A Premier Partnership

Honda, the Transportation Research Center, and OSU

In 1962, The Ohio State University's (OSU) College of Engineering established a transportation research 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 attendant control and safety problems. Developed as a cooperative effort between the Ohio Department of Highways and the University, the OSU Board of Trustees approved a development plan in 1966 and acquired the necessary land in Union and Logan counties.

The concept was funded by a portion of the proceeds from a State of Ohio highway bond issue approved by the voters in 1968. 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. Once the Board hired a staff to operate the facility, TRC of Ohio opened its doors to enhance the health, safety, and general welfare of all inhabitants of the State of Ohio, to create or preserve jobs and employment opportunities, and to improve the economic welfare of the State of Ohio. In June 1979, the Board contracted with Ohio State University to manage TRC of Ohio's operations and staff.

In September 1987, the Center's property was offered as part of an economic incentive to attract Honda to build an automobile plant in Ohio. On January 26, 1988 , the property sale was completed, 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 Research Center as a multi-user, independent test site. Using proceeds from the sale, the Transportation Research Endowment Program (T.R.E.P.), a substantial financial resource, was created to support academic and research programs in the College of Engineering at Ohio State.

Further strengthening the connection between Honda, OSU, and TRC, the President of TRC is an employee of The Ohio State University College of Engineering. In addition, the Dean of Engineering serves as the Chair of the TRC Board of Directors.

In 2000, Honda and OSU embarked upon the premier partnership - an unparalleled, bilateral collaboration between university and industry that spans initiatives in education, research and public service. Today the Honda-OSU Partnership positively impacts diverse audiences of students, faculty, public and private sector practitioners, and the transportation industry as a whole.