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Futuristic car in a rendering

Transforming Mobility

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  1. College of Engineering
  2. Research
  3. Transforming Mobility

We lead the development of future transportation systems for movement across land, water, air and extraterrestrial environments.

Our networks for moving people, goods and physical services across land, water, air and space will change drastically by mid-century. From urban air taxis to the frontiers of human space flight, we will need optimized networks of vehicles that communicate with one another for safe, smooth delivery and function. Autonomous vehicles must be designed with appropriate human factors and human-machine teaming interfaces, while alternative energy sources, propulsion and control systems will be critical to slowing the effects of climate change.

Explore the Next Level Research Vision

Support Next Level Engineering

Horizon Lines

Building a Living-Learning Lab for Sustainable Transportation Research

Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Kari Watkins leads a project to turn the UC Davis campus into the world’s premier living-learning lab for researching bike and bus infrastructure.

Read More

Bike and bus

Research in Action

Colorful computer generated image showing fluid dynamics

UC Davis to Develop Groundbreaking Urban Air Mobility Technology for International Research Center

Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Seongkyu Lee will contribute to the $9 million South Korea-based center with his expertise in high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics. His group will be the first to investigate and predict mid- and high-frequency tonal and broadband noise emitted from UAM vehicles.

The UC Davis team standing together in front of a screen that says "CITRIS Aviation Prize Winners"

From Concept to Cockpit: UC Davis Team Wins Big at CITRIS Aviation Prize

The UC Davis team was the top award winner at the 2024-25 CITRIS Aviation Prize competition, earning $12,000 for their innovative design of an intercampus air transportation system for UC students, faculty and staff.

A black electric vehicle is parked as it charges

EPA Removal of Vehicle Emissions Limits Won’t Stop Shift to Electric Vehicles, but Will Make it Harder, Slower and More Expensive

Alan Jenn, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at UC Davis, discusses the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to rescind its landmark 2009 decision affirming greenhouse gases as a threat to public health and welfare, and its impact on electric vehicles.


Read more research in action

Harnessing UC Davis’ Power of Collaboration

Transforming Mobility

  • The Institute of Transportation Studies is the world’s leading university center on sustainable transportation, managing large research initiatives on energy, environmental and social issues
  • The Center for Spaceflight Research takes a transdisciplinary approach to investigate all aspects of human spaceflight, from engineering to computer science to chemistry
  • The Plug-In Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center collaborates closely with California utilities, the Electric Power Research Institute, automakers, and other institutions to develop a sustainable market for plug-in vehicles

Engineering a better world calls for solutions of a different caliber, demanding innovation across disciplines using a design-centric approach.

We employ and develop intelligent systems and automation, tools at the nano-and-micro- scales and engineering for all that will revolutionize energy systems, strengthen climate resilience, advance human health and transform mobility to bring a sustainable, healthier and more resilient world within reach.

Revolutionizing Energy Systems

Windfill with a field in background

Strengthening Climate Resilience

Burnt trees in a red skyline

Transforming Mobility

Rendering of a futuristic car

Advancing Human Health

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UC Davis College of Engineering
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(530) 752-1979

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