A new Carnegie Mellon University venture will try to make Pittsburgh an international focal point for advanced research on smart infrastructure systems, like sensors that monitor bridges and pipelines and robotic systems that control transit vehicles.

The university and the Bombardier transportation company will open a $2.2 million research center on advanced infrastructure systems this fall, the university announced Thursday.

The Pennsylvania Smart Infrastructure Incubator will focus on new technologies for building and rebuilding the world's infrastructure, said its executive director, Matthew Sanfilippo.

"Tomorrow's infrastructure will blend traditional concrete-and-steel physical infrastructure systems with cyber-infrastructure systems such as computers, networks and sensors in ways that are just emerging," Mr. Sanfilippo said.

Several companies in the area, including Bombardier, are doing advanced work in the field, he said. The incubator will merge those companies' expertise with the university's ongoing research.

"The other goal of the incubator is to work with companies around the world. We want them to know that Pittsburgh is the place to come to do that kind of work," Mr. Sanfilippo said.

Examples of the emerging technology include real-time sensors that can detect deterioration before a bridge fails or a pipeline ruptures, or monitor traffic flow; systems that control heating, ventilation and air conditioning to make buildings more energy efficient; and robotic systems that could control transit vehicles.

The state is providing a $1 million grant through its Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for both industry and the state as we move forward to highlight this region as a hotbed for advanced infrastructure technology and the jobs these technologies will create," said Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, a sponsor of the grant.

The Bombardier Collaborative Center, to be housed at the university's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will bring in international industrial, development, government and academic figures.

"Creation of the Bombardier Collaboration Center at Carnegie Mellon will enable joint research in fields such as smart guidance systems, rail control solutions, sensing robotics and so much more," said Romuald Ponte, a vice president of engineering for Bombardier, a Montreal-based manufacturer of aircraft and rail systems that has operations here in West Mifflin.

The world's trillion-dollar network of rails, roads, bridges, water distribution systems and power networks have varying amounts of automated management and monitoring, he said. The new collaboration will improve the technologies and train people to design and operate them.

"We will also work with the university to explore creation of a master's level degree program in transportation systems," Mr. Ponte said.

The $2.2 million will pay for construction of the incubator's facilities, Mr. Sanfilippo said. Far more will be invested as the venture comes together, and the incubator expects to announce another major private-sector partner in coming weeks, he said.

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