Research Grants

Validation and Enhancement of the Highway Capacity Manual’s Interchange Ramp Terminal Methodology, National Highway Cooperative Research Programs (NCHRP), Transportation Research Board, the National Academies, 02/2008 – 06/2010.

Principal Investigator: Lily Elefteriadou, University of Florida

Co-Principal Investigator: Clara Fang

The objective of this project is to enhance the analysis methods outlined in the new Chapter 26 of the HCM. This enhancement will be accomplished by validating the basic methodology and extending the methodology to handle interchanges with roundabouts at the ramp terminals and include the impacts of adjacent signalized intersections.

Characterizing Older Driver Behavior for Traffic Simulation and Emissions Modeling, New England University of Transportation Center (NEUTC), US Department of Transportation, 08/2007 – 08/2010.

Principal Investigator: Lisa Aultman-Hall, University of Vermont

Co-Principal Investigator: Clara Fang

The objective of this project is to compare the second-by-second driver behavior of older and middle aged drivers to determine if the aging population should be accounted for in traffic simulation and emission models. Field data on actual routes will be collected using in-vehicle instrumentation in Burlington VT and Hartford CT to measure and quantify the variation in lead vehicle dynamics between age groups for actual driving in real transportation networks.

A Study of Weigh Station Technologies, Connecticut Academy Science and Engineering (CASE), Connecticut Department of Transportation (completed)

Study Manager: David Pines, University of Hartford

Study Consultant: Clara Fang

The focus of the study is to identify technologies and practices that have the potential to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Connecticut weigh stations to deter the passage of overweight and unsafe vehicles across the state’s interstate highways; to increase the transit efficiency for the large fraction of trucks moving across Connecticut that are compliant with Connecticut laws and regulations; and to utilize information gathered through weigh system technologies for the multiple purposes of enforcement, highway design, pavement performance evaluations, and highway maintenance budgeting.

Information Technology Systems for Use in Incident Management and Work Zones, Connecticut Academy Science and Engineering (CASE), Connecticut Department of Transportation (Completed)

Study Manager: Clara Fang

Contending with congestion and incidents in highway work zones has been recognized as one of the priority tasks of most state transportation agencies. The goal of this study was to identify information technology systems that could be utilized in Connecticut to improve operations to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of traffic through and around work zones and incident areas. These technologies have the potential to enhance the safety of motorists and roadway workers, improve the mobility of the traveling public, and fuel conservation.

Algorithm and Simulation of Real-time Optimal Traffic Signal Control, Greenberg Faculty Research Grant, University of Hartford (Completed)

Principal Investigator: Clara Fang

The PI has proposed a real-time optimal and adaptive signal control (ROASC) to respond traffic fluctuations based on loop detectors in her doctoral thesis work. Aiming at a field-workable ROASC, this project intends to refine the current ROASC method by revisiting optimization decision network and develop a corresponding algorithm, study for selection of the parameters of the algorithm and use simulation to evaluate the performance of this new signal strategy. The preliminary results of the project were used to develop external funded proposals. Educational impact of this project was to have students involved with this ITS simulation study and promote research-led teaching.

Development of GIS-based Future Hydrogen Station, Faculty Summer Stipends, University of Hartford. (Completed)

Principal Investigator: Clara Fang

This project explores a method based upon drivers’ average travel time to a refueling station and population character in a region. A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based model is developed to relate the location of stations to the sufficient number of hydrogen stations by considering the effects of spatially-referenced factors and determining potential sites.

Methodology for Adaptive and Cooperative Traffic Signal Controls. Vincent B. Coffin Research Grant, University of Hartford. (Completed)

Principal Investigator: Clara Fang

This project proposed and studied a new “independent distributed system with adaptive cooperative intersection-to-intersection” concept for traffic signal controls in an urban transportation network.