With the advent of ubiquitous technologies and the emergence of modern traffic sensors, one of the primary strategies of transportation agencies for maintaining the safety, mobility, and efficiency of a transportation system is to use Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies and innovative data-driven strategies. An efficient transportation system should keep a balance between mobility on freeways and accessibility on arterials. This presentation will discuss the innovative data-driven solutions developed by the Center for Applied Transportation Sciences (CATS) at the University of Arizona and how these solutions can help transportation engineers deal with common traffic operations and safety issues on both freeways and arterials in Arizona. In addition, the presentation will also cover how CATS collaborates with multiple local jurisdictions to deal with larger transportation issues with specific strategies and a clear vision.

Dr. Yao-Jan Wu is a professor of transportation engineering in the Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics Department at the University of Arizona (UArizona). He is the founder and executive director of both the Center for Applied Transportation Sciences (CATS) and the Arizona Transportation Institute (AZTI). He has served as the Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI on more than 50 national and international research projects. Dr. Wu has authored or co-authored over 160 refereed publications, including more than 70 journal articles, and has presented his research findings at more than 100 national and international conferences and invited speaker events. His research focuses on a strong connection between information technology (IT) and traditional transportation research.