SHRC Research Capabilities and Laboratory Facilities

Autonomy and Sensing:

The SHRC is building a future where road infrastructure can self-monitor, self-assess, and even self-repair. Our research in autonomy focuses on the integration of connected and automated vehicle (CAV) systems, robotics, and advanced sensing technologies into the full pavement lifecycle, from material testing and quality assurance to autonomous construction and maintenance. Leveraging a suite of full-scale autonomous vehicles and robotic platforms equipped with LiDAR, radar, and high-resolution perception systems, we are able to conduct real-world and lab-scale experiments on intelligent material testing, pavement condition inspection, and repair. Unique to our facility is a mobile robotic repair system combining advanced sensing, robotic arms, hot air lance, and asphalt crack sealing technology, enabling rapid and precise cracking evaluation and treatment. In addition, our deployment of aerial drones and quadruped robots enhances our ability to inspect and map pavement surface conditions in a more complex or hazardous environment. Together, these capabilities position SHRC at the cutting edge of automated road infrastructure research, enabling us to rethink how roads are designed, maintained, and managed in the era of autonomy.

Artificial Intelligence & Data Science:

SHRC’s AI and data science research capabilities cover developing intelligent, data-centric solutions to enhance the design, management, and performance of modern transportation infrastructure. We integrate a sensor-equipped Ford E-Transit van with control-by-wire capability, real-time 5G connectivity, and edge computing to enable in-situ AI deployment and dynamic data collection. This is supported by high-performance computing systems equipped with advanced GPUs for training machine learning models and generating high-fidelity digital twins. A key strength of our program lies in the creation and utilization of structured pavement and infrastructure databases, which provide the foundation for model development, validation, and scalable digital representations of physical assets. Coupled with immersive VR headsets and driving simulators, our facilities support interactive scenario testing, system visualization, and human-in-the-loop evaluations. This integrated ecosystem empowers SHRC to push the frontiers of AI-driven transportation solutions that are predictive, adaptive, and deeply informed by real-world data.

Pavement Materials, Sustainability and Resiliency:

SHRC drives the next generation of better-performing, sustainable, and resilient asphalt pavements. Our current research focal areas include: Asphalt Modification; Asphalt Recycling/Rejuvenating; Low-energy and Low Binder Content Asphalt Mix Design; Performance Based Spec. (PBS)/Balanced Mix Design (BMD); Alternative Paving Materials; Environmental Product Declaration/Sustainability; Adaptive Strategies to Improve Pavement Resiliency. The asphalt binder laboratory is equipped to conduct standard asphalt binder tests and also perform non-standard tests for advanced material characterization. Our mixture laboratory houses the full set of SuperPave and BMD mixture testing equipment, enabling comprehensive assessments of volumetrics, viscoelasticity, moisture damage, cracking and rutting performance. Advanced mechanical simulations, including finite‑element, discrete‑element, and molecular‑dynamics, simulate how asphalt mixtures with the measured material properties behave under the various external loading and environmental conditions.