Projects

• Department of Energy

  Evaluating Energy Efficiency Opportunities from Connect & Automated Vehicle Deployments Coupled with Shared Mobility in California

  With the rapid growth of information and communication technologies, Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) are deemed to be disruptive with the potential to significantly improve overall transportation system efficiency, however may increase vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Further, shared mobility systems are another disruptive force that is reshaping our travel patterns, with the potential to reduce VMT. CE-CERT has embarked on a two-year research project is to extensively collect data from vehicles and associated infrastructure equipped with CAV technologies from both real-world experiments and simulation studies mainly deployed in California, and develop a comprehensive framework for evaluating energy efficiency opportunities from large-scale (e.g., statewide) introduction of CAVs and wide deployment of shared mobility systems under a variety of scenarios. To quantify the combined impact of CAV and shared mobility on travel behavior, traffic performance and energy efficiency, a mesoscopic simulation-based model has been developed for mobility and energy efficiency evaluation considering the disruptive transportation technologies. For further details, see summary report. 
   

  Lead Researchers: Dr. Matthew Barth, Dr. Peng Hao, Dr. Shams Tanvir, Dr. Guoyuan Wu, Dr. Chao Wang

• Innovative Mobility Program: Micromobility Research

  Coordinated Operation of Shared Micro-mobility for a Sustainable City Transportation System 

  Shared use fleet services of bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters are expanding rapidly in urban areas across the US. In 2018, this emerging form of mobility, often termed as ‘shared micro-mobility’ (SMM), generated 84 million trips in the United States. However, unrestricted operation of SMM poses challenge to the local agencies in terms of safety, asset management, and equity. In the past year, 44 pieces legislations were considered by states across the US to delineate SMM policies. In most cases, these policies are informed by a small number of studies based on limited quantitative information. Determining the specifics of policies is often difficult for city managers amidst uncertainties around impacts of SMM and potential conflicts in inter-agency policy objectives. The trade-off between system level benefits and risks of SMM needs further investigations. In this proposed project, we will 1) synthesize and inventory the current state and policies with specific focus on California; 2) develop an analysis framework to compare benefits and problems associated with SMM; and 3) identify opportunities for cooperative and synergistic multi-agency management of SMM to enhance transportation systems sustainability.

  Lead Researchers: Dr. Shams Tanvir, Dr. Kanok Boriboonsomsin 

• TNC Predictions and Dispatch

  Coming Soon 

• StratosShare

  StratosShare & UCR Demonstration 

  StratoShare has partnered with UCR CE-CERT to demonstrate hydrogen based car-sharing at the CE-CERT research facility. The demonstration team lead by StratosFuel will carry out the proposed HFCEV car-sharing program in the Riverside community using a small fleet of vehicles, with the support from a vehicle reservation and renting mobile application, Turo Rides. StratosFuel’s approach to offering a zero-emission car sharing service is simple: place cars within close proximity of an existing hydrogen station, advertise a zero-emission car sharing service near commuter centric communities, and utilize existing technology (StratosShare) to vet drivers and process payments. Therefore, the goal of demonstration is to increase the utilization of public hydrogen stations by implementing a HFCEV car-sharing service in the new community with no or little access to AFV, which is also very likely to be a disadvantaged community which need clean energy technologies improve air quality and economic conditions. This strategy can be accomplished with the following objectives:
  ●    Offer a zero-emission car sharing service to the public. 
  ●    Initially deploy the vehicles in disadvantaged communities. 
  ●    Deploy HFCEVs (Toyota Mirai).
  ●    Utilize StratosShare’s existing car-sharing platform.
  ●    Monitor all traveled locations and fueling points of vehicles. Use this information to compile data to track emission reduction, vehicle use, and new locations. 
  ●    On top of Toyota’s vehicle customer support, StratosFuel offers 24/7 station support, while Turo rides offers 24/7 car-sharing support. 
  ●    All vehicles are located near existing hydrogen fueling stations. These stations will serve as the vehicles designated fueling points. 
  All Stations, and vehicle parking locations are publicly accessible and can be used by anyone who reserves the vehicle through Turo Rides. 

  More info 

  Lead Researchers: Mike Todd