About C.R.T.
The C.R.T.'s Mission
The Centre de recherche sur les transports (C.R.T.) specializes in quantitative and computer-based methodologies and analyses as applied to the planning, management and operation of urban, interurban and international passenger and freight transportation systems. The Centre is also skilled in performing analyses of regulatory, economic and other environments and of industrial, governmental and other policies affecting transportation systems. The Centre places special emphasis on the design and development of methods of assessment, analysis, simulation and optimization that have become necessary for resolving complex problems encountered in actual practice. The C.R.T. also seeks to enhance the effectiveness and quality of analytical and decision-making processes entailed in the planning and management of transportation systems, as well as in regulatory and safety issues.
The C.R.T.’s mission revolves around the following three primary complementary goals:
Research and development. This means carrying out theoretical and applied research and projects, while performing development and demonstration activities in its field of specialization, which comprises all pertinent scientific disciplines and technologies.
The training of experts in transportation and related fields, through the supervision and guidance of graduate (and occasionally undergraduate) students, as well as postdoctoral researchers and research officers.
Scientific and technological transfers from the academic community to industry and public organizations. This includes transfers of specialized techniques and knowledge to businesses, government agencies and other organizations active in transportation or related fields.
The Université de Montréal and its affiliated schools place considerable emphasis on the C.R.T. in their overall planning efforts. For more than twenty years, the C.R.T. has clearly demonstrated its ability to participate in the university’s mission in this field of great socioeconomic and industrial significance, with respect to research, training and transfers of science and technology. Its vital role was defined at the time of its establishment in 1971, when the Université de Montréal recognized the importance to the community of developing multidisciplinary research and training in the transportation field. Furthermore, this field is one of the key areas of application for the Mathematics-Information Science-Operational Research development axis, which was recognized in 1976 by the Conseil des Universités du Québec and approved by the Université de Montréal. The same rule applies to other major disciplines covered by the Université de Montréal and its affiliated schools, such as economics, medicine and engineering.