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UGPTI Helps NDSU Celebrate National Transportation WeekPosted: Jun 1, 2015 Invited speakers, an open house, free floats, and a bus visit to an area middle school were events hosted by the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at NDSU to celebrate National Transportation Week, May 11-15. UGPTI staff served more than 300 root beer and orange floats to students, faculty and staff at the NDSU Memorial Union, Monday, May 11. During the event, local radio station Y-94 interviewed UGPTI staff about the importance of transportation and the need for professionals in the transportation industry. An open house at the UGPTI's NDSU offices on Tuesday, May 12, offered a chance for visitors to meet UGPTI staff and students and to see posters and presentations featuring recent UGPTI research. Dan Zink, director of administration for the Red River Valley & Western Railroad, was a featured speaker on campus, Wednesday, May 13. Zink provided a short overview of the RRVW's operations and then answered numerous questions regarding rail safety, rail freight operations, and oil movements by rail in North Dakota. Also on Wednesday, UGPTI and MATBUS staff members welcomed more than 100 students aboard one of MATBUS's transit buses at Liberty Middle School in West Fargo. The students heard presentations on transit in Moorhead, Fargo, and West Fargo, transportation safety and careers in transportation. They also asked questions about the bus and about using transit. Finally, Shaun Bruggeman, general manager of C.H. Robinson's Fargo office discussed third-party logistic as a featured speaker on campus Thursday, May 14. Bruggeman discussed the growth of the third-party logistics industry and how C.H. Robinson using data collection and analysis to evolving from a logistics provider to a partner in improving the operations and efficiencies of its clients. Founded in Grand Forks in 1905 to transport perishable goods to the region, CH Robinson has grown to become one of the world's largest third-party logistics providers in the world with 2014 revenues of $13.5 billion and more than 11,500 employees. In addition, UGPTI mailed more than 700 packets of educational information to all fourth grade classrooms in North Dakota. The information was intended to boost students' knowledge of careers in transportation, increase their awareness of the role various modes of transportation play in moving people and goods, and increase their understanding of the importance of transportation to their daily lives. The UGPTI celebrated National Transportation Week to increase the visibility of its programs and to enhance the awareness of the importance of transportation on campus and in the region. MATBUS was a partner in UGPTI's activities for the week. Nationally, National Transportation Week is celebrated during the third week of May to increase the awareness and appreciation of the transportation industry and to celebrate the community of transportation professionals who keep our country on the move. |
