Dr. Jun Zhao | Decision-making and Problem-solving | Best Researcher Award

University of Arizona | United States

A researcher specializing in transportation systems, data science, and emerging mobility technologies, with expertise in developing simulation-based and data-driven frameworks to analyze travel behavior, system performance, sustainability, and equity outcomes. Educated in Industrial Engineering, Management Science and Logistics, and Transportation Engineering, with a doctoral focus on agent-based modeling and dynamic traffic assignment for optimizing personalized incentives in mobility systems. Professional experience spans academia, industry, and interdisciplinary research centers, including postdoctoral roles in civil engineering, transportation analytics, and mobility innovation, as well as contributions as a senior algorithm engineer working on large-scale urban computing applications. Research incorporates shared mobility, automation, electrification, traffic safety, AI-assisted asset management, behavioral modeling, real-time information systems, and multimodal performance measurement. Has contributed to multiple federally, state, and regionally funded projects, serving as PI, Co-PI, project manager, or key researcher across initiatives supported by transportation institutes, departments of transportation, and national research programs. Publications include journal articles, conference papers, and preprints on AI-driven mobility, travel behavior, incentive design, and pandemic-related mobility trends. Recognized for ongoing service as a reviewer for major journals and conferences in intelligent transportation systems. Dedicated to advancing safe, efficient, equitable, and sustainable mobility through innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and applied research.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Lee, M., Zhao, J., Sun, Q., Pan, Y., Zhou, W., Xiong, C., & Zhang, L. (2020). Human mobility trends during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. PLOS ONE, 15(11), e0241468.

Xiong, C., Shahabi, M., Zhao, J., Yin, Y., Zhou, X., & Zhang, L. (2020). An integrated and personalized traveler information and incentive scheme for energy-efficient mobility systems. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 113, 57–73.

Zhao, J., Lee, M., Ghader, S., Younes, H., Darzi, A., Xiong, C., & Zhang, L. (2020). Quarantine fatigue: First-ever decrease in social distancing measures after the COVID-19 outbreak before reopening United States. arXiv Preprint, arXiv:2006.03716.

Ghader, S., Zhao, J., Lee, M., Zhou, W., Zhao, G., & Zhang, L. (2020). Observed mobility behavior data reveal social distancing inertia. arXiv Preprint, arXiv:2004.14748.

Zhao, J., Xiong, C., & Zhang, L. (2018). A joint-revealed and stated preference analysis of travel behavioral responses to monetary incentives. Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting. Transportation Research Board.

Wang, L., Jiang, Z., Hu, C., Zhao, J., Zhu, Z., Chen, X., Wang, Z., Liu, T., He, G., Yin, Y., … (2025). Comparing AI and human decision-making mechanisms in daily collaborative experiments. iScience, 28(6).