As an overarching concept, sustainable mobility is concerned with creating a transportation system that efficiently and effectively meets the needs of society today without diminishing the well-being of future generations. This calls for developing and implementing innovative policies and operational procedures from a holistic perspective. Research should address vehicle, energy, infrastructure, and land use options that result in conserving non-renewable fossil fuel and emission reductions, while enhancing mobility and equity. The overall goal of the joint institute is to address the grand challenge of sustainable mobility.
ISM Initiative
Along with the objectives of ISM, we have also been working on developing the Southeastern Smart Mobility Consortium with the TDOT operations office (Brad Freeze) for implementation of connected vehicle mobility solutions, which will pilot test technologies in the Knoxville area, if our proposal is funded.
More details are available at: Southeastern Smart Mobility Consortium (SSMC).
ISM Projects
In our first year, we have leveraged our research synergies within ISM by developing and submitting several proposals in the past 10 months.
Funded by: UT Battelle, $62,729
Principal Investigator(s): David Greene and Asad Khattak
Time: 2014-2015
Funded by: Argonne National Lab, $63,000
Principal Investigator: David Greene
Time: 2013-2015
Funded by: US Department of Energy & Oak Ridge National Laboratory, $110,567
Principal Investigator(s): David Greene and Asad Khattak
Time: 2015-2016
Funded by: Tennessee Department of Transportation, $163,224
Principal Investigator(s): Asad Khattak, Chris Cherry, Shashi Nambisan and David Greene
Time: 2015-2016
Funded by: National Science Foundation, $399,793
Principal Investigator(s): Asad Khattak, Subhadeep Chakraborty and Shashi Nambisan
Time: 2015-2018
Assessing the impact of mixed vehicle technologies on the efficiency of traffic coordination systems
Funded by: U.S. Department of Energy & Oak Ridge National Laboratory, $35,145
Principal Investigator(s): Asad Khattak and Shashi Nambisan
Time: 2016-2016
Funded by: U.S. Department of Energy & Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Principal Investigator(s): David Greene and Asad Khattak
Time: 2014-2015
Abstract: U.S. government fuel economy estimates are used to monitor compliance with fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards and to inform consumers about the energy efficiency of passenger cars and light trucks. This study analyzes a unique database of 75,000 fuel economy estimates self-reported by customers of the website www.fueleconomy.gov. The analysis shows great variability in individuals’ own fuel economy estimates relative to the official government estimates but evidence of only modest bias relative to the sample average. For information purposes, the primary problem with government fuel economy estimates is inaccuracy for a given consumer rather than bias relative to the average motorist. Effects of specific technologies, vehicle class, driving style, method used to calculate fuel economy, manufacturer and state are also estimated. There is evidence that the shortfall between test cycle fuel economy numbers (used to measure compliance with regulations) has been increasing since 2005, which could affect the benefits realized by fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards. Because of the importance of government fuel economy estimates, a scientifically designed survey of in-use fuel economy is needed to ensure that an unbiased sample is collected and that fuel economy is rigorously and consistently measured for all vehicles.
Research Papers and Reports
Greene, D., A. Khattak, J. Liu & X. Wang, On-Road and Test Cycle Fuel Economy: Is the Gap Growing?, Submitted to US DOE/ORNL, March, 2015
Untangling Non-stationary Correlations between Personal Fuel Economy and Contributing Factors: On-Road and Test Cycle Fuel Economy, Working paper, Planned for 2016 95th TRB Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
Funded by: US Department of Energy & Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Principal Investigator(s): David Greene and Asad Khattak
Time: 2014-2015
Abstract: This project will conduct research on the need for decision support tools to support public policy decisions and public investments in alternative fuel refueling infrastructure at the local, state and federal level. It will conduct a literature research and an inventory and assessment of models relevant to the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure. The focus of the study will be to assess the need for alternative fuel infrastructure planning tools and the availability of infrastructure deployment decision support systems. An inventory of existing tools and methods will be created. The result will be a white paper assessing the need for alternative fuel infrastructure decision support tools and the capabilities and shortcomings of existing models and information tools.
Funded by US Department of Energy & Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Principal Investigator: David Greene
Time: 2014-2015
Funded by: U.S. Department of Energy & Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Principal Investigator: Dr. David Greene
Time: 2014-2015