Rubi Quiñones
UTRGV Computer Engineering student Rubi Quiñones, completed her UTCRS REU experience at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Ms. Quiñones was deeply interested in the creation and implementation of machine learning algorithms. Thus, she found an application for her interest in the real time monitoring of traffic at a Highway-Railway Grade Crossing (HRGC). Ms. Quiñones devised and coded an algorithm capable of utilizing real time data to monitor and predict traffic congestion, as well as a vehicle’s travel time in a problematic HRGC. Furthermore, her algorithm is capable of self-improving as time passes by and more data is collected. In this manner, her algorithm increases in accuracy with time, and can detect outliers. As cities become larger and denser in population, their roadway networks tend to cause severe congestion for longer periods of the day which leads to experiencing increased travel times. Ms. Quiñones’ work aids in evaluating and addressing this issue, and can be adapted to other problematic sites.