Department advances Arizona roadway improvements
At the 2025 Arizona Transportation Institute Summit, CAEM assistant professor Tejo Bheemasetti shows data associated with the number of battery-laden EVs on the road. 'We want to find out what impact this has on roads,' he says.
The state is looking toward safer, more durable roads within the next few years, thanks to the Arizona Transportation Institute’s fast-tracked infrastructure research – tackling challenges like electric vehicle infrastructure and safety management.
AZTI launched in 2024 with the University of Arizona at the helm. The tri-university consortium includes faculty members and students in the U of A College of Engineering, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. With funding from ADOT, the Federal Highway Administration and the Arizona Board of Regents, AZTI has initiated more than 18 projects, some of which are already nearing completion.
Researchers presented their findings on Aug. 8 at NAU during the institute’s second annual summit.
Assistant professor Tejo Bheemaseti and assistant research professor Mingfeng Shang from the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics were among those with projects close to the finish line.
Shang interviewed transportation departments across the country to establish the best ways to modernize ADOT’s data management systems.
“This effort will lead to more efficient and transparent transportation decision making,” said Shang. "Better-governed data enables more responsive public services, smarter infrastructure investments, and ultimately a safer, more equitable transportation system."
To help ensure strong civil engineering and transportation workforce development, at least one student is working on each project alongside faculty members, explained Yao-Jan Wu, director of AZTI and professor of CAEM. Further, primary investigators are required to contribute to K-12 outreach.
“I hope to continue my career in Arizona after graduation, and this project has helped me gain a deeper understanding of the state’s transportation landscape," said Gabriel Geffen, a civil engineering doctoral student working with Shang.