The Mission of CITRIS
The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society CITRIScreates information technology solutions for many of our most pressing social, environmental and healthcare problems.
The first public-private partnership created to use IT in this way, CITRIS partners more than 300 faculty and thousands of students from myriad departments at four UC campuses (Berkeley, Davis, Merced and Santa Cruz) with industrial researchers from over 60 corporations. Together they are thinking about IT in ways that have not been thought of before. They see solutions to many of the concerns that face all of us today, from the environment and finding viable sustainable energy alternatives to healthcare delivery and developing secure electronic medical records and remote diagnosis, ultimately boosting economic productivity. CITRIS represents a bold and exciting vision that is leveraging one of the top university systems in the world with highly successful corporate partners and government resources.
Issues at the heart of California’s economy, quality of life, and future success will drive the research of the CITRIS Partnership.
* Energy Efficiency A network of tiny, inexpensive sensors can make buildings vastly more energy efficient, saving as much as $55 billion in energy costs nationally and 35 million tons of carbon emissions each year. In California alone, this translates into a savings of $8 billion in energy costs and a reduction of 5 million metric tons of carbon emission annually.
* Transportation Linking sensors in California’s roadways to computers to analyze traffic flow could point commuters to efficient routes and help Caltrans and planners make solid transit decisions. Optimizing traffic could save Californians annually up to $15 billion in wages, $600 million in trucking costs, and 37.5 million gallons of fuel.
* Seismic Safety A major earthquake in the Bay Area could cost 10,000 lives, $200 billion in damage, and untold lost productivity. Real-time information on the conditions of buildings, bridges, and lifeline networks is key to reducing risk. A vast system to deliver reliable, personalized information in minutes to emergency teams would save lives.
* Education High-tech classrooms for distance learning can serve more students in California’s growing universities, schools, and businesses. First order of business: CITRIS technology will deliver the undergraduate program in information technology to UC Merced in the heart of California, a critical addition to state growth in education and industry.
* Health Care As many as 60,000 fatal heart attacks – 20% of cardiac deaths could be prevented each year if at-risk people wore sensors now being developed to detect trouble and alert medics. Other medical monitoring devices would follow, including help for military personnel and others in remote areas.
* Environment From Monterey Bay to urban Southern California, CITRIS projects will help guard California’s water, air, and environment. New information technologies may also be adapted later for more productive agriculture.