CAEM researchers helping to improve Arizona’s highways

Researchers from the University of Arizona are working with the Arizona Transportation Institute to develop transportation solutions that will contribute to the state’s economy. AZTI researchers are working on five transportation projects that include measuring the impact of vehicles on Arizona’s highways, traffic modeling, reducing wildfire risk, developing materials that reduce the need for roadway repairs, and determining how best to track engineering projects.

AZTI is a novel state institute established by the Arizona Department of Transportation in 2024 to study issues related to transportation safety and sustainability. The institute is modeled after similar transportation centers in other states and features a collaborative agreement between U of A, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. The institute is led by Yao-Jan Wu, AZTI executive director and U of A professor of CAEM.

“It is very exciting to collaborate with talented colleagues and students from three state universities to develop and implement cutting-edge, innovative transportation technologies, planning methods and engineering approaches to improve Arizona’s transportation system and facilities to create better communities,” said Wu.