Programs & Labs
Featured Research Studies
ITS Institute research is focused on developing effective, deployable applications to improve transportation safety and efficiency
SMART-Signals
SMART-SIGNAL (Systematic Monitoring of Arterial Road Traffic and Signals) collects and archives event-based traffic signal data at multiple intersections and automatically generates real-time performance measures including travel time, number of stops, queue length, intersection delay, and level of service.
Rural Unsignalized Intersections
Rural through-stop highway intersections are the scenes of numerous fatalities and injuries every year. This research focuses on new technological solutions to improve safety.
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Teen Drivers
Young drivers are disproportionately represented in crash statistics, due to a combination of inexperience and high-risk behavior. This research develops in-vehicle systems to encourage safe driving by teens, and support effective parental supervision of inexperienced drivers.
Motorcycle Riding and BAC Impairment
Alcohol is known to disrupt the effect of neurotransmitters and impair various psychomotor skills. At present, there is sparse research on the impairing effects of alcohol on skills involved in motorcycle control. This study was designed to measure to effect of alcohol (up to BAC 0.08%) on a broad set of basic riding skills.
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Ramp Metering
Ramp metering is used to improve the flow of traffic on urban freeway systems by controlling the rate at which vehicles enter the roadway. These studies focus on evaluating and optimizing the control algorithms of ramp meters, using simulation and modeling techniques.
Transit Signal Priority
Transit signal priority uses currently available technologies such as onboard GPS and advanced traffic signal control systems to make bus transportation faster and more reliable. This research is developing and testing a prototype transit signal priority system that will subtly adjust the operation of traffic signals along transit routes so that buses carrying passengers receive fewer red signals--with minimal disruption to other traffic.
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Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Systems
BRT combines many of the advantages of commuter rail service with the flexibility and low infrastructure cost of bus transit. This research is aimed at supporting the operation of BRT routes on road shoulders or in dedicated lanes through specialized driver-assistive systems.
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Driver Assistive Technologies
Technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation and vehicle-mounted sensors, combined with knowledge of driver behavior and cognition, enable a variety of new systems to help drivers operate more safely and efficiently. These technologies are applicable to special-purpose uses such as snowplows and emergency response vehicles, as well as to private passenger vehicles.
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Transportation Security
Securing the national transportation system against crime and terrorist activity is an important component of national security. This research uses computer vision techniques to automate the monitoring of public spaces such as airports and rail terminals.