{"id":351,"date":"2023-01-13T12:31:52","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T17:31:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research-multi-dev.utk.edu\/energy-dev\/?page_id=351"},"modified":"2026-04-22T08:33:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T12:33:24","slug":"economics-infrastructure","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.utk.edu\/mobility\/research-areas\/economics-infrastructure\/","title":{"rendered":"Policy, Economics and Infrastructure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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policy, Economics and Infrastructure<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Informing smart policies and developing next-generation infrastructure<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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The electrification<\/a> and digitization<\/a> of mobility are poised to create significant societal and environmental benefits. To inform the effective deployment of technological innovations in transportation systems, UT experts are producing economic impact analyses, informing the development of public policy, and supporting advances in built infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A transportation system supported by sound economic and public policy and safe, well-designed infrastructure fuels economic growth and enhances competitiveness. Together with our partners, UT is setting a thriving mobility future in motion across Tennessee and the nation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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UT’s Approach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UT researchers develop novel materials and technologies to help states build durable infrastructure such as bridges and roads and maintain them efficiently and effectively. In one long-term project, researchers developed and installed a next-generation polymer composite for bridge decks and are using smart sensing technologies to monitor its real-world performance and durability<\/a>. Other faculty and students are exploring how to use ground-penetrating radar<\/a> or underwater robots<\/a> to inspect bridges and other structures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faculty also investigate infrastructure components that support emerging mobility solutions. One UT team, for example, is focused on developing infrastructure and control methods for autonomous air travel<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other UT faculty and students are developing economic and policy structures that promise to enable future mobility. They are working to analyze and interpret the effects of vehicle scrappage trends<\/a>, passenger vehicle demand<\/a>, and federal fuel economy standards<\/a>, and their work has significant implications for regulations and investments related to emission reductions<\/a>, adoption of electric and other alternative fuel vehicles<\/a>, and electric charging infrastructure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UT researchers advise national and state government entities<\/a>, too. One team from Knoxville and Chattanooga developed research to support the development of Tennessee Department of Transportation strategies enabling smart mobility and infrastructure<\/a>. Members of the Transportation and Logistics Collaborative have advised<\/a> the Tennessee Governor\u2019s Office on infrastructure improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UT partnered with TVA to launch the Valley Pathways Study<\/a>, which evaluates opportunities to pursue economic growth while accelerating decarbonization. The findings provide insights for transportation policy and EV charging infrastructure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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UT\u2019s research informs transportation policy and infrastructure decision-making with analysis of how decisions may influence travel costs and choices. Our work provides insights on how transportation systems and infrastructure may change in the future.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ben Leard, Assistant Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Highlights <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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University of Tennessee and Volkswagen Drive the Future of Mobility<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The longstanding partnership between the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Volkswagen Group of America continues to model the value of industry working with a world-class research institution to drive the future of mobility through innovation.

Learn about the partnership.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Modernizing Traffic Research to Improve Roads<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Lee Han and Research Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Yangsong Gu have revolutionized how the Tennessee Department of Transportation handles pothole reporting and repair by partnering with Google to gather crowdsourced traffic data.

Learn about Han and Gu\u2019s work.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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UT Awarded Grant Through Transportation Network Growth Opportunity Initiative<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A team from UT’s Center for Transportation Research is helping Tennessee modernize its infrastructure. Collaborating with NTT DATA, they\u2019re creating an AI-driven disaster management platform that integrates live data and disaster simulations. It will support business continuity and disaster preparedness, response,<\/ins> and recovery.

Learn how this research will benefit Tennessee.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Investigating Autonomous Vehicle Control for Advanced Air Mobility<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Associate Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Mechanical Engineering Zhenbo Wang simulated an airway system using drone flight experiments to explore how autonomous aircraft can address traffic congestion and the environmental impact of automobile travel.

Read about his research.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Facilities & Initiatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A number of programs, facilities, and equipment support UT research in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n