March 2019
UFTI Collaborates with JTA on Future of Transit Project
Jacksonville Transportation Authority Logo
The University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI) is working with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) on a project that will provide data on the impacts that connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) and shared mobility have on the transit industry. The project, which is known as “Future of Transit,” is led by UFTI’s Dr. Siva Srinivasan, who serves as the principal investigator (PI), and Dr. Ruth Steiner is the co-PI. Several UFTI staff and graduate students are also involved. Shared mobility refers to services that connect customers to drivers or vehicles (e.g. cars, bikes, scooters) and often includes automated scheduling and payment (for example Lyft and Uber). With the mobility marketplace in flux, it’s important for JTA to asses emerging technologies and business models to anticipate future transportation trends.
 
Quantifying the Benefits of Under Tie and Ballast Mats on Train Tracks
UFTI affiliates Dr. Kyle Riding and Dr. Jennifer Bridge from the UF department of civil and coastal engineering, are currently working on a project to collect data and conduct analysis on ballast breakdown and track behavior over time. Under tie mats (UTM) and under ballast mats (UBM) are often used in track systems built on stiff support structures, such as tunnels and bridges, with the intent to better distribute train loads and ultimately slow the deterioration of the ballast. By quantifying the benefit of UTM and UBM on mitigating or slowing the breakdown of ballast, recommendations may be made on future construction to reduce overall track maintenance costs. Rail companies will benefit from the reduced cost of track maintenance. 
Dr. Yinhai Wang Hosted at UFTI as Distinguished Lecturer
Dr. Yinhai Wang, a professor in transportation engineering at the University of Washington and founding director of the Smart Transportation Applications and Research Laboratory (STAR Lab), visited the UFTI on February 28, 2019, and gave a presentation to students and faculty on "Artificial Intelligence Applications in Large-Scale Transportation System Analysis". Dr. Wang's visit was hosted as part of the UFTI's Distinguished Lecturer Series.
UFTI Invites Applications for Mc Trans  Director
The Director of McTrans oversees the maintaining, enhancing, and marketing of the Highway Capacity Software. Additionally, the director will be actively involved with the I-STREET initiative, working with UFTI faculty and staff to develop educational software, and participate in the activities of professional developments such as TRB, ASCE, ASEE, and IEEEs.

New UFTI T2 Center Education/Training Specialist Patricia Turner
Patricia Turner joins the UFTI to provide training and outreach on pedestrian and bicycle safety and occupant protection. Turner previously worked as a transportation consultant, and held research positions at academic institutions in both Texas and Florida. She has conducted studies for federal and state transportation and public safety departments, and served on numerous committees to improve highway safety. Turner's published work includes studies of motorcycles, pedestrians, bicyclists, alcohol, school bus, school-age children and young and older drivers. Turner holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, European Division.  
9th Annual WTS Symposium
The WTS Florida Gator Student Chapter at the University of Florida will be hosting their annual WTS Symposium on March 28, 2019. The topic of this year's symposium is "Big Data in Transportation." The symposium will be held at the Reitz Union on the UF campus.

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