With degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (MS, Ph.D.), NYU (MEng), and Columbia University (BS, BA), Prof. Debra Laefer has a wide-ranging background spanning from geotechnical and structural engineering to art history and historic preservation. Not surprisingly, Prof. Laefer’s work often stands at the cross-roads of technology creation and community values such as devising technical solutions for protecting architecturally significant buildings from sub-surface construction. As the density of her aerial remote sensing datasets continues to grow exponentially with time, Prof. Laefer and her Urban Modeling Group must help pioneer computationally efficient storage, querying, and visualization strategies that both harness distributed computing-based solutions and bridge the gap between data availability and its usability for the engineering community.
In her decade and a half as a faculty member in both the US and Europe, Prof. Laefer has served as the principal investigator for grants from a wide range of sponsors including the National Science Foundation, the US Federal Highway Administration, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Science Foundation Ireland, and the European Research Council (including a €1.5 million single investigator award from the flagship ERC program for which she is the only civil engineer to have been funded in Ireland in the program’s 11 year history).
Prof. Laefer has authored over 160 peer-reviewed publications, been awarded 4 patents, and has supervised 15 doctoral and 20 Masters theses. Among many honors from IEEE, ISPRS, and other professional societies, the most notable is perhaps the 2016 commissioning and hanging of her portrait by the Royal Irish Academy as one of eight researchers selected for the Women on Walls project to celebrate Irish women in science and engineering. She currently helps form national research programs and policies in her governmental appointment to the Irish Research Council (2016-2020).
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001
Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering - Geotechnical
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1997
Master of Science, Civil Engineering - Structural
Polytechnic University, 1994
Master of Science, Civil Engineering - Geotechnical
Columbia University, 1992
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Columbia University, 1991
Bachelor of Arts, Art History
Experience
University College Dublin
From: February 2017 to present
University College Dublin
Associate Professor
From: September 2004 to January 2017
Building Risk Assessment and Management (BRAM) Consulting Engineers
Founding Director
From: April 2011 to April 2013
Corpora Systems
Founding CEO
From: March 2002 to August 2005
North Carolina State University
Assistant Professor
From: September 2001 to September 2004
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Research Assistant & Instructor
From: August 1996 to August 2001
Politecnico di Milano
Fulbright Fellow
From: October 1994 to June 1995
National Park Service
Civil Engineer
From: July 1992 to August 1994
Stegla Group
Assistant Project Manager
From: July 1991 to June 1992
Patents
Robust building outline extraction.
Hinks, T., Carr, H. Laefer, D., O’Sullivan, C., Morvan, Y., Truong-Hong, L., Ceribasi, S. (2008). Robust building outline extraction. PTO 56793223; EP2304688 B1. Protected in UK, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Ireland, and Luxembourg.
Methods for processing point cloud data
Truong-Hong, L., Laefer, D. (2011). Methods for processing point cloud data. Irish patent S20110345
Granular material movement sensing method
Huff, G., Bernhard, J., Hagness, S., Laefer, D. (2007). Granular material movement sensing method. US2007290917-A1.
Enablement of three-dimensional hosting, indexing, analysing, and querying structure for spatial databases
Laefer, D., Bertolotto, M., Schoen, B., Mosa, A. (2009). Enablement of three-dimensional hosting, indexing, analysing, and querying structure for spatial databases. PTO 09177926, US7065461.
Journal Articles
Soilán, M., Truong-Hong, L., Riveiro, B., Laefer, D.F. (2017). Automatic extraction of road features in urban environments using dense ALS data. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 64, 226–236, doi:10.1016/j.jag.2017.09.010
Huynh, M.-P., Laefer, D.F., McGuill, J., White, A. (2017). Temperature-related performance factors for chemical demolition agents. International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, doi: 10.1504/IJMRI.2017.10006805
Byrne, J., Laefer, D., O’Keeffe, E. (2017). Maximizing Feature Detection in Aerial UAV Datasets. J. Appl. Remote Sens. 11(2), 025015, doi: 10.1117/1.JRS.11.025015
Aljumaily, H., Laefer, D., and Cuadra, D. (2017). Urban Point Cloud Mining Based on Density Clustering and MapReduce. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 31(5), doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000674
Byrne, J., O’Keeffe, E., Lennon, D., Laefer, D. (2017). 3D Reconstructions Using Unstabilised Video Footage from an Unmanned Aerial System. J. Imaging, 3(2), 15, doi:10.3390/jimaging3020015
Laefer, D., Truong-Hong, L. (2017). Toward Automatic Generation of 3D Steel Structures for Building Information Modelling. Automation in Construction, Elsevier, 74: 66-77.
Vu, A. V., Laefer, D. Bertolotto, M. (2016). Airborne Laser Scanning Data Storage and Indexing: State of the Art Review. Int. J. Remote Sensing, Thomas Telford, 37(24): 6187-6204
Goudarzi, A., Ghassemieh, M., Fanaie, N., Laefer, D., Baei, M (2016). Axial Load Effects on Flush, End-plate, Moment Connections. Structures and Buildings, Thomas Telford, 12:1-12.
Chen, S., Laefer, D., Mangina, E. (2016). State of Technology Review of Civilian UAVs. Engineering Patent Journal, Benthan. 10(3) 160-174.
Laefer, D. F., Erkal, A. (2016). Selection, Production, and Testing of Scaled Reinforced Concrete Models and their Components. Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier. 126 (15): 398-409, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.129.
Isfeld, A., Moradabadi, E., Laefer, D., Shrive, N. (2016). Uncertainty Analysis of Grout Injection on Multi-Wythe Stone Masonry Walls Using Random Field Finite Element Micro-Model. Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier, 128 (Nov):661-672. 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.09.058.
Al-Sabah, A., Laefer, D. (2016). Use of Negative Stiffness in Damage Analysis of Concrete. Engineering Structures, Elsevier, 10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.07.025.
Zolanvari, S., Laefer, D. (2016). Slicing Method for Curved Facade Extraction from LiDAR Point Clouds. ISPRS 119(Sept) 334-346.
Vo, A.-V., Truong-Hong, L., Laefer, D., Tiede, S. d’Oleire-Oltmanns, A., Baraldi, Shimoni, M., Moser, G.Tuia, D. (2016). Processing of Extremely High Resolution LiDAR and RGB Data: Outcome of the 2015 IEEE GRSS Data Fusion Contest —Part B: 3-D Contest. Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, IEEE, DOI: 10.1109/JSTARS.2016.2581843.
Natanzi, A., Laefer, D., Connolly, L. (2016). Cold and Moderate Ambient Temperatures Effects on Expansive Pressure Development in Soundless Chemical Demolition Agents. Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier, 110(1): 117-127.
Cherifi, M., Hazourli, S., and Laefer, D. (2016). Effect of Sludge pH and Treatment Time on the Electrokinetic Removal of Aluminum from Water Potabilization Treatment Sludge. Compte Rendue Chimie. 19(4): 511-516.
Aljumaily, H., Laefer, D., Cuadra, D. (2015). Vector-raster Data Fusion for Object Extraction. Advances in Computer Science and Engineering; Allahabad15.1/2 (Aug-Nov 2015): 13-26. doi: 10.17654/CS015120001
Aljumaily, H. Laefer, D. Cuadra, D. (2015). A Big Data Approach for 3D Building Extraction from Aerial Laser Scanning. J. Computing in Civil Eng., ASCE. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000524.
Laefer, D., Kennedy, J., O’Flynn, K., Stanton, K. (2015). Structure – Property Relationships in Microcrystalline Waxes for Museum Seismic Protection Applications. Progress in Rubber, Plastics and Recycling Technology, 31(4)219-233.
Hajializadeh, D., Al-Sabah, A., O’Brien, E., Laefer, D. Enright, B. (2015). Nonlinear Analysis of Isotropic Slab Bridges under Extreme Traffic Loading. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, NRC Press, 1139/cjce-2014-0331.
Rezaiguia, A., Ouelaa, N., Laefer, (2015). Dynamic Amplification of a Multi-span Orthotropic Bridge Deck under Vehicular Movement. Engineering Structures, Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.06.044
Vo, A., Truong-Hong, L., Laefer, D., Bertolotto, M. (2015). Octree-based Region Growing for Point Cloud Segmentation. ISPRS, Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2015.01.011
Hinks, T., Carr, H. Gharibi, H. Laefer, D. (2015). Visualisation of Urban Airborne Laser Scanning Data with Occlusion Images. ISPRS, Elsevier, doi: 1016/j.isprsjprs.2015.01.014
Truong-Hong, L., Laefer, (2015). Quantitative Evaluation Strategies for Urban 3D Model Generation from Remote Sensing Data. Computers and Graphics, Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/j.cag.2015.03.001i.
Singh, M., Laefer, D. (2015). Recent Trends and Remaining Limitations in Urban Microclimate Models. Open Urban Studies and Demographics J., Bentham, doi: 10.2174/2352631901401010001.
Al-Sabah, A., Laefer, D. (2015). Meshfree Sequentially Linear Analysis of Concrete. J. Computing Civil Eng., ASCE, 10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.
Ghassemieh, M., Baei, M., Kari, A., Goudarzi, A., Laefer, (2015). Adopting Flexibility of the End-plate Connections in Steel Moment Frames. Steel and Composite Structures, Techno Press, 18(5) 1215-1237.
Moradabadi, E., Laefer, D., Clarke, J., Lourenço, P. (2015). A Semi-random Field Finite Element Method to Predict the Maximum Eccentric Compressive Load for Masonry Prisms. Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier, doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.12.027.
Truong-Hong, L., Gharibi, H., Garg, H. and Lennon, D. (2014). Equipment Considerations for Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Civil Engineering in Urban Areas. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 3(15), 2002-2014.
Erkal, A., Laefer, D., Tezcan, S. (2014). Advantages of Infinite Elements over Prespecified Boundary Conditions in Unbounded Problems. J Comp Civil Eng., ASCE, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000391.
Truong-Hong, L., Laefer, D. (2014). Octree-Based Automatic Façade Generation from LiDAR Data. Computer Aided Design, Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/j.cad.2014.03.001.
Laefer, D. and Farrell, K-A (2014). A Hybrid Method for Foundation Reuse Evaluation. Environmental Geotechnics, Elsevier, DOI 10.1680/envgeo.13.00034.
Clarke, J., Laefer, D. (2014). Evaluation of Risk Assessment Procedures for Buildings Adjacent to Tunnelling Works. Tunneling and Underground Structures, Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/j.tust.2013.10.014.
Clarke, J., Laefer, D. (2014). Systematic Approach for Large-scale, Rapid, Dilapidation Surveys of Historic Masonry Buildings. Int’l J. of Architectural Heritage, Taylor & Francis doi: 10.1080/15583058.2012.692849.
Laefer, D, Truong-Hong, L., Carr, H., Singh, M. (2014). Crack Detection Limits in Unit Based Masonry with Terrestrial Laser Scanning. Non-destructive Testing International, Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/j.ndteint.2013.11.001.
Truong-Hong, L., Laefer, D., Le K. (2013). Reduction of Lateral Loads in Abutments using Ground Anchors. Soils and Foundations, ICE, 166(4)209-20, doi: 10.1680/grim.12.00002.
Truong-Hong, L., Laefer, D. (2013). Validating Computational Models from Laser Scanning Data for Historic Facades. J. Testing & Evaluation, ASTM, 41(3)1-17, doi:10.1520/JTE20120243.
Truong-Hong, L., Laefer, D. (2013). Impact of Modeling Architectural Detailing for Predicting Unreinforced Masonry Response to Subsidence. Automation in Construction, Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2012.11.004.
Schön, B., Mosa, A., Laefer, D., Bertolotto, M. (2013). Octree-based Indexing for 3D Pointclouds within an Oracle Spatial DBMS. Computers & Geosciences, Elsevier, Doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2012.08.021.
Hinks, T., Carr, H., Truong-Hong, L., Laefer, D., (2013). Point Cloud Data Conversion into Solid Models via Point-Based Voxelization. J. of Surveying Eng., ASCE, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000097.
Laefer, D., Anwar, M. (2012). Review of Strategies for the Geometric Creation and Population of Urban Microclimate Models. Open Urban Studies J., Bentham (5): 22-31.
Mosa, A.S.M., Schön, B., Bertolotto, M., Laefer, D. (2012). Evaluating the Benefits of Octree-based Indexing for LiDAR Data. Photogrammetric Eng. & Remote Sensing, American Soc. for Photogrammetry, 78 (9) 927-934.
Truong-Hong, L., Laefer, D., Hinks, T., Carr, H. (2012). Combining an Angle Criterion with Voxelization in Reconstructing Building Models from LiDAR Data. CACIE, Wiley, doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8667.2012.00761.x.
Rezaiguia, A., Fisli, Y., Ellagoune, S., Laefer, D, and Ouelaa, N. (2012). Extension of Semi-analytical Approach to Determine Natural Frequencies and Mode Shapes of Multi-span Orthotropic Bridge Deck. Structural Eng. & Mechanics, Techno Press, 43(1)71-87.
Djebala, A., Ouelaa, N., Benchaabane, C., Laefer, D. (2012). Application of the Wavelet Multi-resolution Analysis and Hilbert Transform for the Prediction of Gear Tooth Defects. Meccanica, Springer, doi: 10.1007/s11012-012-9538-1.
Truong-Hong, L. Laefer, D., Hinks, T., Carr H. (2012). Flying Voxel Method with Delaunay Triangulation Criterion For Façade/Feature Detection For Computation. J. Comp. in Civil Eng., ASCE doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000188.
Erkal, A., Tezcan, S., Laefer, D. (2011). Assessment and Code Considerations for the Combined Effect of Seismic Base-isolation and Viscoelastic Dampers. Civil Eng., ISRN, doi: 10.5402/2011/861451.
Laefer, D., Hinks, T., Carr, H., Truong-Hong, L. (2011). New Advances in Automated Urban Model Population from Aerial Laser Scanning. Eng. Patent J., Bentham 5(3)196-208.
Laefer, D, Truong-Hong. L, Cording, E., Long, J., Erkal, A. (2011). Manufacturing, Assembly, and Testing of Scaled, Historic Masonry for One-gravity, Pseudo-static, Soil-structure Experiments. Special Edition “Masonry Research and Practice”, Construction & Bldg Materials, Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.03.066.
Laefer, D., Truong-Hong, L., Fitzgerald, M. (2011). Processing of Terrestrial Laser Scanning Point Cloud Data for Computational Modelling of Building Facades. Recent Patents in Computer Science, Bentham 4(1)16-29.
Laefer, D., Gannon, J., Deely, E. (2010). Reliability of Crack Detection for Baseline Condition Assessments. J. Infrastructure Systems, ASCE, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)1076-0342(2010)16:2(129).
Laefer, D., Ambrozevich-Cooper, N., Minh, P., Midgette, J., Wortman, J., Ceribasi, S. (2010). Expansive Fracture Agent Behaviour for Concrete Cracking. Mag. Concrete Research, ICE/Thomas Telford, doi: 10.1680/macr.2010.62.00.1.
Guenfoud, S., Bosakov, S., Laefer, D. (2010). A Ritz’s Method Based Solution for the Contact Problem of a Deformable Rectangular Plate on an Elastic Quarter-Space. Int’l J. Solids & Structures, Elsevier, doi: 1016/j.ijsolstr.2010.03.014.
Laefer, D., Erkal, A., Cording, E., Long, J., Truong Hong, L. (2010). Theoretical Solutions for Strength-scaled Building Materials for Scaled Soil-structure Experiments. J. Testing & Evaluation, ASTM doi: 10.1061/_ASCE_GT.1943-5606.0000128.
Moffatt, S., Laefer, D. (2010). An Open Source Vision for HAZUS. J. Comp. in Civil Engineering, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000022.
Schoen, B., Laefer, D., Morrish, S. Bertolotto, M. (2009). Three-dimensional Spatial Information Systems: State of the Art Review. Recent Patents in Comp. Sci., Bentham, 2(1)21-31.
Morrish, S., Laefer, D. (2009). Web-enablement of Architectural Inventories. Int’l J. Archit’l Heritage Conservation, Analysis, and Restoration, Taylor & Francis, doi: 10.1080/15583050902731056.
Laefer, D., Fitzgerald, M., Maloney, E., Coyne, D., Lennon, D., Morrish, S. (2009). Lateral Image Degradation in Terrestrial Laser Scanning. Structural Eng. Int’l, IABSE, doi: 10.2749/101686609788220196.
Laefer, D. (2009). Gender Disparity in Engineering as a Function of Physics Enrollment and Its Implications for Civil Engineering. J. Prof. Issues in Eng. Education & Practice, ASCE, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)1052-3928(2009)135:3(95).
Laefer, D., Ceribasi, S., Long, J., Cording, E. (2009). Predicting Reinforced Concrete Frame Response to Excavation Induced Settlement. J. Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Eng., ASCE, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000128.
Hinks, T., Carr, H., Laefer, D. (2009). Flight Optimization Algorithms for Aerial LiDAR Capture for Urban Infrastructure Model Generation. Special Issue, Graphical 3D Visualization in Arch., Eng. & Construction, Comp. Civ. Eng., ASCE, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2009)23:6(330).
Guenfoud, S., Bosakov, S., Laefer, D. (2009). Dynamic Analysis of a Beam Resting on an Elastic Half-Space with Inertial Properties. Soil Dynamics & Earthquake Engineering, Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/j.soildyn.2009.01.005.
Rezaiguia, A., Laefer, D. (2009). Semi-analytical Determination of Natural Frequencies and Mode Shapes of a Multi-span Bridge Decks. J. Sound and Vibration, Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/j.jsv.2009.08.007.
Laefer, D., Manke, J. (2008). Building Reuse Assessment for Sustainable Urban Reconstruction. J. Construction Eng. & Mgmt., ASCE, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2008)134:3(217).
Son, M., Laefer, D., Cording, J. (2008). Numerical Model Tests of Building Response to Excavation-induced Ground Movements. Geotech. J. 45(11):1611-21, doi: 10.1139/T08-074. Corrigendum 2010, 47(1): 133, doi: 10.1139/T09-109
Crowley, A., Laefer, D., Fanning, M. (2008). Sample Preparation and Testing Methods for the Evaluation of Microcrystalline Waxes for the Seismic Protection of Art Objects. Testing & Evaluation J., ASTM, 36(1)24-33.
Crowley, A., Laefer, D. (2008). Understanding Microcrystalline Waxes for the Seismic Protection of Art Objects. J. Am. Inst. Conservation Historic & Artistic Works, AIC, 47(2)119-39.
Bian, Y., Hutchinson, T., Wilson, D., Laefer, D., Brandenberg, S. (2008). Experimental Investigation of Grouted Helical Piers for Use in Foundation Rehabilitation. J. Geotech. & Geoenvironmental Eng. ASCE, 134(9)1280-9. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2008)134:9(1280).
Pradhan, A., Laefer, D., Rasdorf, W. (2007). Infrastructure Management System Framework Requirements for Disasters. J. Comp. Civil Eng., ASCE, 21(2)90-101. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2007)21:2(90).
Laefer, D., Pradhan, A. (2006). Evacuation Route Selection Based on Tree-Based Hazards Using LiDAR and GIS. J. Transportation Eng., ASCE, 132(4)312-20. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-947X(2006)132:4(312).
Laefer, D., Koss, A., Pradhan, A. (2006). Need for Baseline Data Characteristics for GIS-based Disaster Management Systems. J. Urban Plan. & Dev., ASCE doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9488(2006)132:3(115).
Laefer, D., Evans, A., Frazier J. (2006). Forensic investigation methodology for structures experiencing settlement. J. Assoc. Preserv. Tech., APT, 37(2-3)23-31.
Laefer, D., Kim, W. (2004). Prediction of Tunneling Induced Ground Movement. J. Trans. Res. Rec., TRB, Nat’l Res. Council, No. 1892, 208-220.
Kalkan, E., Laefer, D. (2004). Seismic Based Strengthening of Steel and Reinforced Concrete Telecommunication Poles Based on FEM analysis. Eng. Struc. J., Elsevier, 26(14)2101-11.
Laefer, D., Boggs, J., Cooper, N. (2004). Engineering Properties of Historic Brick – Variability Considerations as a Function of Kiln Type. J. Am. Inst. Cons. Historic & Artistic Works, AIC Fall/Winter 43(3)255-72.
Laefer, D. (1993). Heading into Termination: Laying Down the Paper Trail. Women in Natural Resources, 14(3)4-11.
Authored + Edited Books
Prediction and Assessment of Ground Movement and Building Damage Induced by Adjacent Excavation
Laefer, D. (2001).
PhD Thesis University of Illinois. pp. 803.
Micropiles and Related Techniques: State of Technology Resource
Laefer, D. (1997).
S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, FHWA-RD-96-204, 471 pp.
Foundations 2015: Proc. Int’l Foundations Congress & Equipment
Iskander, M., Suleiman, M., Anderson, B., and Laefer, D. (Ed.s) [2015].
EXPO 2015, Mar. 2015, San Antonio, Texas, GSP 256, ASCE. doi: 10.1061/9780784479087.fm
Problem Soils, and Geo-Support
Iskander, M., Laefer, D., Hussein, M. (Ed.s), [2009].
International Foundation Engineering Congress & Equipment Expo (IFCEE’09), Mar. 2009, Orlando, FL, GSP 187, ASCE, pp. 628.
Contemporary Topics in Deep Foundations
Iskander, M., Laefer, D., Hussein, M. (Ed.s), [2009].
IFCEE’09, Mar. 2009, Orlando, FL, GSP 186, ASCE pp. 668.
Contemporary Topics in In-Situ Testing, Analysis, and Reliability of Foundations
Iskander, M., Laefer, D., Hussein, M. (Ed.s), [2009].
IFCEE’09, Mar. 2009, Orlando, FL, GSP 185, ASCE pp. 650.
Contemporary Issues in Deep Foundations
Camp, W., Castelli, R., Laefer, D., Paikowsky S. (Ed.s) [2007]
Proc. of Geo-Denver 2007: New Peaks in Geotechnics, Feb. 2007, GSP 158, ASCE.
Current Earthquake Engineering Research in the Central United States
Laefer, D. (ed.) [1998].
Urbana, IL, Apr. 4.
Awards + Distinctions
• Irish Research Council, appointed by the Irish government as the sole engineering delegate representing for all of Ireland, 2016-2019
• Women on Walls, Irish Royal Academy (1 of 8 Irish-based researchers selected)
• Wall of Frames, 2016 UCD, College of Engineering award (for contributing to one of the most highly cited papers in 2015 produced by the College of Engineering (http://www.ucd.ie/civileng/newsandevents/civilengineeringpaperin2016publ...)
• First place, IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Data Fusion Contest, Milan, Italy, 2015
• Best Track award, ISPRS Geospatial Week, GeoBigData Workshop, IQumulus, Processing Contest, La Grande Motte, France, 2015
• World Monument Fund, External Reviewer for “At-risk sites”, 2013 & 2015
• European Research Council (ERC) representative to World Congress of Scientific Journalists (1 of 2 selected from 5000 awardees), Seoul, South Korea, 2015
• ERC awardee representative to European Business Angel Network (1 of 8 selected from 500+ awardees) Copenhagen Denmark, 2015
• Finalist, Best Irish Laboratory Team, 2014 & 2016
• Finalist, EU Champions of Transport Research, Cross-Modal Category, TRAVisions, 2014 & 2016
• Technical Advisory Board, IQUMULS (EU FP7 Sponsored), 2013-current
• Secretary General, International Scientific Committee on the Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage (ISCARSAH), 2013-14 (Expert member, since 2012)
• EU FP7 ERC Consolidator Grant Awardee, 2012 – only Irish civil engineer to have received this award in the competition’s 11 year history
• UCD’s Presidential Teaching Award, given annually to 3 faculty members, 2007
• President of Ireland Career Advancement Award, Science Foundation Ireland, 2006 (equivalent to the National Science Foundation Career Award)
Information for Mentees
About me: Three years at NC State, 12 in EU, 5.5 at NYU.
Mentorship style: Informal (coffee favored).
Research News
NYU Tandon study maps pedestrian crosswalks across entire cities, helping improve road safety and increase walkability
As pedestrian fatalities in the United States reach a 40-year high, a novel approach to measuring crosswalk lengths across entire cities could provide urban planners with crucial data to improve safety interventions.
NYU Tandon School of Engineering researchers Marcel Moran and Debra F. Laefer published the first comprehensive, city-wide analysis of crosswalk distances in the Journal of the American Planning Association. Moran is an Urban Science Faculty Fellow at the Center for Urban Science + Progress (CUSP), and Laefer is a Professor of Civil and Urban Engineering and CUSP faculty member.
"In general, lots of important data related to cities’ pedestrian realm is analog (so it exists only in old diagrams and is not machine readable), is not comprehensive, or both," said lead author Moran, highlighting the gap this study fills. "We know that longer crosswalks pose increased safety risks to pedestrians, but rarely are cities sitting on up-to-date, comprehensive data about their own crosswalks. So even answering the question,‘what are the 100 longest crossings in our city?' is not easy. We want to change that.”
This study's unique contribution lies in its scale and methodology, potentially providing a powerful new tool for city planners to identify and address high-risk areas.
The team analyzed nearly 49,000 crossings in three diverse cities: a European city (Paris), a dense American city (San Francisco), and a less-dense, more car-centric American city (Irvine). To accomplish this, they employed a combination of data sources and techniques.
"We combined crosswalk distance measurements from two different datasets," Laefer said. "The first is from OpenStreetMap, which comes from a community of users who have crowdsourced and built a map of the world."
However, OpenStreetMap data alone wasn't comprehensive enough. "If we had only used OpenStreetMap, we would have been left with a lot of crosswalks missing," Laefer explained. "So we also used satellite imagery tools to measure the remaining crosswalk distances."
Their technique revealed distinct patterns in each urban environment. According to the published paper, the average crosswalk lengths were approximately 26 feet in Paris (.03% at 70 feet or longer), about 43 feet in San Francisco (4.4% at 70 feet or longer), and about 58 feet in Irvine (with about 20% at 70 feet or longer). Crossings over 50 to 60 feet start to show a higher concentration of pedestrian collisions, according to Moran.
The study confirmed a significant correlation between crosswalk length and pedestrian safety in all three cities examined. Longer crosswalks were associated with higher probabilities of pedestrian-vehicle collisions, with each additional foot increasing collision likelihood by 0.8% to 2.11%. Crossings where recent collisions occurred were 15% to 43% longer than city averages.
Moran sees this research as a powerful tool for city planners and policymakers. "The three cities we have mapped now have these datasets, and can evaluate different investments and make informed decisions in pedestrian infrastructure," he explained.
The potential for this research to inform public policy extends beyond these three cities. Moran and his team are planning to scale up their approach to the 100 largest cities in the United States, potentially creating a public resource for exploring crosswalk distances.
According to Moran, simple measures could significantly improve pedestrian safety on crosswalks. "Small low-tech ways to improve the pedestrian environment can really lead to safety benefits. These can include extending the sidewalks out from each side and putting pedestrian refuge islands in the middle," Moran noted.
This study is part of Moran's broader effort to improve urban transportation. He explains, "I'm trying to make urban transportation safer, more sustainable and more equitable. I use a variety of methods like mining data, satellite imagery and field collection to understand our streets, how they can change, and how those changes can lead to these improved outcomes."
Moran, M. E., & Laefer, D. F. (2024). Multiscale Analysis of Pedestrian Crossing Distance. Journal of the American Planning Association, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2024.2394610
