Performance Evaluation

Texas A&M Transportation Institute
1111 RELLIS Parkway
Bryan, TX 77807
(979) 317-2131
[email protected]

Dr. Chunwu Zhu is an Assistant Research Scientist in the Performance Evaluation Program at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI). He joined TTI in 2025 and previously served as a Graduate Research Assistant from 2021 to 2025. Dr. Zhu is also a member of the Center for Geospatial Sciences, Applications, and Technology (GeoSAT) at Texas A&M University and the Urban Artificial Intelligence Lab within the Texas A&M Data Science Institute.

Dr. Zhu's interdisciplinary background combines public administration and public policy (BPA and MPA) with urban planning (Ph.D.), specializing in the application of AI to transportation safety. He has published more than 20 journal articles and participated in more than 10 projects funded by NCHRP, FHWA, TxDOT, etc. His doctoral dissertation, Urban AI for Safe and Equitable Streets: Evaluating Roadway Safety and Equity through Artificial Intelligence, received the Barclay Gibbs Jones Award for Best Dissertation in Planning from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) (Link).

At TTI, Dr. Zhu focuses on three primary areas of research and development:

1. AI Applications in Transportation. Dr. Zhu applies state-of-the-art AI techniques to address transportation challenges in areas such as safety, planning, operations, and infrastructure management. His expertise spans computer vision, large language models (LLMs), local LLM deployment, machine learning, and other advanced AI methodologies. Notable projects include the development of a real-time AI-based near-miss event detection system using Texas CCTV camera feeds and a real-time AI-based cross-border traffic monitoring and analytics platform (CrossTrack).

2. Website/Software/Mobile Application/Digital Twin Development. Dr. Zhu develops innovative digital tools that bridge the gap between research and implementation. His work includes the design and deployment of websites, software platforms, mobile applications, and digital twin technologies that enable transportation professionals to apply research findings in real-world settings. Examples of these tools can be found on his project website (Link).

3. Performance Evaluation for Active Transportation. Dr. Zhu has extensive experience conducting performance evaluations for active transportation projects, including assessments of safety, public health impacts, cost-benefit analysis, and equity outcomes. He has contributed to state and national research projects, including: NCHRP 17-112: Enhancing Crash Modification Factors and Safety Performance Functions for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Countermeasures; TxDOT Project 0-7189: Safety Assessment of Shared Use Paths at Roadway Crossings Using Exposure-Based Models; FHWA Project 25-035: Exploring Risk Factors Contributing to Inequities in Pedestrian and Bicyclist Fatalities and Serious Injuries

Dr. Zhu is passionate about combining cutting-edge AI tools with deep transportation domain expertise to develop practical tools and solutions that help transportation professionals and practitioners improve safety, mobility, and quality of life while creating meaningful real-world impact.