Smart infrastructure includes the use of technology (e.g., sensors, predictive models, mobile computing, data science, etc.) to better manage and operate civil infrastructure systems (roads, bridges, water systems, etc.). This project will build on prior SIF investments in smart infrastructure and the Link Lab to specifically target external, center-scale funding opportunities. The team will partner with stakeholder organizations including the Virginia Department of Transportation, The City of Norfolk, Virginia, and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation to advance smart infrastructure research and outreach for addressing societal challenges including climate resilience. The project team will be centered in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and within the Link Lab, in particular. The team will partner with other faculty from across UVA through seed grants to advance research in smart infrastructure and further establish UVA as a leader in this research space.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (ERC) Pre-Proposal

In mid-January 2025, the National Science Foundation (NSF) notified us that our Engineering Research Center (ERC) preliminary proposal was not selected to advance to the full proposal stage. This was not unexpected as, realistically, these types of large, center-scale proposals/projects can take multiple attempts before being funded. NSF provided detailed reviewer comments highlighting both the strengths of our proposed center and areas for improvement. We are actively addressing this feedback to strengthen our submission for the next ERC funding cycle.

We have begun collaborating with ERC team members from UVA, who have continued their ERC-related work supported by the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) award, to refine the center’s vision and engineered system in response to the NSF feedback. Each Principal Investigator (PI) has been asked to adjust their Grand Challenge (GC)-funded research, as appropriate, to align with this revised framework. We will also be soliciting and reviewing requests for continued student and postdoctoral funding based on this updated direction.

Seed Funding

We received four Letters of Intent (LOIs) in response to our Seed Funding Request for Proposals (RFP) and invited two teams to submit full proposals. Both full proposals were selected for funding, each receiving $50,000 in seed support for calendar year (CY) 2025. These projects are led by PIs outside of engineering whose work advances the vision of the proposed ERC.

•    Dr. Andrew Mondschein, Associate Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning & Associate Dean of Research in the School of Architecture, is using seed funds to support his project Mobility-to- Community (M2C): Connected Accessibility for Individuals and Regions. The project’s mission is to embed transportation accessibility within connected mobility and cyber-physical systems. Its objectives are to increase equitable access to transportation systems in rural regions and to integrate accessibility into connected mobility networks, providing travel options that respond to individual needs and community goals. This project aligns with our ERC pre-proposal’s objective of developing “personalized, responsive, and equitable” civil infrastructure within a transportation context. A no-cost extension (NCE) was approved through March 31, 2026, to support a postdoctoral scholar working with Dr. Mondschein on this effort. A progress report for this project is included in Appendix B – Seed Funding Program (Round 1 Funded Projects).
•    Dr. Christopher Parker, Richard S. Reynolds Associate Professor of Business Administration at the Darden Graduate School of Business, is using seed funds to support his project Enhancing Road Safety through Community-Driven Data for Equitable Infrastructure Design (Data Driven Streets, or DDS). The project’s mission is to improve transportation equity and safety by leveraging community-sourced data on unreported road incidents in Washington, D.C. DDS collects, analyzes, and visualizes this data to enable predictive modeling and to develop tools that assess infrastructure risks and inform equitable resource allocation for vulnerable populations. The project aligns with the transportation equity focus of the proposed ERC, as DDS tools address challenges of integrating smart systems in rural areas by filling critical data gaps through community-reported incidents, real-time sensor networks, and predictive analytics. A progress report for this project is included in Appendix B – Seed Funding Program (Round 1 Funded Projects).

Building a Collaborative Research Environment

Creating a collaborative research environment is crucial when developing and submitting a proposal, particularly for large-scale initiatives such as those supported by the NSF. In fact, one of the four foundational components, and a requirement, of the ERC program is Convergent Research. This research method intentionally brings together intellectually diverse researchers to develop effective ways of communicating across disciplines. By involving multiple colleges, universities, industry partners, local government entities, and disciplines, a research team can leverage diverse expertise and resources to tackle complex challenges. Collaborative efforts foster innovation by encouraging interdisciplinary approaches and sharing knowledge across fields. Partnering with industry ensures that research outcomes are aligned with real-world applications, driving technological advancement and economic impact. Additionally, involving multiple institutions enhances the project's capacity to access various funding opportunities, infrastructure, and talent pools. Overall, a strong collaborative and convergent network greatly strengthens a proposal's potential for success and long-term sustainability.

Although our ERC proposal was not invited to the full-proposal stage this cycle, collaborative research among team members remained active and relevant throughout Year 2. ERC investigators jointly pursued other opportunities that required convergent, cross-institutional collaboration. One notable example is a proposal submitted to the NSF’s Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships (STC) program. The STC program aims to “support research collaborations that energize the Nation's economic competitiveness, sustain its global leadership in science and engineering, expand the geography of innovation, and improve the quality of life for everyone.” This proposal was led by two ERC team members from UVA and included Dr. Goodall and several other ERC-affiliated researchers as senior/key personnel. The proposed center brought together faculty and staff from universities nationwide, spanning expertise in biology, chemistry, education, environmental and public health, physics, and multiple engineering fields, alongside industry partners from those sectors.

Looking ahead to Year 3 and beyond, as we prepare for the next ERC pre-proposal submission, we will require recipients of future funding (whether supporting students, postdoctoral researchers, or seed projects) to actively identify and collaborate with other ERC team members. This practice will help strengthen our culture of convergence and demonstrate to NSF reviewers our commitment to, and experience with, truly collaborative research.

Project Impact

The overarching goal of the Digital Technology Smart Infrastructure Grand Challenge initiative is to advance research and outreach efforts that enhance the management and operation of civil infrastructure systems (e.g., roads, bridges, water systems) through the integration of advanced technologies such as sensors, predictive models, mobile computing, and data science.

The digital transformation offers tremendous opportunities for creating modern civil infrastructure that better serves societal needs. However, the field risks underutilizing modern information technologies due to a lack of trust in these tools. Moreover, without intentional efforts to ensure access across both urban and rural contexts, the adoption of smart infrastructure could widen the digital divide, leaving some communities behind.
To address these challenges, the project brings together a diverse team of experts and collaborates with government and industry partners to drive convergent research, workforce development, and innovation. These efforts aim to build trust in smart technologies, strengthen climate resilience, broaden participation in STEM, and ensure that innovations are applied across socio-economic and geographic contexts. Ultimately, these efforts will modernize civil infrastructure systems, support better decision-making for infrastructure owners and operators, and provide users with timely, personalized information (particularly during adverse events) to enhance safety and sustainability.

This project has also had a positive impact on the broader research environment within the Link Lab and across the University. SIF funds have supported students working on faculty-led research projects that strengthen the ERC effort and promote collaboration across engineering disciplines. Additionally, the seed funding program has engaged faculty from outside engineering, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships aligned with the ERC vision. Even if the ERC is not ultimately established, these initiatives will continue to advance and institutionalize convergent research as a powerful and enduring approach – one that transcends disciplines and drives meaningful innovation.