Transportation Research and Education at the University of Virginia. Dr. Brian Smith Dr. Jose Gomez Dr. Lindsay Ivey-Burden

Transcription

1 Transportation Research and Education at the University of Virginia Dr. Brian Smith Dr. Jose Gomez Dr. Lindsay Ivey-Burden

2 Agenda Center Overview MATS UTC Research Highlights Meeting Virginia s Needs

3 Our mission is to improve transportation through innovative applied research, education and development of future transportation leaders, and practical, relevant, career-building training for transportation professionals.

4 Focus on Partnerships to Advance Transportation in Virginia

5 Mid-Atlantic Transportation Sustainability Center The University of Virginia (UVA) is the lead university of the Mid- Atlantic Transportation Sustainability University Transportation Center. MATS UTC serves the region through applied research, education, workforce development, and technology transfer focused on environmental sustainability practices in the provision of transportation services. Other participating Universities in the consortium include:

6 Sustainable Freight Movement Freight movement is particularly critical in the mid-atlantic region given the large port facilities, critical trucking routes, extensive rail network and inland waterways. While the movement of freight plays a key economic role, the impact of freight movement on the environment in the region is significant and must be directly addressed. Coastal Infrastructure Resiliency The majority of the population in the mid-atlantic region lives in coastal areas that are directly impacted by the effects of climate change particularly sea-level rise and extreme weather events. The MATS UTC will conduct research to better understand risks and identify innovative adaptations. Energy Efficient Urban Transportation The I-95 Urban Corridor in the mid-atlantic region experiences extreme congestion. According to the Texas Transportation Institute s Urban Mobility Report, the Washington D.C. region is the most congested in the nation, with Philadelphia also in the top-10. The MATS UTC will focus research on energy efficient, environmentally sound methods to address this urban congestion problem. Enhanced Water Quality Management Given the mid-atlantic s coastal location and important inland waterways, the management of stormwater on transportation facilities is particularly important to protect watersheds. Regional transportation agencies are particularly interested in looking beyond meeting minimum regulations to developing more sustainable water quality management practices. Sustainable Land-use Practices The mid-atlantic region is made up of an incredibly diverse mix of densely populated urban areas, sparsely populated forested regions, brownfield sites, and others. One-size-fits-all land use policies and practices simply will not work. The center will investigate practices that promote environmental sustainability.

7 Mid-Atlantic Transportation Sustainability Center University of Virginia was designated as a Beyond Traffic Innovation Center: Centers recognized by the DOT as forward-thinking and influential institutions that are capable of finding solutions to the Challenges identified in Beyond Traffic, through research, curriculum, outreach, and other activities.

8 Research Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Recurrent flooding in Hampton Roads Shared Autonomous Electric Vehicles

9 Connected and Automated Vehicle Technology

10 Connectivity Improves Traveler awareness/information Infrastructure monitoring Transportation control and management

11 Eco-Driving Impact under CAVs Demonstration at the Smart Travel Lab. Key Findings: Human-Driven Eco-Driving has 5% fuel saving potential, while Automated Vehicle has over 15% fuel saving potential

12 Road elevations derived using a high resolution (LiDAR) elevation dataset Transportation Infrastructure VDOT roadway elevations ranging from higher elevations (green) to lower elevations (red) for Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Source: Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Virginia LiDAR.

13 Finding: 10 most critical roadways vulnerable to flooding

14 Flooding problem spots in VA Beach and existing rainfall monitoring network

15 Flooding problem spots in VA Beach and existing rainfall monitoring network Finding: Rainfall stations should be within 1 km of a flood prone site.

16 Urban Transportation Trends & Technologies: New Modes for Future Transportation? The smartphone, the self driving car, and the sharing-economy business model stand to bring a paradigm shift in the transportation sector. Fleets of shared autonomous electric vehicles (SAEVs) would be available for all to use.

17 SAEVs with Dynamic Ridesharing Ridesharing enhances the efficiency of SAEV use, allowing service providers to efficiently match travelers with similar itineraries to available vehicles. Simulation results suggest that when ridesharing is introduced, each SAEV can serve 8 to 13 times the number of trips served by a privately owned, manually driven vehicle. With ridesharing, about 35% of all vehicle miles traveled include at least two passengers.

18 SAEVs for First/Last Mile Connection Service SAEVs offer more choices by improving accessibility options, and can be used to better connect travel demand and transit supply. Collective Public Transit Flexible On-demand Transit Fixed SAEV Fleet Individual

19 SAEVs for First/Last Mile Connection Service SAEVs can help decrease the demand for scare parking spots at Park & Ride facilities, and reduce the need for travelers to drive and park downtown. They can provide on-demand feeder service in low density zones and increase the catchment area size. Park and Ride Facility replaced by Charging Station

20 UVA s LINK LAB Bringing the internet of things to transportation Focus on cybersecurity

21 Educational Programs for Current and Future Transportation Professionals Undergraduate Program in three focus areas: Infrastructure Systems Environmental and Water Resources Structural Mechanics and Materials Graduate Programs: Three degree options: Professional Master of Engineering (four tracks) Two research focused degrees: Master of Science Doctor of Philosophy

22 Post-Degree Education Transportation Training Academy ( Mission is to provide training, technical assistance, and technology transfer to local transportation agencies through workshops, seminars, short courses Innovative, affordable training and professional development programs tailored to meet the workforce development needs of Virginia s state and local government agencies in order to improve the level of transportation services provided to the traveling public Fostering and coordinating training partnerships among local, state, and federal transportation agencies and private sector organizations in Virginia

23 The UVa Civil and Environmental Engineering Program Advanced, focused, ever-evolving curricula and coursework Hands-on research pertaining to real-world problems (close collaboration with public agencies and private sector industry) Multi-discipline approach in both research and course development with other Departments in School of Engineering and Applied Science and across the University (Architecture, Medicine) Dedicated to implementation of new technologies and advances in Civil Engineering through education