Center for Environmental Research and Technology

CE-CERT Attends 2024 TRB Meeting, Secures Win in U.S. DOT Intersection Safety Challenge

CE-CERT has kickstarted 2024 on a high note as 12 faculty and students attended the 2024 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting held in Washington, D.C. from January 7-11. The meeting brought together thousands of transportation experts for a comprehensive exploration of the latest developments in the field, featuring over 600 workshops, sessions, and poster presentations. Our CE-CERT crew made over 13 presentations during the conference. One of the highlights of the TRB event was the announcement of the winners in the first stage of the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Intersection Safety Challenge Stage 1A, marking the beginning of an exciting journey.

Amongst the distinguished winners was UCR’s CE-CERT, recognized for the submission titled "Safety Assurance System for Vulnerable Road Users at Signalized Intersections (SAINT)." CE-CERT proudly showcased its Smart Intersection research in collaboration with the City of Riverside. This transformative project converts a six-mile stretch of University Avenue into an "innovation corridor," integrating connected vehicles, traffic signals, vehicle-to-grid interaction, and advanced air quality sensors. The initiative aims to benefit California's disadvantaged communities by creating a healthy, efficient, and integrated city. This award will allow CE-CERT to expand the intersection further and conduct cutting-edge research.

“This is a huge win for us and speaks volumes about the hard work of our CE-CERT team! We're looking forward to the project's potential to make intersections safer and contribute to sustainable mobility solutions." - Dr. Guoyuan Wu, CE-CERT Research Faculty and PI of SAINT

The U.S. DOT Intersection Safety Challenge encourages new technologies to address unsafe conditions at intersections involving vehicles and vulnerable road users. In Stage 1A, 120 concept papers were submitted, with 15, including UC Riverside, selected for $100,000 prizes and an invitation to Stage 1B: System Assessment and Virtual Testing. In Stage 1B, teams will develop algorithms for the detection, localization, and classification of road users.

This achievement sets the stage for an impactful year ahead for CE-CERT. As CE-CERT continues to lead in the advancement of transportation research, the integration of technology and safety remains a central focus in shaping the future of our roadways.