University of Tennessee Chattanooga receives funding to research traffic safety and mobility

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga has recently received $500,000 from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Transportation Network Growth Opportunity in order to develop two systems that will improve Chattanooga’s traffic safety and mobility. The funding comes after two similar awards were provided to the University of Tennessee Chattanooga’s Research Institute’s Center for Urban Informatics and Progress in 2023 and 2024.

According to an article on the University of Tennessee Chattanooga’s website, the university’s Interim Chancellor Robert Dooley was quoted as saying, “This investment by the State of Tennessee affirms the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s role as a leader in innovation and real-world research. Through the visionary work of the UTC Research Institute and outstanding partners like DENSO and LG CNS, we are shaping the future of traffic safety and smart mobility. These initiatives not only enhance the quality of life in Chattanooga but also demonstrate how UTC can drive progress that benefits our community, economy, and the entire state.”

The two projects that have been funded will see the university partnering with two separate organizations. In the first project, UTC will partner with DENSO to utilize artificial intelligence to predict traffic accidents and detect collisions at the same moment they happen. The second project will see UTC partner with LG CNS to create the country’s first-ever smart crosswalk system, which was designed using artificial intelligence, to extend signal times to better assist people crossing the street safely, increasing accessibility and decreasing accidents.

Dr. Mina Sartipi, who serves as the executive director of the University of Tennessee Chattanooga’s Research Institute’s Center for Urban Informatics and Progress, said, “CUIP is excited to spearhead two major TNGO-funded projects in Chattanooga in collaboration with DENSO and LG CNS—two of our most dynamic and innovative industry partners. Thanks to their support and the continued investment of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, it is clear that Tennessee—and Chattanooga in particular—is where the future of urban mobility and safety will be created. We can’t wait to see where these projects take us.”

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Transportation Network Growth Opportunity aims to increase research and development regarding traffic safety and mobility, and, including these two projects, has funded a total of nine projects.

UT System President Randy Boyd said, “Growing university and industry collaboration is a top priority across the UT System, and why we worked to advocate strongly for the creation of TNGO. We are grateful to the State and TNECD for recognizing the power of these partnerships. Our recipients, UT Chattanooga and UT Knoxville, are partnering with global Tennessee brands to discover and create new technologies – underscoring our commitment to help make Tennessee the top state for research and development, engineering and innovation.”

For more information about the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, visit the school’s website.