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University of Colorado Denver

The University of Colorado Denver’s (CU Denver) research through the Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation and Sustainability (CTIPS) emphasizes a comprehensive, data-driven approach to advancing transportation infrastructure. These efforts focus on infrastructure preservation, optimization, safety, as well as advancing more innovative design practices.

The CU Denver CTIPS research initiatives aim to extend the lifespan of aging assets through both material innovation and strategic maintenance planning. For instance, our work explores ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) overlays for bridge decks and seeks to enhance durability, improve structural performance, and reduce lifecycle maintenance costs. Complementary work focuses on maintenance optimization systems that leverage machine learning to prioritize interventions within budget constraints, ensuring maximum infrastructure performance with limited resources.

Safety also remains a fundamental priority. Research examining the downstream impacts of design vehicle selection investigates how these decisions shape roadway geometry, safety outcomes, and operational efficiency. Similarly, our CTIPS research seeks to assess safety-focused design interventions on arterial roadways, evaluating whether measures typically applied to local streets can also reduce severe crashes on high-volume arterials without compromising mobility. A related effort is developing a standardized approach to high-injury network analysis, enabling cities to identify and address their most dangerous road segments.

Together, CU Denver’s CTIPS research reflects a shift toward smarter, more strategic preservation and safety-driven interventions. Via empirical studies, advanced modeling, and practical tool development, CU Denver seeks to equip practitioners and agencies with actionable frameworks to improve infrastructure performance, optimize investments, and support long-term system preservation.