Eleni Christofa

Associate Professor
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Research and Background

I have research experience in traffic operations, management, and safety with a focus on multimodal transportation systems. Recent and ongoing research has focused on the development of real-time signal control systems to achieve various sustainability goals or combinations of those such as minimization of person delay, and emissions, at both isolated intersections and signalized arterial networks with the use of data from intelligent transportation systems. Real-time signal control algorithms have also been developed to reduce congestion by preventing the occurrence of spillbacks and mitigating the impact of bus stops on the rest of the traffic. I have also been developing optimal cycle length formulas appropriate for implementation when transit signal priority is in place. Another aspect of my work has been on the impact of transit preferential treatments such as dedicated bus lanes, queue jumper lanes, and transit signal priority on person discharge flow and person delay as well as utilizing information from innovative technologies (e.g., connected vehicles, automated vehicle location systems) to estimate traffic conditions. A big part of my ongoing research is related to the operations, safety, and environmental implications of roundabouts. Geometric aspects (e.g., deflection angle), demand patterns, (e.g., vehicle demand and pedestrian demand at roundabout crosswalks), as well as the presence of visually impaired pedestrians are all parameters that I consider in my research related to understanding driver behavior and estimating emissions at roundabouts. A recent focus of my work has been in understanding driver behavior at intersections under the presence of innovative bicycle infrastructure systems such as bike boxes and protected intersections. The overarching goal of my research is to enhance infrastructure design and signal control strategies to improve person mobility, air quality, and safety for all users.