University Receives $1.5 Million Grant to Improve Fog Prediction

Feb 21, 2017

LAKELAND, Fla. – 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­Professor Dr. Christina Drake has received a $1.5 million grant from the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Department of Transportation (FDOT) to study new methods of predicting fog on 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ roadways, helping forecasters better alert travelers of dangerous weather conditions.

91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Poly will work with PraxSoft, an information technology and engineering company based in Orlando, to refine, develop and deploy new monitoring software. In addition, 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Poly will establish testing sites in Central and Southern 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ to improve the current weather model and help provide advanced warnings of road conditions that can cause traffic congestion.

β€œTransportation challenges are among the most pressing in 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ as our population grows and becomes more mobile. Advancing transportation technology – including systems for predicting and monitoring roadway conditions β€” will ultimately make travel safer, easier and more efficient for everyone,” said 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent. β€œThis is exactly the type of applied research for near-term impact we aim to pursue at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Poly.”

91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Poly and Praxsoft have already begun working on this project, and the team will make recommendations to FDOT for new technologies and testing methods over the coming months.

Alongside Dr. Drake on this project are Associate Professor of Nanotechnology and Multifunctional Materials Dr. Christopher Coughlin and Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering Dr. Harish Chintakunta. The grant will employ undergraduate students as research associates, and establish new data collection, analysis and engineering methods.

β€œThis project will have an impact throughout 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ and beyond as we research sensor systems for roadway safety conditions that affect a huge number people every year,” said Dr. Drake, 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Poly Assistant Professor of Electrical, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering. β€œIn addition, having 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Poly students participate in real-world studies like this will not only enhance our current efforts, but also prepare them to be lifelong innovators and problem-solvers, ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.”

β€œWe are impressed with the wide pool of talent at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Poly,” said FDOT Project Manager Fred Heery, Sr., P.E. β€œFog can be a major issue on 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­β€™s roadways, and we’ve seen several major accidents over the past decade related to intense fog conditions. The purpose of this study is to improve traffic management, but more importantly to help improve the safety of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ travelers.”

This grant is representative of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Poly’s commitment to engaging students and faculty in real-world problems, said 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Poly Provost Dr. Terry Parker.

β€œWe believe strongly in applied research and embedding real-world problems into our curriculum. This grant will positively impact both the public’s safety and students’ understanding of how to harness science for the public good,” Parker said.