The Insitute of Transportation Studies Berkeley is excited to lay the foundation for new research and partnership opportunities in Chile with a recent visit from a delegation from the Ministerio de Transportes y Telecomunicaciones (MTT), Region del Biobio, and the Universidad del Biobío (UBB) Chile on Monday, Nov. 27 and Tuesday Nov. 28, 2023.
Prior to the visit, UC Berkeley alumnus Juan Carlos Muñoz, Chile'sMinister of Transportation and Telecommunications, provided a fireside chat on campus on Nov. 15, 2023, co-sponsored with Civil and Environmental Engineering, Global Metropolitan Studies, Institute of Transportation Studies, Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies, and Institute of International Studies.
During the visits, ITS Director, Daniel A. Rodriguez, signed a letter of intent with the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications and a memorandum of
understanding with University of Bio Bio to cooperate on various projects related to traffic management.
The agreements aim to foster the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and innovative technologies between ITS and Chile, as well as to explore
potential opportunities for research projects and partnerships in the fields of traffic management, planning, project prioritization, governance, and transport sustainability.
The delgation, Pedro Vidal - National Coordinator of Intelligent Transportation Systems, Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, Chile; Patricio Alvarez - Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Bío-Bío University, Chile; Oscar Ferrel - Head of Infrastructure and Transportation Division, Regional Biobio Government, Chile; Miguel Hinojosa - Representative of the Department of Development and Industry, Regional Biobio Government, Chile; and Blas Araneda - Head of Regional Planning and Development Division, Regional Biobio Government, Chile, learned about cutting edge research being developed at ITS Berkeley and toured facilities on campus and at the Richmond Field Station.
At the fireside chat, Muñoz answered questions about infrastructure, transportaion plans, and Chile, in addition to catching up with his former advisor, mentors, and professors.
"It is so good to be back on campus and see dear friends," says Muñoz.
