Kai Wang

Kai Wang is an Assistant Research Professor at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Connecticut, and serves as Project Manager for the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center. His work focuses on applying advanced computational methods to transportation safety challenges, leveraging partnerships with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of Connecticut, 2016

Dr. Wang's research centers on transportation safety analytics through multiple technical domains:

• Statistical and Econometric Modeling for transportation data systems
• Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning applications
• Big Data Analytics and Computing for traffic safety
• Optimization and Simulation in transportation networks
• Financial Analytics for infrastructure investment

His methodology integrates cutting-edge computational techniques to solve real-world problems in crash prediction, traffic volume estimation, and infrastructure safety management. Recent publications demonstrate pioneering work in artificial data generation (e.g., DREDGE system), vulnerable road user safety, vehicle mix effects on crashes, and telematics-based safety monitoring. This research directly informs CTDOT's safety improvement programs through evidence-based modeling and systemic screening approaches. As Project Manager of the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center, he leads initiatives that bridge academic research with state transportation operations, collaborating closely with the Connecticut Transportation Institute to advance data-driven safety analytics for Connecticut's road networks.