Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) is North America’s most advanced, independent mobility testing service provider, fulfilling the complex engineering, research, evaluation and testing needs of the world’s leading transportation companies. With 45-plus years of engineering expertise and industry knowledge, TRC Inc. serves the needs of industries, governments, trade associations and educational institutions worldwide. 

TRC Inc.’s headquarters and Ohio facility (TRC Ohio) is located on 4,500 acres of land in East Liberty, OH, 40 miles northwest of Columbus. TRC Ohio operates 24/7 with a variety of facilities including road courses, wooded trails, 7.5-mile High-speed Oval Test Track, and a 50-acre Vehicle Dynamics Area. On this expansive facility, TRC Ohio conducts programs designed to test for safety, energy efficiency, fuel economy, emissions, durability, performance, noise, crash simulation and crash-worthiness.  Programs evaluate performance of passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, airplanes, off-road, tracked, alternative-fueled vehicles and its components.

TRC Inc. opened the SMARTCenter in 2019, focusing on connected and autonomous vehicle technology and capabilities. The centerpiece for much of this testing is TRC’s 540-acre Smart Mobility Advanced Research Test Center (SMARTCenter), which has been specifically designed to test advanced driving systems that employ autonomous and connected vehicles, smart highways, sensors and other innovations to make driving safer. The SMARTCenter’s high-speed straightaways and cityscape simulations provide systems developers a variety of intersection types, roundabouts and other navigational situations.

In 2021, TRC Inc. expanded the reach of world-class engineering and technical expertise with the introduction of TRC California, a 225-acre automotive technology testing and research complex near the heart of the west coast’s technology hub. Under a long-term agreement to operate and expand facilities at the former California AutoTech Development Center in Merced County, TRC Inc. is building out its new TRC California testing site to offer a comprehensive, one-stop shop for automotive technology and mobility innovators to affirm the performance, safety, quality and competitiveness of new technologies that are changing the face of transportation worldwide. 

Our Culture & Core Values

At TRC, people are at the center of everything we do. We strive to create a safe, nurturing, and collaborative environment for our employees; to be a trusted partner for our clients and stakeholders; and to make the world a safer place for all.

We Prioritize People

We Are Better Together

We Lead with Solutions

We Drive the Future

Employee Resource Groups

At TRC we believe employee resource groups are a great way to create a welcoming and collaborative environment for all of us. These voluntary, employee led groups create a great network for employees and bring us together across the organization. 

TRC WOMEN (Women Offering Mentorship Expertise & Networking) is a community building event series aimed at promoting professional, technical, educational, and personal connections among TRC WOMEN members. This group is for all cis and trans women, as well as non-binary people who are comfortable in a space focused on the experiences as women. 

SHIFT (Supporting Highest Inclusion For TRC) fosters a supportive and affirming atmosphere for LGBTQ+ employees and allies at TRC through community-building, education, and advocacy.

TRC VETS was created to provide a supportive environment for veterans by offering a community to share experiences, bring awareness to veteran's issues, and provide resources and opportunities to succeed. 

TRC CARES (Compassion, Awareness, Recognition, Education, Support) is committed to providing mental health awareness and resources to the employees of TRC, empowering employees to reflect on their own mental health as well as those around them, and having conversations about mental health – breaking the stigma in the process.

HARTS (Health, Awareness, Resources, Thrive, Support) was created to educate, support, and empower employees to improve and maintain their overall health and well-being through healthy lifestyle choices no matter their level of fitness and to create a culture of wellness throughout the TRC organization.

Our Beginnings

The history of TRC Inc. began in 1962, when the College of Engineering of The Ohio State University 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. This concept was developed as a cooperative effort with the Ohio Department of Highways to such a level that The Ohio State Board of Trustees approved a development plan in 1966 and acquired the necessary land in Union and Logan Counties.

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. Subsequently, the Board hired a staff to operate the facilities.

In June 1979, the Board contracted with Ohio State to manage the operations and staff of the TRC of Ohio.

In September 1987, the Center’s property was offered as part of an economic inducement to attract a major automotive company to build an automobile plant in Ohio. On January 26, 1988, the property sale was consummated and TRC Inc. was formed as successor to the Transportation Research Board. TRC Inc., a non-profit Ohio corporation, affiliated with Ohio State, entered into a management agreement with the manufacturer to continue to operate the Research Center as a multi-user, independent test site.

The staff, philosophy, and procedures of TRC Inc. continue to be dedicated to the conduct of research and testing for transportation related industries in a proprietary and confidential atmosphere.

Mission & Vision

Mission

To help our clients solve problems and address critical challenges to safely, effectively, and efficiently move goods and people throughout the world by applying the most advanced, leading-edge expertise, by a team of passionate and dedicated professionals not found anywhere else.

Vision

To be an indispensable partner and the most trusted leader enabling solutions that shape our transportation future and make the world a safer place.

Quality & Environmental Statement

Quality

TRC Inc. is committed to providing well planned services, while focusing on the customer’s needs for accuracy and timeliness in testing projects and our key stakeholder’s needs for management and growth. We will meet the requirements of our Quality Management System, our Customers, Employees and key Stakeholders while striving to continually improve the Quality Management System.

• ISO 9001 Registered
• ISO 17025 Accredited

Environmental

We will strive to protect the environment and assure safe and healthful working conditions.

• ISO 14001 Registered

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of TRC Inc. to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment practices, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation (LGBTQIA+), veteran status, or any other reason prohibited by law. 

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