Al-Qadi receives Lifetime Achievement Award for University Transportation Education and Research
1/9/2025
The Council of University Transportation Centers honored Imad Al-Qadi, Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering and Illinois Center for Transportation director, with the Lifetime Achievement Award for University Transportation Education and Research.
The annual award recognizes individuals with long-standing excellence in research and education as well as professional service. Al-Qadi’s award reflects his groundbreaking work and leadership in transportation infrastructure, sustainability and innovation.
Chandra Bhat, Joe J. King Chair in Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, introduced Al-Qadi at the award ceremony, highlighting Al-Qadi’s impact in “nurturing and producing multiple generations of high-quality researchers and professionals.”
“When you interact with Imad, what immediately comes through is this childlike curiosity. His passion for learning,” Bhat said. “Add to that the compassion, empathy and respect he extends to his fellow human beings and his down-to-earth demeanor and humility.”
“It’s little wonder that he has made backbreaking contributions as far as being a trailblazer in producing multiple generations of our transportation leaders,” he added. “He has consistently been well ahead of his time in producing new ideas, new concepts, to the point of shaping the very trajectory of our profession. He is a luminary of our time.”
Over the past 35 years, Al-Qadi has had a profound impact on transportation research and education. As founding director of ICT, established in 2005, he has led numerous initiatives, including the development of the Illinois Autonomous and Connected Track, aimed at advancing autonomous and connected vehicle research.
Al-Qadi’s research spans a wide range of topics within transportation, including airfield and highway pavement mechanics, electrified freight and platoons, sustainability and ground-penetrating radar.
He is widely regarded as a pioneer in pavement sensing, testing and modeling, having made significant strides in areas such as truck platoons, life cycle assessment, life cycle cost analysis, sustainability and resiliency of transportation infrastructure. His pioneering work has led to the development of several standards adopted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Through his innovative research, Al-Qadi has advanced transportation safety, resilience and sustainability by developing new technologies and analytical methods that continue to shape the evolution of transportation systems worldwide.
Al-Qadi has also held leadership roles in several professional organizations. He has chaired various committees and task forces within the Transportation Research Board and has chaired the Board of Governors of the Academy of Pavement Science and Engineering. He also served as President of the Board of Governors of the American Society of Civil Engineers Transportation and Development Institute and is the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Pavement Engineering.
Al-Qadi has authored or co-authored more than 1,000 publications. In 2020, TRB listed Al-Qadi among Transportation Research Record’s most prolific authors. He was listed as the most published author in his field and had the highest number of coauthor collaborations.
A dedicated mentor, Al-Qadi has guided over 50 doctoral students, 40 postdoctoral researchers and many master’s students during his career. He credits his success to the hard work and dedication of his students and staff at ICT.
CUTC formally recognized Al-Qadi at an annual awards banquet held on January 4 in Washington, D.C.