Alex Hainen

Dr. Alex Hainen serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering within the College of Engineering at The University of Alabama. He directs the Center for Transportation Operations, Planning, and Safety (CTOPS) and maintains affiliations with the Alabama Transportation Institute (ATI), Center for Advanced Vehicle Technology (CAVT), and Center for Advanced Public Safety (CAPS).

• BSCE from Michigan Technological University
• MSCE and PhD from Purdue University

Dr. Hainen's research focuses on traffic engineering, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), transportation systems management and operation (TSMO), and connected and automated vehicles (CAVs). His work integrates advanced data analytics with field implementation to optimize traffic flow, enhance safety, and develop next-generation transportation systems. He has pioneered approaches for traffic signal optimization using connected vehicle data and developed innovative methods for crash prediction and work zone safety.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward machine learning applications in transportation, real-time traffic management using connected vehicle data, and safety analysis through advanced data analytics. The research spans theoretical modeling, field implementation, and practical applications with significant emphasis on data-driven decision making.

• Donald H. McLean Civil Engineering Professor of the Year, 2023
• Institute of Transportation Engineers' Transportation Safety Award, 2022
• Educator of the Year Award, Engineering Council of Birmingham, 2020
• Faculty Excellence in Research & Innovation Emerging Scholar Award, 2019
• Donald H. McLean Civil Engineering Professor of the Year, 2019

Dr. Hainen has secured nearly $45 million in research funding from diverse sources including USDOT, FHWA, NSF, USDOE, FTA, DOD, and AAA Foundation. His current projects include a $3 million FTA/USDOT initiative for autonomous bus safety and a $16.8 million smart transportation network transformation in the Tuscaloosa area. He collaborates extensively with ALDOT and leads multidisciplinary teams addressing critical transportation challenges in West Alabama.