Project description

This project aims to train and support the next generation of mobility researchers through a summer research experience for undergraduate (REU) students. This proposal will provide supplementary support for two additional undergraduate researchers as part of UNLV’s existing NSF REU Site on Smart Cities. The existing program provides support for 10 students to engage in 10 weeks of hands-on-research that leads to peer-reviewed publications while providing co-curricular training that will not only support their long-term academic careers but also inspire them to be leaders in the field. The REU Site emphasis in on Smart Mobility and encompasses key research areas including intelligent transportation systems (ITS), connected automated vehicles (CAVs), and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. These areas are crucial for increasing quality of life, reducing delays, increasing quality of service for road users, securing critical infrastructure, and providing safer roadways and more informed decision-making based on data. Beyond providing hands-on research experience in mobility, the UNLV REU Site, as an MSI, is committed to promoting diversity and has over 60% participation from underrepresented/underserved communities.