Projects

The National Center for Sustainable Transportation funds a variety of research grants, organized by our three research themes (Infrastructure Provision; Travel Demand; and Vehicle Technology), and by project type (applied research projects, white papers / research synthesis, seed grants, translational projects, dissertation grants, and graduate student-led research).

The Role of Environmental Concerns, Lifestyles, Mobility-Related Attitudes and Peers' Influence in Affecting Travel Behavior and Aspirations Towards the Purchase of Private Vehicles of Young Adults in California

Principal Investigator Giovanni Circella, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis

This project examines the economic, social, technological and environmental factors that affect millennials' travel behavior.

Project Status

Complete

Warehousing and Distribution Center Facilities in Southern California: The Use of the Commodity Flow Survey Microdata to Identify Logistics Sprawl and Freight Generation Patterns

Principal Investigator Miguel Jaller, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis

This work addresses an important research topic of freight modeling by analyzing the freight patterns, in terms of freight generation and logistics sprawl, of warehouses and distribution centers in Southern California.

Project Status

Complete

Assessing VTrans Employee Retention: Who Stays, Who Leaves and What to Do About It

Principal Investigator Glenn McRae, Ph.D.
University of Vermont

This study examined the state of employee retention and knowledge management in the Vermont Agency of Transportation.

Project Status

Complete

Vehicle Occupancy, Vehicle and Person Throughput, and Carpooling Demographics of SRTA’s Managed Lane Projects

Principal Investigator Randall Guensler, Ph.D.
Georgia Institute of Technology

This project studies the extension of the 1-85 HOT lanes (1-85 Extension) and the new reversible Northwest Corridor (NWC) express lanes, with special focus on vehicle occupancy, vehicle throughput, and person throughput.

Project Status

Complete

Utilizing Highway Rest Stops for Electric Vehicle Charging: Economics and Impacts on Renewable Energy Penetration in California

Principal Investigator Behdad Kiani, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis

In this project, the researchers will explore how locating charging facilities at California’s highway rest stops might impact electricity demand, grid operation, and renewable energy integration in the state's energy supply.

Project Status

Complete

Highway and Ecosystem Monitoring and Adaptation to Sea Level Rise

Principal Investigator Fraser Shilling, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis

This project uses time lapse cameras to monitor sea-level rise in both California and Georgia. Results could inform adaptational infrastructure planning as sea-level rise continues.

Project Status

Complete

Using Noninvasive Genetics to Compare how a California Freeway Affects Gene Flow in a Disturbance Averse versus a Disturbance‐Tolerant Species

Principal Investigator Andrea Schreier, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis

This project studies how road networks and species behavior can impact wildlife survival and genetic diversity.

Project Status

Complete

Using Connected Vehicle Technology for Advanced Signal Control Strategies

Principal Investigator Matthew Barth, Ph.D.
University of California, Riverside

This project uses connected vehicle technology to gather real-time traffic data for an online adaptive signal control strategy (ACS). The researchers wanted to know how effectively the ACS could reduce traffic delay and fuel consumption.

Project Status

Complete

Urban Spatial Structure and GHG Emissions

Principal Investigator Marlon G. Boarnet, Ph.D.
University of Southern California

This project studies how employment distribution can impact urban vehicle miles of travel.

Project Status

Complete

Understanding the Early Adopters of Fuel Cell Vehicles

Principal Investigator Scott Hardman, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis

This project studies the demographics, behavior, and distribution of early fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) adopters.

Project Status

Complete

Understanding Behavioral Responses of Wildlife to Traffic to Improve Mitigation Planning

Principal Investigator Fraser Shilling, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis

This project studies how sensitive species react to traffic noise and light. The researchers then apply this information to the effectiveness of wildlife crossing structures.

Project Status

Complete

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