I study driving anxiety, road safety, and intelligent transportation systems. If you’re working on a story in these areas, I’d be glad to hear from you.
Please include your outlet or project, topic, and deadline.
gongda.yu@aecom.com Email Gongda
Topics I can discuss
Young drivers, driving anxiety, and road safety
Virtual reality and driving simulation
Intelligent transportation systems and emerging mobility
Winter travel decisions and transportation information
Transportation accessibility and access to essential services
For journalists: short bio
Gongda (Conor) Yu, Ph.D., is a transportation systems engineer and researcher based in Boston. His work examines driving anxiety, road safety, intelligent transportation systems, and transportation accessibility. He combines driving simulation, behavioral research, and data analysis to study how people experience and navigate transportation systems.
Selected coverage and writing on transportation research and engineering practice.
University at Buffalo · Research feature · March 9, 2026
Understanding young driver anxiety through virtual reality
University at Buffalo highlights research I led using immersive driving simulations to examine young drivers’ experiences and responses.
University at Buffalo · Research profile · August 25, 2025
Bringing human factors into transportation safety
A profile of my research on driver behavior, simulation, and transportation safety, alongside my transition into engineering practice.
By Gongda Yu · ITE NY Upstate · Essay · 2024
The Eisenhower Interstate System: A Personal Reflection Through the Life of Connor
An essay using a fictional character’s life to explore how highway infrastructure shapes opportunity, communities, and the environment.
When nearby services are still hard to reach
AMORE Project discusses our study of transportation barriers to Medicaid administrative services, highlighting why geographic proximity alone cannot capture access across different travel modes and communities in the United States.
Andrew Crooks · Collaborator’s research blog · February 1, 2026
Driving anxiety and visual attention in young drivers
A collaborator’s account of our work on eye tracking and driving simulation.
University at Buffalo · Conference preview · January 5, 2026
Exploring the stressed-out side of driving at TRB
A preview of our team’s driving anxiety research presented at the 2026 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting.
University at Buffalo · Award announcement · September 8, 2025
Inaugural ITS-NY Dotty Drinkwater Award
Recognition of my research on young drivers and my interest in applying intelligent transportation systems to improve road safety.
University at Buffalo · Student leadership and event organization · May 7, 2024
Rebuilding UB ITE’s community and regional engagement
Coverage of UB ITE’s regional Traffic Bowl event, including my role in student leadership and event organization.
2025 Eno Leaders Development Conference
Class announcement · Conference recap
ITS-NY Annual Meeting, 2025
New York State Highway Safety Symposium, 2025
Listed in the published program for a talk on young drivers and driving anxiety.
Working on a transportation story?
I’d be glad to hear what you’re exploring.
gongda.yu@aecom.com