Principal Investigator: Dr. Asad Khattak, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)
Start Date: January 15, 2025
End Date: January 15, 2026

The proposed project will develop a body of knowledge and practice at the confluence of automated vehicle (AV) technology and people with disabilities in rural and small-town disadvantaged and underserved communities. The aim is to provide more and better mobility options for people with disabilities. It is noteworthy that the average percentage of people with disabilities in disadvantaged census tracts is 16.13%, compared to 11.7% in non-disadvantaged areas in the Southeast. Given the higher incidence of disabilities in such settings, the project's purpose is to 1) Create a framework based on a synthesis of literature and identify opportunities (especially for AV technologies) to address mobility gaps for people with disabilities. 2) Create a unique database of people with disabilities and disadvantaged communities for analysis and insights. 3) Apply statistical and AI methods (e.g., explainable AI techniques such as Shapley Additive Explanations and Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanation) that can identify opportunities (benefits and costs) for AV technology adoption and impacts for people with disabilities. 4) Interviews with disability service providers and AV suppliers will offer insights into advancements, opportunities, and barriers to AV technology adoption. Information collected will include disability services, the features/performance of AV technologies, and their testing/deployment. Using a conceptual and data-driven approach, the proposed project will accelerate progress in providing mobility access to people with disabilities through AV technologies. The outcomes will include an evaluation of AV technology adoption by and for people with disabilities and estimates of AV benefits and costs. The study will also consider indirect benefits for caregivers, such as reduced transportation responsibilities. Through analytics and data visualizations, the study will show how technology can assist underserved and minority populations. A final report will summarize the research results for the impacts of AVs on improved mobility for people with disabilities.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Tesfamichael Getahun, North Carolina A&T State University (NCAT)
Start Date: January 1, 2025
End Date: December 31, 2025

This project aims to accelerate the deployment of automated vehicle (AV) technologies by assessing rural road infrastructure readiness for AV deployment.

The project will utilize commercially available AVs with advanced driver assistance systems and lab AVs with automated driving systems to collect data on physical infrastructure (e.g., lane markings, signage, and traffic signals) and digital infrastructure (e.g., 5G network coverage) under varying conditions such as diverse road types, weather, and lighting. Sensors such as cameras, GPS, and 5G communication modules will be used for data collection in selected testing facilities and public roads of Georgia and North Carolina.

The project will also develop a software tool that processes collected data using traditional algorithms and machine learning techniques. This tool will generate detailed summary reports and visualizations, enabling stakeholders to quantify infrastructure readiness, understand deficiencies, and prioritize areas for improvement. The goal is to identify specific infrastructure challenges limiting AV performance and propose guidelines and actionable strategies to enhance compatibility.

This project will inform investment and policy decisions by delivering study results from targeted rural areas and offering a robust framework for infrastructure assessment. Ultimately, it will support safer, more efficient AV-enabled transportation systems and equitable access to AV technologies in rural communities.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Abhay Lidbe, University of Alabama (UA)
Start Date: January 1, 2025
End Date: December 31, 2025

DRIVE-SMART addresses transportation challenges in rural West Alabama by developing an integrated transportation network that connects rural residents to Tuscaloosa City, a hub for education, employment, healthcare, and shopping. Currently, multiple providers—including demand-responsive services, private microtransit, and transit operators—operate independently, leading to inefficiencies and service gaps. These issues are exacerbated by operational, financial, and regulatory barriers, preventing inter-jurisdictional travel and leaving rural residents with limited and often costly transportation options.

DRIVE-SMART seeks to implement 4Cs – Connected, Coordinated, Comprehensive, and Collaborative to create a seamless, integrated transportation system in West Alabama. Phase 1, the focus of this proposal, will evaluate the barriers to coordination, engage stakeholders such as transit providers and local governments, and develop a blueprint for system integration by conducting a series of focus group meetings. The project will also assess the technology needs for the new integrated and coordinated transportation system in West Alabama.

Principal Investigator: Jerry Everett, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)
Start Date: April 1, 2025
End Date: March 31, 2026

The purpose of this project is to execute Phase II of the Equity Continuous Improvement Framework (E-CIF) for Transportation research activities. The investigators were awarded a Research and Education Exploratory (REE) grant for Phase I (stages one and two) of this project, which focused on exploring what is meant by equity and how it can be implemented in transportation studies. Furthermore, Phase I identified the key parts of the research process at different institutions to understand how equity is considered from the beginning to the completion of the research study. Equity measures are identified for each of the different research activities followed by sample equity expectations. In addition, four University Transportation Centers were analyzed to understand the role equity plays in their respective research endeavors. For Phase II, to progress in the development of the E-CIF, the investigators focus on stages three and four of the continuous improvement model: (3) Identify Change: identify areas for improvement and assess potential benefits. Provide a list of improvements to be made and prioritize them for adoption in University Transportation Centers and State DOTs and (4) Deliver the Change; implement solutions to remove/reduce the source of any potential problems. For Phase III, to finalize the development of the E-CIF, the investigators focus on the final stage of the continuous improvement model: (5) Monitor Performance; confirm improvements with data and maintain the gains by monitoring the improved process and develop the Transportation Equity for Transportation Research Toolkit.