrastructure. The center, headed by Professor Kenneth J. Button, is a balanced program of sponsored research, independent research, and education. It supports critical research into sustaining existing transportation systems.
The center approaches transportation issues from a multi-disciplinary standpoint, pursuing solutions that combine elements of engineering, management, policy, security, and finance. A team of five core senior researchers, eight additional scholars, and two dozen graduate research assistants work closely with federal and state highway authorities and private sector firms on issues such as improving driver safety and preserving infrastructure.
The center has sharpened its focus on aviation issues since the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, allocating resources to studying security and the air transport industry's efforts to absorb the economic effects. The center is expanding its involvement in aerospace issues, having signed a multi-year, multimillion dollar partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This partnership provides management services to NASA’s engineer training program in order to promote a better exchange of ideas among 10 independent NASA centers.