About TRIP

A hub for transportation research, innovation, and applied solutions

Led by Leslie Richards, former CEO of both PennDOT and SEPTA, TRIP brings together scholars, students, public agencies, and private partners to address today's most complex mobility challenges — in Philadelphia, across Pennsylvania, and nationwide.
Our Mission

Connecting Penn's expertise to the practical needs of transportation systems

 TRIP turns academic research into actionable transportation solutions that improve transit efficiency, mobility access, and sustainability. Our work spans five focus areas: 

Applied research projects

Translating academic insights into real-world solutions for transit and infrastructure.

Pilot programs

Testing innovations in public transit, roadway efficiency, and emerging mobility technologies.

Cross-sector collaboration

Partnerships across academia, government agencies, and private industry.

Mobility initiatives

Expanding access to transportation for underserved communities.

Data-driven approaches

Using mobility data to improve transit operations and the passenger experience.

TRIP is about bridging the gap between research and implementation — turning ideas into action that improves communities.