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PacTrans News

• January 10, 2024

  Recap: Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2024 and CUTC Awards Banquet

  On January 7-11, 2024, PacTrans attended the 2024 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Organized by TRB, a division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, this annual meeting brings together transportation professionals, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders from all across the globe to explore the latest advancements and address key challenges facing the transportation sector.

  During the event, PacTrans’ Director, Professor Yinhai Wang, chairs AED50: Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing Applications committee. During this year’s meeting, his committee was honored with the 2024 Blue Ribbon Award in Leadership for its comprehensive enhancements to management and operations, which propelled the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced computing technologies while fostering the growth of the AI workforce within transportation.

  Furthermore, PacTrans showcased our contributions through a variety of engagements, including workshops, podium sessions, poster sessions, and student competitions. In total, PacTrans faculty and student researchers presented in over one hundred such activities. Of note, the workshop “Shaping the Future: ChatGPT and Other AI Technologies in the Transportation Industry” attracted significant attention, underscoring the success of PacTrans’ efforts on the topic of AI.

  In parallel with the TRB meeting, the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) Awards Banquet was hosted the Saturday evening before the annual meeting began. This banquet aims to honor the outstanding students and faculty who are shaping and advancing university transportation research with federal funding. At this event, PacTrans was presented with the 2024 Technology Transfer Leadership Award, shining light on our commitment to knowledge dissemination and practical applications.

  Additionally, PacTrans had the opportunity to recognize one of its own. Logan Scott-Deeter from Oregon State University was named the PacTrans CUTC Student of the Year. This award is given based on a student’s technical merits and research capabilities, academic performance, and leadership.

  On Tuesday evening, PacTrans had the privilege of hosting a Region 10 Reception, alongside our partners: Portland State University, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Idaho, University of Washington, and Washington State University. This gathering provided the opportunity for us to connect and listen to transportation professionals in a convivial atmosphere conducive to meaningful connections. PacTrans is grateful to all of our collaborators, external partners, alumni, faculty, and students who joined us for the reception. During the reception, PacTrans presented this year’s recipient of the 2023 Michael Kyte Region 10 Outstanding Student of the Year Award. This year’s award went to Chenxi Liu of the University of Washington.

• December 15, 2023

  JANUARY 3: Transportation Guest Speaker Prateek Bansal on Cognitive Psychology and Behaviour Modelling

  

• December 11, 2023

  JANUARY 9: You’re Invited to the Region 10 Reception

  

• October 23, 2023

  NOVEMBER 7: PacTrans Seminar on Intelligent Evaluation of Transportation Infrastructure with Kelvin Wang

  

• October 15, 2023

  Recap: 10th Annual 2023 Region 10 Transportation Conference

  

  On October 13, 2023, Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans) Region 10 University Transportation Center, the Center for Safety in Transportation (CSET) Tier 1 University Transportation Center, the UW Mobility Innovation Center (MIC), and the UW College of Built Environments Technology Community of Practice held the 10th Annual 2023 Region 10 Transportation Conference. This is the premier forum for transportation research in the Pacific Northwest where we hear from leaders in transportation, showcase innovation in technology and research, provide a means for collaboration, and advance the transportation workforce.

  

  The theme of this year’s conference was Bridging People and Technology for Improved Mobility and Safety. The conference started with a keynote address from Laura Ruderman, Chief Executive Officer of Technology Alliance, highlighting the intersection of education, research, and entrepreneurism. In the afternoon, there was also a plenary talk from Professor Fred Mannering, Executive Director at the Center for Urban Transportation Research, Program Director of Driver Behavior, Human Factors and Safety Analytics, and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida. Professor Mannering spoke about data analytics and the promise of artificial intelligence to improve highway safety.

  A series of technical breakout sessions followed with topics such as How Infrastructure Managers need to think about Cybersecurity organized by the UW College of Built Environments, Advancing Complete Streets organized by ITE Washington, and Operationalizing Transportation organized by WTS Puget Sound.

  We also held a Poster Session where PacTrans researchers had the opportunity to showcase their sponsored projects to the general conference audience.

  

  Toward the end of the event, PacTrans also presented our annual awards:

  • Mark Hallenbeck, Washington State Transportation Center, won the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award for his distinguished career in transportation in the Pacific Northwest with substantial involvement in the UTC Program.
  • Haizhang Wang, Ph.D., Oregon State University, won the 2023 Outstanding Research Award for outstanding research with significant outcomes, incorporating meaningful student contributions, and robust community service/leadership involvement.
  • Anne Vernez Moudon, Ph.D., University of Washington, won the 2023 Outstanding Educator Award in recognition of sustained outstanding teaching including mentoring, advising, and innovative teaching techniques. 
  • Billy Connor, P.E., University of Alaska Fairbanks, won the 2023 PacTrans Excellence in Technology Transfer Award for effective partnerships and collaboration with outside industries, innovative marketing of newly developed technologies, and successful implementation of search results.
  • Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities won the 2023 PacTrans Partner of the Year Award for outstanding collaboration in research, sponsorships, mentor/internship opportunities, event participation/facilitation, or assistance with technology transfer initiatives.

   

  The 10th Annual 2023 Region 10 Transportation Conference was a resounding success, bringing together leaders and researchers, to explore the intersection of people and technology in advancing mobility and safety. With insightful keynote addresses and engaging breakout sessions, the conference served as a platform for collaboration and innovation in the field of transportation. We look forward to continued progress in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the Pacific Northwest transportation industry.