Research

The Smart Mobility Lab at Penn State is dedicated to understanding the dynamics of transportation systems and travelers’ behavioral adaptations in this era of emerging transportation technologies. We are modelers, programmers, and technology enthusiasts. We explore how multi-resolution behavioral decisions made by travelers (such as departure time and route choice) may be influenced by active demand management (ADM) and transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) strategies, and how these influences subsequently alter transportation system dynamics. We leverage the advanced vehicle control capabilities enabled by automated vehicle (AV) technologies to optimize transportation system performance. Furthermore, we investigate how electric vehicle (EV) technologies may reshape travel patterns and charging behaviors. Our group has conducted extensive research in these areas, supported by both government agencies (e.g., U.S. DOT, state DOTs, Department of Energy) and the private sector.

  1. Autonomous vehicles, including the development, testing, operation and simulation of self-driving technology and algorithms, and their impacts to the transportation system modeling and infrastructure preparation
    1. Our group is the home to a full-sized autonomous vehicle at PSU, with a complete suite of sensors (e.g., Lidar, Radar, GNSS and Cameras) and software to enable self-driving.
    2. We build many of our research work with a Carla-SUMO co-simulation platform, integrated with Autoware & CARMA for cooperative autonomous vehicle research.
    3. The Larson Transportation Institute (LTI) manages a full-scale test track that was designated by USDOT as one of the 10 Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds around the country for self-driving vehicle technology.
  2. Autonomous Truck Mounted Attenuators for Work Zone Safety. Our group pioneered the lead-follower autonomous vehicle system for transportation infrastructure maintenance. We support a pooled fund with FHWA and 14 State DOTs to test, develop and deploy CAV technology at work zone locations. The technology has been deployed in half a dozen States such as Colorado and Missouri.
  3. Transportation electrification, especially on the electric vehicle charging infrastructure planning, EV mobility behavior decisions, and medium and heavy duty vehicle electrification. Our group is supporting the Department of Energy and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, with a focus on the smart streetlight charging in underserved areas, as well as medium and heavy-duty truck electrification.
  4. Mobility behavior modeling and management, with a focus on bridging Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) and Active Demand Management (ADM). Prior to retuning to academia, Dr. Hu was a founding team member and Director of R&D at Metropia Inc., a startup company that created a new incentive-based active demand management system to improve urban mobility through positive mobility behavior changes.

Lab Facilities 

Autonomous vehicle (retrofitted based on 7-Seat Chrysler Pacifica)

Driving simulator with CARLA-SUMO-Autoware-CDA simulation software suite 

Test track

The Larson Transportation Institute (LTI) manages a full-scale test track that was designated by USDOT as one of the 10 Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds around the country for self-driving vehicle technology.