• 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.