Autonomy and Mobility Systems Lab

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)

INTR 5100 Traffic Flow Theory

2023 Fall
Emerging technological innovations in autonomy, connectivity, and machine learning are revolutionizing vehicular traffic systems. The need for a comprehensive and systematic comprehension of traffic dynamics has become imperative to harness these innovations and reshape transportation systems. The course covers fundamentals of vehicular traffic flow dynamics and their various applications in traffic control. This course starts with how to obtain and interpret traffic flow data, which serves as the bedrock of quantitative traffic modeling. The second and main part delves into various approaches and models that offer mathematical descriptions of vehicular traffic flow, spanning from the microscopic to macroscopic level. The third part introduces major applications of traffic flow theory including classic traffic management schemes, mix-autonomy traffic flow modeling and advanced control and sensing strategies by connected and automated vehicles. Students will be able to grasp key concepts and the physics behind various traffic phenomena, and have a better understanding of driving behaviours and intelligent traffic management from a systematic level. This course is designed to help students develop fundamental skills of transportation field and knowledge, connect with the state-of-art transportation problems and equip them for more advanced studies in intelligent transportation systems.

INTR 5300 Nonlinear Control Systems

2023 Spring
This course introduces methods for analysis and control design of nonlinear systems, which have a wide range of engineering applications including transportation, robotics, biology, energy, and manufacturing systems. The course includes: 1) Mathematical models of nonlinear systems, and fundamental differences between the behaviour of linear and nonlinear systems, equilibrium, limit cycles and general invariant sets. 2) Phase plane analysis, Lyapunov stability, Input-to-state stability, Input-output stability, and approximation methods. 3) Feedback linearization and nonlinear control design tools, including Lyapunov-based control and Backstepping.  From learning the nonlinear phenomena to understanding the mathematical properties and then analyzing system behaviours, students will be able to grasp the fundamental concepts and advanced tools that are useful in the analysis of nonlinear systems. The control design tools for nonlinear systems from feedback linearization to advanced backstepping control are covered in this course. Students will be proficient in skills of independently assessing the advantages and disadvantages of different nonlinear methods, make a qualified choice of method for analysis and design of nonlinear control systems that arise from various research areas.

INTR 6000A Traffic Flow Systems and Control

2022 Spring
The course introduces the fundamentals of traffic flow theory and will describe traffic flow models of micro-and macroscopic levels, governed by dynamical systems including Partial Differential Equation and Ordinary Differential Equation. Control system tools include system modeling, state-space representations, stability analysis, state observer, feedback control, and optimization. Classic traffic management schemes (by ramp metering, and variable speed limits) and advanced control and sensing strategies by connected and autonomous vehicles will be discussed. Students will be able to understand key concepts and the physics of the transport phenomena, use elegant mathematical models to study the causes of traffic congestion, and apply the systems & control tools to develop traffic control strategies to alleviate congestion.

INTR 6800 Seminar on Intelligent Transportation

2021 Fall
The research topics that are covered in a series of seminars include: