ATI Annual Report 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Our annual report offers a glimpse into the economic and technological impacts our efforts have on Alabama and beyond.

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Welcome to the Alabama Transportation Institute Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2023, covering the period from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023.

I am pleased to share the exciting developments and achievements of the Alabama Transportation Institute (ATI) over the past year. We have achieved 50% growth in our research awards, exceeding $27 million, with federal funding playing a significant role in this success.

A notable milestone is our collaboration with UCLA and Carnegie-Mellon University to lead the New Mobility Center of Excellence, a project awarded by the Federal Highway Administration. This center aims to spearhead national-level research on integrating new technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, to enhance the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of our transportation system. ATI was brought into the team to explicitly address specific challenges and opportunities facing rural regions and small towns as they look towards a better transportation future.

Our involvement in two successful University Transportation Center (UTC) teams, representing $50 million in federal funding for transportation research, with ATI directly receiving $5 million, further highlights ATI’s growing influence on the national stage. The UTC program is one of the most prestigious and highly competitive research efforts sponsored by the USDOT. In addition, our strong presence at scientific conferences, including the Transportation Research Board annual meeting in Washington, DC, part of the respected National Academy of Sciences, where we presented 47 papers, reinforces our commitment to

producing high-impact research with national significance. Also, ATI researchers secured 12 grants this year from the prestigious National Science Foundation, resulting in millions in research funding, illustrating its ability to conduct nationally significant research.

As we look toward the future, ATI’s Alabama Mobility and Power Center (AMP) is expanding, with plans to establish a battery lab and the National Electric Vehicle Training Center. These initiatives position UA as a national leader in electric vehicle technologies. This, in turn, sets the stage for attracting significant federal and private sector funding in workforce, research and education.

The completion of the Smart Communities Innovation Building marks a pivotal moment for ATI. This facility, referred to as SCIB, is now home to ATI leadership, AMP, the Transportation Policy Research Center (TPRC), the Center for Transportation Operations, Planning and Safety (CTOPS), as well as numerous faculty and students from the UA College of Engineering. Notably, the expanded West Central Region Traffic Management Center within SCIB enhances collaboration with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), creating opportunities for federal funding pursuits, internships, and improved traffic management in and around Tuscaloosa.

While this year focused on nationally competitive research, ATI is equally dedicated to serving the

state of Alabama directly. Initiatives such as the ACTION project along I-20/59 and PROACT, on I-65 in the Cullman area, will address traffic safety and operational challenges and exemplify our commitment to making a tangible impact. Collaborations with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham to secure a SMART grant from USDOT, as well as our role in advising the Joint Study Commission on Advanced Air Mobility, demonstrate our multifaceted approach to state service.

In addition, ATI has actively supported the Alabama League of Municipalities in administering online bids for Rebuild Alabama projects. The Rebuild Alabama Act, passed in 2019, has resulted in record investment of more than $170 million so far being awarded to cities and counties for transportation projects. ATI provided data and information support for this bill that enabled its passage, and now provides a resource to share project information in a transparent way on the Transportation Policy Research Center website. We have provided planning, proposal, and project assistance for over $120 million in federal safety and infrastructure project since our inception in 2017. Although these efforts were not ours alone, we believe that we have contributed in a substantial way to making our beloved state a better place.

Sincerely,

Steven Jones

ATI is proud to serve the transportation enterprise for the state of Alabama.

We welcome your feedback, appreciate your continued support, and look forward to serving the state for years to come.

Visit our website at ati.ua.edu, connect with us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

50% $140M $5M

DIRECT UTC FUNDING FROM USDOT

FEDERAL FUNDING ENABLED WITH ATI SUPPORT

GROWTH IN RESEARCH AWARDS IN FY 2023

In addtion to his roles with ATI, Dr. Steven Jones is an Associate Director of the National Center for Transportation Cybersecurity and Resiliency (TraCR) and the Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities (CR 2C2), for which he also serves as the Technology Transfer Director. Jones has over 30 years of experience in transportation engineering and planning.

Professor, Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering Interim Executive Director, Alabama Transportation Institute Director, Transportation Policy Research Center

Before his current role, he was named the James R. Cudworth Professor of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering at The University of Alabama.

During his distinguished career, Jones has been the principal investigator on $20 million in externally sponsored university projects and authored over 300 publications, including journal articles, conference papers, design manuals, and project reports. His expertise spans the globe.

Jones is a charter member of the American Society of Civil Engineers Transportation and Development Institute, a former chair of its Public Transportation committee, and an active member of the Transportation Research Board. He serves on its Committee on Rural, Intercity Bus, and Specialized Transportation, and on the Institute of Transportation Engineers Standing Committee on Transit. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Transportation Safety and Security.

MISSION & STRATEGIC PILLARS

Service to the State paired with World-Class Research

At ATI, we strive to facilitate and reflect world-class leadership in interdisciplinary transportation research that serves the state of Alabama and beyond.

Leading the Way for Emerging Transportation Solutions

Our interdisciplinary institute enables Alabama to lead the way on solutions for emerging issues like electric vehicle technologies, automated vehicles, connected infrastructure, various modes of shared mobilities and advancing transportation safety. ATI coined the phrase of ACES2 mobility to represent our concentration. Our research is focused on the future of transportation and seeking impactful findings that will lead to innovative solutions.

ATI works toward developing creative solutions concerning both technology and policy. ATI serves as an independent resource that can develop unbiased information to be utilized by local, state, and national leaders in developing transportation policy. The result is more and better-informed decision-making that leads to innovative, data-driven, cost-effective solutions that advance Alabama’s economy, safety, and quality of life through transportation.

AUTOMATED CONNECTED ELECTRIC SHARED SAFE

ACES2 PROJECTS

Competitions continued in the Indy Autonomous Challenge as part of the PoliMOVE team, an international collaboration between Politecnico di Milano and UA. The 3rd edition of the IAC was held at the Texas Motor Speedway. PoliMOVE took home the grand prize and also won the second annual Autonomous Challenge at CES reaching max speeds of 180 mph, a new world record. They went on to win the first-ever autonomous driving road course time trial competition, held at the Monza “Temple of Speed.” The historic feat took place as part of the Milan Monza Motor Show.

UA EcoCAR competed in the EcoCAR Mobility Challenge, the 12th U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition series. This 4-year competition challenged 11 university teams to apply advanced propulsion systems, as well as connected and automated vehicle technology. The team reached SAE Level 2 automation, which applies to a vehicle that has combined automated functions, while the driver remains engaged and monitoring the environment.

Connected Infrastructure

Continued to lead a $16.8 million Advanced Transportation & Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) project sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), called ACTION, in Tuscaloosa County to support developing a connected infrastructure aimed at automated vehicular traffic, resolving congestion challenges, improving safety, and supporting efficient freight delivery for just-in-time manufacturing.

Technical leadership role on an $8.7 million ATCMTD project awarded in 2022 to develop and deploy smart and connected technologies on the Atlantic City Expressway in New Jersey.

Exploring Large-Scale Crowd sourced Connected Vehicle Data to Support Alabama Transportation Decision-Making, funded by ALDOT.

Electrification

MAGNET is a project funded by a $1 million planning grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program. This project is lead by AMP at UA with partners from the University of Georgia and Mississippi State University. The project envisions an innovative supply chain ecosystem where stakeholders from across the EV supply chain can confidently and effectively participate in activities that advance transportation electrification, such as purchasing electric vehicles, increasing grid capacity, increasing charging capability and establishing and growing domestic industry around materials extraction, recycling, and supply chain component and system manufacturing.

Partnering with Alabama Power and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. to develop and demonstrate ways to use older EV batteries, extending their usable life and reducing their carbon footprint while lessening demand on power grids. With $4 million in support from the United States Department of Energy, the project is also supported by another $4 million in cost-share bringing the project budget to a total of $8 million.

The project to transition to electric buses on the UA campus continues including the research component on various aspects of electrification for bus transportation. The project not only plays a role in helping reduce emissions, but the research and workforce development components, in partnership with industry, strengthen UA and the Tuscaloosa area in becoming a hub for electric vehicles while ensuring the state’s profile for innovation in electric vehicles is strong. UA collaborated with local Tuscaloosa transit agencies to obtain $8 million from the Federal Transit Authority to support the project with $2 million in matching funds from UA.

Preparing First Responders for Future Electric Vehicle Emergencies was the topic of a workshop organized and conducted in 2023 that is part of a project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The workshop was sponsored by NSF and ATI.

Public Charging Infrastructure - Integrating cognitive, social, and engineering principles for large-scale planning of public charging infrastructure is a large project awarded by the National Science Foundation in 2023.

Shared Mobility

Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority project to study public transportation operations under the Route Recovery and Restoration Program, funded by Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

FTA Project with ALDOT to improve postCOVID rural paratransit operations.

Partnered with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, developed the “Community-driven Regional Mobility Engine for Accessible and Equitable Multimodal Public Transportation in Central Alabama” project, awarded as part of the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program.

Safety

Part of a team led by Leidos on a successful bid to provide on-call transportation safety research to the FHWA.

Continued to work with law enforcement across AL and in other southeastern states (MS, AR, LA, GA) to develop, maintain, and support a variety of cutting edge safety technologies, including electronic citations, electronic crash reporting, DUI reporting, commercial vehicle enforcement, search tools, and data analytics, enabling the daily operation of over 10,000 sworn officers, over 400 police agencies, over 400 local, circuit and district courts in Alabama alone, as well as traffic safety engineers and related professionals on a statewide basis.

Developing a Near-Miss Reporting System for Roadside Responders is a new project funded by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

BY THE NUMBERS

UA TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH AWARDS

,391

,104,311

$4,692,594

$3,255,124 A&S $2,251,193

$3,560,884 CTOPS

LOCAL IMPACT

AMP x AIDT EV CENTER

TUSCALOOSA INFRASTRUCTURE ELECTRIFY UA CRIMSON RIDE ACTION

RIDE-SHARE SERVICE FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES

NSF SMART & CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

INTEGRATED MODELING FOR ROAD CONDITION PREDICTION

TRANSPORTATION POLICY RESEARCH CENTER

DECATUR INFRASTRUCTURE PROACT

BIRMINGHAM TRANSIT

UNIVERSITY BLVD CORRIDOR

BUILD GRANT

BUILD

WIREGRASS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ONGOING PROJECTS NEW PROJECTS

CENTER FOR ADVANCED PUBLIC SAFETY

ALABAMA MOBILITY AND POWER CENTER REBUILD

BACK BETTER CHALLENGE

ALABAMA

REG PLANNING COMMISSION OF GREATER BIRMINGHAM

SERVICE TO THE STATE

Transportation Policy Research Center

TPRC provides services for several needs such as policy and economic impact analysis, assistance with state and federal grant applications, researching legislative best practices, and data compilation and analysis. These services are available to any community in the state of Alabama. TPRC’s primary research areas are focused around legal, finance, equity and progress issues.

“Rebuild Alabama has accounted for record investment represented by 234 projects in all 67 counties, 400 miles of resurfaced roadways, and more than $170 million in state transportation funding awarded to cities and counties.” - Governor Kay Ivey Montgomery Advertiser, March 2023

Center for Advanced Public Safety

CAPS works with state agencies and law enforcement across Alabama and other southeastern states to develop, maintain, and support a variety of cutting-edge safety technologies, including electronic traffic citations and crash reporting, commercial vehicle enforcement tools, data analytics and search tools, enhancing the daily operation of 10,000+ sworn officers, 400 police agencies, and 400 courts in Alabama along with traffic safety engineers and professionals.

Rebuild Alabama

FIND PROJECTS, REPORTS & PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS ON OUR WEBSITE

ATI.UA.EDU/IMPACT

Alabama Mobility and Power Center

AMP is an innovative research center focused on the electric vehicle ecosystem. Stakeholders from across the EV supply chain can participate in activities that advance transportation electrification. The combination of significant automotive manufacturers and supplier presence in the southeast, combined with substantial mining capacity for the necessary materials for batteries and other critical EV systems, uniquely positions Alabama as an ideal home for EV research.

ATI supported legislative leaders and the Governor’s office in Alabama on efforts that led to the Rebuild Alabama (Transportation Infrastructure) legislative package being enacted. Rebuild Alabama was authorized to acquire funds for the state to invest in roads and bridges and the Port of Mobile. The state has sent back to cities and counties $170 million through awarded projects, and the total overall revenue is projected to be much higher. More funds will be dispersed for future projects.

Monthly updates on Rebuild Alabama are published in the ATI newsletter and bid information can be found on the TPRC website at tprc.ua.edu.

LOCAL PROJECTS

AMP x AIDT EV Center

Alabama gears up for the future with a cutting-edge EV Training Center. Operated by AIDT, the center is set to rise on the campus of the Alabama Robotics Technology Park. This $30 million facility aims to equip the state’s auto industry for the electric revolution. With support from the Alabama Mobility and Power Center on training curricula, it promises to elevate Alabama’s workforce capabilities, ensuring continued growth and leadership in the global automotive arena.

Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham

ATI partnered with the RPCGB to develop and propose the “Community-driven Regional Mobility Engine for Accessible and Equitable Multimodal Public Transportation in Central Alabama” project. It was awarded by the USDOT as part of the competitive Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation Grants Program. The project will convert existing public transportation systems in Central Alabama into an integrated mobility system leveraging cyberinfrastructure, route optimization and planning, service integration, trip dispatching, and more.

Ride-share Service for Rural Communities

In response to transportation challenges in West Alabama, researchers at ATI and The University of Alabama proposed the CAReS project. This community-driven initiative aims to establish a ride-sharing model led by local leaders and volunteers, enhancing access to essential services. Supported by UTC - Region 4’s Research and Education Exploratory seed grants, the project seeks to assess feasibility and develop sustainable revenue models. Success could pioneer improved transportation equity in rural areas nationwide, contingent on active community participation and stakeholder engagement.

NSF Smart and Connected Communities

This project, awarded by the National Science Foundation, will create a Smart and Connected Rural Community comprised of interdisciplinary researchers, healthcare providers, transportation providers, and community stakeholders to promote preventive healthcare in rural communities through deploying ondemand mobility services. This project focuses on West Alabama, specifically the health-disadvantaged Black Belt region, to investigate preventive care-seeking behaviors. The primary objective is to explore the impacts of on-demand mobility services on these behaviors among under-served individuals.

projects

Integrated Modeling for Road Condition Prediction

Through meticulous platform assessments and stakeholder engagements, the Integrated Multi-Regional Coordination Program (IMRCP) identifies crucial gaps and enhancement priorities. Regional deployment over contiguous states showcases IMRCP’s prowess in managing evacuations and adverse weather responses, aligning seamlessly with the Emergency Planning Transportation Data Initiative. Updated technical documentation, training materials, and an open source repository further underscore the commitment to accessible, efficient emergency management solutions.

led by ATI in FY 2023

provided significant service in urban and rural areas in Alabama

ATI’s five core centers focus on implementing ACES2 Mobility in developing projects and conducting research. Affiliated Centers in the College of Engineering and the Culverhouse College of Business provide a comprehensive approach to interdisciplinary collaboration.

Core Centers

Alabama Mobility and Power Center

AMP provides leadership and services to ensure Alabama is well-positioned to support the burgeoning EV market.

AMP.UA.EDU

Center for Transportation Operations, Planning, and Safety

CTOPS plays a vital role in technology transfer activities.

CTOPS.ENG.UA.EDU

Transportation Policy Research Center

TPRC plays a critical role by helping communicate and interpret research findings to public and policymakers.

TPRC.UA.EDU

Center for Advanced Public Safety

CAPS is an research center dedicated to the implementation of technologies that enhance public safety.

CAPS.UA.EDU

Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies

CAVT conducts research and creates educational programs dedicated to the advancement of vehicle technology.

CAVT.ENG.UA.EDU

Learn more about center activities at ati.ua.edu/centers

Center for Business and Economic Research

CBER provides forecasts of economic activity, assessments, and analysis for public and private stakeholders.

CBER.CULVERHOUSE.UA.EDU

Center for Insurance Information and Research

ACIIR provide facts and truths to parties who directly contribute to the state’s economic development.

ACIIR.CULVERHOUSE.UA.EDU

Center for Sustainable Infrastructure

CSI is a technical innovation resource that addresses issues related to sustainable infrastructure.

CSI.ENG.UA.EDU

Institute of Data and Analytics

IDA advances the creation and distribution of knowledge through data and analytic research.

IDA.CULVERHOUSE.UA.EDU

ALABAMA MOBILITY AND POWER CENTER

With a mission to fuel research and workforce development to meet the needs of the burgeoning electric vehicle market, the Alabama Mobility and Power (AMP) Center is a first-of-its-kind public private partnership between UA, Alabama Power, and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.

In November 2021, the AMP Center was officially approved by The University of Alabama Board of Trustees. In the time since, AMP has embarked on three major initiatives, made possible by funding from private and public sources — including a $12.1 million investment from the state of Alabama.

BATTERY LAB

To support the existing automotive industry and help it scale into the future, researchers at the AMP Battery Lab will probe all facets of the battery supply chain under one roof. Using state-ofthe-art facilities and instrumentation, they’ll pursue efficiencies at every point in the battery production process — from leaner sourcing of raw materials, to more efficient processing of these materials to create cells, to tighter stacking of these cells into modules and packs, to better recycling and reuse of batteries at the end of their lives.

POWER LAB

If we are to truly decarbonize the transportation sector, we need to think bigger than an electric car in every garage: we need to make accessible the means to charge these vehicles with renewable energy, both at home and on the road. Outfitted with a working micro-grid, solar array, charging infrastructure, and more, the AMP Power Lab will enable researchers — both from UA and in-residence from peer institutions — to test and expand the capabilities of the power grid to sustainably support the EV industry.

NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Standing at the crossroads between new technologies, new industries, and new entrants into the skilled workforce, we recognize an urgent need for new curricula, new training techniques, and new credentials. As a joint venture of academia, industry, and government, the AMP National Training Center will develop K-12, 2-year, and 4-year education programs to steer the next generation toward success in electric vehicle and battery technologies.

Smart Communities and Innovation Building

With so many moving parts, it’s imperative that we align and coordinate our efforts with the state. Thus, in 2023, AMP established a dual-headquarters in SCIB on the UA campus, where we neighbor the Alabama Department of Transportation.

AMP Consortium Established

AMP is proud to offer our partners the opportunity to join the only consortium of industry, government, and academia addressing the entire electric vehicle ecosystem. Learn more at amp.ua.edu/consortium.

EV Adoption & Forecasting Tool

AMP developed an Alabama EV adoption forecasting tool capable of predicting EV adoption across the state with 95% confidence. This tool also allows economic developers to forecast industry growth and educators to forecast workforce requirements.

AMP’s business intelligence center used the EV adoption tool to provide the state with a forecast of fuel tax revenue reductions as a function of the growth and adoption of EVs statewide. AMP, in conjunction with TPRC, is now conducting follow-up research to mitigate the pending tax revenue issues.

Economic Development Partnership & Modeling

With the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), AMP created a model to strategically target OEMs within the battery industry. This strategy has been successfully wielded to identify industry partners well-suited to Alabama.

The Alabama Department of Commerce has partnered with AMP and Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT: Alabama’s workforce training agency), to successfully persuade businesses to relocate or expand into Alabama, opening new avenues for economic development.

Workforce Needs Assessment

AMP, the Alabama Business Intelligence Center (ABIC), and AIDT are working collaboratively to create a workforce needs assessment. This assessment arms K-12 schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions with appropriate learning outcomes for their students.

Simultaneously, the results of the assessment will generate insights for state and industry decision-makers, as they prepare to welcome the next generation of workforce entrants seeking careers in the EV industry.

NSF Regional Innovation Engine

Amid fierce competition, AMP led the charge to win a National Science Foundation grant for UA. Our entry for the Regional Innovation Engine program is called MAGNET: Mississippi,Alabama, Georgia Network for Electric Vehicle Technologies.

This $1 million Type I (planning) grant lays the groundwork for a Type II grant of up to $160 million, disbursed over 10 years. With these funds supporting unprecedented research and commercialization of technologies related to electric vehicles, we hope this grant will lead to significant economic development opportunities and employment — specifically in rural Alabama. Learn more at magnet.ua.edu.

STRATEGIC PLAN

In 2023, AMP developed a strategic plan to chart the direction of the Center and establish AMP as a hub for EV innovation in Alabama.

The plan sets forth AMP’s strategic vision, identifies key outcomes, lays out strategic initiatives, and details eight key action items.

TRANSPORTATION POLICY RESEARCH CENTER

The TPRC plays a central role at ATI, offering valuable services to communities such as policy and economic impact analysis, assistance with state and federal grant applications, researching legislative best practices, and identifying funding mechanisms for construction and maintenance of physical infrastructure. Our work directly impacts rural and underserved communities through research in the areas of equity and access, education and workforce, and rural transit and shared mobility. We routinely communicateand interpret these findings to the public and policymakers in Alabama.

LEGISLATIVE TRACKING

Since the inception of the TPRC, our researchers have monitored transportation-related bills that are presented during the Alabama Legislative session. This information is archived on our website. At the end of each session, a cumulative report is published.

ALM WEBSITE SUPPORT

Guided by the Code of Alabama § 23-8-6(b) established by the Rebuild Alabama Act, the TPRC website acts as a hub where municipalities can easily submit bid announcements for projects utilizing Rebuild Alabama funds. Closed bids are also tracked on the website. This is a service provided to the Alabama League of Municipalities.

TPRC DIRECTOR

STEVEN JONES (CENTER)

WITH PRESENTERS AT TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD

2023 ANNUAL MEETING

CENTER FOR ADVANCED PUBLIC SAFETY

Center for Advanced Public Safety (CAPS) is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to the development and utilization of cutting-edge technologies to enhance public safety.

The CAPS technology portfolio includes significant work in analytics, web and windows software development, data sharing and integration, GIS applications, mobile app development, data hosting, and website design and development.

CAPS’s software is utilized in several states and has changed the way that law enforcement, traffic engineers and other disciplines conduct business, resulting in greater efficiencies in several areas across the government IT enterprise.

Public Safety and Traffic Safety Information Technology Infrastructure

CAPS has provided a major portion of the state of Alabama public safety and traffic safety information technology infrastructure, including the provision of applications for electronic traffic citations, electronic crash reporting, DUI reporting, commercial vehicle inspections, ambulance run reporting, and driver lookup applications.

CARE, CAPS proprietary data analytics product, is widely used to provide crash data analysis to support state agencies and law enforcement in enhancing traffic safety.

ALGO TRAFFIC WEBSITE

CAPS

CENTER FOR ADVANCED VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES

The Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies (CAVT) is dedicated to the advancement of vehicle technology. Based on unique, interdisciplinary research and education programs, it provides the automotive industry with novel ideas, scientific consultation, as well as new generations of engineers and scientists.

CAVT has a focus on connected, automated and electric mobility projects which is right in line with the ATI mission. CAVT engages talented multi-disciplinary faculty members from all UA colleges to form large teams that can conduct holistic, systems-level research. These teams have been successful in securing large federal grants to conduct research in these areas.

ELECTRIFY CRIMSON RIDE

UA Campus Transit Electrification Phase 1 is a $10 million project with 20% cost share awarded by the USDOT Federal Transit Authority. The goal is to partially replace the current fleet of the Crimson Ride Transit diesel with electric buses to lower energy consumption, reduce upstream and on-road emissions and to conduct research and development activities throughout the project.

ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS

Another connected, automated, and electric mobility project involves the validation and real-world pilot of ADAS technologies in large transit buses project that was awarded by the USDOT Federal Transit Authority for $3 million with 33% cost share under their Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for Transit Buses Demonstration Program.

CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS, PLANNING AND SAFETY

In transportation research, innovation is the core of progress. The Center for Transportation Operations, Planning and Safety (CTOPS) is more than just a research hub - it stands as a pioneer shaping the future of transportation.

With a relentless focus on cutting-edge digital systems, data analytics, simulations, and safety analysis, CTOPS is at the forefront of revolutionizing transportation services in Alabama. Its work extends across a spectrum of interdisciplinary research, blending theory with real applications to drive tangible results.

The commitment to excellence is evident in its emphasis on deploying connected and autonomous vehicles, seamlessly integrating them into surface transportation systems. The evolution from the University Transportation Center for Alabama to CTOPS signifies its unwavering dedication to progress.

Fueled

by a team of esteemed faculty members, CTOPS boasts a stellar track record of securing funding and forging impactful collaborations.

CTOPS projects and partnerships align with the ATI mission and bolster its capacity to serve the Alabama Department of Transportation and key initiatives of the US Department of Transportation.

$3.5+ million in research awards

led or co-led by CTOPS in FY 2023

National Research Highlight

UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS

ATI’s involvement in two successful University Transportation Center teams, representing $50 million in federal funding for transportation research, with ATI directly receiving $5 million, highlights ATI’s growing influence on the national stage.

The U.S. Department of Transportation invests in the future of transportation through its University Transportation Centers (UTCs) Program. Since 1987, this program has awarded grants to consortia of colleges and universities nationwide. These consortia collaborate to advance transportation research and technology, fostering the development of the next generation of transportation professionals.

UTCs, consisting of two- and four-year institutions, focus on specific research topics to create centers of transportation excellence. Through education,

Center of Excellence on New Mobility and Automated Vehicles

In 2023, the USDOT Federal Highway Administration awarded a five-year, $7.5 million grant to establish the multi-institutional Center of Excellence on New Mobility and Automated Vehicles.

The new center is led by the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies and includes The University of Alabama, Carnegie-Mellon University, along with government and private sector partners. Learn more on the web at mobilitycoe.org.

research, and technology transfer, they contribute to the advancement of U.S. expertise in transportation, addressing the growing need for safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly movement of people and goods. Recognized internationally for their leadership and innovation, UTCs play a crucial role in transforming and enhancing the nation’s transportation system to align with economic, environmental, and societal goals.

The UTC program is one of the most prestigious and highly competitive research efforts sponsored by the USDOT.

Internationally recognized for their capacity to lead, innovate, and educate, UTCs continue to enhance and transform our transportation system, keeping it in step with our nation’s economic, environmental, and societal goals.

Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities

North Carolina A&T State University was selected to lead the Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities with support from Clemson University, Florida Atlantic University, The University of Alabama, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, and University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

With a federal investment of $15 million over five years, their mission is to revolutionize connected and coordinated multimodal solutions, fostering equitable and efficient mobility in rural and underserved communities across North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The goal is clear: innovate, educate, and improve transportation for both people and goods and focus on creating advanced multimodal solutions to enhance fair, efficient, and effective mobility services.

National Center for Transportation Cyber Security and Resiliency

The U.S. Department of Transportation will invest $20 million over five years into the TraCR. This initiative aims to research, develop, and test robust software and hardware to defend our increasingly connected transportation system against cyber threats from hackers, criminals, and terrorists.

Additionally, TraCR will focus on policy issues around transportation cybersecurity, and the Transportation Policy Research Center at ATI is leading this effort.

TraCR is led by Clemson University and includes Benedict College, Florida International University, Morgan State University, Purdue University, South Carolina State University, The University of Alabama, the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of Texas at Dallas.

National Research Highlight

UA LEADING PROJECT TO GIVE EV BATTERIES SECOND LIFE

The University of Alabama, in collaboration with Alabama Power and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc., is spearheading a groundbreaking project, backed by $8 million, including $4 million from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The initiative focuses on repurposing retired electric vehicle batteries for stationary charging applications, reducing carbon footprint and alleviating strain on power grids.

Selected as one of 10 recipients of federal funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the project is part of the Alabama Mobility and Power Center.

Led by Dr. Jaber Abu Qahouq, the project proposes a novel system to connect individual battery modules to power converters, employing control algorithms to monitor and optimize each battery’s health.

This adaptive charging station aims to extend the life of EV batteries by avoiding uneven degradation, addressing a key challenge in reusing these batteries.

The project’s potential benefits include reducing the life cycle carbon footprint of batteries, supporting transportation electrification through an enhanced EV charging network, and integrating renewable energy sources. The cross-disciplinary team, comprising faculty, researchers, and industry specialists, is committed to demonstrating both the environmental and economic viability of this innovative solution.

The project team has cross-discipline expertise and experiences including faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, assistant research scientists, graduate students as well as engineers or specialists from MBUSI and Southern Company Services.

ATI Affiliates Dr. Ahmad Alsharif and Dr. Mizan Rahman received funding that will establish a new Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site at UA to address the security challenges and privacy concerns of emerging networks in energy and intelligent transportation systems in smart cities.

National Research Highlight

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD ANNUAL MEETING

At the 102nd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) in Washington, DC, a significant contingent from the ATI community participated.

As a Bronze sponsor of the event, ATI was prominently visible on printed programs and electronic message boards throughout the Washington Conference Center, reaffirming its commitment to advancing transportation research.

During the event, UA/ATI delivered 39 presentations across multiple sessions, while actively engaging in various committees and panels dedicated to diverse aspects of transportation research. Notably, ATI expanded the scope of its contributions in 2023, showcasing interdisciplinary research endeavors and a broader range of topics.

Of particular significance was the participation of over 15 graduate students, each presenting posters on innovative research themes. This platform not only highlights ATI’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent but also provides invaluable exposure to the academic community, enhancing students’ professional development as they transition into the workforce.

STUDENT EV BATTERY CHALLENGE

UA will compete in the prestigious Battery Workforce Challenge, a national competition focused on designing, building, testing, and integrating advanced battery packs into commercial electric vehicles. UA is among 12 North American universities selected for this immersive BattChallenge, managed by Argonne National Laboratory and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and industry partners like Stellantis.

This hands-on competition, spanning three years, aims to equip students with essential engineering, project management, and communication skills for the growing EV and battery industry. Dr. Jaber Abu Qahouq, the lead faculty advisor, emphasizes the invaluable knowledge and experience students will gain through this challenge, positioning them for promising careers in the EV sector.

The transition to electric mobility has created a demand for skilled professionals in the EV battery workforce, estimated to exceed 230,000 jobs by 2030. The Battery Workforce Challenge Program strives to meet this demand by providing students with practical battery design and integration experience, extending beyond traditional engineering curriculum boundaries.

UA’s team, supported by the College of Engineering, the ATI, and other entities, will collaborate with Shelton State Community College. They will tackle real-world challenges in battery engineering and manufacturing, contributing to the development of a highly skilled and diverse domestic workforce.

This student-focused initiative aligns with UA’s commitment to lead in transportation electrification through research, development, and education in EV and battery technologies. The university’s strong faculty team, led by Dr. Abu Qahouq and Dr. Krishna Shah, is geared up for a transformative journey in the exciting field of electric mobility.

Teams will design, build, test, and integrate an advanced battery pack into a production Stellantis vehicle.

ACCOLADES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

ATI continues to support students who excel in myriad ways, showing that The University of Alabama truly is Where Legends Are Made.

ATI PhD Candidate receives Outstanding Research Award

The Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering department at UA recognized graduate student Shuocheng Guo and his advisor Dr. Xinwu Qian as the Outstanding PhD Researchers.

2023 Lifesavers Traffic Safety Scholars

Sagar Dasgupta, Riffat Islam, and Sunday Okafor, members of the UA student ITE chapter, were designated 2023 Lifesavers Traffic Safety Scholars. The Traffic Safety Scholars program is a competitive scholarship that provides students the opportunity to attend the Lifesavers Conference, the largest gathering of traffic safety professionals.

UA ITE wins first place at the Traffic Bowl

The University of Alabama Institute of Transportation Engineers student chapter placed first in the Traffic Bowl competition at the Alabama Section Institute of Transportation.

38 students funded by ATI in 2023

The PoliMOVE Autonomous Racing Team, comprising members from Politecnico di Milano and The University of Alabama, showcases extraordinary prowess in autonomous racing, securing victories in prestigious competitions worldwide.

At the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, they clinched the grand prize at the third edition of the Indy Autonomous Challenge, outperforming the five other qualified teams. Their achievements extend to setting a new autonomous speed world record of 180 mph at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the second annual Autonomous Challenge @ CES. Notably, at the Monza “Temple of Speed,” they triumphed

PoliMOVE AUTONOMOUS RACING TEAM’S RECORD BREAKING YEAR EcoCAR

in the first-ever autonomous driving road course time trial competition, demonstrating remarkable resilience by achieving victory with a backup AV-21 racecar after the original car crashed during a practice session. These victories underscore PoliMOVE’s dedication to advancing autonomous driving technology, paving the way for a safer future in mobility.

The UA EcoCAR team is a dynamic, student-focused engineering design group dedicated to advancing sustainable vehicle technologies and nurturing the future leaders of the automotive industry.

The UA EcoCAR team is one of only 13 universities chosen to compete in the EcoCAR EV Challenge, which challenges teams to transform a 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ into an energy-efficient marvel, leveraging automation and vehicle-toeverything (V2X) connectivity.

The diverse team, spanning engineering, business, and communications, with access to cutting-edge facilities and expert guidance are designing and building the next generation mobility solutions to meet our nation’s future energy and mobility challenges.

This year, the UA EcoCAR team collaborated with AMP and ATI to host an event highlighting efforts in advancing automotive electrification at UA to faculty and staff, providing an excellent opportunity to share insights into collaborative efforts and showcase the impactful strides being made in advancing automotive electrification technology.

SMART COMMUNITIES & INNOVATION BUILDING

GRAND OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT COMING IN 2024

The Smart Communities and Innovation Building provides critical research infrastructure for transforming the transportation industry in Alabama, positioning our state to be a national leader in mobility innovation and enabling the powering and connection of smart and resilient communities.

SCIB was built as part of a $16.5 million bond announced by Governor Kay Ivey in July 2021. The strategic co-location of transportation entities fosters unique opportunities for collaboration between operational, research, and applied technology partners.

The future of transportation in Alabama combines research, innovation, technology, and policy. The SCIB initiative will have a profound impact on workforce development and economic development in a targeted industry vital to the state.

FIRST RESPONDERS FOR FUTURE ELECTRIC VEHICLE EMERGENCIES WORKSHOP

The NSF EV Fire Workshop, funded by the National Science Foundation and co-sponsored by ATI, tackled the crucial task of preparing first responders for the challenges of electric vehicle emergencies.

With expert panels comprising professionals from diverse sectors including vehicle manufacturers, fire departments, and transportation management, attendees delved into existing and future hurdles, sharing insights and lessons learned.

Hosted by ATI-affiliated faculty, the workshop facilitated vital discussions on integrating electric vehicle technology into emergency response strategies.

Learn more about FW-HTF grants at nsf.gov

Industry Aspects of EV Safety | Traffic Incident Management of EV | Responder Training for EV fires

JOINT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE ROADSHOW Events

ATI assisted in planning and coordinating the Alabama Roadshow, an annual event hosted by the Legislative Joint Transportation Committee which highlights the state’s unique transportation initiatives.

GEE’S BEND

Themed “Bridging Alabama,” the journey began with a ferry ride from Camden to Gee’s Bend. Legislators encountered the Gee’s Bend Quilting Collective, renowned for their globally acclaimed quilts, turning the community into a tourist magnet. Gee’s Bend, an African American enclave embraced by the Alabama River, historically relied on a ferry for connectivity. After its discontinuation in 1962, renewed efforts led to its revival in 2006 as the first U.S. electric ferry, a historic milestone that enhanced connectivity and preserved the community’s cultural legacy.

MOBILE BAY & DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB

The second outing of the annual Alabama Roadshow focused on Mobile Bay and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Legislators gathered at Blakeley State Park for a boat tour of the Bay, emphasizing its economic significance and bridge infrastructure. At the Sea Lab, they were briefed on its history and educational offerings. The journey concluded with a ferry ride from Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan, showcasing vital Gulf Coast transportation links.

LEGISLATORS RIDING THE ELECTRIC FERRY TO GEE’S BEND

LEGISLATORS CROSSING THE HISTORIC EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE

AL TRANSPORTATION PLANNERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The ATPA Annual Conference was held in Tuscaloosa with assistance from ATI in the planning stages.

ATI was a presenting sponsor for the conference. Many of the ATI researchers and affiliates presented on key topics such as rural road safety, public transportation, and ALDOT collaboration projects.

Don’t underestimate your ability to put something out there that can change things.

- quoting Mayor Walt Maddox, ATPA conference opening speaker

ATI - TTI PEER EXCHANGE

The Transportation Institute (TTI) at Texas A&M University and ATI have a longstanding partnership that dates to the founding of ATI in 2017. ATI hosted TTI to develop and strengthen working relationships.

Sessionscoveredcriticaltransportationtopicssuchassafety,mobility&operations, EVs,andhumantrafficking.TheTTIrepresentativeswereabletomeetATIgraduate studentsandlearnabouttheresearchtheyengageinatATI.

ATI & TTI STAFF COLLABORATE ON CRITICAL TRANSPORTATION ISSUES DURING THE AUGUST 2023 PEER EXCHANGE

LABS

Our lab program is an investment in identifying areas of opportunity to incubate new research opportunities that are expected to mature into a level of research center. These labs are a collaborative effort that puts the institute’s research themes into measurable action. In the labs, we identify public transportation issues and ways to address them with an interdisciplinary approach.

Connected and Automated Mobility Lab

Mizanur Rahman

Human-Environment Interactions, Modeling, and Analysis Lab

Nicholas Magliocca

Control Algorithms and Sensing for Autonomy Lab

Brandon Dixon

Lab for Intelligent Sensing and Computing

Shunqiao Sun

Laboratory for Location Science

Kevin Curtin & Nicholas Magliocca

Traffic Lab

Alex Hainen

Mobi-X Lab

Xinwu Qian

Decarbonization Lab

Shahriar Amini

Lab of Innovative Materials for Transportation Infrastructure

Decarbonization

Jialai Wang, Wei Song, Armen Amirkhanian, & Chao Zhao

NextGen Transportation Lab

Jun Liu

Emergent Initiative Program

Read detailed descriptions of the labs and their research activities on our website.

Learn more at ati.ua.edu/labs.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Title

Authors

Journal

An in-depth analysis of head-on crash severity and fatalities in Ghana Adanu, E.K., Agyemang, W., Lidbe, A., Adarkwa, O., Jones, S. Heliyon

A comprehensive study of child pedestrian crash outcomes in Ghana Adanu, E.K., Dzinyela, R., Agyemang, W.

Examining the who, what, and how of risky driving related crashes in residential areas Adanu, E.K., Jones, S., Abhay, L., Rahman, M.

Learning about injury severity from no-injury crashes: A random parameters with heterogeneity in means and variances approach Adanu, E.K., Powell, L., Jones, S., Smith, R.

A latent class multinomial logit analysis of factors associated with pedestrian injury severity of inter-urban highways crashes

Contemporary Issues in Land Use Planning

Tragedy of urban green spaces depletion in selected sub-Sahara African major cities

Privacy-Preserving V2V Charge Sharing Coordination using the Hungarian Algorithm

Measuring accessibility of movement challenged persons during earthquake evacuation of Dhaka City, Bangladesh: A participatory GIS-Based approach

Cross-cultural assessment of the effect of spatial information on firefighters’ wayfinding performance: A virtual reality-based study

Cross-cultural assessment of the effect of spatial information on firefighters’ wayfinding performance: A virtual reality-based study

Online eco-routing for electric vehicles using combinatorial multi-armed bandit with estimated covariance

A Sensor Fusion-Based GNSS Spoofing Attack Detection Framework for Autonomous Vehicles

Collaborating with Local and Federal Law Enforcement for Disrupting Sex Trafficking Networks

LSTM-based lane change prediction using waymo open motion dataset: The role of vehicle operating space

Modeling the preference of electric shared mobility drivers in choosing charging stations

The Wrong, the Wronged, and the Wrongfully Dead: Deodand Law as a Practice of Absolution

Transportation system functions during hurricane Response: A systematic review of modes and methods

Agyemang, W., Adanu, E., Liu, J., Jones, S.

Appiah-Opoku, S.

Appiah-Opoku, S., Manu, K. K., Asibey, M. O., Amponsah, O.

Bakr, A., Srewa, M., Bulut, E., Akkaya, K., Rahman, M., Alsharif, A.

Bhuiya, M.M.R, Shao, W., Jones, S.

Chen, J., Li, N., Shi, Y., Du, J.

Chen, J., Li, N., Shi, Y., Du, J.

Chen, X., Xue, J., Lei, Z., Qian, X., Ukkusuri, S.V.

Dasgupta, S., Rahman, M., Islam, M., Chowdhury, M.

Freeman, N.K, Keskin, B.B, Bott, G.J

Fu X., Liu J., Huang Z., Hainen A., Khattak A. J.

Guo, Y., Qian, X., Lei, T., Guo, S., Gong, L.

Accident Analysis and Prevention

Journal of Urban Mobility

ScienceDirect

Journal of Transportation Safety & Security

Intech Open Book

Journal of African Studies and Development

Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Applied Geography

ScienceDirect

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment

IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems

Informs Journal On Applied Analytics

Digital Transportation and Safety

Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment

Nebraska Law Review

Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Title

Microencapsulation of bio-based phase change materials with silica coated inorganic shell for thermal energy storage

Authors

Ismail, A., Zhou, J., Aday, A., Davidoff, I., Odukomaiya, A., Wang, J.

Optimal Traffic Signal Control Using Priority Metric Based on Real-Time Measured Traffic Information Kim, M., Schrader, M., Yoon, H.S, Bittle, J.A.

Vehicle Localization in 3D World Coordinates Using Single Camera at Traffic Intersection Li, S., Yoon, H.S.

Sensor Fusion-Based Vehicle Detection and Tracking Using a Single Camera and Radar at a Traffic Intersection Li, S., Yoon, H.S.

Evaluating the impacts of vehicle-mounted Variable Message Signs on passing vehicles: implications for protecting roadside incident and service personnel

Are first responders prepared for electric vehicle fires? A national survey.

Do first responders trust connected and automated vehicles (CAVs)? A national survey

Intersecting security, equity, and sustainability for transformation in the Anthropocene

Review of counterfactual land change modeling for causal inference in land system science.

Coupling Agent-Based Simulation and Spatial Optimization Models to Understand Spatially Complex and Co-Evolutionary Behavior of Cocaine Trafficking Networks and Counterdrug Interdiction

Determination of Multi-Component Failure in Automotive System using Deep Learning

Sustainable Development Goals in BRICS and G7 countries: Increasing accomplishments through policy synergies in four dimensions

Severity analysis of crashes involving in-state and out-of-state large truck drivers in Alabama: A random parameter multinomial logit model with heterogeneity in means and variances

Behavioral Pathway Analysis of Pedestrian Injury Severity in Pedestrian-Motor Vehicle Crashes

Relative Safety Assessment for Positioning Children in Vehicles with Varying Levels of Advanced Safety Technologies

How is automated and self-driving vehicle technology presented in the news media?

Liu, J., Fu, X., Hainen, A., Yang, C., Villavicencio, L., Horrey, W.J.

Journal

Journal of Building Engineering

Sustainability

Sensors

Sensors

Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems

Liu, J., Xu, N., Shi, Y., Barnett, T., Jones, S. ScienceDirect

Liu, J., Xu, N., Shi, Y., Rahman, M.M., Barnett, T., Jones, S.

Magliocca, N. R.

Magliocca, N.R., Dhungana, P., Sink, C.D.

Magliocca, N.R., Price, A.N., Mitchell, P.C., Curtin, K.M, Hudnall, M., McSweeney, K.

O’Donnell, J., Yoon, H.-S.

Ofori, E.K., Appiah-Opoku, S.

Transport Policy

Anthropocene

Journal of Land Use Science

Taylor and Francis Online

J. Comput. Inf. Sci. Eng.

Sustainable Development

Okafor, S., Adanu, E.K., Jones, S.

Okafor, S., Liu, J., Adanu, E., Jones, S.

Penmetsa, P., Adanu, E.K., Lidbe, A., Li, X., Nambisan, S., Jones, S.

Penmetsa, P., Okafor, S., Adanu, E.K., Hudnall, M., Ramezani, S.B., Holiday, S., Jones, S.

Heliyon

Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Future Transportation

Technology in Society

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Title Authors

Dedicated lanes for connected and automated vehicles on freeways: a simulation study

Deep relocating option policy for optimal ride-hailing vehicle repositioning

A Physics-Based Longitudinal Driver Model for Automated Vehicles

Purposeful Communication in Human-Robot Collaboration: A Review of Modern Approaches in Manufacturing

Theoretical Development and Numerical Validation of an Asymmetric Linear Bilateral Control Model: Case Study for an Automated Truck Platoon

Sensitivity of Traffic Speed to Rainfall, Weather, Climate, and Society

Improving mobility and infrastructural connectivity on college campus for commuting students: a case study from the US

Optimization of rain gauge networks: A systematic literature review

Gradual cooperative coverage models for optimally locating rain gauges on an urban transportation network

Synchronizing tasks for distributed learning in connected and autonomous vehicles

Association between driving frequency and well-being among older adults

Key factors affecting motorcycle-barrier crash severity: an innovative cluster-regression technique

Recent advancements in sustainable aviation fuels

Understanding active transportation accessibility's impacts on polycentric and monocentric cities' housing price

Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrain Control

Using Offline-Online Hybrid Deep Reinforcement Learning Strategy

Control of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrain Using Offline-Online Hybrid Reinforcement Learning

Localizing safety performance functions for twoway STOP-controlled three-leg intersections on rural two-lane two-way roadways in Alabama

Envisioning a Shared Low-Speed Light-Weight Autonomous Mobility System on Continuous Pedestrian Access Routes: A Case Study in Tuscaloosa

Towards a Machine Learning-aided Metaheuristic Framework

Journal

Poptic, S.M., Penmetsa, P., Liu, J., Tedla, E., Hainen, A., Nambisan, S. ATS International Journal

Qian, X., Guo, S., Aggarwal, V.

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies

Rahman, M., Islam, M., Chowdhury, M., Khan, T. IEEE Access

Salehzadeh, R., Gong, J., Jalili, N. IEEE Xplore

Salek, M.S., Chowdhury, M., Rahman, M., Dey, K., Islam, M.R. ACM Digital Library

Salvi, K. A., Kumar, M., Hainen, A. Weather, Climate, and Society

Schnarre, E., Appiah-Opoku, S., Weber, J., Jones, S. Urban, Planning and Transport Research

Simoyama, F., Croope, S., Neto, L., Santos, L.

Socio-Economic Planning Sciences

Simoyama, F.d.O., Croope, S., Tomás, L.R., Curtin, K.M., Price, A.N., Neto, L.L.d.S, Bacelar, L., Santos, L. Expert Systems with Applications

Subedi. P., Yang, B.; Hong, X.

Suntai, Z., Kubanga, K., Lidbe, A., Adanu, E.K.

Tamakloe, R., Das, S., Adanu, E.K., Park, D.

Undavalli, V., Olatunde, O.G.B., Boylu, R., Wei, C., Haeker, J., Hamilton, J., Khandelwal, B.

Yang, Z., Li, X., Guo, Y., Qian, X.

Yao, Z., Yoon, H.S.

Yao, Z., Yoon, H.S., Hong, Y.K.

Zhang, Z., Liu, J., Li, X., Fu, X., Yang, C., Jones, S.

Zhang, Z., Nie, Q., Liu, J., Jones, S.

Zhifeng, X., J. Zhi, Keskin, B.B.

Journal of Communications and Networks

Aging & Mental Health

Transportmetrica A: Transport Science

Progress in Aerospace Sciences

Research in Transportation Economics

SAE International

Energies

Accident Analysis & Prevention

SSRN

Computers & Operations Research

Awarded Grants

Title

Tasks 1 and 2 Under Pre-Application 20-0907: Cooperative Agreement: Linking Structure to Property

NRT: Alabama Collaborative for Contemporary Education in Precision Timing

DOR MVTRIP FY23

Center or Department

Manufacturing at the Point of Need Center

Physics and Astronomy; Mathematics; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Communication Studies; Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies

Center for Advanced Public Safety

Collaborative Research: IUSE: A Data-Driven Employer-Academia Partnership for Continual Computing Curricular Change Alabama Transportation Institute

Flexible Bus Node Prototype Design Support

Community-driven Regional Mobility Engine for Accessible and Equitable Multi-modal Public Transportation in Central Alabama

ADECA 402 FY23 Data and Information Technology Support for Alabama Traffic Safety Programs

MS: eCite/eCrash Maintenance & Support FY23

Biomolecular regulated carbonation pathway to process calcium-rich alkaline industrial wastes into supplementary cementitious materials (BioCarb)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Center for Transportation Operations, Planning, and Safety; Transportation Policy Research Center

Lemmon RCT Systems, Inc.

Qian

Center for Advanced Public Safety Rhonda Stricklin Alabama Department of Economic & Community Affairs $1,070,101.00

Center for Advanced Public Safety Chastin Qualls Mississippi Department of Public Safety $1,008,742.00

Center for Sustainable Infrastructure

NSF Engines: Type-1: The MAGNET Engine: A Domestic Supply Chain Ecosystem for Electric Vehicles Alabama Mobility and Power Center

NextGen Alabama Traffic Monitoring Program

Center for Transportation Operations, Planning, and Safety; Transportation Policy Research Center

ALGO Product Suite FY23 Center for Advanced Public Safety

NSF Convergence Accelerator Track I: Revolutionizing the manufacture of Portland cement concretes towards a circular and carbon-negative future

Center for Sustainable Infrastructure

SAI: Integrating cognitive, social, and engineering principles for largescale planning of public charging infrastructure Transportation Policy Research Center

Novel Thermal Management Solutions for Advanced Power Converter Applications

and Computer Engineering

Tedla

Newman

Department of Transportation $993,722.00

Department of Transportation

Awarded Grants

Title Center or Department

FY23 ALEA System Sustainment

Center for Advanced Public Safety

ADECA 405c FY23 Traffic Safety Technology Development Projects Part 1 Center for Advanced Public Safety

Module Characterization and Modeling Year 3 Electrical and Computer Engineering

Transforming CMV Partnerships and Data Driven Enforcement in the Southeast Region Center for Advanced Public Safety

REU Site: Security of Emerging Networks

Reducing Compressor Station Methane Emissions through Advanced Lean Burn Combustion Employing Radical Ignition and Feed-Forward Cycle Control

Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities

Alabama Mobility and Power Center; Center for Transportation Operations, Planning, and Safety

Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies

Center for Transportation Operations, Planning, and Safety; Transportation Policy Research Center

Secure Centralized Drug Data Analytics Repository Institute of Data and Analytics

A Physics-based Machine Learning Approach for Predicting Failure in Airframe Structural Components Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics

NSF-IPA Year 3

Exploring Large-Scale Crowdsourced Connected Vehicle Data to Support Alabama Transportation Decision-Making

Center for Sustainable Infrastructure

Center for Transportation Operations, Planning, and Safety; Transportation Policy Research Center

AM Characterization for DSS Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

ADECA FY23 Evaluation of Click It or Ticket

Integrated Modeling for Road Condition Prediction - Phase 5

Center for Advanced Public Safety; Transportation Policy Research Center

Center for Transportation Operations, Planning, and Safety; Center for Advanced Public Safety; Transportation Policy Research Center

Making the Hidden Visible: Accelerated Land-Use Change and Degradation Caused by Narco-Trafficking In and Around Central America's Protected Areas Geography

MV SIC Power Conditioning Systems for MW-Scale Machine and Grid Interfacing - Phase II

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Department of Economic & Community Affairs

Lemmon

Transportation

Alsharif

Roy Air Force Office of Scientific Research

Liang

Liu

Magliocca

Department of Transportation

Lemmon

Department of Economic & Community Affairs

Aeronautics & Space Administration

Awarded Grants

Title

ADECA 405c FY23 Traffic Safety Technology Development Projects Part 2

FY 23 eCrash Data Collection and Processing System for the State of Louisiana Phase 4

FW-HTF-P: Augmenting first responders' task performance for the future electric vehicle emergency responses

Developing a Near-Miss Reporting System for Roadside Responders

or Department

for Advanced Public Safety

for Advanced Public Safety;

for Sustainable Infrastructure

for Transportation Operations, Planning, and Safety; Transportation Policy Research Center

ER Crime Data Reporting Analysis: Special Emphasis Project Institute of Data and Analytics

Aviation Fuels from Biomass Derived Ethanol

Development of Safety Performance Functions for Urban and Suburban Multilane Highways in Georgia

ARL Congression FY22 Task 1.3

Strengthen Alabama Homes (SAH) enhancements to the web application FY23

and Biological Engineering

for Transportation Operations, Planning, and Safety; Transportation Policy Research Center

at the Point of Need Center

for Advanced Public Safety

IUCRC Phase II Center for Efficient Vehicles and Sustainable Transportation Systems Electrical and Computer Engineering

Linking Structure to Environmental Performance of MIL-STD-46100 Steel Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries General Maintenance & Deployment Agreement FY23

ALDOT Legal Bureau CRS Application Hosting & Maintenance Tasks FY23

Alabama Voluntary Disclosure & Nexus Questionnaire Support FY23

Development of Economical Ultra-High Performance Concrete with Local Materials

ALDOT Local Road MIRE Pilot (Master A14-0006)

Strengthen Alabama Homes (SAH) web application hosting and support FY23

Institute

for Advanced Public Safety

for Advanced Public Safety

for Sustainable Infrastructure

for Transportation Operations, Planning, and Safety

for

Hong National Science Foundation

Kubacki

Founders' Society of America $99,775.00

Department of Economic & Community Affairs

Smith

Department of Transportation $75,007.00

Awarded Grants

Title

FY23 Georgia Department of Public Safety - Motor Carrier Compliance Division Continued Support and Updates

myDHR FY23

ADFS DNA Tracker FY24

Reducing security risks from the intersectionality of wildlife trafficking and biosafety from zoonotic pathogens in Africa's Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area

Mobility-Adaptive, Cross-Layer Protocols for Airborne Networks with Single-/Multi-Beam Directional Antennas

Neural-Network based MTPA, Flux-Weakening, and MTPV Control for IPM Motors and Drives

Hosting and Maintenance FY23

Extreme Events Modifications

Rivercane Conservation Planning for Bird Habitat and the Southeastern Conservation Adaptation Strategy Blueprint: An Indigenous Approach to Habitat Conservation

MBUSI Sludge Analysis

Task 8: ADOR Atlas Alabama Support FY23-24 (Master A20-0084)

REU Supplement Fabrication and Measurement of Perovskite Solar Cells

REU Supplement

REU Supplement for InteractiveRF: Fully-Adaptive, Physics-Award RF-Enabled Cyber-Physical Human Systems

Proof-of-Concept Evaluation of Repeatable Self-healing Composites for Space Platform Applications

or Department

for Advanced Public Safety

for Advanced Vehicle Technologies

and Computer Engineering

for Advanced Public Safety; Alabama Water Institute

and Soft Materials Research Center

for Advanced Public Safety

Mobility and Power

Mobility and Power Center

for Social Science Research

Engineering and Mechanics

Faculty Affiliates

CAPSTONE COLLEGE OF NURSING

Lee Bratcher

Assistant Professor

Gwen Hooper Associate Professor

Abby G. Horton Assistant Professor

Suzanne Prevost Professor

Aylin Akca Sumengen Assistant Professor

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Shanlin Pan Professor Geography

Seth Appiah-Opoku Professor

Kevin Curtin Professor Director, Lab for Location Sciences

Nicholas Magliocca

Associate Professor

Ashleigh Price PhD Student

Changzhen Wang

Dean’s Postdoctoral Research Associate

Joe Weber Professor

Physics and Astronomy

Adam Hauser Associate Professor Political Science

David L. Albright University Distinguished Professor Psychology

Jeffrey G. Parker Associate Professor

COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SCIENCES

Journalism and Creative Media

Jiyoung Lee Assistant Professor

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics

Samit Roy Professor

Chemical and Biological Engineering

James Harris Assistant Professor

Zhongyang Wang Assistant Professor

Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering

Sriram Aaleti Associate Professor

Armen Amirkhanian Assistant Professor

Saahastaranshu Bhardwaj Assistant Professor

Staff, Center for Sustainable Infrastructure

Prabhakar Clement Director, Center for Water Quality Research

Alex Hainen Assistant Professor

Steven Jones Professor

Jonghun Kam Assistant Professor

Michael Kreger Drummond Chair

Mukesh Kumar Associate Professor

Daan Liang Professor Director, Center for Sustainable Infrastructure

Jun Liu

Assistant Professor

Hamed Moftakhari Assistant Professor

Xinwu Qian Assistant Professor

Mizanur Rahman Assistant Professor

Siyuan Song Assistant Professor

Wei Song Associate Professor

Dan Turner Professor Emeritus Former Director, UTCA

Jialai Wang Professor Staff, Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Computer Science

Ahmad Alsharif Assistant Professor

Travis Atkinson Assistant Professor

Jeffery Carver Professor

Brandon Dixon Associate Professor Faculty, Center for Advanced Public Safety

Xiaoyan Hong Associate Professor

Lina Pu Assistant Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering

Bharat Balasubramanian Professor Executive Director, Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies

Mark Cheng Professor

Yang-Ki Hong

E. A. Larry Drummond Endowed Chair of Computer Engineering Director, Center for Efficient Vehicles and Sustainable Transportation Systems

Fei Hu Professor

Nathan Jeong Assistant Professor

M. Can (John) Kisacikoglu Assistant Professor

Dawen Li Professor

Shunqiao Sun Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering

Ajay Agrawal Professor

Shahriar Amini Associate Professor

Joshua Bittle Assistant Professor Associate Director, Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies

Keivan Davami Assistant Professor

Hyun Jin Kim Assistant Professor

Kasra Momeni Associate Professor

Sree Kalyan Patiballa Assistant Professor

Paul Puzinauskas Associate Professor

Krishna Shah Assistant Professor

Faculty Affiliates

Kalyan Srinivasan

Associate Professor

Hwan-Sik Yoon

Associate Professor

Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Luke Brewer

Associate Professor

Greg Thompson

Professor

Director, Alabama Analytical Research Center

Ruigang Wang

Associate Professor

Qiang Zhang

Assistant Professor

CULVERHOUSE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research

Laura Myers

Senior Research Scientist

Lawrence “Lars” Powell Director

Center for Business and Economic Research

Samuel Addy

Associate Dean for Economic Development Outreach & Senior Research Economist

James (Jim) Cochran

Associate Dean for Research

Vishal K. Gupta

Associate Professor

Ahmad Ijaz

Executive Director, Center for Business & Economic Research Director of Economic Forecasting Economics, Finance, and Legal Studies

Alecia Cassidy

Assistant Professor

Traviss Cassidy

Assistant Professor

Cary Deck Professor

Bidgood Chair of Economics and Finance TIDE Lab Staff

Erik Johnson

Assistant Professor

Information Systems, Statistics, and Management Sciences

Iman Dayarian

Assistant Professor

Matthew Hudnall

Assistant Professor

Assoc. Director, Institute of Data & Analytics

Burcu Keskin

Associate Professor

Jason Parton

Assistant Professor

Director, Institute of Data & Analytics

Mesut Yavuz

Associate Professor

Management

Peter Harms

Assistant Professor

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Educational Leadership, Policy & Technology Studies

Heewon Jang

Assistant Professor

Educational Studies

Joni Lakin Professor

OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Alabama Water Institute

Mike Gremillion Director, Global Water Security Initiative

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

Laura Hopson

Associate Professor

Mary Sebrena Jackson

Associate Professor

Associate Dean, Educational Programs and Student Services

Karen Johnson

Assistant Professor

Hee Yun Lee Professor

Endowed Academic Chair

Hyunjin Noh

Associate Professor

89 Faculty 7 Colleges 19 departments 11 labs, Centers & Institutes