Transportation Engineering

The CCEE Department has an extensive transportation research program dedicated to enhancing the safety and efficiency of transportation systems. Our research is centered in the UAB Transportation Engineering and Development (TREND) Lab. The TREND Lab develops solutions to transportation challenges through innovative transportation research and development. Our current research and training activities focus on:

• congestion management,
• traffic control,
• transportation safety,
• Intelligent Transportation Systems,
• smart transportation applications, and
• transportation data analytics.

The research findings of TREND Lab contribute to transportation operational efficiency and traffic safety improvements and have a positive impact on the wellbeing of the society. Some current projects are highlighted below. For more information please visit the TREND Lab website.

Projects

• Performance Measurement and Management Using Connected and Automated Vehicle Data
• Technology Influence on Travel Demand and Behaviors
• Fly-By Image Processing for Real Time Congestion Mitigation
• Work Zone Mobility through Planning, Design, and Operations
• Birmingham Regional Transportation Performance Monitoring

Performance Measurement and Management Using Connected and Automated Vehicle Data

This study investigates the potential use of traffic data collected using connected vehicle and automated vehicle technology, combined with data from other sources, to support the performance measurement of transportation system for planning and operation purposes. Data from real-world deployments of connected vehicles, real-world vehicle trajectory collection studies, and microscopic simulation runs are analyzed and used to determine transportation performance measures. The goal of this study is to develop novel performance measurement alternatives that consider data from emerging connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. The study is performed in collaboration with the Florida International University (FIU) and is funded through the STRIDE Center.

For more information please contact Virginia Sisiopiku at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Technology Influence on Travel Demand and Behaviors

This study investigates the influence of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft on travelers’ choices and behaviors and the resulting impacts on local and regional congestion. The study objective is to inform transportation stakeholders on the links between technology and driving choices among young and middle-aged adults in the Southeast. Additionally, the study will result in a model that will quantify influences of these technologies on travel demand and urban and regional congestion. This project is funded through the STRIDE Center.

For more information please contact Virginia Sisiopiku at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Fly-By Image Processing for Real Time Congestion Mitigation

Select image to see a larger version. Traffic monitoring is the centerpiece of congestion mitigation and traffic management. While surveillance technologies have matured enough to provide informative depictions of traffic, the current state of the art systems cannot characterize immediate congestion problems. Proactive congestion mitigation requires:

1. real-time surveillance, and
2. prediction for imminent congestion onset, in order to
3. inform responsible parties to take immediate actions to prevent congestion.

This framework is founded on short time analysis (one to five minutes) that is not always possible with current systems. We foresee using a “flock” of interconnected, self-managed drones to perform real-time monitoring and assessment of traffic conditions and to infer if congestion is imminent. The drones will use their own computational and communication capabilities to create an integrated reconnaissance platform that performs traffic monitoring and traffic analysis in real-time. This research is being funded by the USDOT through the STRIDE Center.

For more information contact Nasim Uddin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Work Zone Mobility through Planning, Design, and Operations

This project examines work zone operations, both in the field and through traffic simulation, in order to identify spatial and temporal characteristics of work zones with the potential to reduce congestion and improve the resilience of the highway network. Emphasis is placed on modeling of freeway work zones to evaluate merge traffic control strategies under different lane closure and traffic demand configurations. The findings of this study will help transportation agencies to plan work zones better while mitigating resulting congestion. The project is performed in collaboration with Auburn University and is funded through the STRIDE Center.

For more information please contact Virginia Sisiopiku at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Birmingham Regional Transportation Performance Monitoring

The Department assists the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) with the monitoring of the regional transportation system. Students work with RPCGB staff to collect and analyze transportation data related to congestion and mobility and develop monthly reports summarizing key performance measures. This information assists the RPCGB with identifying and prioritizing transportation projects.

For more information contact Andrew Sullivan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..