Skip to main content

Transportation and Civil Engineering Program (TRAC)

Young students weigh their bridge structure as they participate in MDOT's TRAC Design-Build Challenge.
Department of Transportation

Transportation and Civil Engineering Program (TRAC)

Since 2004, MDOT has been offering the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) TRAC (Transportation and Civil Engineering) Program to schools in Michigan. TRAC is a hands-on education program designed for integration into science, math and social science classes.

The TRAC program engages high school and middle school students in solving real-world problems, such as designing bridges, building magnetic-levitation trains, or analyzing the environmental and economic effects of building a highway.

This program is free to schools. MDOT will provide training to teachers and engineer volunteers. These volunteers will speak about their careers in transportation and work with the students using the modules in the classrooms. Each teacher can decide which module will fit into their curriculum.

By bringing transportation professionals to the classroom, TRAC connects students to the work world and inspires them to consider careers in transportation and civil engineering.

Contact

James Fults
Workforce Programs and Recruitment Manager
425 W. Ottawa
Lansing, MI 48909

MDOT-TRAC-Program@Michigan.gov
517-230-8004

TRAC Brochure

TRAC Training

TRAC trainings are currently postponed until further notice. Questions about TRAC can be sent to MDOT-TRAC-Program@Michigan.gov.

Video

Hundreds of students from across Michigan participated in MDOT's annual 2023 TRAC Bridge Building competition. The program inspires and nurtures tomorrow's engineers and it continues the department's long tradition of workforce development. Six winning Michigan teams were selected to compete in the national competition in Seattle, Washington. 

Congratulations to the five teams that won at the 2023 National TRAC Bridge Challenge!

MI students take honors at national bridge event

Attention high school seniors!

The TRAC Internship is an extension of the TRAC Program and is designed to provide opportunities for 12th grade students. During the summer, these students work with MDOT civil engineers and learn more about the rewards and challenges of a career in civil engineering.

Learn more about TRAC Internships