UofM Researcher Awarded $500K for Transit System Study
Project Conceived with Blue Oval City, Volkswagen Manufacturing Ecosystem in Mind
August 15, 2024 — A researcher in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Memphis has received a $500K grant from the Tennessee Economic & Community Development as part of an extensive Transportation Network Growth Opportunity initiative that will inject nearly $3 million into seven research and development projects across the state.
Sabya Mishra, who is also director of Center for Transportation Innovations Education and Research (C-TIER) at the UofM, will lead the project with partners Abhishek Dubey from Vanderbilt University, Candace Brakewood from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Mina Sartipi from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
The project, which centers on designing a multi-modal transit system for BlueOval
City and Volkswagen, will create a user interface that allows users to have real-time
data on the best ways to access public transportation to get to work. The application
will also integrate public transit options with parking solutions for commuters from
more rural areas.
According to Mishra, industrial hubs in rural areas present transit agencies and planners with novel challenges that require innovative solutions. Rural areas often lack efficient and frequent public transit due to sparse population and limited potential ridership, leading to high operational costs and limited access to employment, education, healthcare and other essential services.
As Tennessee becomes home to electric vehicle manufacturing, Mishra asserts, many employees need to go to work round-the-clock to meet global needs for such vehicles. Accessibility to these large employment hubs is essential.
“Given the volume of transit demand and its stringent timing requirements for these employment hubs, transit solutions must be tailor-made to the specific needs and preferences of the various stakeholders,” said Mishra. “Since such large employment hubs are located away from urban areas and consist of workers from rural areas, an integrated solution must be developed that both urban and rural area residents have all-day access to such employment hubs.”
Ford and SK Innovation are developing BlueOval City (BOC), a billion-dollar industrial hub near Stanton, Tenn., while in East Tennessee the project will work with large employers such as Volkswagen, Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), Southeast Human Resource Agency and others in Chattanooga metropolitan and adjacent rural area to help identify key transit routes, optimal parking locations and multimodal solutions that cater to both urban and rural commuters, especially access to jobs.
“We will collaborate with Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA), Ford, SK Innovation and TCAT to design, develop and deploy a multi-modal transit system for BOC employees and nearby residents. Similarly, we will work with (CARTA) and Volkswagen to develop a plan for access to jobs in Volkswagen hub,” said Mishra. “This effort includes, engaging with stakeholders to understand their specific needs, preferences and concerns through an initial workshop; and conducting a pilot test of the multimodal transit system in a controlled environment to assess its performance under real-world conditions.”
This project will go beyond regional improvement by establishing a collaborative framework for AI-powered multimodal transit, potentially serving as a statewide model for increased accessibility, job creation and a more sustainable transportation ecosystem. The project's success will pave the way for a future where public transit is not just a viable option, but the preferred choice for efficient and connected communities.
The UofM is one of seven grant recipients. The others are:
- University of Tennessee Space Institute –$100K
- Williamson County EMA – $450K
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, $490K
- Vanderbilt University – $350K
- Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition – $500K
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville – $500K
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