Tennessee State University receives portion of SMART Grant awarded to City of Nashville
Tennessee State University’s College of Engineering will see $700,000 of the $10 million awarded to the City of Nashville from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help improve safety on roads for pedestrians and drivers.
The US Department of Transportation awarded $10 million in funding to the City of Nashville via its SMART Grant initiative, a portion of which has been given to Tennessee State University’s College of Engineering to partner with Nashville’s Department of Transportation (NDOT) and WeGo Public Transit in order to improve road safety.
According to an article on Tennessee State University’s website, Dr. Quincy Quick, who is the university’s associate vice president for Research and Sponsored Programs, was quoted as saying of the project, “This project embodies one of the fundamental concepts and cores of research. It will employ state-of-the-art technology and make a lasting impact on society. Our TSU students will work with LiDAR, AI, and machine learning technology as part of this project. That aligns with the City of Nashville’s approach to integrating technology to enhance the quality of life for its citizens.”
The project will be led by Dr. Kamrul Hasan, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering. Two graduate students, Atiqur Mallick and Tupac Moseley, who are working toward their master’s degrees in computer science and computer information systems engineering, will also take part in the project. The project will rely on LiDAR technology data to analyze near-miss accidents as a means of researching ways to improve safety on Nashville roads, leading to technology enhancements that will make driving safer for all.
Moseley explained his eagerness to take part in this kind of project, saying, “We’re excited to see how the project grows and how our involvement—through real conversations with community members—helps improve safety. I’m also looking forward to expanding industry collaborations, not only with TSU but with other HBCUs as well. The fact that we’re working just down the street from TSU and engaging with people in this corridor and North Nashville is a great opportunity.”
Further speaking on the benefits this project will have on Nashville, Dr. Hasan said, “Ultimately, this research will benefit not only Nashville but the entire state. This phase of the project is a stepping stone. We’re looking to expand our findings nationwide so more communities can benefit.”
For more information about Tennessee State University, visit the school’s website.