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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). 

Assessment of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Policy to Increase ZEV Purchases by Fleets

  • Principal Investigator Mahdi Shams
  • University of California, Davis
This project concentrates on policy-focused research supporting the design and implementation of medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle policies with a team of researchers from UC Davis' Institute of Transportation Studies. The study focuses on policy considerations for increasing fleets’ share of ZEVs' purchases.
Project Status
In Progress

Analyzing Strategies to Improve Work Zone Safety

  • Principal Investigator Ghazaleh Jafarsalehi
  • University of California, Davis
This project aims to review the current literature on practices, reports, and manuals to outline existing safety technologies and analyze the effectiveness of the proposed procedure and strategies implemented in work zones by states.
Project Status
In Progress

Westside Mobility Study Update

  • Principal Investigator Caroline Rodier, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis

The objective of this project is to examine the implications of emerging technologies on land use, parking, and social equity policies, as well as potential impacts on the existing transit system n

Project Status
Complete

Centrally Coordinated Schedules and Routes of Airport Shuttles with LAX Terminals as Application Area

  • Principal Investigator Petros Ioannou, Ph.D.
  • University of Southern California
The purpose of this project is to develop a CENtrally COordinated Shuttle system (CENCOS) which can effectively coordinate airport shuttle schedules and routes in order to minimize curb congestion at the pick-up and drop-off points, reduce operational cost, improve quality of service with considerable benefits to mobility and environment.
Project Status
Complete

Tools and Best Practices for Land Use Efficiency and Equity in Cities

  • Principal Investigator Jesus Barajas, Ph.D
  • University of California, Davis
Prior research has either solely focused on measures of land use efficiency to reduce VMT or focused on measures of gentrification and housing affordability. This research project aims to address this gap, through the evaluation of existing tools that aims to address both land use efficiency and equity to promote sustainability and equity of the built environment.
Project Status
Complete

Routing of Battery Electric Heavy-Duty Trucks for Drayage Operations

  • Principal Investigator Maged Dessouky, Ph.D.
  • University of Southern California
In this study, the researchers will use optimization and simulation modeling to explore the impacts of using battery electric heavy-duty trucks (BEHDTs) in freight operations (e.g., fleet size) and emissions, taking into account differences in performance and refueling.
Project Status
Complete

Integrating Micromobility with Public Transportation

  • Principal Investigator Beth Ferguson
  • University of California, Davis
This project builds off of a previous project nearing completion (Designing Public Transit Stations to Enhance Access to First/Last Mile Mode Choices) by continuing stakeholder interviews, updating ArcGIS map files (bicycle lane, operator zones, transit stations), exploring travel behavior, and monitoring best practices to increase micromobility and public transit ridership post-COVID-19.
Project Status
Complete

All Aboard! Easier Transit Travel with Standardized Payments

  • Principal Investigator Susan Pike, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
This research examines the potential for the adoption of a standardized fare payment system throughout California’s transit operators; to better serve their customers and provide seamless trip-planning and payment.
Project Status
Complete

Factors Impacting Mode Share Changes in California

  • Principal Investigator Susan Pike, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
This study explores factors contributing to the decrease in biking and walking in California over the period from 2012 to 2017, as observed in comparisons of the most recent California Household Travel Survey (CHTS) and the California add-on sample of the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), respectively.
Project Status
Complete

Optimizing Bikeshare Service to Connect Affordable Housing Units with Transit Services

  • Principal Investigator Miguel Jaller, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
This project will develop a framework to optimize the location of bikeshare stations to mitigate the barriers between affordable housing and transit services. To achieve this, the multi-objective optimization process will consider both bikeshare trip demand, transit service schedule, available affordable housing units, and other geographic information.
Project Status
Complete

Understanding the Influence of Local Option Sales Tax Measures on SB 375

  • Principal Investigator Elisa Barbour, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
This research project will assess how county sales tax measures affect funding allocations and policy and program choices adopted in MPO long- and short-range plans in California’s four largest regions. With San Francisco Bay Area policymakers currently seeking to place a multi-county sales tax measure on the ballot, now is an opportune time to investigate these challenges and opportunities.
Project Status
Complete

Bicycling as a Solution to Yosemite Valley Traffic

  • Principal Investigator Susan Handy, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
Yosemite National Park attracts 4.5 million visitors a year, 60% of whom spend at least some time in Yosemite Valley where many of the park’s natural wonders are found. Bicycles have been a popular travel alternative within the valley. The purpose of this project is to explore the potential for bicycling to play a larger role in the effort to manage Yosemite Valley traffic and reduce environmental impacts.
Project Status
Complete

Studying the Impacts of the Pandemic and Future Mobility Patterns in California During the Post COVID-19 Recovery

  • Principal Investigator Giovanni Circella, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
Starting in early 2020, the world has experienced huge disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The analyses carried out in this study will shed light on the complicated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on activity participation and travel patterns, including commuting and non-commuting (e.g., discretionary) trips, and the use of various means of travel.
Project Status
Complete

Emissions Impact of Electric Vehicle Adoption on Disadvantaged Communities

  • Principal Investigator Alan Jenn, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
As electric vehicles are being adopted in relatively wealthier communities, there is a question as to whether pollution is being shifted from these communities to more disadvantaged, lower income communities which tend to be located near fossil fuel power plants. This project proposes to conduct a high-resolution accounting and measurement of the emissions and associated impacts through three phases of research.
Project Status
Complete