Welcome to MARRS Lab

Monash Research Center of Automated and Resilient Road Systems (MARRS), which is established in 2018 and expanded in 2024, is lead by A/Prof. Nan Zheng. Our research lab is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of science and technology in transportation through innovative research and collaboration. We focus on cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex problems that impact society, including urban transport, freight transport and robotic vehicles.

We are committed to excellence in research, education, and service. Our lab provides a supportive and collaborative environment where creativity and innovation thrive. We welcome collaborations with industry partners, other academic institutions, and researchers from around the world.

Latest News

Teaching Award

Prof.Nan Zheng was awarded the Dean's Award for Innovation in Learning and Teaching and nominated for the President's Award.

August, 2026

Visting Students

MARRS team hosts 20+ visiting students from China, including Central South University, Beijing Jiaotong University, Dalian University of Technology, etc.

August, 2026

New Members

Xiaowei Yu has joined the lab, focusing on human-AI interaction.

August, 2026

News & Updates

Teaching Award

Prof.Nan Zheng was awarded the Dean's Award for Innovation in Learning and Teaching and nominated for the President's Award.

August, 2026

Visting Students

MARRS team hosts 20+ visiting students from China, including Central South University, Beijing Jiaotong University, Dalian University of Technology, etc.

August, 2026

New Members

Xiaowei Yu has joined the lab, focusing on human-AI interaction.

August, 2026

New Members

Lingwen Zhu has joined the lab, focusing on medical and emergency logistics.

August, 2026

Conference

Mohan Kumar and Ji Zhou attend the 5th Monash Engineering Postgraduate Conference for oral and poster presentations.

July, 2026

Conference

Xiaowei Yu attend the 26th COTA International Conference of Transportation Professionals (CICTP 2026) for oral presentation.

July, 2026

New Members

Haoran Hu has received the PhD offer, focusing on logistics and urban air mobility.

June, 2026

Publication

Recent studies on autonomous mining systems have been published, including Zhou et al. (2026) in Transport Policy, 104218, Zhou et al. (2026) in Transportmetrica B: Transport Dynamics, 14, 2659893， and Zhou et al. (2026) in IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV), 1932-1937.

May, 2026

Publication

A study on ADS-equipped heavy goods vehicle operations has been published: Xu et al. (2026), Accident Analysis & Prevention, 234, 108594.

May, 2026

Publication

A study on a multi-scenario calibration framework for driving behavior parameters in highway traffic simulation has been published: Shi et al. (2026), Communications in Transportation Research, 48, 100095.

May, 2026

Publication

A study on last-mile delivery optimization with smart modular lockers has been published: Zhou et al. (2026), Computers & Industrial Engineering, 217, 112069.

May, 2026

Milestone

Ji Zhou has finished the PhD confirmation.

May, 2026

Milestone

Yuxuan Li has finished the PhD confirmation.

April, 2026

New Members

Jiaxuan Zhou has joined the lab, focusing on human-vehicle interaction.

April, 2026

New position

Dr. Zheng Xu has joined in Central South University and appointed as Professor.

February 2026

Publication

Achievements on low-attitude transportation have been published, such as [1] Xu et al., 2026. JAPM 132: 102948, [2] Xu et al., 2025. TR-C 181: 105367, [3] Huang et al., 2025. TR-C 179: 105271, [4] Zhao et al., 2025. Trans-VT [5] Zhou et al., 2025. Trans-IV 10: 5008-5022.

February 2026

Awards

Dr. Zheng Xu is awarded 2025 SIDRA SOLUTIONS Postgraduate Award for his thesis titled 'Human-Centric Analysis of Critical Scenarios and Operational Efficiency during High-level Autonomous Driving'.

December, 2025

New Members

Ji Zhou has joined the lab, focusing on optimization in autonomous systems.

August, 2025

Congratulations

Dr. Yinfei Xi has obtained his Ph.D. degree.

August 2025

Congratulations

Dr. Zheng Xu has obtained his Ph.D. degree.

February 2025

Awards

Dr. Nan Zheng is awarded 0utstanding Supervision Award in recognition of exceptional practices deployed in the supervision of graduate research students.

July, 2024

Congratulations

Dr. Dong Xiao has obtained his Ph.D. degree.

March, 2024

Awards

MARRS is selected as ITS research lab by EIC of IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Magazine.

July, 2023

Awards

Dr. Nan Zheng is awarded Excellence in Research in recognition of a strong publication record in high-impact journals, evidence of attracting competitive research grants, successful postgraduate supervision, active research collaborations and networks, invitations to present at conferences, and contributions to prestigious journal editorial boards.

June, 2023

Congratulations

Dr. Ruyang Yin has obtained her Ph.D. degree.

November, 2022

Lab Director

Dr. Nan.Zheng

Associate Professor & Lab Director

Dr. Nan Zheng is an associate professor and the founding director of our research lab. received his BSc, MSc. and PhD degrees, in Transportation Engineering, from the Southeast University, Delft University of Technology, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), in 2007, 2009, and 2014, respectively.

Dr. Nan Zheng was previously appointed as a Post-doc by EPFL and the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ), then as an Associate Professor at the School of Transportation at Beihang University. Since 2018, A/Prof. Nan Zheng has been employed at the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Monash University.

Dr. Nan Zheng's researches focus on macro traffic flow theory, regional traffic control and optimization, autonomous driving system training, safety assessment, and transportation service application.

Dr. Nan Zheng is Associate Editor of IEEE Transaction on Intelligent Vehicles (Q1), Transportmetrica B: Transport Dynamics (Q1), Journal of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles (new journal); an editorial board member of Transportation Research Part C (Q1): Emerging Technologies.

Contact Information

nan.zheng@monash.edu LinkedIn Profile Google Scholar Personal Homepage

Lab Members

Dr. Yinfei Xi

Research Fellow

Project Manager

Personal Homepage

Dr. Zheng Xu

Research Fellow

Simulation

Personal Homepage

Dr. Dong Xiao

Research Fellow

Data

Personal Homepage

Mohan Kumar

Ph.D. Student

Road

Ji Zhou

Ph.D. Student

Algorithm

Yuxuan Li

Ph.D. Student

Human Factor

Jiaxuan Zhou

Ph.D. Student

Algorithm

Lingwen Zhu

Ph.D. Student

Simulation

Xiaowei Yu

Ph.D. Student

Simulation

Haoran Hu

Ph.D. Student

Algorithm

Junlan Chen

Ph.D. Student

Algorithm

Tanghan Jiang

Ph.D. Student

Simulation

Qishen Ye

Ph.D. Student

Simulation

Past Members

Dr. Ruyang Yin

Ph.D. Student

Algorithm

Now academic at Southeast University

Dr. Wenhua Jiang

Ph.D. Student

Data

Now academic at Heriot-watt University

Dr. Yifan Chen

Ph.D. Student

Simulation

Now academic at Nanjing University of Science and Technology

Research Areas

Robotics & Autonomous Systems

We research intelligent robotics systems that can operate autonomously in complex environments. Our work includes robot perception, motion planning, and human-robot interaction. We develop algorithms for mobile robots, manipulation systems, and multi-robot coordination with applications in transportation, logistics, and service industries.

Robot Perception Motion Planning Human-Robot Interaction

Selected Publications

Post-interactive multimodal trajectory prediction for autonomous driving

Ziyi Huang, Yang Li, Dushuai Li, Yao Mu, Hongmao Qin, Nan Zheng

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2025

View Paper

Analyzing riders’ behavioral adaptation to driving patterns of advanced autonomous vehicles: A virtual reality simulation study

Zheng Xu, Tanghan Jiang, Dong Xiao, Yihai Fang, Nan Zheng

International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 2025

View Paper

Safety validation for connected autonomous vehicles using large-scale testing tracks in high-fidelity simulation environment

Zheng Xu, Xiaomeng Wang, Xuesong Wang, Nan Zheng

Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2025

View Paper

Time-dependent effect of advanced driver assistance systems on driver behavior based on connected vehicle data

Yuzhi Chen, Yuanchang Xie, Chen Wang, Liguo Yang, Nan Zheng, Lan Wu

Analytic Methods in Accident Research, 2025

View Paper

String stability under general topologies for CAVs: A coupled sliding surface-based distributed TMPC approach

Xuan Wang, Hongmao Qin, Yougang Bian, Dezong Zhao, Nan Zheng

Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 2025

View Paper

Real-time model predictive control of path-following for autonomous vehicles towards model mismatch and uncertainty

Wenqiang Zhao, Hongqian Wei, Qiang Ai, Nan Zheng, Chen Lin, Youtong Zhang

Control Engineering Practice, 2024

View Paper

Investigating the Impact of Automated Vehicles on the Safety and Operation of Low‐Speed Urban Networks

Amir Hossein Karbasi, Nan Zheng, Steve O' Hern

Journal of Advanced Transportation, 2024

View Paper

Integrating connected autonomous shuttle buses as an alternative for public transport–A simulation-based study

Zheng Xu, Nan Zheng

Multimodal Transportation, 2024

View Paper

Analyzing scenario criticality and rider’s intervention behavior during high-level autonomous driving: A VR-enabled approach and empirical insights

Zheng Xu, Nan Zheng, Yisheng Lv, Yihai Fang, Hai L. Vu

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2023

View Paper

Infrastructure requirement for autonomous vehicle integration for future urban and suburban roads–Current practice and a case study of Melbourne, Australia

Hesavar Manivasakan, Riddhi Kalra, Steve O'Hern, Yihai Fang, Yinfei Xi, Nan Zheng

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 2021

View Paper

Traffic Flow Operation and Control

With more than 15 years research in this area, we are one of the internationally-recognized research teams on traffic flow modeling and control for large-scale urban road networks, resulting in publications in prestigious journals such as Transportation Research Part B, Part C, Part A. In particular, we incorporate “network science” into dynamic traffic flow modeling and control for large-scale road networks.

Traffic Flow MFD

Selected Publications

Ramp layout optimization and integrated control for mixed networks of freeways and arterial roads in an intelligent connected vehicle environment

Heng Ding, Yuanhao Meng, Nan Zheng, Xiaoyan Zheng, Wenjuan Huang, Chenyang Qin

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2025

View Paper

Two-layer control strategy response to regional cyberattacks on large-scale road networks in a connected vehicle environment

Liangwen Wang, Heng Ding, Nan Zheng, Xiaoyan Zheng

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2025

View Paper

A novel hierarchical perimeter control method for road networks considering boundary congestion in a mixed CAV and HV traffic environment

Heng Ding, Liangwen Wang, Nan Zheng, Zeyang Cheng, Xiaoyan Zheng, Jiye Li

Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 2025

View Paper

Percolation-based dynamic perimeter control for mitigating congestion propagation in urban road networks

Homayoun Hamedmoghadam, Nan Zheng, Daqing Li, Hai L Vu

Transportation research part C: emerging technologies, 2022

View Paper

Dynamic dispatch of connected taxis for large-scale urban road networks with stochastic demands: An MFD-enabled hierarchical and cooperative approach

Heng Ding, Jiye Li, Nan Zheng, Xiaoyan Zheng, Wenjuan Huang, Haijian Bai

Transportation research part C: emerging technologies, 2022

View Paper

Resilient perimeter control for hyper-congested two-region networks with MFD dynamics

Shengling Gao, Daqing Li, Nan Zheng, Ruiqi Hu, Zhikun She

Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 2022

View Paper

Area-based equitable pricing strategies for multimodal urban networks with heterogeneous users

Nan Zheng, Nikolas Geroliminis

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 2020

View Paper

Modeling and optimization of multimodal urban networks with limited parking and dynamic pricing

Nan Zheng, Nikolas Geroliminis

Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 2016

View Paper

Time-dependent area-based pricing for multimodal systems with heterogeneous users in an agent-based environment

Nan Zheng, Guillaume Rérat, Nikolas Geroliminis

Transportation research part C: emerging technologies, 2016

View Paper

A dynamic cordon pricing scheme combining the macroscopic fundamental diagram and an agent-based traffic model

Nan Zheng, Rashid A Waraich, Kay W Axhausen, Nikolas Geroliminis

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 2012

View Paper

Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence

Our research in machine learning focuses on developing novel algorithms and methodologies for solving complex real-world problems. We work on deep learning, reinforcement learning, and transfer learning with applications in autonomous vehicles and robotics systems. Our goal is to create intelligent systems that can learn, adapt, and make decisions in dynamic environments.

Deep Learning Neural Networks Control

Selected Publications

Agentic Large Language Models for day-to-day route choices

Leizhen Wang, Peibo Duan, Zhengbing He, Cheng Lyu, Xin Chen, Nan Zheng, Li Yao, Zhenliang Ma

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2025

View Paper

Data-driven optimization for ride-sourcing vehicle dispatching and relocation under demand and travel time uncertainty

Yunping Huang, Nan Zheng, Zheng Huang, Enming Liang, Shu-Chien Hsu, Renxin Zhong

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2025

View Paper

Bi-objective robust nonlinear decision approach for en-route bus speed control considering implementation errors and traffic uncertainties

Pengjie Liu, Liang Zheng, Nan Zheng

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2024

View Paper

Coordinated optimization of signal timing for intersections with dynamic shared through-and right-turn lanes

Zhe Zheng, Jian Yuan, Kun An, Nan Zheng, Wanjing Ma

Journal of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles, 2024

View Paper

A novel parallel computing framework for traffic assignment problem: Integrating alternating direction method of multipliers with Jacobi over relaxation method

Zhiyuan Liu, Yu Dong, Honggang Zhang, Nan Zheng, Kai Huang

Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 2024

View Paper

A deep reinforcement learning based distributed control strategy for connected automated vehicles in mixed traffic platoon

Haotian Shi, Danjue Chen, Nan Zheng, Xin Wang, Yang Zhou, Bin Ran

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2023

View Paper

A simulation-based model for continuous network design problem using Bayesian optimization

Ruyang Yin, Zhiyuan Liu, Nan Zheng

IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 2022

View Paper

Reconstructing vehicle trajectories on freeways based on motion detection data of connected and automated vehicles

Peng Chen, Tong Wang, Nan Zheng

Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems, 2022

View Paper

Improved dynamic time warping algorithm for bus route trajectory curve fitting

Yinfei Xi, Di Huang, Yu Yuan, Zhiyuan Liu, Khadka Anish, Nan Zheng

Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems, 2021

View Paper

Data Science & Analytics

We develop advanced data mining and analytics techniques to extract meaningful insights from large-scale datasets. Our research encompasses statistical modeling, predictive analytics, and visualization methods. We collaborate with various domains including transport, freight, and robot to solve data-driven challenges and support evidence-based decision making.

Big Data Statistical Modeling Visualization

Selected Publications

Prediction and interpretation of crash severity using machine learning based on imbalanced traffic crash data

Junlan Chen, Pei Liu, Shuo Wang, Nan Zheng, Xiucheng Guo

Journal of Safety Research, 2025

View Paper

Estimating safety benefit of in-vehicle work zone safety technology alerts: A counterfactual Monte-Carlo simulation approach

Qishen Ye, Yihai Fang, Nan Zheng

Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2025

View Paper

Does built environment have impact on traffic congestion?—A bootstrap mediation analysis on a case study of Melbourne

Dong Xiao, Inhi Kim, Nan Zheng

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 2024

View Paper

Performance evaluation of struck-by-accident alert systems for road work zone safety

Qishen Ye, Yihai Fang, Nan Zheng

Automation in Construction, 2024

View Paper

Understanding construction workers’ cognitive processes under risky scenarios through electroencephalography

Tanghan Jiang, Yihai Fang, Nan Zheng, Jiayu Chen

Automation in Construction, 2024

View Paper

Investigating built environment and traffic flow impact on crash frequency in urban road networks

Dong Xiao, Hongliang Ding, NN Sze, Nan Zheng

Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2024

View Paper

A novel generative adversarial network for improving crash severity modeling with imbalanced data

Junlan Chen, Ziyuan Pu, Nan Zheng, Xiao Wen, Hongliang Ding, Xiucheng Guo

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2024

View Paper

Assessing bicycle-vehicle conflicts at urban intersections utilizing a VR integrated simulation approach

Zheng Xu, Nan Zheng, David B. Logan, Hai L. Vu

Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2023

View Paper

Simulation-based analysis of second-best multimodal network capacity

Ruyang Yin, Xin Liu, Nan Zheng, Zhiyuan Liu

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2022

View Paper

Ongoing Projects

Autonomous Driving Key Technology and Control Platform for Operating Open-pit Mine Trucks

$490K AUD Funded by JITRR & MONASH 2025-2028

Remote Control Training Platform and Program Development for Autonomous Driving Trucks

$182K AUD Funded by WIIRI 2024-2026

Hierarchical Control for Multi-structure Large-scale Urban Road Networks using Network Science

$160K AUD Funded by NSF-China 2025-2027

Completed Projects

Platform, Technologies and Service Solutions for Autonomous Vehicles for Touristic Shuttle Buses

$921K AUD Funded by JITRR & MONASH 2018-2022

Macroscopic Approaches for Monitoring and Managing Traffic Congestion in Multimodal Road Networks

$145K AUD Funded by NSF-China 2017-2019

Traffic Control for Large-scale Signalised Road Networks of Connected Vehicles and Demand Uncertainties

$160K AUD Funded by NSF-China 2017-2020