Valpo Engineering Professor Awarded INDOT Research Grant

March 25, 2021 – Valparaiso, Indiana – Jay Grossman, Ph.D., P.E., assistant professor of civil engineering at Valparaiso University, has received a grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to continue research into traffic signal detection systems. The grant, totaling $31,645, will allow Grossman to test and evaluate three new detection systems for the state of Indiana.

“Professor Grossman’s opportunity to work with the Indiana Department of Transportation reinforces Valparaiso University’s commitment to supporting faculty in scholarship and research,” said Doug Tougaw, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Engineering.

Grossman’s research will include both radar and camera systems. He will determine whether or not these technologies are as safe and efficient as those currently in place.

“I’m always excited to start a new project and am grateful for the support of Valpo’s College of Engineering to provide the necessary space and resources,” Grossman said. “I’m glad that INDOT reached out; this project is a perfect fit for Valpo based on its scale and applicability.”

Valpo’s College of Engineering is ranked No. 13 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for best undergraduate engineering programs, and students have numerous opportunities to conduct research in each of the college’s disciplines — bioengineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering and mechanical engineering. The INDOT grant will expand upon these opportunities by allowing Grossman to bring on two undergraduate research assistants who will have be able to explore course concepts in a practical setting. He will also use the research findings in the classroom.

“My own research does help when I’m teaching because I can show the students in real time what our textbook means,” Grossman said. “In an introduction to transportation engineering course, we talk about how to program signals to use detection. Upperclass students then use videos and data from the systems I’ve researched.”

This is the second round of testing that Grossman will complete with INDOT. He previously evaluated two camera systems and a magnetic detection technology on the state’s safety and efficiency standards.