pacific nw transportation consortium region 10 Pactrans

PacTrans director, professor Yinhai Wang, was recently honored with the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Transportation Education Council Innovation in Education Award for his dedication to bringing together students and professionals in the transportation realm.

The award recognizes those who have shown an immense amount of support and aid in the development of transportation professionals through innovative programs. For his efforts, Wang has been referred to as the “great connector” by the ITE nomination committee.

Wang founded the Smart Transportation Applications and Research (STAR) Labin 2003. The lab serves as a resource for students to rely on, allowing them to further delve into the world of transportation through problem solving, instrument and software training, and networking with transportation agencies offering real-world research opportunities.

Additionally, along with inviting guest speakers into the classroom to further inspire students and helping them secure funding for travel expenses, Wang uses his involvement with the UW ITE to encourage students to expose themselves to the larger transportation research community by attending conferences, at which they can present their own findings and build professional relationships.

Congratulations, Dr. Wang!