Kara M. Kockelman

Kara M. Kockelman is the Dewitt C. Greer Centennial Professor in Transportation Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin's Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering. She specializes in transportation systems, focusing on autonomous vehicles, energy policy, and urban planning. Her work bridges engineering, economics, and policy to address challenges in mobility, sustainability, and infrastructure.

• Education: PhD, M.S. (Civil Engineering), M.C.P. (City and Regional Planning), and B.S. from UC Berkeley (1991–1998).
• Research Interests: Integrated travel demand models, automated vehicle impacts, energy-efficient transportation, and smart city infrastructure.
• Key Projects: TxDOT-funded research on autonomous trucks, electric vehicle charging networks, and congestion pricing strategies.

Her research explores how self-driving and connected vehicles reshape urban systems, including freight logistics, passenger mobility, and environmental sustainability. She has published widely on topics like SAV fleet operations, EV infrastructure, and policy frameworks for decarbonization.

Grants & Collaborations: Multiple grants from TxDOT, NSF, and industry partners. Collaborates with researchers at UT Austin and institutions globally on projects like the Bridging Transportation Researchers conference.

Labs/Teams: Leads the UT Austin Transportation Research Group, focusing on smart mobility solutions and interdisciplinary innovation.