1. The Road Ahead: AI and the Future of Transportation

The 28th Annual New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Research Showcase is an opportunity for New Jersey’s transportation community to experience the broad scope of ongoing academic research initiatives and share technology transfer activities being conducted by institutions of higher education (IHE) partners and their associates. It also serves to highlight the benefits of transportation research, including NJDOT’s own program. As part of the event, the annual implementation award and recognition of outstanding university students studying in a transportation-related field will be presented. The agenda will include a general session, topical breakout sessions, and a poster display area. Continental breakfast and buffet lunch will be provided.

This year’s event will be held in-person at Mercer County Community College – The Conference Center at Mercer, in West Windsor, NJ. The event will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. PDH credits will only be provided to in-person attendees. You will be asked to select in-person attendance or virtual attendance when you register. Information on accessing the livestream will be provided in registration reminder emails.

The registration deadline is October 21, 2026.

Please be sure to select the correct attendance option, attending in-person or attending virtual, as your selection will be final and cannot be changed once registered.

All NJDOT personnel should follow internal procedures for permission to attend. Capital Program Management will have an approved list of attendees. Please ensure your name is on the list prior to registering.

When registering, NJDOT personnel will be asked to identify which Assistant Commissioner their unit reports to:

1. Reporting to Assistant Commissioner for Administration (ADM) – Kelly Hutchinson
Includes Employee Op & Advancement, Employee Services, and Support Services.
2. Reporting to Assistant Commissioner for Capital Program Management (CPM) – Parth Oza
Includes Bridge Engineering & Infrastructure Management, Capital Program Support, Construction & Materials, Construction & Materials/Alternative Project Delivery, Highway & Traffic Design, Pavement & Drainage Management, Project Management, Right of Way & Access Management, and Traffic Engineering.
3. Reporting to Assistant Commissioner for Community Programs & Resources (CPR, formerly LRCD) – Laine Rankin
Includes Aeronautics and Modal Grants, Community Development, Environmental Resources, Local Aid & Economic Development, Maritime, Permits, Safety, and Statewide Planning.
4. Reporting to Assistant Commissioner for Finance and Administration (FIN/ADM) – Charles Maciejunes Includes Accounting & External Audit, Budget, Capital Investment & Program Coordination, Information Technology, and Procurement.
5. Reporting to Assistant Commissioner ​for Operations (OPS) – Christopher Feinthel
Includes Emergency Management, Mobility Engineering, Operations Support & Engineering, and Transportation Mobility.

Credits: Meets requirements for up to 2 professional development hours (PDHs) for continuing professional competency for licensed professional engineers. AICP credit is currently under review.

Organizer: This program is organized by the NJDOT Bureau of Research and Innovation in partnership with the Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT).

Sponsor: The 28th Annual Research Showcase is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Agenda

9:30 a.m.
Introduction and Housekeeping
David Maruca, Program Development Administrator, Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation

9:40 a.m.
Welcoming Remarks
Michael J. Manzella, Director of Statewide Planning, New Jersey Department of Transportation

9:45 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Priya Jain, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Transportation

9:55 a.m.
Keynote Address
Craig Thor, Chief Specialist, Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center, Federal Highway Administration
Matt Cuddy, Operations Research Analyst, Volpe Center, United States Department of Transportation

10:45 a.m.
Break

10:55 a.m.
Bureau of Research and Innovation Overview
Pragna Shah, Manager, Bureau of Research and Innovation, New Jersey Department of Transportation

11:00 a.m.
Panel Discussion:  AI and the Future of Transportation
Moderator: Giri Venkiteela, Innovation Officer, NJDOT Bureau of Research and Innovation
Panelists:

• Kimbrali Davis, Executive Manager, NJDOT Bureau of Aeronautics, Outdoor Advertising & Junkyards
• Luna Katbah, Director, Head of IT Innovation, NJ Transit
• Neha Panchal, Management Improvement Specialist 2, NJDOT Bureau of Information Technology
• Jeevanjot Singh, Executive Manager, NJDOT Bureau of Safety Improvement Program
• Giri Venkiteela, Innovation Officer, NJDOT Bureau of Research and Innovation
• Seth Wainer, Director, Department of Planning and Innovation, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

11:45 a.m.
Presentation of 2026 Awards

• 2026 AASHTO High Value Research Awards
• 2026 Best Poster Award
• 2026 NJDOT Research Champion Excellence Award
• 2026 NJDOT Build a Better Mousetrap Awards
• 2026 Outstanding University Student in Transportation Research Award

12:00 p.m.
Buffet Lunch/Break

1:00 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

• Safety
• Infrastructure
• Digital Transformation
• Poster Exhibit

3:00 p.m.
Adjourn

Showcase Files
Call for Posters
Call for Abstracts
Research Implementation Award
Outstanding University Student Nomination