The Transportation Cybersecurity Center for Advanced Research and Education (CYBER-CARE) is a US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Tier-1 University Transportation Center (UTC) funded in 2023. CYBER-CARE primarily focuses on the USDOT statutory research priority area of “Reducing Transportation Cybersecurity Risks.” CYBER-CARE aims to establish a fundamental knowledge basis and explore advanced theory to mitigate the impacts of large-scale cyberattacks on transportation infrastructure and connected and automated vehicle (CAV) systems.

CYBER-CARE’s mission is to promote interdisciplinary research and education across both transportation and cybersecurity domains. The research projects at CYBER-CARE will develop conceptual frameworks, construct comprehensive datasets, explore novel analytical approaches, support the implementation of public policies and infrastructure investments, and build a high-quality industry workforce through education. All CYBER-CARE research projects can be organized into four thrusts: CAV cybersecurity, AI applications and transportation data security, advanced traffic management system (ATMS) cybersecurity, and next-generation transportation cybersecurity systems. CYBER-CARE will accelerate industry collaborations, foster new technologies, and provide professionals with the skills and opportunities needed to become successful leaders in their fields. Notably, as CYBER-CARE will prioritize engagement with underrepresented minorities, these communities stand to benefit from professional development training in transportation cybersecurity.

MISSION:

To develop the world’s leading innovative, healthy, sustainable, and intelligent transportation cybersecurity system and protect the American people, supply chains, public transit systems, and the economy through the safe, resilient, and sustainable movement of people and goods.

VALUES:

The University of Houston (UH) team will lead the CYBER-CARE consortium. Other members include a group of transportation and cybersecurity experts from Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), William Marsh Rice University (Rice), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC), University of Cincinnati (UC), and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM). The team has a wide breadth of expertise in revolutionizing the field of transportation cybersecurity research and will collaboratively address pressing policy and technical challenges.