Advanced Computing in Transportation, Informatics, Operations and Networks Lab

Welcome to the ACTION Lab. It may sound like a computer science topic, but the next generation of transportation computing techniques, designed for programs running on hundreds of high-performance computing clusters, is already mature and accessible...

Welcome to the ACTION Lab. It may sound like a computer science topic, but the next generation of transportation computing techniques, designed for programs running on hundreds of high-performance computing clusters, is already mature and accessible to the whole transportation community. It is our mission to form and share insights on this topic and eventually benefit the whole practice in real-world and super-large transportation simulation and optimization.

We are also active in another research area: Advanced urban traffic control systems, including pioneering traffic signal systems modeling, design and prototype, traffic sensor design and prototypes and urban traffic analytics. In addition, certain far-future research topics are within our research scope, such as intersection automation.

Personnel

Pengfei "Taylor" Li, Ph.D., Director

Ph.D. Students

Peirong "Slade" Wang

Farzana Rahman Chowdhury

Current Research

Development and Evaluation of Wireless Highway Performance Evaluation System on Highway

ACTION Lab's Traffic State Monitoring Pilot Project was previously a joint effort between the Traffic Engineering Division of the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Mississippi State University. The project objective is to develop a full-spectrum, real-time traffic health monitoring system on arterial roadways and freeways in Mississippi. It is an integral Hardware-Software solution to traffic mobility and safety in Mississippi and nearby regions. This research project has been carried on at UTA.

Presentations and Interim Reports

Project Website (mirror)

Visit: http://129.107.136.118:8080/wifi-sensor

Development of Cross-Domain High Performance Computing Simulation Engine

A multi-purpose, multi-scale discrete-event simulation engine will be developed on a high-performance computing platform. This simulation engine will be the first of its kind in the context of the high-performance computing environment and the target is to serve industries and public agencies in multiple domains.

Publications

Journal Publication (Total 20 papers)

  • Li, Pengfei (Taylor), Farzana R. Chowdhury, Peirong(Slade) Wang and Sayem M. Imtiaz, Actuated Traffic Signal Performance Evaluation Along Arterials Using Wi-Fi Travel Time Samples and High-resolution Traffic Signal Events Data, Transportation Research Record (In-press) New! (April,2020)
  • Peirong(Slade) Wang, Li, Pengfei (Taylor), Farzana Chowdhury, Li Zhang and Xuesong Zhou, 2020. A Mixed Integer Programming formulation and scalable solution algorithms for traffic control coordination across multiple intersections based on vehicle space-time trajectories, Transportation Research Part B: Methodological 134 (2020): 266-304 New! (April,2020)
  • Li, Pengfei (Taylor) , Peirong(Slade) Wang, Farzana Chowdhury and Li Zhang., 2019. Scalable Computing Architecture for Time-Dependent Transportation Optimization Problems Based On High-Performance Computing Techniques, Transportation Research Record 2019 Apr;2673(4):205-16 New! (April,2019)
  • Xianfeng(Terry) Yang, Gang-Len Chang, Zhao Zhang, Li, Pengfei (Taylor)., 2019. Smart Signal Control System for Accident Prevention and Arterial Speed Harmonization under Connected Vehicle Environment, Transportation Research Record: Journal of Transportation Research Board New! (April,2019)
  • Wei, Yuguang., Avci, C., Liu, Jiangtao., Belezamo, B., Aydin, N., Li, Pengfei (Taylor) and Zhou, Xuesong., 2017. Dynamic programming-based multi-vehicle longitudinal trajectory optimization with simplified car following models. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 106, pp.102-129.
  • Li, Pengfei (Taylor) and Zhou, X., 2017. Recasting and optimizing intersection automation as a connected-and-automated-vehicle (CAV) scheduling problem: A sequential branch-and-bound search approach in phase-time-traffic hypernetwork. Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 105, pp.479-506.
  • Li, Pengfei, Pitu Mirchandani, 2016 "A New Hardware-in-the-loop Traffic Signal Simulation Framework to Bridge Traffic Signal Research and Practice", IEEE the Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems 17(9), 2430-2439
  • Li, Pengfei, Reginald Souleyrette, 2016., "A Generic Approach to Estimate Freeway Traffic Time Using Vehicle ID-matching Technologies", Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering Volume 31, Issue 5, 351-365
  • Li, Pengfei, Pitu Mirchandani, Xuesong Zhou, 2015. "Solving Simultaneous Route Guidance and Traffic Signal Optimization Problem Using Space-Phase-Time Hypernetwork", Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 81, 103-130
  • Li, Pengfei, Pitu Mirchandani and Xuesong Zhou, 2015., "MetroSim: A Hierarchical Multi-Resolution Traffic Simulator for 1 Metropolitan Areas: Architecture, Challenges and Solutions" Transportation Research Record, Journal of Transportation Research Board: Network Modeling 2497(1), 63-72
  • Li Pengfei, M. Abbas, R. Pasupathy, 2015., "A Stochastic Dilemma Zone Protection Algorithm Based On the Vehicles Trajectories" Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems, 19 (2), pp 181-191
  • Xu Han*, Pengfei Li, Rajib Sikder, Tony Qiu, Amy Kim, 2014, "Development and Evaluation of Adaptive Transit Signal Priority Control with Improved Transit Delay Model", Transportation Research Record: Journal of Transportation Research Board: Traffic Signal Systems, 2438(1), 45-54. (*: supervised student)
  • Li Pengfei, Y Li, X Guo, "A Red-light Running Prevention System Based on Artificial Neural Network and Vehicle Trajectory Data", Computational Intelligence for Social Neuroscience, Volume 2014.
  • Li Pengfei, J. Walton, "Evaluation of Freeway Service Patrol in Low-traffic Areas Using Discrete-Event Simulation", ASCE Journal of Transportation Engineering, 139(11), 2013
  • Li Pengfei, M. Abbas, R. Pasupathy and H. Larry, 2010 "Simulation-based Optimization of Maximum Green Setting Under Retrospective Approximation Framework", Transportation Research Record: Journal of Transportation Research Board, 2192, 1-10
  • Li Pengfei and M. Abbas, "Stochastic Dilemma Hazard Model at High-speed Signalized Intersections", ASCE Journal of Transportation Engineering, 136(5), 2010
  • Zain Adam, M. Abbas and Pengfei Li, 2009,"Evaluating Green-Extension policies with Reinforcement Learning and Markovian Traffic State Estimation", Transportation Research Record: Journal of Transportation Research Board, 2128, 217-225
  • Montasir Abbas, G. Pesti, N. Chaudhary and Pengfei Li, 2008 "Illustrative Field Configuration and Evaluation of Traffic-Responsive Control", ASCE Journal of Transportation Engineering, 135(9), pp. 591-599
  • Li Pengfei and J. Wang, 2005 "The NTCIP-based Communicating Bandwidth Calculation for Beijing Future Traffic Signal Control System" (In Chinese), Journal of Transportation Systems Engineering and Information Technology 2005, No. 4, pp. 134-157
  • Wang Jiangyan and Pengfei Li, "Comprehensive Management and information of The Olympic Transportation" (In Chinese), Journal of Transportation Systems Engineering and Information Technology 2004, No. 4, pp. 5-27
  • Ge Fang, J. Wang, and Pengfei Li, "The Public Transportation Planning Methods of Beijing Olympic Green" (In Chinese), Journal of Transportation Systems Engineering and Information Technology 2004, No. 3, pp. 9-25

Referred conference proceedings and TRB Annual Meetings (Total: 30)

  • Pengfei (Taylor) Li, Farzana Chowdhury, Peirong Wang, Sayem Imtiaz "Multi-Objective Performance Evaluation for Actuated Traffic Signal System Using Probe Vehicle Data and High-resolution Traffic Signal Events Data",Transportation Research Board 99th Annual Meeting (Paper # 20-01456), 2020 New! (Oct,2019)
  • Farzana Chowdhury, Peirong Wang, Pengfei (Taylor) Li, "On-line Multimodal Traffic Signal Priority Scheduling at Signalized Intersection Based on the phase-Time Network Models.",Transportation Research Board 99th Annual Meeting (Paper # 20-01078), 2020 New! (Oct,2019)
  • Peirong Wang, Pengfei (Taylor) Li, "An Integer Programming Formulation for Vehicle Routing Problem with Pickup Time Windows In Capacitated Space-Time Networks and Scalable Solution" ,Transportation Research Board 99th Annual Meeting (Paper # 20-01091), 2020 New! (Oct,2019)
  • Peirong Wang, Pengfei (Taylor) Li,"An Integer Programming Formulation for Heterogeneous Traffic Dynamics and Assignment: A Multicommodity Network Flow Model in Space-Time Networks",Transportation Research Board 99th Annual Meeting (Paper # 20-01074), 2020 New! (Oct,2019)
  • Xianfeng Yang, Gang-len Chang, Zhao Zhang and Pengfei (Taylor) Li, "Smart Signal Control System for Accident Prevention and Arterial Speed Harmonization Under Connected Vehicle Environment", Transportation Research Board 98th Annual Meeting (Paper # 19-05811), 2019
  • Lei Zhang*, Li Zhang, Zhitong Huang, Pengfei (Taylor) Li and Jizhan Gou, "Distributed Traffic Signal Timing Optimization at Connected Vehicles Corridors", Transportation Research Board 98th Annual Meeting (Paper #19-03960), 2019
  • Pengfei (Taylor) Li, Peirong(Slade) Wang*, Farzana R. Chowdhury*, Li Zhang, "A Scalable Computing Architecture For Solving Time-Dependent Transportation Problems Based On High-Performance Computing Techniques", Transportation Research Board 98th Annual Meeting (Paper # 19-05027), 2019
  • Farzana R. Chowdhury*, Peirong (Slade)Wang*, Pengfei (Taylor) Li, Li Zhang and Xianfeng Yang, "Resilient Mixed Integer Linear Programming Formulations for Heterogeneous Traffic Signal Priority Scheduling Problem", Transportation Research Board 98th Annual Meeting (Paper# 19-06026), 2019
  • Li Zhang, Lei zhang, Zhitong Huang, Deborah Curtis, Gene McHale, Pengfei Li, "Benefits of Early Deployment of Connected Vehicles at Signalized Intersections", Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting (Paper # 18-04938)
  • Pengfei Li and Xuesong Zhou, "Multimodal Traffic Signal Control at Intersections: How much can we push the envelope to serve all special vehicles? A theoretical analysis based on phase-time network", Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting (Paper # 18-06291)
  • Yuguang Wei, Jiangtao Liu, Pengfei Li and Xuesong Zhou, "Longitude Trajectory Optimization for Autonomous Vehicles: An Approach based on Simplified Car-following Model", Transportation Research Board 95th Annual Meeting (paper # 16-6895), Washington DC, January 2016
  • Li, Pengfei and Pitu Mirchandani, "A field-ready Hardware-in-the-loop Traffic Signal Simulation Framework to Evaluate Traffic Signal Systems in ATMS", Transportation Research Board 95th Annual Meeting (paper # 16-3014), Washington DC, January 2016
  • Li, Pengfei, Pitu Mirchandani and Xuesong Zhou "Simulation-based Traffic Signal Optimization to Minimize Fuel Consumption and Emission: A Lagrangian Relaxation Approach" Transportation Research Board 94rd Annual Meeting(paper # 15-2358), Washington DC, January 2015
  • Li, Pengfei, Pitu Mirchandani and Xuesong Zhou, "MetroSim: A Hierarchical Multi-Resolution Traffic Simulator for 1 Metropolitan Areas: Architecture, Challenges and Solutions" Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting(paper # 15-3201), Washington DC, January 2015
  • Liu, G., Xu. Han, Li, Pengfei, and Tony. Qiu, "Adaptive Model-Based Offset Optimization for Congested Arterial Network". Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting(paper # 14-1559), Washington DC, January 2014
  • Yin, E., Li, Pengfei, Jie Fang, and Tony Qiu, "Evaluation of Vehicle Positioning Accuracy by Using GPS-Enabled Smartphones", Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting (paper#14-1551), 2014
  • Xu, X., Jiang, T., Li, Pengfei, Qiu, T., and Hu, Y. A High-Level Architecture SimIVC for Simulating the Traffic Network. ASCE ICTIS 2013: pp. 40-48
  • Li, Pengfei and Qiu, Z., A Hybrid Control Delay Model Combining Control Delay and Queuing Profile at Uncongested Signalized Intersections. ASCE ICTIS 2013: pp. 868-873
  • Liu, G., Li, Pengfei, Qiu, T. Z., & Han, X. Development of a Dynamic Control Model for Oversaturated Arterial Corridor, ASCE COTA 2013
  • Li, Pengfei, J. Walton, W. Hayes "Data-driven Evaluation of Freeway Service Patrol in Low-traffic Areas Using Discrete-Event Simulation", Proceedings of the 92th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, January 2013 (paper # 13-2263), Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, January 2013
  • Yan, Li; Hou, Jia; Guo, Xiucheng; Yang, Jie; Li, Pengfei, "Route Priority Analysis Method for Intersection Group", Proceedings of the 92th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, January 2012 (paper # 12-2507), Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, January 2012
  • Li, Pengfei, N. Zhu, P. Furth, X. Guo, "A Stochastic Off-line Offsets Tuning Procedure with Advanced Transportation Management System Data" 14th International IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, Washington, DC, October, 2011
  • Li, Pengfei, M. Abbas, R. Pasupathy and Z. Li, "New Dilemma Zone Protection Algorithm Based on Vehicle Trajectory Prediction and Markov Process", Proceedings of the 89th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, January 2010 (paper # 10-3416), Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, January 2010
  • Li, Pengfei and M. Abbas, "A Markov Process Based Dilemma Zone Protection Algorithm", Proceedings of the 2009 Winter Simulation Conference, Austin, TX, December 2009
  • Li, Pengfei and M. Abbas, "A Generic Evaluation Method for Traffic Signal Phase Truncation Installation at Signalized Intersections", 12th International IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, St Louis, MO, October, 2009
  • Abbas Montasir and Li, Pengfei, "Advanced Real-time Intersection Data Collection System for Safety Evaluation", 12th International IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, St Louis, MO, October, 2009
  • Li, Pengfei and M. Abbas, "Optimal Advance Detectors Design for Multi-detector Green Extension System at High-speed Signalized Intersections", Proceedings of the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, January 2009. Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, January 2009
  • Adam Zain, M. Abbas and Li, Pengfei, "Modeling the Complexity of Driving Behavior during the Signal Yellow Interval using Reinforcement Learning", Proceedings of the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting January 2009, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, January 2009
  • Abbas M., G. Pesti, N. Chaudhary, and Li, Pengfei. "Configuration Procedure of Traffic-Responsive Plan Selection on an Arterial Network". Proceedings of the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, January 2008. Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, January 2008.
  • Abbas M., H. Rakha, and Li, Pengfei. "Multi-objective Strategies for Timing Signal Systems under Oversaturated Conditions", Proceedings of the 18th conference on Proceedings of the 18th IASTED International Conference: modeling and simulation. PP 580-585, Montreal, Canada, June, 2007.

Invited Talks

  • Li, Pengfei (speaker), "How much can we push the envelope to serve all special vehicles? A theoretical analysis based on phase-time network", Lecture Session 686 (Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting), 2018
  • Li, Pengfei (Speaker), "Development of an easy and safe cabinet in the loop traffic signal simulation with ATC traffic signal cabinet", Transportation Research Board annual meeting, Traffic Signal Committee (AHB 25), Jan-2017, Washington DC
  • Li, Pengfei (speaker), "Potential of Wi-Fi Passive Sensing in Arterial Management", Transportation Research Board annual meeting, Traffic Signal Committee (AHB 25), Jan-2016, Washington DC.
  • Li, Pengfei (speaker), "A new hardware-in-the-loop(HILS) traffic signal simulation framework to bridge gap between signal research and practice an Internet-Of-Things approach", Transportation Research Board annual meeting, Traffic Signal Committee (AHB 25), Jan-2016, Washington, DC
  • Li, Pengfei (speaker), Pitu Mirchandani, Xuesong Zhou, "Solving Simultaneous Route Guidance and Traffic Signal Optimization Problem Using Space-Phase-Time Hypernetwork", INFORMS Annual meeting, Nov 1-4, 2015
  • Li, Pengfei (speaker), Pitu Mirchandani, Xuesong Zhou, "Solving Simultaneous Route Guidance and Traffic Signal Optimization Problem Using Space-Phase-Time Hypernetwork", Automated Vehicles Symposium, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 2015
  • Li, Pengfei, Pitu Mirchandani, "A 'Field-Ready' Hardware-in-the-Loop Traffic Signal Simulation Framework for Innovative Signal Control Strategies Development", ITS Arizona Annual Conference, 2014, Mesa, AZ , USA, 2014
  • Li, Pengfei (Speaker), Jennifer Walton, "Development of Bluetooth-based Travel Time estimation system", ITS Midwest Annual Conference, 2011, Cincinnati, OH
  • Li, Pengfei (Speaker), Jerry Kissick, "The Development of Customized Hardware-In-the-Loop Simulation (HILS) in VISSIM", ITS Midwest Annual Conference, 2011, Cincinnati, OH
  • Li, Pengfei (Speaker), Montasir Abbas, "Development of VII Signal Controller Emulator Using VISSIM Signal API and Memory Sharing Techniques", PTV VISSIM User Group Meeting, 2009, Philadelphia, PA