Research Interest

Intelligent Transportation Systems, Traffic Flow Theory, Simulation-Based Optimization, Transportation Planning, Stochastic Traffic Modeling, Traffic Control and Highway Operation

Research Projects

1.National Natural Science Foundation of China (51508505). Traffic Flow Modeling and Operational Strategies Optimization for Urban Transportation Corridor Simulations. 01/2016-12/2018, ¥200,000 ($32,540). PI.

2.Zhejiang University "Hundred Talents Program" Project. 03/2015-12/2020,         ¥2,000,000 ($325,400). PI.

3.Research Center of ITS Engineering and Technologies of Zhejiang. Mesoscopic Traffic Simulation and Optimization of Integrated Transportation Management Strategies for the Urban Road Network of Hangzhou. 07/2015-06/2016, ¥50,000. PI.

4. National Science Foundation, CAREER Award. Reliability as an Emergent Property of Transportation Networks. 01/20130-12/2017, $400,000. Co-PI (Dr. Lei Zhang, PI).

5.U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program. National Transportation Center on Strategic Transportation Policies, Investments, and Decisions. 10/2013-09/2017, $11,200,000. Co-PI (Dr. Lei Zhang, PI).

6. U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program, National Transportation Center @ Maryland. National and Inter-Regional Travel Demand Analysis: Person-Level Micro-simulation Model and Application to High-Speed Rail Demand Forecasting. 03/2014-03/2015, $80,000. Co-PI (Dr. Lei Zhang, PI).

7. Federal Highway Administration, Exploratory Advanced Research (DTFH61-11-C-00018). Agent-Based Approach for Integrated Driver and Traveler Behavior Modeling: Theory, Methodology, and Applications to Transportation Systems Management and Investment Planning. 01/2013-06/2014, $950,000. Co-PI (Dr. Lei Zhang, PI).

8. Maryland State Highway Administration. Inter-County Connector Before and After Study: Transition Phase. 01/2013-12/2013, $300,000. Co-PI (Dr. Lei Zhang, PI).

9. National Natural Science Foundation of China. Comprehensive Strategies Optimization of Sustainable Transportation Systems Using Agent-based Simulation. 01/2014-12/2017, ¥800,000 ($130,320). Co-PI (Dr. Meng Li, PI).

Education

• Ph.D., 09/2008 - 01/2013, Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
Dissertation: Stochastic Evolutions of Dynamic Traffic Flow: Modelling and Application
2013 IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Society (ITSS) Best Dissertation Award
Advisor, Qixin Shi, Professor of Institute of Transportation Engineering, Tsinghua University
Co-Advisor, Li Li, Associated Professor of Department of Automation, Tsinghua University
• Joint Training Ph.D. Student, 09/2011 - 08/2012, University of Cailifornia at Berkeley
Host Advisor, Wei-Bin Zhang, Research Engineer of California PATH, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of Cailifornia at Berkeley
• B.S., 08/2004 - 07/2008, Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

Professional Employment

• "Hundred Talents Program" Professor, Principal Investigator, 03/2015 - Present
College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University
• Assistant Director of Research and Education, 10/2013 - 02/2015
National Transportation Center @ Maryland (NTC@Maryland)
U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program
• Research Associate, 07/2014 - 06/2015
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park
• Faculty Research Assistant, 07/2012 - 06/2014
Transportation Engineering Program (TEP), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park
 

Selected Publication

Books and Chapters
1. Chen X.*, Li L. and Shi Q. (2015) Stochastic Evolutions of Dynamic Traffic Flow: Modeling and Applications. Springer, Heidelberg.
2. Xiong C., Chen X. and Zhang L.* (2014). Multidimensional travel decision-making: Descriptive behavioural theory and agent-based models. Timmermans, H.J.P., Rasouli, S. (Ed.) Bounded Rational Choice Behavior: Applications in Transport. Emerald, UK. Oct. 2014.
Journal Publications
1. Li L., Chen X.*, Li Z. and Zhang L. (2015) A global optimization algorithm for trajectory data based car-following model calibration. Transportation Research Part C, accepted. (SCI)
2. Chen X., Xiong C., He X. Zhu, Z. and Zhang L.* (2016) Time-of-day vehicle mileage fees for congestion mitigation and revenue generation: A simulation-based optimization method and its real-world application. Transportation Research Part C, 63, pp. 71-95.
3. Li M., Chen X.*, Lin X., Xu D. and Wang Y. (2015) Connected vehicle based dynamic all-red extension for adaptive signalized intersections. Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems, accepted.
4. He X., Chen X.*, Xiong C., Zhu Z. and Zhang L.* (2016) Determining the optimal time-varying pricing for toll roads under different objectives with a simulation based optimization method. Transportation Science, in press.
5. Li M., Chen X.* and Ni, W. (2015) An extended generalized filter algorithm for urban expressway traffic time estimation based on heterogeneous data. Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems, in press.
6. Chu C., Xie N.*, Chen X., Wu Y. and Sun X. (2015) Temporal-spatial analysis of traffic congestion based on modified CTM. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 136102.
7. Xiong C., Chen X., He X., Lin X. and Zhang L.* (2016) Agent-based en-route diversion simulation: Dynamic behavioral responses and network performance represented by macroscopic fundamental diagram. Transportation Research Part C, 64, pp. 148-163.
8. Chen X., Zhu Z., He X. and Zhang L.* (2015) Surrogate-based optimization for solving mixed integer network design problem. Journal of Transportation Research Board: Transportation Research Record, 2497, pp. 124-136.
9. Chen X., Zhu Z. and Zhang L.* (2015) Simulation-based optimization of mixed road pricing policies in a large real-world network. Transportation Research Procedia, 8, pp. 215-226.
10. Xiong C., Chen X., He X., Guo W. and Zhang L.* (2015) The analysis of dynamic travel mode choice: A heterogeneous hidden Markov approach. Transportation, 42(6), pp. 985-1002.
11. Xiong C., Zhu, Z., He, X., Chen X., Zhu S., Mahapatra S., Chang G.-L. and Zhang L.* (2015)Developing a 24-hour large-scale microscopic traffic simulation model for the before-and-after study of a new tolled freeway in the Washington DC-Baltimore region. ASCE Journal of Transportation Engineering, 141(6), 05015001.
12. Zhu Z., Xiong C., Chen X., He X. and Zhang L.* (2015) Agent-based microsimulation approach for design and evaluation of flexible work schedules. Journal of Transportation Research Board: Transportation Research Record, 2537, pp. 167-176.
13. Jiang X.*, Chen X., Zhang L., Zhang R. (2015) Dynamic demand forecasting and ticket assignment for high speed rail revenue management in China. Journal of Transportation Research Board: Transportation Research Record, 2475, pp. 37-45.
14. Chen X., Zhang L.*, He X., Xiong C. and Li Z. (2014) Surrogate-based optimization of expensive-to-evaluate objective for optimal highway toll charges in transportation network. Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 29(5), pp. 359-381.
15. Wang Z., Chen X., Ouyang Y. and Li M.* (2015) Emission mitigation via longitudinal control of intelligent vehicles in a congested platoon: An exploratory study. Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 30(6), pp. 490-506.
16. Jiang X.*, Zhang L. and Chen X. (2014) Short-term forecasting of high speed rail demand: A hybrid approach combining ensemble empirical mode decomposition and gray support vector machine with real-world applications in China. Transportation Research Part C, 44, pp. 110-127.
17. Li L., Chen X.* and Zhang L. (2014) Multimodel ensemble for traffic state estimations. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 15(3), pp. 1323-1336.
18. Chen X., Li Z., Jiang H. and Li M.* (2014) Investigations of interactions between bus rapid transit and general traffic flows. Journal of Advanced Transportation, 49(3), pp, 326-340.
19. Chen X., Li, Z. and Li, L.* (2014) A traffic breakdown model based on queueing theory. Networks and Spatial Economics, 14(3-4), pp. 485-504.
20. Chen X., Yin M., Song M., Zhang L. and Li M.* (2014) Social welfare maximization of multimodal transportation: Theory, metamodel, and application to Tianjin Ecocity, China. Journal of Transportation Research Board: Transportation Research Record, 2451, pp. 36-49.
21. Chen X., Li Z., Li L.* and Shi Q. (2014) Characterizing scattering features in flow-density plots using a stochastic platoon model. Transportmetrica A: Transport Science, 10(9), pp. 820-845.
22. Li L., Chen X.*, Li Z. and Zhang L. (2013) Freeway travel-time estimation based on temporal-spatial queueing model. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 14(3), pp. 1536-1541.
23. Li L.*, Chen X. and Li Z. (2013) Asymmetric stochastic Tau theory in car-following. Transportation Research, Part F, 18, pp. 21-33.
24. Chen X., Li L.* and Li Z. (2012) Phase diagram analysis based on a temporal-spatial queueing model.IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 13(4), pp. 1705-1716.
25. Yin S., Chen X., Li M.*, Shi Q. and Li Z. (2012) Evaluation of accident induced indirect costs for measuring penalties on violations of laws. Journal of Transportation Research Board: Transportation Research Record, 2317, pp. 111-120.
26. Fang J.*, Qin Z., Chen X., Xu Z. and Jiang Z. (2012) Decentralized cooperation strategies in two-dimensional traffic of cellular automata. Communications in Theoretical Physics, 58(06), pp. 883-890.
27. Fang J.*, Qin Z., Chen X., Leng B. and Xu Z. (2012) Jamming transition of point-to-point traffic through cooperative mechanisms. International Journal of Modern Physics C, 23(11), p. 1250077.
28. Chen X., Li L.* and Zhang Y. (2010) A Markov model for headway/spacing distribution of road traffic.IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 11(4), pp. 773-785.
29. Chen X.*, Shi J., Xie W. and Shi Q. (2010) Perturbation and stability analysis of the multi-anticipative intelligent driver model. International Journal of Modern Physics C, 21(5), pp. 647-668.
30. Chen X., Li L.*, Jiang R. and Yang X. (2010) On the intrinsic concordance between the wide scattering feature of synchronized flow and the empirical spacing distributions. Chinese Physics Letter, 27(7), 074501.
31. Fang J.*, Shi J., Chen X. and Qin Z. (2010) A two-dimensional CA traffic model with dynamic route choices between residence and workplace. International Journal of Modern Physics C, 21(2), pp. 221-237.
32. Chen X., Shi Q. and Li L.* (2010) Location specific cell transmission model for freeway traffic.Tsinghua Science and Technology, 15(4), pp. 475-480.
33. Chen X.*, Yang X., Li L. and Shi Q. (2010). Anticipative and adaptive extension of cell transmission model based on intelligent transportation system information. Journal of Control Theory and Applications, 27(12), pp. 1591-1597. (In Chinese)
34. Chen X.* and Li R. (2007). Traffic signal control optimization strategy based on simulation. Computer and Communications, 25(5), pp. 17-20. (In Chinese)
35. Chen X.* and Zheng S. (2007). Average duration of return for evaluation of mutually exclusive projects. China Civil Engineering Journal, 40(11), pp. 104-109. (In Chinese)
Selected Conference Papers
1. Zhu Z., Tang L., Chen X. and Zhang L.* (2016) Travel mode choice decision making via Bayesian decision network. The 95th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, United States, January 10-14, 2016.
2. Jiang X., Zhang L., Lu W. and Chen X.* (2016) Competition between high-speed rail and airline based on game theory. The 95th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, United States, January 10-14, 2016.
3. Xiong C., Yang D., Chen X. and Zhang L.* (2016) A mixed Bayesian network for two-dimensional decision modeling of departure time and lane choice. The 14th World Conference on Transport Research, Shanghai, China, July 10-15, 2016.
4. Xiong C., Yang D., Chen X. and Zhang L.* (2015) On model transferability: A Bayesian approach to calibrating travel demand models. The 14th International Conference Travel Behaviour Research, Beaumont Estate, Windsor, United Kingdom, July 19-23, 2015.
5. Chen X., Zhang L.*, He X. and Xiong C. (2015) Simulation-based pricing optimization for improving network-wide travel time reliability. The 6th International Symposium on Transportation Network Reliability, Nara, Japan, August 2-3, 2015.
6. Xiong C., Chen X., He X. and Zhang L.* (2015) Simulation-based optimal travel information provision strategies: An agent-based approach under uncertainty. The 6th International Symposium on Transportation Network Reliability, Nara, Japan, August 2-3, 2015.
7. Zhu Z., Xiong C., Chen X., He X. and Zhang L.* (2015) Integrating dynamic traffic assignment and agent-based travel behavior models for cumulative land development impact analysis. The 7th International Symposium on Travel Demand Management, Tucson, Arizona, United States, April 13-15, 2015.
8. Chen X., Xiong C., He X., Zhu, Z. and Zhang L.* (2015) Congestion pricing for improving network service: A simulation-based optimization approach. The 94th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, United States, January 11-15, 2015.
9. Chen X., He X., Xiong C. and Zhang L.* (2015) A Bayesian stochastic Kriging metamodel for simultaneous optimization of travel behavioral responses and traffic management. The 94th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, United States, January 11-15, 2015.
10. He X., Chen X., Xiong C., Zhu Z. and Zhang L.* (2015) Integrated optimization of transportation demand management and traffic operations using simulation: A bootstrapped support vector regression method considering the statistical distribution of simulation noise. The 94th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, United States, January 11-15, 2015.
11. Xiong C., Chen X., He X. and Zhang L.* (2015) Multidimensional travel decision-making: Descriptive behavioral theory and agent-based models. The 94th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, United States, January 11-15, 2015.
12. Lu Y., Chen X. and Zhang L.* (2015) A national travel demand model for the U.S.: A person-based microsimulation approach. The 94th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, United States, January 11-15, 2015.
13. Ni W., Chen X. and Li M.* (2015) An extended generalized filter algorithm for urban expressway traffic state estimations based on heterogeneous data. The 94th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, United States, January 11-15, 2015.
14. Wang Z., Chen X., Ouyang Y. and Li M.* (2015) Emission mitigation via longitudinal control of intelligent vehicles in a congested platoon: An exploratory study. The 94th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, United States, January 11-15, 2015.
15. Chen X., Zhu Z., Zhang L.* (2014) Simulation-based optimization of mixed road pricing policies in a large real-world network. European Transport Conference, Frankfurt, Germany, September 29-October 1, 2014.
16. Zhang L., Chen X.*, He X., and Xiong C. (2014) Bayesian stochastic Kriging metamodel for active traffic management of corridors. IIE Annual Conference and Expo, Montreal, Canada, May 31-June 3, 2014.
17. Chen X., Wang F., Li Z. and Li L.* (2013) An asymmetric stochastic car-following model based on extended Tau Theory. The Sixth International Conference on Nonlinear Mechanics, Shanghai, China, August 12-15, 2013. (Best Paper Award)
18. Chen X., Lin X., Xu D., Wang Y. and Li M.* (2013) Applying least squares support vector machines for prediction of red-light-running based on continuous vehicle trajectories measurements. The 93rd Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, United States, January 12-16, 2014.
19. Xiong C., Zhu Z., He X., Chen X. and Zhang L.* (2013) A 24-hour large-scale microscopic simulation case study of inter-county connector in Maryland. The 93rd Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board, Washington DC, United States, January 12-16, 2014.
20. He X., Chen X., Xiong C. and Zhang L.* (2013) Simulation-based optimization for highway toll charge using surrogate modeling. Conference on Agent-Based Modeling in Transportation Planning and Operations, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States, September 30-October 2, 2013.
21. Xiong C., Chen X., He X. and Zhang L.* (2013) Modeling agents’ en-route diversion behavior and its operations applications. Conference on Agent-Based Modeling in Transportation Planning and Operations, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States, September 30-October 2, 2013.
22. Zou M., Chen X., Yu H., Huang Z. and Li M.* (2013) Dynamic transportation planning and operations: Concept, framework and applications in China. The 13th COTA International Conference of Transportation Professionals, Shenzhen, China, August 13-16, 2013.
23. Song M., Yin M., Chen X., Zhang, L. and Li, M.* (2013) A simulation-based approach for sustainable transportation systems evaluation and optimization: Theory, systematic framework and applications.The 13th COTA International Conference of Transportation Professionals, Shenzhen, China, August 13-16, 2013.
24. Chen X., Xu D., Lin X., Cui X., Sun T. and Li, M.* (2013) Connected vehicle based dynamic all-red extension for adaptive signalized intersections. The 20th ITS World Congress, Tokyo, Japan, October 14-18, 2013.
25. Chen X., Li M.*, Jiang H. and Li Z. (2013) An empirical assessment of interactions between bus rapid transit and general traffic flows. The 92nd Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Record, Washington DC, United States, January 13-17, 2013.
26. Chen X., Li Z, Li M. and Li L.* (2012) Shockwave induced multistate Log-normal mixture model for oscillating travel time. The Annual Conference of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, Edmonton, Canada, June 6-9, 2012.
27. Chen X., Li M.*, Zhang L. and Li Z. (2012) Comparison of highway traffic breakdown features between U.S. and China using discrete wavelet transform: An empirical study. The 12th COTA International Conference of Transportation Professionals, Beijing, China, August 3-6, 2012.
28. Chen X., Li L.*, Shi Q. and Cao J. (2010) Equilibrium analysis and comparison for general CTMs and LCTMs. The 13th International IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, Madeira Island, Portugal, September 19-22, 2010.
29. Sun L.*, Chen X., Xie W. and Yang X. (2010) Calibration of acceleration-based and multi-anticipative car-following models by NGSIM trajectory data. The 10th ASCE International Conference of Chinese Transportation Professionals, Beijing, China, August 4-8, 2010.
30. Chen X., Li R.*, Xie W. and Shi Q. (2009) Stabilization of traffic flow based on multi-anticipative intelligent driver model. The 12th International IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, St. Louis, MO, USA, October 3-7, 2009, pp. 72-77.
31. Chen X.*, Yang X., Qin X., Shi Q. (2009). Intelligent driver model and its linear stability analysis. The 5th China Intelligent Transportation Systems Annual Meeting, Shenzhen, China, December 11-13, pp. 87-92. (In Chinese)
32. Qian R.*, Shi Q., Chen X. and Zhang L. (2009) Analysis of environmental conditions for dangerous goods transportation by container. The 5th Japan-China Joint Seminar on City and ITS “Low-Carbon Urban Planning and Transportation Policies”, Hiroshima, Japan, August 23-24, 2009, pp. 76-81.
33. Fang Y., Chen X. and Yang X.* (2009) Evaluation and optimization of public transport subsidies for alternative energy. The 9th ASCE International Conference of Chinese Transportation Professionals, Harbin, China, August 5-9, 2009, pp. 3105-3111.
34. Chen X., Li R.*, Lu H. and Zhang J. (2009) Spatio-temporal evolution of traffic congestions on urban freeways. The 2nd ASCE International Conference of Transportation Engineering, Chengdu, China, July 25-27, 2009, pp. 1643-1648.
35. Chen X.*, Shi Q., Qian R. and Yang X. (2009) Evolutionary algorithm of port based location routing problem. The 2009 WRI Global Congress on Intelligent Systems, GCIS 2009, Xiamen, China, May 19-21, 2009, pp. 14-18.
36. Chen X.*, Yang X. and Shi Q. (2009) Traffic analysis zone based urban activity study with aggregate mobile network data. The 2009 International IEEE Conference on Management and Service Science, Beijing, China, September 20-22, 2009.
37. Zheng Y., Chen X., Yang X.* (2008). Investigation and improvement measures of safety at
nighttime road work. The 3rd China International Forum on Traffic Safety, Beijing, China, November 24-25, pp. 272-279. (In Chinese)
38. Chen X.*, Yang X. and Shi Q. (2008) Estimation of vehicle usage rate based on capture-recapture model with license plate recognition data. In Proceedings of the 11th International IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, Beijing, China, October 12-15, 2008, pp. 139-144.
39. Chen X., Yang X.*, Shi Q. (2008). Application of license plate recognition system on urban
traffic management. The 4th China Intelligent Transportation Systems Annual Meeting, Qingdao, China, September 26-27, pp. 271-276. (In Chinese)
40. Chen X.*, Yang X. and Shi Q. (2008) Vehicle usage rate estimation based on capture-recapture method using license plate recognition data. The 9th Intelligent Transport Systems Asia-Pacific Forum & Exhibition, Singapore, July 14, 2008.
Conference Abstracts
1. Chen X. and Zhang L.* (2014) Congestion pricing for improving network service: A simulation-based optimization approach. INFORMS 2014 Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California, November 9-12, 2014.
2. Chen X., Zhang L.*, He X., and Xiong C. (2013) A simulation based optimization method in determining time varying pricing of toll roads. The XXVI EURO-INFORMS Joint International Conference, Rome, Italy, June 30-July 4, 2013.
3. Chen X.*, Yang X., Xie W. and Sun L. (2010) Intelligent transportation system modeling using synchronized multi-video processing technology. The 13th Annual NACOTA/WCTA Technical Symposium on Sustainable Transportation Development in China, Washington, DC, United States, January 10, 2010.

Honors/Awards

• 2013 Best Ph.D. Dissertation Award of the IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Society

• 2013 Tsinghua Outstanding Ph.D. Dissertation Award, Beijing, China

Professional Memberships

• Member, IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Society (ITSS)
  

• Associate Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
  

• Member, Chinese Overseas Transportation Association (COTA)
  

• Friends, TRB Committees on Capacity and Quality of Service Committee (AHB40), Congestion Pricing (ABE25), Managed Lanes, Intercity Passenger Rail (AR010)
  

• Faculty Advisor, ASCE Student Chapter at Zhejiang University