University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Grainger College of Engineering
Illinois Center for Transportation

Hey Google, play Celebration!

4/25/2023 Noelle Arbulu

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering transportation group has a lot to celebrate.

Six graduate students have been making their mark, collecting one award after another this semester.

Kang, left, received first place for his Federal Aviation Administration research on the mechanical stabilization of airport pavement. Wang, right, received second place for her ICT and IDOT on the effectiveness of geosynthetics in soil and aggregate stabilization.
Kang, left, received first place for his Federal Aviation Administration research on the mechanical stabilization of airport pavement. Wang, right, received second place for her ICT and IDOT research on the effectiveness of geosynthetics in soil and aggregate stabilization. 

Mingu Kang and Han Wang, received first and second place, respectively, at the 2023 Geosynthetics Conference student research showcase.

Their research showcases the potential of geosynthetics — synthetic materials that help stabilize or strengthen soil or aggregates in pavement layers — to enhance the performance, durability and sustainability of our transportation systems.

Alhadidi's research, left, focuses on asphalt binder material, which is a petroleum product used to bind aggregates together. Vyas' research, right, focuses on the fatigue characterization of asphalt binders and mixtures.
Alhadidi’s research, left, focuses on asphalt binder material, which is a petroleum product used to bind aggregates together. Vyas’ research, right, focuses on the fatigue characterization of asphalt binders and mixtures.

Yusra Alhadidi and Abhilash Vyas received the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association 2023 scholarship award at the IAPA conference.

The IAPA scholarship program was started in 1984 and has awarded over 200 scholarships to date.

“The scholarship award is more than a ‘personal achievement,’” Alhadidi said. “It is an opportunity to open the door for girls like me, and it sends a message that we can do amazing work in the field of asphalt materials and transportation.”

For Vyas receiving the award, “feels satisfying and encouraging to get recognized for the work among industry peers.”

[cr][lf]<p>Sulaiman’s recognition featured his research on using highway pavement materials in airports that are not as busy as major airports.</p>[cr][lf]
Sulaiman’s recognition featured his research on using highway pavement materials in airports that are not as busy as major airports.

AbdulGafar Sulaiman won the People’s Choice Award at the Graduate College’s Research Live! Competition, where multidisciplinary graduate students give a three-minute talk aimed to get a general audience interested in their research.

His submission, “Be Asphalt, My Friend,” highlights the importance of asphalt in our daily lives.

“Roads are an integral part of the transportation infrastructure, and the majority of these roads are held together by asphalt,” Sulaiman said.

Ramakrishnan's poster highlighted his research on designing and building pavement infrastructure for future mobility such as electric, autonomous and connected vehicles.
Ramakrishnan’s poster highlighted his research on designing and building pavement infrastructure for future mobility such as electric, autonomous and connected vehicles.

Check out his submission here.

Aravind Ramakrishnan received second place at the CCAT Global Symposium Student Poster Competition.

His research, Integrated Connected Truck Drone Freight Delivery: A Case Study, focuses on using freight truck platoons and drone delivery to reduce energy use, emissions and costs while increasing safety.

Ramakrishnan credits his success to his team members: Egemen Okte, Ruifeng She, Tong Liu, Ashraf Alrajhi, Sachindra Dahal and professors Imad Al-Qadi, Yanfeng Ouyang, Jeffery Roesler, Hasan Ozer and Hadi Meidani.

“I consider this award as recognition and encouragement for the wonderful contribution we did as a team,” Ramakrishnan said. “I would like to dedicate this award to the whole ICT CCAT team.”

Wang's image I Dare You to Stand on this Rock-made Jenga! showcases the power of geosynthetics - synthetic materials that help stabilize or strengthen soil or aggregates in pavement layers.
Wang’s image “I Dare You to Stand on this Rock-made Jenga!” showcases the power of geosynthetics — synthetic materials that help stabilize or strengthen soil or aggregates in pavement layers.

Han Wang won third place at the Graduate College’s 2023 Image of Research competition.

Winners of the annual multidisciplinary competition are selected based on originality, visual impact and connection between image, text and research.

Wang’s image showcases a way to stabilize “unseen” layers in highways, airport runways and railroad tracks with a sensor technology developed at UIUC.

“I would like to acknowledge my colleagues Mingu Kang (who is actually standing on the rock pile), Issam Qamhia, Syed Faizan Husain and my advisor Erol Tutumluer for their inspiration, support and help for this image entry,” Wang said. “This award would not be possible without them.”

Congratulations to all on their achievements.