The Institute for Software Integrated Systems Shines at Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo with Innovations in Smart Mobility

Leaders and visionaries in the smart mobility field, including Professors Jonathan Sprinkle, Dan Work, and Abhishek Dubey, played pivotal roles in the annual Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo on December 5-6. Hosted by TennSMART at Nashville’s Music City Center, the event showcased the latest advancements in smart mobility.

Vanderbilt, a sponsor and key participant, spotlighted cutting-edge research and innovation led by faculty and students at the expo. The university's exhibit, featuring a VandyRide electric shuttle, provided a tangible look at the transformative impact of Vanderbilt's smart mobility initiatives.

The expo served as a platform to highlight collaborative efforts, notably through strong partnerships with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and Nissan. Prof. Dan Work, speaking alongside Chancellor Diermeier and Josh Westerhold of Nissan in the "Test it in Tennessee" panel, exemplified this collaboration within the main program.

In addition to the broader university participation, Abhishek Dubey and his PhD student Sophie Pavia presented groundbreaking work focused on enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of public transit. Their collaboration with the Chattanooga Regional Transportation Authority and Nashville Wego aimed at making public transit more streamlined and responsive.

Dubey's team, in partnership with CARTA in Chattanooga, developed efficient non-myopic demand response microtransit algorithms applicable to both demand-responsive transit and paratransit systems. Collaborating with Wego and Dan Freudberg, Dubey's team worked on data analytics and visualizations to identify headway performance bottlenecks in fixed-line transit, developing algorithms to address these challenges.

Furthermore, Abhishek Dubey actively participated in a panel discussion with fellow research leaders in Team-TN across the state, emphasizing the importance of use-inspired research at the intersection of mobility and power grid. This multifaceted engagement showcased Vanderbilt's commitment to innovation and collaboration, making the expo a nexus for critical discussions and groundbreaking innovations in the smart mobility space.