Peter Savolainen
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Biography
Dr. Peter Savolainen is an MSU Research Foundation Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Dr. Savolainen's research examines the fundamental nature of road user behavior, particularly how traffic safety and operations are influenced by behavior in consideration of roadway and traffic characteristics. His work in this area has provided important information as to how road user behavior changes in response to such roadway features as maximum speed limits, centerline/shoulder rumble strips, and red-light-running cameras at signalized intersections. His research has also advanced fundamental knowledge as to how roadway design, environmental factors, and in-vehicle distractions affect the risk of traffic crashes. This research has led to the publication of more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and research, highlighted by a series of contributions in the areas of naturalistic driving research, countermeasure evaluation, and crash-injury severity analysis. Dr. Savolainen currently serves as an Associate Editor of the ASCE Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems, as well as on the editorial advisory boards of Accident Analysis and Prevention and Analytic Methods in Accident Research. He is the Chair of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Education Council and is also a member of the Transportation Research Board Standing Committee on Safety Performance Analysis. Dr. Savolainen is a registered professional engineer in the state of Michigan.
Education
- Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Purdue University 2006
- M.S., Civil Engineering, Purdue University 2004
- B.S., Civil Engineering, Michigan Technological University 2002
Selected Publications
- Shakir MS, TJ Gates, MU Megat-Johari, H Jashami, A Bamney, PT Savolainen, “Do Dynamic Speed Feedback Signs Impact Drivers Differently Based on Speeding Tendencies? Insights from Applications at Select Critical Roadway Contexts” Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 98, pp 157-169, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2023.09.002
- Rostami A, E Kamjoo, A Bamney, N Gutpa, PT Savolainen, A Zockaie, “Investigating Changes in Travel Behavior over Time in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic”, Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 96, pp 133-154, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2023.06.001
- Gupta N, A Bamney, A Rostami, E Kamjoo, PT Savolainen, “How Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Driver Speed Selection and Crash Risk on Rural Freeways?”, Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 97, pp. 181-206, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2023.07.008
- Wang S, EA Mack, JA Van Fossen, L Medwid*, SR Cotten, C-H Chang, J Mann, SR Miller, PT Savolainen, N Baker, “Assessing Alternative Occupations for Truck Drivers in an Emerging Era of Autonomous Vehicles”, Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 19(100793), 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2023.100793
- Megat-Johari MU, N Megat-Johari, P Savolainen, T Gates, “Evaluation of Enforcement and Messaging Campaign Focused on Reducing Cell Phone-Related Distracted Driving”, Transportation Research Record, 2677 (1), 1741-1752, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981221106163
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Awards
- Best Paper, Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Standing Committee on Transportation Safety Management Systems (ACS10), (2024)
- High Value Research Project, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Research Advisory Council (RAC), (2024)
- High Value Research Project, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Research Advisory Council (RAC), (2023)
- Innovation in Education Award, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Transportation Education Council (2022)
- Young First Author Best Paper, Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Standing Committee on Traffic Control Devices (AHB50), (2022)
- Best Paper, Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Standing Committee on Highway Traffic Monitoring (ACP70), (2021)
- Edmund R. Ricker Awards, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Transportation Safety Council for outstanding contributions to the field of traffic safety (2020)
- Best Paper, Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Standing Committee on Traffic Control Devices (AHB50), (2020)
- Fellow, Institute of Transportation Engineers (2020)
- Leadership ITE Professional Development Program, Institute of Transportation Engineers (2018)
- MSU Foundation Professorship, Michigan State University (2018)
- Best Paper, Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Standing Committee on Operational Effects of Geometrics (AFB10), (2017)
- Best Paper, TRB Standing Committee on Pedestrians (ANF10), (2017)
- Charles W. Schaefer Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Service, ISU Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (2016)
- Transportation Excellence Through Research, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Research Advisory Council (RAC), (2015)
- Best Paper Award, Safety Area, Transportation Research Board Data Competition (2015)
- Top 5 High Value Research Project, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Research Advisory Council (RAC), (2013)
- Best Paper, Transportation Research Board (TRB) Committee on Operational Effects of Geometric Design (2012)
- Excellence in Civil Engineering Education (ExCEEd) II Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers (2009)
- Outstanding Faculty Service Award, Wayne State University College of Engineering (2008)
- Excellence in Civil Engineering Education (ExCEEd) Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers (2008)
News
Surya Congress to receive national ASCE award
A Spartan Engineer at Michigan State University will receive national recognition for outstanding accomplishments as a young practitioner in geotechnical engineering.
