Hi, I am Simanta, a Master's student in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering at the University of Minnesota. I got my undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in Bangladesh. I am primarily interested in Traffic Assignment, Autonomous Signal Control and Autonomous Vehicle related research. So, Professor Levin's lab is a perfect fit for me. I like to spend my spare time by programming, gaming or by hanging out with my friends. And I love Python.
Spring 2021 - present
MS in Civil Engineering, Fall 2022
MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering, Spring 2023
MS thesis: Performance, throughput properties, and optimal location evaluation for max-pressure control
S. Barman, M. W. Levin, R. Stern, & G. Lindsey (2025). Efficient pedestrian and bicycle traffic flow estimation combining mobile-sourced data with route choice prediction. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 173, 105046.
S. Barman & M. W. Levin (2023). Throughput properties and optimal locations for limited deployment of max-pressure controls. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 150, 140105.
S. Barman & M. W. Levin (2022). Performance evaluation of modified cyclic max pressure controlled intersections in realistic corridors. Transportation Research Record, 03611981211072807.
T. Xu, S. Barman, & M. W. Levin (2024). Smoothing-MP: A novel max-pressure signal control considering signal coordination to smooth traffic in urban networks. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 166, 104760.
T. Xu, S. Barman, M. W. Levin, R. Chen, & T. Li (2022). Integrating public transit signal priority into max-pressure signal control: methodology and simulation study on a downtown network. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 138, 103614.
My name is Maziar, an M.S student in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering at the University of Minnesota. Actually, automobiles and automation are two wonderful concepts for me ever: that's why I'm here for a graduate degree! I also have a minor background in finance and project management. CAVs and Intelligent intersections will have great demand all around the world. You'll see our future pitches in this trending and demanding area. Moreover, I got my bachelor's degree from the University of Tehran in Iran. In my free time, I love everything related to hanging out and traveling. Not unlikely to visit me on another continent a few years later!
Fall 2022 - present
MS in Civil Engineering, Fall 2023
MS thesis: Incorporating lane-change prediction into energy-efficient speed control of connected autonomous vehicles at intersections
M. Zamanpour, S. He, M. W. Levin, Z. Sun (2025). Incorporating lane-change prediction into energy-efficient speed control of connected autonomous vehicles at intersections. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 171, 104968.
Hello, I'm Mobina, a Master's student in the Department of Civil, Environment, and Geo- Engineering at the University of Minnesota. I earned my bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Sharif University of Technology in Iran. I've come to realize that, in research, an issue coming from the real world should be modeled first, and then mathematical tools are needed to be applied to analyze this model, which means that solving such an issue can contribute to human life. This is the primary reason that inspired me to be a graduate student. My goal is to illuminate the path to help humans through emerging technologies, optimizing and increasing transportation reliability, efficiency, and safety worldwide, and help build a fair society that allows all people to get equal opportunities, making transportation systems equitable and accessible. In my free time, I have a passion for painting, love to travel, and enjoy spending time with friends.
Fall 2023 - present
MS thesis: Integrated traffic assignment model for evaluating shared mobility impacts on urban transportation systems
Hi everyone, I’m Maral, a Master’s student in the Department of Civil, Environment, and Geo- Engineering at the University of Minnesota. I got my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Tehran in 2023. While I’m fascinated by transportation and optimization concepts, I’m concerned about the adverse effects of civil improvements on the environment. This is why I want to work on minimizing emissions from vehicles. Moreover, I’m interested in working on the application of emerging technologies in our everyday lives, like autonomous vehicles and intersection management. In my free time, you can often find me baking up some delicious pastries, watching movies, going on trips, or even hitting the trails for some mountaineering adventures.
Fall 2024 - present
Hi, my name is Lexing Zhang, and I am currently a Master's student in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering at the University of Minnesota. I earned my bachelor's degree from Chang'an University and spent one year as an exchange student at the National University of Singapore during my senior year. My research interests include optimization in transportation networks and control problems related to autonomous vehicles. I am constantly inspired by the innovative ideas and methods presented in recent literature, and I find exploring these challenges both intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding. Joining Prof. Levin’s team has been an excellent opportunity to deepen my knowledge and skills in these areas. Outside of academics, I enjoy traveling and playing sports. These activities not only help me relax but also often spark new ideas for my research.
Fall 2025 - present
Hi, my name is Jacob, I am an undergrad student at the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota. I am primarily looking forward to my education in either Structural or Transportation Engineering. This research opportunity is perfect because it gives me more insight into what Transportation Engineering entails. In my free time I love to workout, spend time with friends, and explore the realm of Engineering.
Spring 2024 - present
Hi, my name is Julia, and I am an undergraduate student studying Civil Engineering at the University of Minnesota. I am particularly interested in transportation engineering because I am curious and passionate about the day-to-day impacts of our transportation systems and the infrastructure that makes them possible. Through this research, I'm excited to deepen my understanding of the computer tools and techniques that make transportation insights possible. In my spare time, I love sports, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Fall 2024 - present
Fall 2020 - Fall 2023
PhD in Civil Engineering, Fall 2023
MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering, Fall 2023
Current employer: Amazon.com (Research Scientist)
PhD dissertation: Boosting max-pressure signal control into practical implementation: methodologies and simulation studies in city networks
T. Xu, S. Barman, & M. W. Levin (2024). Smoothing-MP: A novel max-pressure signal control considering signal coordination to smooth traffic in urban networks. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 166, 104760.
T. Xu, Y. Bika, & M. W. Levin (2024). Ped-MP: A pedestrian-friendly max-pressure signal control policy for city networks. ASCE Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems, 150(7), 04024028.
T. Xu, M. Cieniawski, & M. W. Levin (2024). FMS-Dispatch: A fast maximum stability dispatch policy for shared autonomous vehicles including exiting passengers under stochastic travel demand. Transportmetrica A: Transport Science, 20(3), 10.1080/23249935.2023.2214968.
T. Xu, S. Barman, M. W. Levin, R. Chen, & T. Li (2022). Integrating public transit signal priority into max-pressure signal control: methodology and simulation study on a downtown network. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 138, 103614.
Summer 2019 - Fall 2022
PhD in Civil Engineering, Fall 2022
Current employer: The University of Texas-El Paso (faculty)
PhD dissertation: Planning, operation, and management of automated transportation systems: A control-theoretic approach
S. Wang, M. W. Levin, & R. Stern (2023). Optimal feedback control law for automated vehicles in the presence of cyberattacks: a min-max approach. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 153, 104204.
S. Wang, M. Shang, M. W. Levin, & R. Stern (2023). A general approach to smoothing nonlinear mixed traffic via control of autonomous vehicles. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 146, 103967.
S. Wang, A. Mahlberg, & M. W. Levin (2023). Optimal control of automated vehicles for autonomous intersection management with design specifications. Transportation Research Record, 03611981221109166.
W. Sun, S. Wang, Y. Shao, Z. Sun, & M. W. Levin (2022). Energy and mobility impacts of connected autonomous vehicles with co-optimization of speed and powertrain on mixed vehicle platoons. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 142, 103764.
S. Wang, R. Stern, & M. W. Levin (2022). Optimal control of autonomous vehicles for traffic smoothing. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 23(4), 3842–3852.
S. Wang, Z. Li, & M. W. Levin (2022). Optimal policy for integrating autonomous vehicles into the auto market. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 143, 103821.
S. Wang, M. W. Levin, & R. Caverly (2021). Optimal parking management of connected autonomous vehicles: a control-theoretic approach. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 124, 102924.
Best Dissertation Award of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering
Spring 2018 - Spring 2021
PhD in Civil Engineering, Spring 2021
Current employer: Beijing Jiaotong University (faculty)
PhD dissertation: Maximum-stability distributed control in traffic networks
J. Robbennolt, R. Chen, & M. W. Levin (2022). Microsimulation study evaluating the benefits of cyclic and non-cyclic max-pressure control of signalized intersections. Transportation Research Record, 03611981221095520.
T. Xu, S. Barman, M. W. Levin, R. Chen, & T. Li (2022). Integrating public transit signal priority into max-pressure signal control: methodology and simulation study on a downtown network. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 138, 103614.
R. Chen, J. Hu, M. W. Levin, & D. Rey (2020). Stability-based analysis of autonomous intersection management with pedestrians. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 114, 463–483.
R. Chen & M. W. Levin (2019). Dynamic user equilibrium of mobility-on-demand system with linear programming rebalancing strategy. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, (2673), 447–459.
Spring 2018 - Fall 2018
MS in Civil Engineering, Fall 2018
Current employer: Kimley-Horn
MS thesis: Integration of microsimulation and optimized autonomous intersection management
J. Olsson & M. W. Levin (2020). Integration of microsimulation and optimized autonomous intersection management. ASCE Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems, 146(9), 0000407.
Jaoting (Justin) Nie
M. W. Levin, J. Nie, & J. Grzesiak (2025). Does traveling to school before sunrise affect whether elementary school students walk or bike? Results from stated and revealed preference surveys in Minnesota. Transport Policy, 171, 476–486.
David Peterson
Yashveer Bika
Rocio Cotta Antunez (URS)
Jake Robbennolt (IOP)
Maria Cieniawski (IOP)
T. Xu, M. Cieniawski, & M. W. Levin (2024). FMS-Dispatch: A fast maximum stability dispatch policy for shared autonomous vehicles including exiting passengers under stochastic travel demand. Transportmetrica A: Transport Science, 20(3), 10.1080/23249935.2023.2214968.
Aidan Mahlberg
Rohit Sharma
Akshay Ramen
Jeffrey Hu (IOP)
Alison Lee
Zhexian Li
Michael Odell
Gabriel Fromm
Tom Harless (IOP)
Yiming Zhao
Tab Zhang (UROP)
Shaluka Samarasena
Mathias Hanssen (UI-UTC)
Tejas Choudhary
Rahul Patel (UI-UTC)
Alyssa Callin (GLUE)
Diego Neri (UI-UTC)
Hagen Fritz (GLUE)
Eby Lukose (GLUE)
Hannah Smith (GLUE)
Rebecca Hutchinson
Rachel Allensworth