Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/13/2022
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Categories
Electrifying Times in Transportation by Konstantina (Nadia) Gkritza
This presentation will discuss the impetus and vision of the National Science Foundation’s new Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification – ASPIRE for short. ASPIRE is the only ERC dedicated to advancing sustainable transportation. ASPIRE is responsible for developing a broad set of solutions for zero-emissions transportation systems that improve air quality, enhance economic prosperity, and impact thousands of students and businesses through workforce development and R&D opportunities. ASPIRE’s challenge is to move past century-old mindsets and rethink how we transform two of the nation’s biggest industries – transportation and electric utilities – for positive societal impact. ASPIRE will create innovative wireless and plug-in charging and infrastructure technology that brings power to where vehicles drive and park – eliminating range and charging as barriers for electrifying all vehicle classes, from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks.
Konstantina (Nadia) Gkritza is a Professor at the Lyles School of Civil Engineering at Purdue University and a Purdue University Faculty Scholar. She is the Director of the Sustainable Transportation Systems Research Group, the Campus Director of the NSF ASPIRE Engineering Research Center and the ASPIRE Adoption Thrust co-Lead. Her research primarily focuses on advancing the understanding of the triple bottom line (economic, environmental, and social) for sustainable transportation systems and developing empirical models and practical tools for use in transportation decision-making. Her recent work revolves around assessing the direct and indirect impacts of transportation innovations and technologies, such as transportation electrification, and connected and automated vehicles. Dr. Gkritza holds a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, an M.S.C.E. from the Virginia Polytechnic and State University, and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Purdue University.