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On May 16, 2025, Traffic & Parking Control Company, LLC (TAPCO) generously donated advanced traffic equipment to UWM’s Institute for Physical Infrastructure and Transportation (IPIT), enhancing hands-on learning for civil engineering students. The donation, including a state-of-the-art SWARCO McCain 352i ATC Cabinet and accessible pedestrian crosswalk buttons, was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting event attended by TAPCO representatives, faculty, and students. This real-world equipment will be used for classroom instruction and research, supporting student development and promoting community safety. TAPCO’s partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation in traffic engineering and accessible transportation infrastructure.

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Master’s student Joely Overstreet (Civil Engineering) has been awarded the 2024–2025 Beimborn Graduate Fellowship, receiving $7,500 to support her research on improving pedestrian visibility from tall vehicles, advised by Professor Xiao Qin. Overstreet earned her BS in Civil Engineering and Mathematics from Valparaiso University in 2024.

The fellowship was established by donors Curtis C. and Maureen E. Lueck to honor Professor Emeritus Edward Beimborn, recognizing excellence in transportation research.

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Xiaowei (Tom) Shi, an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), was recently interviewed about his research into autonomous vehicle technology, particularly its applications in rural and tribal communities. This initiative is supported by a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, part of a larger $15 million allocation aimed at advancing self-driving technologies in less urbanized areas. Dr. Shi emphasized that this funding enables UWM to conduct vital testing of autonomous vehicles in rural settings, addressing unique challenges and opportunities in these regions. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the national significance of this research, citing potential improvements in safety and national security. The project’s goal is to enhance the safety and efficiency of autonomous vehicles, especially in areas with limited transportation options.

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Tom Shi, assistant professor; Xiao Qin, professor; and Yang Li, research associate, civil engineering, are partners with UW-Madison on a six-year U.S. Department of Transportation grant to explore the use of autonomous vehicles in rural areas where transportation services are limited. The college’s share of the grant is $1.4 million.

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Tom Shi’s lab at UWM are developing a data-driven system to improve road safety by tracking risky driving behaviors in real-time. Partnering with the UWM Police Department, they analyze traffic footage using deep learning algorithms to detect behaviors like distracted driving and speeding. Their system creates 3D digital maps with detailed vehicle and pedestrian data to identify unsafe road conditions, such as pedestrian hotspots where drivers fail to yield. The final goal is to develop an intervention system that provides real-time alerts for risky driving, potentially integrating C-V2X communication technology to warn drivers via a roadside unit or mobile app.

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The Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute (NMDSI) has awarded over $700,000 in grants through three annual programs that support cross-institution collaboration in data science research and education. As part of a long-term commitment, UWM, Marquette University, and Northwestern Mutual will invest $35 million over the next five years to position Wisconsin as a hub for data science and technology. Awardees from UWM include faculty and students working on AI-driven rehabilitation, rural connectivity, digital twin risk prediction, and explainable AI for healthcare. The funded programs—Paving ROADS Seed Fund, Pioneer Collaborative Curricula, and Student Research Scholars—aim to advance interdisciplinary research, integrate data science into curricula, and engage students in cutting-edge projects.

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The 2024 Southeast Wisconsin Transportation Symposium, co-hosted by UWM’s Institute for Physical Infrastructure and Transportation (IPIT) and WisDOT, brought together over 200 students, professionals, and researchers to explore innovative solutions in transportation. Key topics included pedestrian and bicyclist safety, Milwaukee’s Vision Zero program, and emerging trends in autonomous vehicles. UWM researchers Robert Schneider and Xiao Qin presented their study on rising pedestrian fatalities, offering insights into trends and potential solutions. The event featured engaging sessions, keynote speeches, and a “walk-shop” tour of UWM’s latest pedestrian facilities.

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Members of the College’s Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) student chapter received the 2024 Momentum Award at the ITE Great Lakes District annual meeting in June.

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On May 2nd, IPIT faculty Dr. Tom Shi was invited to conduct CAV demonstrations for the CV Pool Fund study coordinated by WisDOT, showcasing to audiences from various DOT colleagues from other states. Dr. Shi demonstrated how IPIT resaerchers use camera and Lidar sensors to detect moving objects and the preliminary results from one of his project funded by USDOT UTC Center for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety (CPBS): Multiple-vehicle Trajectory Planning Framework Considering Vulnerable Road Users.

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IPIT Ph.D. student Mohammad Abrari Vahari has been awarded the UWM Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship for the 2023-2024 academic year, reflecting his exceptional academic performance and dedication. He is one of the five graduate students in the College received this award this year.

The fellowships are offered through a highly selective process and are one-year, non-renewable awards. The Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship provides a stipend of $15,500 in addition to full tuition coverage, low-cost health benefits, and a $1,000 travel award. The same benefits apply to the Distinguished Dissertation Graduate School Fellowships except the stipend is $17,000.

Well done and congratulations to Mohammad!

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