News

The Chesapeake and Potomac Section of ITE (CAPSITE) Annual Conference was held at the National Union Building on October 24, 2024. At the conference, Dr. Zhengtian Xu represented the GW Transportation Program, introducing the program and the GWU ITE student chapter. Officially registered in 2023, the chapter is actively growing, and we look forward to engaging more transportation professionals with additional events planned for the future!

Dr. Xu was also invited to participate in a panel discussion moderated by Sarah Abel from ITS America, focusing on land use and sustainable transportation. Alongside David and Jamie, Dr. Xu shared his insights on topics ranging from emerging mobilities,  EV charging infrastructure, to transit-oriented development. It’s inspiring to see so much shared interest in sustainable transportation!

At INFORMS 2024 in Seattle, Dr. Xu and Dr. Kenan Zhang continued their INFORMS session series by organizing a session on Innovative Last-Mile Solutions for Passengers and Freight. In this session, Linxuan presented his work analyzing microhubs for meal delivery services [URL].

Dr. Xu has also been selected by the Transportation Science editorial board to receive a Meritorious Service Award, recognizing his dedicated efforts as a reviewer for the journal. This is his third consecutive year receiving this honor.

Additionally, at the TSL Business Meeting, it was announced that Dr. Xu has been appointed as the TSL Cluster Vice-Chair. He is excited to start this new role serving the TSL community!

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) have funded the establishment of the Research and Engagement for Action in Climate and Health (REACH) Center, an environmental health center of excellence. The REACH Center is led by Dr. Susan Anenberg, professor and chair of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health. This multi-institutional partnership, involving George Washington University, George Mason University, Howard University, and the Environmental Defense Fund, aims to leverage big data to drive climate solutions that promote health and environmental justice.

The SUM Lab will collaborate with a team of researchers from environmental and public health disciplines to evaluate the potential health and environmental justice benefits of congestion pricing in Washington, DC.

Dr. Xu starts an affiliate faculty appointment with the Global Food Institute (GFI). This newly-chartered institute was founded in 2023 by GW and renowned chef, humanitarian and long-time GW instructor, José Andrés. The GFI seeks to advance global food policy and address the world’s most urgent problems by understanding and leveraging the power of food. Dr. Xu shares an interest in how the rise of urban delivery is reshaping restaurant, grocery, and food charities operations and altering the dynamics of how people access food in cities.

We look forward to collaborating with the GFI to make the world a better place through the power of food!

Dr. Xu delivered a podium presentation at ISTTT25 on the economics of curb parking in urban delivery. It was a pleasure to be back in Michigan four years after graduation and share this exciting work with fellow transportation scholars. Presenting at Rackham Auditorium was truly an extraordinary experience. [URL]