Chris Cunningham
Bio
Meet Chris Cunningham
Chris Cunningham is the Program Manager for the Traffic Systems Innovation Program (TSIP) at the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) at North Carolina State University. With over two decades of experience at ITRE, Cunningham has developed a specialized focus on traffic signal timing, asset data collection, alternative intersections, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications, transportation safety, and pedestrian accessibility. He earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering (2002) and M.S. in Civil Engineering (2004) from NC State University, and he is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in North Carolina.
Research Focus and Contributions
Cunningham’s extensive research expertise encompasses a wide range of transportation engineering topics. His work includes optimizing traffic signal timing for better flow, safety evaluations of left-turn phasing at intersections, and modeling intersection crash frequencies to improve overall traffic safety. He has also investigated the potential impact of emerging technologies such as drones in emergency medical services, contributing to the development of real-time integration strategies. Additionally, Cunningham’s research on the mobility of pedestrians and cyclists at complex intersections provides valuable insights into the design and functionality of multimodal transportation systems, promoting accessibility and efficiency.
Cunningham has co-authored numerous publications that contribute significantly to the field of transportation research. His work includes studies on the effectiveness of flashing yellow arrows for left-turn signals, the potential of signalized offset T-intersections to accommodate new developments, and the challenges of integrating non-safety-related information in in-vehicle displays during automated driving. He continues to lead and contribute to groundbreaking projects, striving to enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of transportation systems. His leadership in the TSIP program helps drive innovation in transportation engineering and policy, addressing current and future challenges in the field. His expertise is instrumental in shaping transportation infrastructure that adapts to modern needs.
For more information, visit Chris Cunningham’s profile.
Education
MCE Master of Civil Engineering North Carolina State University 2004
B.S. Bachelor of Civil Engineering North Carolina State University 2002
Area(s) of Expertise
Cunningham’s past research sponsors include the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the NC Governor’s Highway Safety (NCGHSP) program. He recently served as co-author/editor for the 2nd Edition of the ITE Manual of Transportation Studies and Highway Engineering published by Elsevier.
Publications
- Driver behavior analysis at alternative intersection corridors through driving simulator , Accident Analysis & Prevention (2026)
- Proactive Remote Operation of Automated Vehicles: Supporting human controllability , (2026)
- Proactive Remote Operation of Automated Vehicles: Supporting human controllability , (2025)
- Challenges & barriers for real-time integration of drones in emergency cardiac care: Lessons from the United States, Sweden, & Canada , Resuscitation Plus (2024)
- Quadrant Roadway Intersections: Tradeoffs between Control Delay Savings and Extra Travel Time , Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board (2023)
- Safety Evaluation for Conversion From Protected-Only Left-Turn Phasing to Time-of-Day Protected-Permissive Left-Turn Phasing Using Flashing Yellow Arrows , Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board (2023)
- Age differences in driver visual behavior and vehicle control when driving with in-vehicle and on-road deliveries of service logo signs , International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics (2022)
- Movement-based intersection crash frequency modeling , Journal of Transportation Safety & Security (2022)
- Research and Design Considerations for Presentation of Non-Safety Related Information via In-Vehicle Displays during Automated Driving , Applied Sciences (2022)
- The potential of signalized offset T-intersections to accommodate new developments , International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology (2022)