Biography
Dr. Hai Huang is a professor and founding faculty member of the Rail Transportation Engineering (RTE) degree program at Penn State Altoona, the nation's first and only ABET-accredited undergraduate rail degree program, where he also directs the Rail Center for Research Enhancing Short-line Transportation (Rail CREST). Funded by the FRA’s CRISI program, Rail CREST is a multi-university transportation center under Dr. Huang's leadership, dedicated to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of short-line and regional railroads through innovative, affordable technologies and workforce development.
With expertise in structural health monitoring, train-track interaction, and transportation geotechnics, Dr. Huang has secured more than $10 million in research funding from the FRA, AAR, and various University Transportation Centers (UTCs), advancing transformative approaches in rail infrastructure research. His leadership experience also includes serving as the former chair of the Rail Transportation Committee of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), where he contributed to shaping national discussions on rail safety and infrastructure resilience.
Dr. Huang has led multiple pioneering projects, including sensor technology developments like distributed fiber optic sensors and "SmartRock" systems for real-time track monitoring. As a leader in both academic and industry circles, he remains dedicated to mentoring the next generation of rail engineers and bridging the gap between research and real-world applications, positioning Penn State Altoona as a national leader in rail transportation.
Research Interests
Dr. Hai Huang's research interests center on advancing rail transportation infrastructure through innovative technologies and materials. His primary focus areas include track structural health monitoring, train-track interaction, and transportation geotechnics. He is particularly interested in the development and application of sensor technologies, such as distributed fiber optic systems and “SmartRock” sensors, to monitor and improve track stability and ballast performance. His work also explores sustainable materials for rail infrastructure, predictive models for track safety, and the implementation of AI-driven tools for geohazard prediction. Through his role as director of Rail CREST, Dr. Huang continues to develop practical, affordable solutions aimed at enhancing the resilience, safety, and efficiency of short-line and regional railroads.
Education
Dr. Hai Huang holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where his research focused on transportation infrastructure and geotechnics.