I–81 Corridor Coalition

Beginning in 2011, the Virginia Tech Transportation Policy Group began hosting the I–81 Corridor Coalition. The Coalition consists of a network of state, local, non-profit, and private organizations committed to making I–81 a safe, efficient, environmentally sensitive, seamless and intermodal transportation corridor. The membership includes New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee as well as local jurisdictions in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia.

The members commit to working together to improve freight and passenger movement through the corridor through the sharing of information and coordinated decision making, management and operations.

Targeted Research Areas

Truck Safety

I–81 is a major truck freight corridor. There are frequent crashes involving trucks that cause lengthy periods of congestion. Previous studies have shown that driver distraction and long hours behind the wheel are root causes in many cases. The emphasis of the Coalition is on Incident Management training workshops, work zone safety, and research on truck parking

Strategic Transportation Visioning

The Coalition intends to collect data on traffic statistics and planning efforts related to I–81 and build a database of information relevant to the corridor. As a first initiative, the Coalition has partnered with the Appalachian Regional Commission to study the impact of I–81 on the Appalachian region.

Administrative Planning

As a new organization, the Coalition is developing a three year workplan and funding strategy. Those efforts include developing office space, hiring of administrative staff, redesign of the website, visiting public jurisdictions and private organizations involved in corridor related initiatives and activities to continue to expand its membership base and stabilize funding.

Research Initiatives

A large part of the Coalition's interest is in researching issues of importance in the corridor including freight movement, intermodal relationships, environmental planning, and corridor wide information and coordination efforts. Each of these subject areas will be explored for additional funding opportunities.