Research

• Field Data Based Data Fusion Methodologies to Estimate Dynamic Origin-Destination Demand Matrices from Multiple Sensing and Tracking Technologies. NEXTRANS Center, Purdue University. Nov, 2013 – Jul,2015.

Use field data from several advanced sensor and tracking technologies to develop robust dynamic O-D estimation models. Traditional O-D estimation techniques estimate an O-D matrix from link counts and a prior O-D matrix. Recent advances in real-time traffic sensing raise the possibility of a much richer and finer database available to compute dynamic O-D matrices. This project is to develop a Bayesian network based statistical method to combine multiple sources of collected data to address the dynamic O-D estimation problem.

Hu, S-R., Liou, H-T. Peeta, S., and Zheng, H. (2014) “Determination of Network Origin-Destination Matrices Using Partial Link Traffic Counts and Virtual Sensor Information in an Integrated Corridor Management Framework”. NEXTRANS Center final report. [pdf]

• Personal Rapid Transit Network Design for the Transit Oriented Development, Funded by US DOT through Region V Regional University Transportation Center. Aug, 2013 – Aug 2014.

Developed a network design for the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) guideway layout to minimize both construction cost and users’ travel time. Formulate the model as a combined minimum Steiner tree problem and assignment problem. Propose a Lagrangian relaxation solution algorithm that can solve the large-scale network efficiently.

Zheng, H. and Peeta, S. (2014) “Design of Personal Rapid Transit Networks for Transit-Oriented Development Cities”. NEXTRANS Center final report. [pdf]

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program: VASTO – Evolutionary Agent System for Transportation Outlook. Department of Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics, University of Arizona. Jun, 2011 – Jul, 2013.

Assist to develop an agent-based transportation model which integrates social science behavior models to travelers’ route choice and driving behavior decisions. The model was applied in a set of human-factor and driver-behavior related transportation studies/scenarios (e.g., dilemma zone).

Zheng,H., Son,Y., Chiu, Y-C., Head, L., Feng, Y., Xi, H., Kim, S., and Hickman, M. (2013) “A Primer for Agent-Based Simulation and Modeling for Transportation Analysis”. Report No.: FHWA-HRT-13-054. Office of Safety Research and Development. Federal Highway Administration. FHWA Agreement Officer’s Technical Representative (AOTR): C. Y. David Yang. August, Washington, DC. [pdf]

• SHRP2 R11: Strategic Approaches at the Corridor and Network Level to Minimize Disruption from the Renewal Process, Funded by Transportation Research Board. Oct, 2010 – Jul, 2012.

Developed a work-zone scheduling framework to minimize traffic delays in work-zone administration. Provide technical assistance in polit studies to validate and/or improve the algorithm.

Pesesky, L., Ismart, D., Huffman, C., Chiu, Y-C., Zheng, H., Nava, E., Dixit, V., Wolshon, B., Radwan, E., Sampson, W., Morales, J., Perry, E., Bromage, E., Bromage, L., Matherly, D. (2012) “Strategic Approaches at the Corridor and Network Level to Minimize Disruption from the Renewal Process”. Prepared for Second Strategic Highway Program Transportation Research Board The National Academies. SHRP2 Renewal Project R11 Report. [pdf]

• Dynamic Traffic Assignment Model Development and Calibration for DRCOG Regional Network. Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona. Aug, 2011 – Aug, 2012.

Developed a regional simulation-based planning model in Denver area; applied dynamic traffic assignment methodology in mesoscopic simulation tool.

• A Platform for Evaluating Emergency Evacuation Strategies (Phase II), Arizona Transportation Research Council (ATRC), Arizona DOT, Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Arizona. Feb, 2011 – Jul 2013.

Assisted to develop effective routing of evacuees in networks with multiple threat zones involving time-varying threats in Tucson.

• A Platform for Evaluating Emergency Evacuation Strategies (Phase 1), Arizona DOT. ATLAS Center, Department of System & Industrial Engineering, University of Arizona. Dec, 2007 – Dec, 2008.

Using optimization methods, proposed the efficient strategies for emergency management given a bomb threat occurs during American Football Game, in Glendale, Phoenix.

• Disaster Preparedness for Texas, Texas DOT. Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Arizona. Aug, 2006 – Dec, 2007.

Used the data collected from Hurricane Rita to develop a comprehensive emergency management plan, including contraflow and staging plans, to support an effective evacuation in the Houston metropolitan area.