Transportation Research Center

The Transportation Research Center (TRC) is North America's largest multi-user automotive proving ground. It is operated by TRC Inc. The center occupies 4,500 acres in East Liberty, Ohio, just 40 miles northwest of Columbus, Ohio. These 4,500 acres are split between the main TRC property and a rural road/ATV course located approximately 2.5 miles from the main property.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has its Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) on TRC property. TRC is the only North American proving ground with a government research and test center on site.

TRC Inc. is the managing company for TRC, including facilities, land, and testing. The firm. has more than 400 employees. In addition to running TRC, it provides contract services as well as government testing and a performance driving school. TRC Inc. is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 registered, and maintains a 17025 accreditation within a given scope for emissions and crash testing.

The firm conducts programs designed to test for safety, energy, fuel economy, emissions, durability, noise, crash, crash simulation and performance. It . tests trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, passenger cars and components.

Mark-Tami Hotta has been the president and CEO of TRC Inc. April 13, 2015.

In 1962, the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University (OSU) established a center to coordinate and encourage transportation-related academic and research programs. The university envisioned a facility for controlled transportation research without using public roadways, with their control and safety problems. The concept was funded by a portion of the proceeds of a State of Ohio highway bond issue approved by the voters in 1968. TRC was funded to enhance the health, safety, and personal welfare of all inhabitants of the State of Ohio.

In 1968, the State of Ohio purchased 8,100 acres of land and construction began. Since opening in 1974, TRC has operated on its own revenues. In 1972, the Ohio Legislature created TRC of Ohio and established the Transportation Research Board for the control, management, supervision, and direction of the Center. Subsequently, the Board hired a staff to operate the facilities.

In June 1979, the Board contracted with OSU to manage the operations and staff of the TRC of Ohio. In September 1987, TRC's property was offered as part of an economic inducement to attract Honda to build an automobile plant in Ohio. On January 26, 1988, the property sale was consummated and TRC Inc. was formed as successor to the Transportation Research Board. TRC Inc., a non-profit Ohio corporation, affiliated with OSU, entered into a management agreement with Honda to continue to operate the TRC as a multi-user, independent test site. The present TRC Inc. is owned by OSU and is the facility manager for the Honda owned property (TRC).

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