Infrastructure Provision

The NCST develops and assesses strategies that reduce GHG emissions as well as criteria pollutants, water and soil pollution, and other environmental impacts associated with infrastructure provision and systems operation, with attention to the implications for disadvantaged communities. NCST studies have explored better lifecycle use of materials and improved practices in roadway construction, maintenance, and operation. Other studies examine innovative Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) as well as connected and automated vehicle (CAV) strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while producing safety and mobility benefits. 

Simulator Evaluation of Emerging Countermeasures for Speed Management to Reduce Conflicts with Active Transportation Users

  • Principal Investigator Fengxiang Qiao, Ph.D.
  • Texas Southern University
This project will conduct a literature review and expert survey to investigate the most promising emerging technologies for advanced speed management, such as Connected and Autonomous Vehicle technologies, Advanced Driver-Assistance System messaging, Advanced Traveler Information Systems, Advanced Vehicle Location, remote sensing and detection technologies for pedestrians, bicycles, and other similar users; advanced signal timing technologies, etc.
Project Status
In Progress

Towards a Just Electric Vehicle Transition in North America: Analysis of Regional Trade and its Effects on Supply and Life Cycle Impacts

  • Principal Investigator Francisco Parés Olguín
  • University of California, Davis
With increasing electric vehicle (EV) demand, EVs have entered the international second-hand (SH) vehicle market, risking economic and environmental burdens through spent batteries. This research addresses challenges associated with the EV transition in North America.
Project Status
Complete

Understanding Real-World Brake Activity: A Key to Assessing Non-Tailpipe Emission Sources for Sustainable Transportation and Communities

  • Principal Investigator Guoyuan Wu
  • University of California, Riverside
In this study, the research team will: 1) measure real-world brake activities of a large volume of vehicles traversing major roadway segments (e.g., near signalized intersections) by leveraging advanced roadside sensing technologies, e.g., Light Detection and Ranging and/or high-definition camera, as well as deep learning-based computer vision algorithms; and 2) construct the real-world brake activity database and supplement for the non-tailpipe emissions inventory.
Project Status
Complete

What Makes Complete Streets Projects Work?

  • Principal Investigator Elisa Barbour, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
This project will assess community reactions to complete streets projects that repurpose vehicular travel lanes or parking spaces for bicycle lanes, sidewalks or other pedestrian amenities, and/or transit-only or transit-priority lanes.
Project Status
In Progress

Wildlife Connectivity and Which Median Barrier Designs Provide the Most Effective Permeability for Wildlife Crossings

  • Principal Investigator Fraser Shilling, Ph.D.
  • University of California, Davis
This research consists of two primary objectives: identifying opportunities, information gaps, existing resources and research needs by engaging non-government organizations, the California Department of Transportation, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists who expressed interest in working on this project; and with input from these biologists, conduct a preliminary investigation for at least 10 sites, each with concrete median barriers, cable guards or thrie-beam barriers, and vegetated/developed medians, for comparison of rates of wildlife-vehicle collisions with large and all wildlife, as indicators of wildlife connectivity.
Project Status
Complete
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