ICSIE 2026 · Keynote Speaker

Imad L. Al-Qadi, PhDDist.M.ASCE · Dist.M.APSE · PE

A keynote on the future of energy-efficient, resilient transportation systems and the strategies shaping mobility toward net-zero emissions.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign United States
Dr. Imad Al-Qadi

Toward Energy-Efficient and Resilient Transportation Systems: Shaping the Future of Mobility

A robust transportation infrastructure is crucial for protecting the environment, supporting the economy, and benefiting society. The emergence of autonomous and connected vehicles, including trucks, offers significant potential to reduce energy consumption, lower emissions, cut costs, and enhance road safety.

In light of these advancements, a holistic roadway design approach must be adopted for the mobility of both people and goods, one that prioritizes safety, targets net-zero emissions, enhances resilience, and minimizes disruptions for both travelers and freight. The evolution of traffic patterns, such as the introduction of truck platoons and electric freight, presents new challenges for flexible pavement performance.

From challenge to opportunity

Addressing these challenges requires innovative and optimized strategies that transform potential problems into opportunities. This presentation focuses on how such strategies can support the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

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About the speaker

Imad L. Al-Qadi is the Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering and the founding Director of the Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT). Prior to that, he was the Charles E. Via, Jr. Professor at Virginia Tech.

He has led more than 200 research projects to completion, authored or co-authored more than 1000 publications, served as editor or co-editor for more than 30 proceedings, and advised more than 100 PhD students and postdocs. He has presented his work at more than 1000 international conferences and professional meetings and has delivered numerous keynote and distinguished lectures, including the inaugural Nordal Lecture and Monismith Lecture.

Professor Al-Qadi has received numerous national and international honors and awards, including the NSF Young Investigator Award, the IGS Award, ASCE James Laurie Prize, ARTBA Steinberg Award, ASCE Turner Award, TRB D. Grant Mickle Award and Woods Award, the ASCE Robert Horonjeff Airport Transportation Award, and the French Limoges Medal. He is an Emeritus Member of TRB and a Life Member of AAPT.

He served as the President of the ASCE T&DI Board of Governors and the Chair of the APSE Board of Directors and is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Pavement Engineering. In 2010, he was elected an ASCE Distinguished Member and in 2023 he was elected the inaugural APSE Distinguished Member.

He was the 2023 recipient of the TRB Roy W. Crum Distinguished Service Award and the 2024 UIUC Executive Officer Distinguished Leadership Award. He was also named a 2024 U of I President’s Executive Leadership Program Fellow. In 2024, he received the CUTC Lifetime Achievement Award for University Transportation Education and Research.