Each January, students, faculty, and staff from the University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI) travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB). As in previous years, participation included presentations at various lectern and poster sessions and TRB committees. A “fun fact” related to UFTI’s participation at TRB is that this was Dr. Scott Washburn’s 25th year at TRB! Dr. Washburn is a professor of civil engineering at UFTI. We’ve prepared a list below that provides a snapshot of the research conducted by UFTI students and faculty that was presented at the conference. The list also includes information on participation in TRB committees and other events during the conference.
Also, each year, the UFTI hosts a reception at TRB for students, faculty, and friends of the University of Florida. This year, more than 200 people attended the reception, which was held at a local restaurant close to the conference venue. The reception is not only a great way to meet colleagues and friends, but also a networking opportunity for students, faculty, and staff. See the image gallery below for pictures of the UFTI reception.
SELECTED POSTERS
“Spatio-Temporal Clustering Analyses for Assessing Motorcycle Safety” (Authors: Deja Jackson and Dr. Siva Srinivasan, University of Florida)
“Analysis of Wiedemann Car-Following Thresholds Using Driving Simulator Observations” (Authors: Pruthvi Manjunatha and Dr. Lily Elefteriadou, University of Florida)
“Lane-by-Lane Analysis of Congestion Effects Due to Queue Spillback at an Off-Ramp” (Authors: Fabio Sasahara and Dr. Lily Elefteriadou, University of Florida)
“An Exploratory Analysis of User Compliance with Route Guidance” (Authors: Fabio Sasahara and Dr. Sivaramakrishnan Srinivasan, University of Florida; and Dr. Xiaoyu Zhu, Metropia, Inc.)
“Effects of Mobility, Safety, and Emissions on Signal Timing Optimization” (Authors: Gustavo Riente de Andrade and Dr. Lily Elefteriadou, University of Florida; Dr. Mohammed Hadi, Florida International University; and Vishal Khanapure, University of Florida)
“Estimation of Geometry Input Data for Operations and Safety Analysis from GPS and GIS” (Authors: Gustavo Riente de Andrade, University of Florida, and Dr. Karla Cristina Rodrigues Silva, Centro Federal de Educação Technologica de Minas Gerais, Brazil) *This poster was designated as a “Hot Topic” by TRB.*
“Deployment and Testing of Optimized Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Trajectories at a Closed-Course Signalized Intersection” (Authors: Aschkan Omidvar, Mahmoud Pourmehrab, Patrick Emami, Rebecca Kiriazes, John Esposito, Dr. Clark Letter, Dr. Lily Elefteriadou, Dr. Carl D. Crane, III, and Dr. Sanjay Ranka, University of Florida)
“An Overview of Existing Pilot and Testbed Activities to Advance Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Technology: Common Threads and Future Priorities” (Authors: Aschkan Omidvar, Dr. Clark Letter, and Dr. Lily Elefteriadou, University of Florida)
“Traffic Operations on Rural Two-Lane Highways: a Review on Performance Measures and Indicators” (Authors: Dr. Ahmed Al-Kaisy and Amirhossein Jafari, Montana State University; Dr. Scott Washburn, University of Florida; Dr. Tapio Luttinen, Aalto University; Richard Dowling, Kittelson & Associates, Inc.)
“Investigation of Passing Lane Effective Length on Two-Lane Two-Way Highways” (Authors: Amirhossein Jafari and Dr. Ahmed Al-Kaisy, Montana State University; Dr. Scott Washburn, University of Florida)
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
“Developing an Economic Analysis Framework for Road Freight Transportation Based on Florida Statewide Multi-Modal Freight Demand Model” (Author: Haitao Yu, University of Florida)
“Evaluation of Commercial Truck Parking Detection for Rest Areas” (Authors: Wei Sun, Dr. Scott Washburn, Ethan Stoop, University of Florida)
“Safety of Freeway Service Patrol Operations: A Case Study of Florida Road Rangers” (Authors: Dr. Grady Carrick, Enforcement Engineering, Inc.; Dr. Siva Srinivasan and Khajonsak Jermprapai, University of Florida)
AWARDS
Deja M. Jackson, Doctoral Student, University of Florida
Awarded 2017-2018 Dwight D. Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship
Les Brown, Master’s Student, University of Florida
STRIDE Center Student of the Year (Presented at the Council of University Transportation Centers Banquet)
TRB COMMITTEE ACTIVITY
Ines Aviles-Spadoni, M.S., UFTI/STRIDE Research Programs Coordinator
- Co-Chair of ABG20(6) Ahead of the Curve, Subcommittee (Parent committees are Conduct of Research, ABG10, and Transportation Education and Training, ABG20)
- Coordinated TRB Workshop 872 on “Ahead of the Curve: Mastering the Management of Research and Implementation Programs”
Dr. Lili Du, UFTI Assistant Professor (committee activity)
- Network Modeling Committee | ADB30 meeting (member)
- Network Equilibrium subcommittee, ADB30(2) (friend)
- Route Choice and Spatio-Temporal Behavior, subcommittee ADB30(3) (friend)
- Traffic Flow Theory and Characteristics | AHB45 (friend)
Dr. Lily Elefteriadou, Professor and Director, UFTI and the STRIDE Center
- Presented a synopsis on NCHRP 15-57 (Highway Capacity Manual Methodologies for Corridors Involving Freeways and Surface Streets) at the Highway Capacity and Quality of Service (AHB40) Committee Meeting
- Presented on I-STREET at the Highway Capacity and Quality of Service (AHB40) Committee Meeting. I-STREET is a collaboration between the Florida Department of Transportation, City of Gainesville, Florida, and the University of Florida, which facilitates transportation technology development by providing facilities and support to test and develop technologies in a real-world setting.
- Elefteriadou serves as the Chair of the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) this year. In this role she chaired the CUTC Executive Committee, CUTC Membership Meeting, and hosted the CUTC Banquet and Awards Ceremony during the TRB meeting.
- Was invited to present at the TRB Committee on International Cooperation on “Possibilities for Developing & Enhancing Partnerships between the EU and the U.S. in Transportation Research & Innovations”, representing CUTC.
Fabio Sasahara, Doctoral Student
- Attended the Highway Capacity and Quality of Service (AHB40) Committee Meetings where Dr. Lily Elefteriadou presented a report on NCHRP 15-57, a project that he is working on. He is also working on the I-STREET project.
Dr. Siva Srinivasan, UFTI Associate Professor
- Chaired TRB Committee ADB20 – Effects of Information and Communication Technologies on Travel Choices
Dr. Scott Washburn, UFTI Professor
- Presented a summary on NCHRP 17-65, “Improved Analysis of Two-Lane Highway Capacity and Operational Performance” at the Highway Capacity and Quality of Service (AHB40) Committee Meeting
- Presented on “Traffic Operations on Rural Two-Lane Highways: A Review on Performance Measures and Indicators,” a project in collaboration with Dr. Ahmed Al-Kaisy of Montana State University
- Provided a status update on NCHRP 17-65 “Improved Analysis of Two-Lane Highway Capacity and Operational Performance”