Recent Sponsored Research
Sustainability Implications of Transportation Choice in China
This research is the subject of an NSF CAREER award, focused on estimating the sustainability implications of how China motorizes (vehicle purchase type and use). This five-year project focuses on behavioral research and eduction, coupled with environmental sustainability analysis. Partnerships include Luyuan electric vehicle company, Kunming University of Science and Technology (He Min), and Tsinghua University (Yang Xinmiao and Ye Wu). (Funded by NSF)
New Big Data Sources for Bicycle ResearchBig data sources are important new ways to measure behavior of cyclists, who historically are underrepresented in data collection efforts. We explore two probe data sources and assess safety and route choice. First, we developed a smartphone application, I Bike KNX, from the cycletracks (Cycle Philly and Cycle Atlanta) base code. We also used data from SoBi's bikeshare telematics in Phoenix, Arizona, modeling factors contributing to route choice in the Grid Bikeshare system. (Funded by STC)
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Big Data and Video Analysis of Bicycle Crashes at RR-XINGsSingle vehicle bicycle crashes at railroad crossings are widespread and avoidable. Not only does unsafe infrastructure cause injuries (or death), crashes at railroad crossings are a detriment to efforts to increase cycling, particularly among new cyclists and women. This study investigates several months of video data at two rail grade-crossings and observes over 50 bicycle crashes, some resulting in serious injury. We model crash mechanics with the hope of extending results across the state at heavy bicycle volume, skewed crossings. This video went viral and shows our data used.
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Trailer: 45 second video
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Economic Impacts of Aviation Activity in Tenn.This research explores the unique economic advantages of Tennessee's aviation sector, focusing on commercial, general, and military aviation activities. This research includes airport surveys, site visits, economic modeling of primary and secondary economic impacts, and development of outreach material (Funded by TDOT).
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Walk to Transit–Pedestrian Network Decision SupportOften pedestrian infrastructure and transit planning is not coordinated. Pedestrian infrastructure development should more explicitly consider the effect on transit ridership and multimodal connections. This project developed two pedestrian demand models to prioritize pedestrian development. First, a residential mode uses probabilistic demand models to estimate pedestrian flows. Next, a non-residential gravity model prioritizes links connecting transit stops with major trip generators. (Funded by TDOT)
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Electric BikesharingThis research investigates the open question of whether e-bikes can be included in third- or fourth-generation bike sharing schemes. We launched a 20-bike 2-station pilot to investigate operational, technical, economic, behavioral, and environmental factors of such a system. Follow the project at www.cycleushare.com (Funded by STC, TDOT, UTK)
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Bike and Pedestrian Safety Investment
Bicycle and pedestrian safety investments are often difficult to prioritize in traditional highway safety funding mechanisms. This research identifies modeling and policy frameworks to improve investment strategies in non-motorized safety. Zane Pannell (MS Civil Engineering) is working on this project, along with partners Deo Chimba and Daniel Emaasit from Tennessee State University. (Funded by TDOT)
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Intercity Bus Service
Evaluation of performance of Tennessee’s existing intercity bus system, focusing on identifying markets served and potential market demand. This project will also develop more optimum route structures for intercity bus to maximize ridership and access. Hongtai Yang (PhD Civil Engineering) worked on this project. (Funded by TDOT)
Truck Parking Behavior and ITS
Investigation of the use of ITS, including personal devices like smartphones to facilitate safe and efficient parking of trucks. This research effort focuses on truck driver surveys detailing the adoption and use of personal technology devices to assist in decision-making.
Methods and Demand for EV Fleet Optimization
This research investigates optimum fleet size and assignment in the context of limited range and long-recharge battery EV’s. This work develops methods to optimize on cost with a focus on balancing operation and capital costs while meeting trip demands in a large corporate vehicle fleet. We use UT’s motorpool as a case study. Taekwan Yoon did his dissertation on this subject. (Funding UT Sustainability Fee).
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Wireless Roadside Inspection (WRI) of Trucks
Evaluation of the Technical Feasibility of Wireless Roadside Inspection pilots in KY, TN, and NY. These electronic screening pilot tests aim to increase inspection rates of heavy vehicles and support current inspection processes. Catherine Bryant (MS Civil Engineering) is working on this project (NTRCI and FMCSA)
Hydrogen Bus System Conversion
Identifying requirements to convert an entire medium-sized bus fleet to hydrogen including fleet, infrastructure, personnel, and transitional requirements. This project is part of the East Tennessee Hydrogen Initiative (ETHI). Casey Langford (PhD Civil Engineering) worked on this project (FTA)
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Public Health Impacts of EVs in China
This project estimates the exposure efficiency of electric vehicles relative to their gasoline and diesel counterparts in China, using an intake fraction methodology, comparing emissions from power plants and tailpipes. From here, we extend the analysis to identify the public health impacts of PM2.5 emissions from both e-vehicles and ICE vehicles. This research involved collaboration with University of Minnesota (Julian Marshall) and Tsinghua University (Ye Wu) (Energy Foundation)
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Market for E-scooters in Vietnam and India and Environmental Impacts
This project developed stated preference choice experiments for future two-wheeler purchasers and identified what factors they valued in a vehicle. From this analysis, we could identify potential market for e-scooters in gasoline scooter dominated cities of Hanoi, Vietnam and Ahmedabad, India. This project included collaborative efforts with Hanoi University of Transport and Communications and the Center from Environmental Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad. Luke Jones (Economics PhD candidate) worked on this project. (Asian Development Bank)
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New Town Development and Mode Choice
With China’s massive urban migration and population growth, urban areas are becoming increasingly congested. One solution is to relocate industries and residents to “new towns”. This research investigates mode choice and travel behavior of a proposed “new town” of one million outside Kunming, China, connected to the city by a proposed metro rail system. We use a stated preference experimental methodology to estimate mode choice. Research conducted with Kunming University of Science and Technology (He Min) and Casey Langford (PhD Civil Engineering)
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Electric Bikes in the PR China: Impacts on Environment and Prospects for Growth
This research analyzes the environmental performance of e-bikes relative to other competing modes, their market potential, and the viability of alternative battery technologies. It also frames the role of e-bikes in the PRC’s transportation system and recommends policy for decision makers in the PRC’s central and municipal governments. Collaboration with Tsinghua University (Yang Xinmiao) and University of California, Davis (Jonathan Weinert) (Asian Development Bank)
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