Gitakrishnan Ramadurai conducted an independent research project titled “Identification and Modeling of Next Generation Traveler Guidance Systems.” His advisors were Professor Satish Ukkusuri of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (now at Purdue University), and Todd Westhuis of NYSDOT. The objectives of the research were 1) to identify the characteristics and architecture of next generation traveler guidance systems; and 2) to develop modeling and algorithmic techniques to operationalize the identified architecture. The research from the study was developed into three independent research papers, each addressing an objective mentioned above. The final report represented a compilation of the three independent papers.

Update

After receiving his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2009, Gita Ramadurai accepted a position as Assistant Professor in Transportation Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India. He is a co-investigator in a project titled “Advanced Traveler Information Systems for Indian Cities – a first generation ATIS implementation for Indian traffic conditions.” He also indicated that his experience in the research project is helping him define solutions for a real world implementation in Chennai, India.

He reported that the September 11th Memorial Program helped him develop as a researcher and academician. He indicated that “The support from the program provided me the financial freedom to explore a research problem of my interest – Modeling for Next Generation Traveler Guidance Systems.” About his professional advisor, Gita indicated that “He provided me unique perspectives to the problem which I would not have realized if I had remained within an academic setting. Equally satisfying was the result that two academic research papers were published in journals from the work I had done as part of the program. I thank NYMTC and UTRC for implementing this program. I feel the cause behind the program was also inspiring and brought out the best from the participants. I hope 

Of note is that Gita’s doctoral work was recognized at the 2009 Annual INFORMS conference in San Diego on October 10, 2009, when he received the Best Dissertation Award from the Transportation Science and Logistics Society.