PacTrans News
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September 30, 2014
Tsinghua University Delegation Visits PacTrans to Discuss Smart Cities
A delegation led by Professor Zhang Yi, vice provost in global affairs, from Tsinghua University was welcomed by PacTrans and members of the University of Washington community on September 11th, 2014. The exchange brought faculty and administrators from both universities together to discuss cutting edge research in intelligent transportation and smart cities.
Professor Zhang of the Tsinghua delegation, who hosted the UW delegation in 2008 and visited the UW in 2010, expressed enthusiasm for long-term cooperation between the institutions. “I’m excited to see that seed grow,” responded Dr. Yinhai Wang, PacTrans director.
Dr. Wang led the presentation, introducing PacTrans’ research, the work of Smart Transportation Applications and Research (STAR) Lab, and important questions for research. Though there are many questions, Dr. Wang explained, the most important thing is to effectively use the data and derive effective solutions from data-driven research investigations.
It may be the “age of big data,” but certain data challenges persist, such as the quality of existing data, the sensitivity of sensors, and missing types of data. PacTrans researchers work toward solutions for these issues, including e-Science transportation framework, the Digital Roadway Interactive Visualization and Evaluation Network (DRIVE Net), and new sensor technologies for pedestrian detection and safety.
A robust discussion time following the presentation revealed a strong interest in big data, as many connected with the challenges surrounding its definition and data quality, as well as the opportunities of big data in civil and environmental engineering.
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September 22, 2014
2014 PacTrans Student Transportation Conference on October 18th, 2014
Registration is now open!
This event will attract a diverse group of 60-70 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students alike from Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Idaho, bound by a common interest in transportation engineering and planning. The theme of this year’s event is success: namely, we hope that participants will gain valuable knowledge of the skills and tools necessary to be successful in their future careers, as well as current trends in engineering, and the kinds of jobs are available for young aspiring transportation professionals. This event is free to attend for all interested students.
Register for the conference here!
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September 12, 2014
Board of Directors Convene at University of Washington
The PacTrans Board of Directors (BOD) met at the University of Washington on September 3rd, 2014 to discuss center activities, research, and technology transfer. During the full-day meeting, the BOD covered a range of matters, recounting the successes of the year thus far and establishing goals and strategies for upcoming endeavors.
The BOD reviewed the PacTrans Region 10 Conference taking place on Friday, October 17th and its student conference on the following day, and anticipates another productive and popular event. Research topics and projects were also considered under the new safety center.
With processes streamlined and responsibilities of principal investigators identified, the BOD looks forward to a successful fall.
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September 9, 2014
WSDOT and PacTrans Join for Partnership Building Event
PacTrans welcomed officials from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to the University of Washington on August 6, 2014 to build and strengthen the organizations’ partnership. Dr. Yinhai Wang, PacTrans director, presented the opportunities, strategic goals, and challenges facing the University Transportation Center.
With the theme of data-driven safety, many opportunities exist for universities, transportation agencies, and private industry to work together. Dr. Wang explained that such possibilities include establishing a collaboration platform and reforming transportation curriculum to address modern transportation requirements and challenges.
WSDOT also confirmed their participation in the PacTrans Region 10 Transportation Conference and will provide an update on their research priorities for funding at the event.
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September 5, 2014
Registration Now Open! 2014 PacTrans Regional Transportation Conference
Register online for the 2014 PacTrans Regional Transportation Conference: The IOUs of Safety – Infrastructure, Operations and Users on Friday, October 17th, 2014 at Cascade Room of Haggett Hall, University of Washington.
The PacTrans Region 10 Transportation Conference brings together the Pacific Northwest’s transportation community to network and share current research results for technology transfer and ideas for future collaboration. This year’s conference focuses on transportation safety; we will discuss research needs and developments in designing safe infrastructure, safe operations, and safe users.
Preliminary Schedule
8:30 AM Welcome
9:00 AM Keynote Address: Naturalistic Driving Study
10:00 AM Brief introductions by PIs for poster session
10:30 AM Break
11:00 AM Research Session
12:00 PM Lunch and poster session
1:00 PM Workforce Development
2:00 PM Tech Transfer
2:45 PM Break
3:00 PM Breakout Groups
4:30 PM Report Back/Closing Remarks
5:00 PM Social Hour and Networking
6:30 PM End of Conference
For more information and to register, free of cost, click here.
Registration for the Student Conference can be found here.
