Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Two New Transportation Research Circulars


The Transportation Research Board (TRB) Committee on Traffic Flow Theory and Characteristics (TFTC)found several ways to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the TFTC in 1963. The first was a workshop held January 12, 2014 at the TRB 93rd Annual Meeting that focused on traffic and transportation simulation. The workshop provided a means to explore the history, current status, and future of traffic simulation. The results are documented in TRB’s Transportation Research Circular E-C 195: Traffic and Transportation Simulation - Looking Back and Looking Ahead: Celebrating 50 Years of Traffic Flow Theory.  The second was Standing Committee on Traffic Flow Theory and Characteristics Summer Meeting and Symposium, August 11–13, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. Presentations covered fundamental diagrams, traffic flow models, traffic control, freeway traffic analysis, calibration, empirical observations of traffic analysis, networkwide modeling and control, and other paper and poster presentations. Presenters reflect on the fifty years of traffic flow theory and include an analysis of pedestrian flows and the incorporation of autonomous vehicles into traffic theory. The results are documented in TRB E-Circular 197: Celebrating 50 Years of Traffic Flow Theory. Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped organize these fantastic events!

Friday, September 18, 2015

Transportation Research Board Task Force on Transportation System Simulation (AHB80T) Inaugural Meeting

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently established a special Task Force on Transportation System Simulation (AHB80T), with Calvin Leggett, North Carolina Department of Transportation as chair. The main task of this task force is to develop a Transportation System Simulation Manual (TSSM). The task force members held their inaugural meeting in Washington, D.C. on September 17, 2015. We are looking forward to a lot of exciting work and progress ahead! Thanks to all who participated!

Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) Deployment Coalition Meeting

I was pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the meeting of the Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) Deployment Coalition hosted in Denver by the Colorado Department of Transportation, on September 9-10, 2015. Formed earlier this year, the V2I DC includes the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America). I am co-chairing the V2I Technical Working Group 2: Deployment Research with Greg Larson of Caltrans.

Handbook of Transportation Published

I am pleased to be a co-author with a number of colleagues and students on two chapters (Pedestrian Transportation and Bicycle Transportation) in the new Routledge Handbook of Transportation, published in August 2015. Sincere gratitude to co-authors Chris Monsere, Matt Downey, Todd Borkowitz, Nick Foster and Sirisha Kothuri!