Research Activities
![Transportation Planning](../_Files/images/research/research01.jpg)
Transportation Planning
Transportation planning is a field within transportation engineering that focuses on the development, assessment, and implementation of policies, strategies, and projects related to transportation systems. It involves the systematic analysis of current transportation infrastructure, traffic patterns, and travel demand to inform decision-making processes aimed at improving mobility, accessibility, safety, and sustainability within communities and regions. As a part of TRIP, students will be introduced to and work on relevant research and practices related to traffic engineering, traffic simulation, and intersection safety analysis.
![Transportation Materials & Design](../_Files/images/research/research02.jpg)
Transportation Materials & Design
Transportation Materials & Design is a specialized field within civil engineering that focuses on the selection, design, and implementation of materials for transportation infrastructure projects. This field encompasses a range of materials, including asphalt, concrete, aggregates, steel, and polymers, which are used in the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, railways, airports, and other transportation facilities. During the TRIP, students will partake in hands-on experience in asphalt mixture design, utilizing aggregate materials and asphalt binder. This experience will go beyond theoretical knowledge, ensuring that participants actively engage in the entire process, from conceptualization to the practical application of asphalt engineering principles.
![Transportation Construction & Construction Management](../_Files/images/research/research03.jpg)
Transportation Construction & Construction Management
Transportation Construction & Construction Management is a specialized field within civil engineering that focuses on the planning, execution, and management of construction projects related to transportation infrastructure. This field encompasses a wide range of activities involved in the construction of roads, bridges, highways, railways, airports, and other transportation facilities. Each year, hundreds of Universities across North America participate in the ASCE/AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition. This competition challenges students to design and fabricate a steel bridge that meets a set of criteria and build that bridge in a timed competition. They are judged on weight, build time, construction costs, aesthetics, and the ability of the bridge to carry load. This is a fun competition which students always enjoy. The Steel Bridge competition teaches students many things, not the least of which is optimizing the design to minimize build time and cost. Participants of TRIP will partake in this engaging competition.
![Transportation – Electric Vehicles](../_Files/images/research/research04.jpg)
Transportation – Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are a key technology to decarbonize road transportation, a sector that accounts for 16% of global emissions. The number of electric vehicles (EVs) on American roadways have increased from about 22,000 to a little over 2 million over the 2011–21 decade. The intricate relationship between transportation and CO2 emissions is of growing interest as it will help pave the way for a greener future. In TRIP, participants will unravel the environmental impact of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles while uncovering the promise of electric vehicles (EVs) in curbing greenhouse gas effects. This hands-on experience is designed to raise awareness about the environmental impact of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and showcase the potential of EVs in reducing CO2 emissions.