Christopher Cherry

Christopher Cherry is a Professor and Associate Department Head of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research focuses on sustainable transportation, micromobility (e-bikes, e-scooters), pedestrian and bicycle safety, and the impacts of emerging technologies on urban mobility systems.

• PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering–Transportation, University of California, Berkeley (2007)
• MS, Civil Engineering–Transportation, University of Arizona (2003)
• BS, Civil Engineering, University of Arizona (2000)

Dr. Cherry’s research interests lie at the intersection of transportation engineering, behavioral science, and sustainability. He investigates travel behavior, transportation economics, and the safety implications of shared and electric micromobility systems. His work emphasizes non-motorized transportation and the integration of new technologies into urban planning. He leads the Light Electric Vehicle Education and Research (LEVER) Initiative and is an Associate Director of the Center for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety (CPBS), a multi-institutional UTC led by the University of New Mexico.

His recent publications span topics such as e-bike adoption, micromobility safety, transit integration, and urban delivery systems. Collectively, these works reflect a strong emphasis on data-driven policy, behavioral modeling, and the environmental and public health impacts of transportation choices.

• NSF CAREER Award
• TCE Ferris Faculty Award (2015)
• TCE Professional Promise in Research Award (2014)
• CEE Research Recognition Award (2009, 2012)
• Member, Transportation Research Board
• Chair, SAE Micromobility Committee

Dr. Cherry has supervised numerous PhD and MS students in transportation research and has led multiple federally and state-funded projects on micromobility, transit, and safety. He is actively involved in professional service and collaborates with institutions across the U.S. and internationally, including UC Berkeley, Tsinghua University, and the Asian Development Bank. His work bridges engineering, policy, and public health to advance sustainable and equitable urban mobility.

He leads research initiatives on e-bike and e-scooter safety, urban logistics, and the integration of big data into transportation planning. His team utilizes smartphone-based data collection, video analysis, and simulation models to understand real-world behavior and improve system design.