Steven Lavrenz

Steven Lavrenz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Wayne State University's College of Engineering. He previously served as the Technical Programs Manager at the Institute of Transportation Engineers and Director of Technical Services for the National Operations Center of Excellence. His expertise spans transportation safety, policy, and operations, with involvement in Transportation Research Board committees and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. He holds a Ph.D. and two M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and Iowa State University.

Research interests include transportation infrastructure resilience, traffic signal optimization, crash data analysis, and the socioeconomic impacts of transportation systems. His work emphasizes data-driven approaches to enhancing safety and efficiency in urban and suburban settings. Lavrenz has contributed to numerous studies on rail grade crossings, bikeshare systems, and the application of advanced modeling techniques.

Lavrenz’s research portfolio highlights trends in infrastructure condition forecasting, safety culture development, and the integration of high-resolution data into traffic management systems. His lab, located at the Wayne State Engineering Development Center, focuses on practical solutions for modern transportation challenges. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Catholic University, teaching econometrics and transportation systems management.