Speaker: Gabriel Geffen, Ph.D. student, Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics, University of Arizona
When
Join in person or online: https://arizona.zoom.us/j/85456541042?from=addon
Summary: This project, conducted in partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Arizona Transportation Institute (AZTI), examines how different types of vehicles contribute to the use and wear of Arizona’s transportation infrastructure. Arizona’s highway system is primarily funded through fuel taxes that have remained unchanged for decades, while the vehicle fleet is evolving with increased freight activity and growing adoption of electric vehicles, which can differ in weight and operating characteristics from conventional passenger vehicles.
The study evaluates three vehicle categories (passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and over-dimension/overweight (OD-OW) vehicles) and estimates their relative infrastructure consumption costs, including pavement and bridge impacts. Using engineering, traffic operations, and economic analysis, the research aims to provide a framework for understanding cost responsibility and long-term funding sustainability.
Researcher's Bio: Gabe Geffen is a third-year Ph.D. student researching transportation resilience at the University of Arizona. His goal is to harness existing infrastructure while integrating emerging AI and machine learning approaches to create practical, forward-looking tools that support a safer and more sustainable transportation system. Gabe has been recognized nationally as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and a Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellow, highlighting his potential as a future leader in the field.