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Research
Researchers Recommend Strategy to Incorporate Autonomous Vehicles into MPO Long Range Transportation Plans
A recently enacted bill (HB 7061) in the Florida legislature requires that Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs) in the state include infrastructure changes to accommodate advanced technologies such as autonomous vehicles. And with Florida as one of the states in the nation to have approved on-road testing of these vehicles, state entities such as Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) need to start thinking of incorporating AV technologies into their LRTPs. To assist MPOs with this process, researchers from the University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI) have provided a set of recommendations in the recently published…[Read more]
Education
Eleftheria (Ria) Kontou, has been selected to receive the 2016 Future Industry Spotlight Award by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). This award is given every year to a female graduate or undergraduate student enrolled at a U.S. college or university who has an outstanding academic record and who has demonstrated leadership qualities outside the academic environment. [Read more]
Every year on September 15th, the engineering community in India celebrates Engineering Day. This special day is a tribute to Sir M. Visvesvaraya, who is considered one of the country’s best engineers. To UFTI doctoral candidate Purthvi Manjunatha, this day is especially important for him because…[Read more]
UFTI Fellowship Spotlight: Kyle Ventura
Once in a while, you come across a really interesting graduate student, one that is not only academically talented, but one who can speak a second language and is musically inclined with interests in singing and dancing. Kyle Ventura is one of those students – a first year graduate student affiliated with the UFTI. He was awarded one of the Institute’s graduate fellowships this fall, and he loves to swing dance, sing acapella and can even speak Mandarin (Chinese). [Read more]
Technology Transfer
Congratulations to Eleftheria (Ria) Kontou and Megan McGinley, both graduate students in the UFTI transportation engineering program. Kontou and McGinley are executive board members of the WTS Florida Gator Student Chapter at UF, serving as the vice president and secretary, respectively. Both students were awarded the Frankee Hellinger Scholarship. The special night included Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold as the keynote speaker. [See images from the event]
The McTrans website has been updated to provide more interactive accessibility with an entirely new look and feel. Check it out for software update information and training course opportunities! [Visit the website]
Announcements
The UFTI is pleased to welcome Dr. Chimay Anumba as a member of the Institute’s External Advisory Board. Dr. Anumba serves as the Dean of the College of Design Construction and Planning. He received his Ph.D. in civil engineering at the University of Leeds in the UK and his D.Sc. from…[Read more]
WTS Presents a Symposium on the “Old Florida Heritage Highway” , October 19, 2016, 6 pm to 8 pm, Reitz Union
Mark your calendars! The WTS Advancing Women in Transportation student chapter at UF is hosting a symposium on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from 6 pm to 8 pm in G-310, Reitz Union (UF Campus). A raffle and reception will follow the event. The symposium will bring together planners, transportation engineers,wildlife conservationists and academics to make the UF and Gainesville community aware of the state-designated scenic highway, its needs as related to resource protection and infrastructure improvements, its Master Plan and finally, what can we do to protect this corridor. RSVP by Oct. 17th to iaviles@ce.ufl.edu. [Read full announcement and flier]
The picnic will take place at Lake Wauburg’s South Pavilion I on Oct. 23, 2016, from 11 am to 2 pm. Food and refreshments will be provided. RSVP by October 19th to Jennifer Gomez (UFTI Administrative Assistant) at ufti@eng.ufl.edu. [Read more and view flier]
General Announcements
The Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment (ESSIE) in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE) at the University of Florida is soliciting applications for two tenure-track faculty positions that may be at the level of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor in its Transportation Program, anticipated start date January 2017. Click here for more information.
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