When
June 25, 2026
Time
12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Contact Hours
1
Location Online - Course
One Hour Webinar
Description
Accurate and reliable traffic count and vehicle classification data are essential for effective transportation planning and operations. While traditional in‑road sensors have been used for decades, they pose safety and operational challenges during installation and maintenance. Non‑intrusive technologies such as radar have helped address these issues, but they cannot produce axle‑based vehicle classifications. Emerging video‑based systems leveraging machine vision and artificial intelligence offer new opportunities. As the machine vision-based traffic count devices rapidly advance, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) needs a consistent and robust method for testing their performance as potential alternatives for the currently used continuous and short-term count devices. This presentation introduces a newly developed approval testing procedure for traffic count devices seeking VDOT approval and demonstrates it through a pilot evaluation of a machine‑vision traffic count device.
Instructor
Chien-Lun Lan, Ph.D.
Chien-Lun Lan is a research scientist at the Virginia Transportation Research Council. Holding a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, he has consistently contributed to traffic operations and safety. His research interests span both traditional and emerging topics in transportation – from estimating freeway congestion costs and identifying high-crash road segments to leveraging data analytics to monitor roadway performances.
Mo Zhao, Ph.D.
Mo Zhao is a senior research scientist at the Virginia Transportation Research Council. Her current research focuses on artificial intelligence for transportation applications, system performance measurement, intelligent transportation systems, and highway safety. She has a Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer in Virginia.
Registration and Payment
The following registration fees cover the session, all course materials and meals:
Local Government: $0.00
State/Federal: $0.00
Private Industry: $0.00
Click here for UVA TTA's general registration information, cancellation policy, and refund policy. UVA TTA accepts the following credit cards: American Express, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. Credit card information cannot be taken over the phone. Alternatively, after registering you can print out a voucher to send in with your payment. After you have completed the transaction you will receive an automatically generated email confirming registration and payment if applicable. Final confirmation and instructions will be sent out during the week prior to the class date.
Special Registration Instructions for Employees of the Virginia Department of Transportation
VDOT employees must register through the VDOT Virtual Campus. Registration fees and related expenses for all VDOT employees will be paid from the VDOT Learning Services Center budget. Registrants should contact their District Training Coordinator or the VDOT Learning Services Center (Central Office employees) for instructions on how to seek reimbursement for travel expenses.
Due to current travel restrictions, VDOT employees are strongly encouraged to attend U. Va. TTA workshops on a day trip basis. Overnight travel requires permission from your District Administrator or Chief -- and in some cases higher levels of authority. If you require overnight lodging to attend a U. Va. TTA workshop, consult with your supervisor, District Training Coordinator, or VDOT Learning Services Center on travel approval procedures.