Optimizing urban mobility: A data-driven approach to strategic Mobility Hub placement

2025-01-13T23:02:12-08:00

Cities desirous of developing a multi-modal mobility platform would need to provide travelers with seamless information about and access to a range of emerging mobility options, such as fixed-route or flex-route public transit, micro-transit, ride-sharing, car rentals, bike-sharing, scooters, moped, and walking routes. Those options altogether have potential to improve accessibility to essential resources regarding employment, health care and food. This research acquires mobility service data to understand travel behavior in choosing mobility options, optimize design of such a platform by optimally placing mobility hubs with multiple mobility options, with the ultimate goals of improving accessibility, sustainability and efficiency for underserved populations.

Optimizing urban mobility: A data-driven approach to strategic Mobility Hub placement2025-01-13T23:02:12-08:00

Shifting Spaces: Understanding Land Use and Zoning Adaptations for the Autonomous and Shared Mobility Era

2025-01-13T23:02:13-08:00

As autonomous vehicles (AVs) and shared mobility gain traction, there’s an urgent need to quantify their land use impacts and reassess zoning requirements. The demand for traditional auto-serving facilities like gas stations, repair shops, and car dealerships is expected to wane, while the need for new types of spaces, such as fleet servicing centers and storage, will rise. This shift also redefines the layout and size of freight logistics areas to accommodate the integration of AV technology. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for urban planners and policymakers as they adapt zoning regulations to meet the evolving needs of urban landscapes. This research aims to provide concrete data on land use changes and identify zoning adjustments that support the transition towards a future where AVs and shared mobility solutions are prevalent, helping cities prepare for a sustainable and efficient transformation in urban land utilization.

Shifting Spaces: Understanding Land Use and Zoning Adaptations for the Autonomous and Shared Mobility Era2025-01-13T23:02:13-08:00

Developing a Safety-Centric Framework for the Integration of Autonomous Vehicles in Local Jurisdictions

2025-01-13T23:02:13-08:00

The rapid advancement of autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant safety challenges for local jurisdictions. Recent approvals by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for companies like Waymo to operate highly automated vehicle services in Los Angeles and San Francisco have ignited substantial public concern over safety and regulatory inconsistencies. This project proposes the development of a safety-centric, risk-based management framework to facilitate the at-scale integration of AVs into existing transportation systems while ensuring public safety is paramount. By engaging stakeholders, analyzing current policies, and collaborating with transportation authorities such as the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA), we aim to identify performance metrics, risk tolerance levels, and deployment criteria that decisionmakers may consider. The framework may help local/state agencies understand and implement the good safety management practices for AV integration, balancing innovation with public welfare. Outcomes will include comprehensive policy considerations, refined safety performance metrics, and an enhanced AV safety framework tailorable for local jurisdictions.

Developing a Safety-Centric Framework for the Integration of Autonomous Vehicles in Local Jurisdictions2025-01-13T23:02:13-08:00

Modeling and Simulation Testbeds: A Sandbox for Analysis of New Mobility Deployed at Scale

2025-01-13T23:02:13-08:00

In the absence of extensive real-world data on operational strategies and new mobility solutions, including automated vehicles and emerging mobility options, the adoption of modeling and simulation testbeds emerges as a pivotal tool for evaluation at scale. However, while there is a substantial body of research on modeling and simulating new mobility solutions, much of this work remains theoretical and disconnected from the practical needs of practitioners and policymakers. There is a critical need for more applicable, robust, and validated simulation testbeds that can bridge the gap between research and real-world applications. These testbeds should be designed to meet the specific requirements of practitioners and policymakers, enabling them to evaluate new mobility solutions effectively and make informed decisions to improve accessibility, efficiency and sustainability of transportation systems.   

Modeling and Simulation Testbeds: A Sandbox for Analysis of New Mobility Deployed at Scale2025-01-13T23:02:13-08:00

Will New Mobility Services Fill Transit Service Gaps? (Phase 1)

2025-01-13T23:02:11-08:00

Transit accessibility remains an issue for many residents, particularly in low-income and minority areas. Additionally, empty buses run during off-peak or late-night hours and in suburban areas to meet coverage requirements, often resulting in inefficient resource allocation. This project will assess the potential for new mobility services (e.g., AVs and micromobility) to fill gaps in transit service and improve operational efficiency. 

Will New Mobility Services Fill Transit Service Gaps? (Phase 1)2025-01-13T23:02:11-08:00

Accessible Rendezvous with Automation at the Curb

2025-01-13T23:02:11-08:00

Autonomous vehicles, both individual and shared shuttles, offer significant mobility benefit to people with disabilities and others who lack use of a personal vehicle. However, they may also exacerbate existing barriers to human-driven shared ride services, such as policy violations, rendezvous failures, and poor curb location selection. We seek to address these barriers by identifying considerations for decisionmakers and service providers.

Accessible Rendezvous with Automation at the Curb2025-01-13T23:02:11-08:00
Go to Top