Construction Automation, Robotics, and Ergonomics (CARE) Lab

CARE Lab pursues advancements of automation, robotics, and ergonomics in construction and transportation.

Our automation force streamlines the construction process to improve the productivity and compatibility.
Our robotics force aims to develop intelligent systems to improve the construction efficiency and safety.
Our ergonomics force applies human factors theories and technologies to improve human-environment interaction.

All these fields of research strengthen each other with the goals to improve human wellbeing, production efficiency, and environment sustainability.

People
Director
	Yunfeng Chen, Ph.D. Associate Professor chen428@purdue.edu
PhD Students
	Xinran Hu Ph.D. Student hu874@purdue.edu
	Ze Wang Ph.D. Student wang6173@purdue.edu
Former Students
	Xingzhou Guo, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Construction Science & Management, Department of Engineering Technology, Texas State University xingzhoug@txstate.edu
	Hongyue Wu, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety & Health, University of Wisconsin Whitewater wuh@uww.edu

Research
	SPR-4838: Automated Personalized Ergonomic Risk Report Generation System Role: PI; Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $283,508 (09/01/2023 - 06/30/2026)
	SPR-4927: Bridge Data Virtual Validator Role: Co-PI (PI: Jiansong Zhang); Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $149,789 (01/01/2025 - 08/31/2026)
	SPR-4921: Exploring Autonomous Maintenance Technologies (AMT) in INDOT Road Maintenance Activities – A Feasibility Study Role: Co-PI (PI: Yiheng Feng); Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $138,272 (09/01/2024 -11/30/2025)
	SPR-4920: Three-dimensional Visibility and Legibility Zone and Human Information Processing of Arrow Boards on Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Trucks Role: PI; Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $209,615 (08/12/2024 - 08/11/2026)
	SPR-4806: INDOT Training Gap Analysis, Developing a Training Program for INDOT Workforce Development (new, Front-line and Supervisors) and Smart Tool for Effective Planning for Workforce Role: Co-PI (PI: Steven Dunlop); Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $256,665 (10/15/2023 - 10/14/2025)
	SPR-4862: Synthesis Study on Applying Solar Power Systems in Indiana’s Right of Way (ROW) and INDOT-Owned Facilities Role: Co-PI (PI: Soowon Chang); Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $99,188 (12/01/2023 - 02/28/2025)
	EAGER: SAI: Human-Centered Design and Enhancement of Next Generation Transportation Infrastructure with Connected and Automated Vehicles Role: Co-PI (PI: Robert Proctor); Sponsor: National Science Foundation Amount: $300,000 (09/01/2021 - 08/31/2023)
	SPR-4836: Best Practices for Implementing Driving Simulators in INDOT Driver Training Role: Co-PI (PI: Luciana de Cresce El Debs); Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $654,860 (07/01/2023 - 11/20/2025)
	SPR-4630: Implementation Exploration of Autonomous Vehicles: Impacts of Autonomous Truck-Mounted Attenuator (ATMA) on INDOT Work Zone Safety, Mobility, and Crews’ Perception/Behavior/Productivity Role: PI; Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $330,374 (07/26/2021 - 11/25/2023)
	SPR-4628: Exploration of Color Patterns for Improving Work Zone Safety and Perception Role: PI; Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $99,584 (08/23/2021 - 11/30/2024)
	SPR-4651: Synthesis Study on Employing Snow Plow Driving Simulators in Training Role: Co-PI (PI: Luciana de Cresce El Debs); Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $93,119 (01/01/2022 - 12/31/2022)
	SPR-4622: Integration of BIM for Bridge Modeling Role: Co-PI (PI: Jiansong Zhang); Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $319,168 (09/01/2021 - 08/31/2025)
	SPR-4625: BIM Standards for Roads and Related Transportation Assets Role: Co-PI (PI: Jiansong Zhang); Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $119,546 (01/01/2022 - 06/30/2023)
	SPR-4523: Applied Ergonomics Role: PI; Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $99,829 (08/24/2020 - 03/15/2023)
	SPR-4421: Life Cycle Integration of Infrastructure Information Modeling Role: PI; Sponsor: Indiana Department of Transportation Amount: $131,769 (07/01/2019 - 11/12/2021)
	A Case Study of Drivers' Visual Attention and Behavioral Responses to Traffic Signs or Other Delineation Devices for High-Crash Areas Role: PI; Sponsor: Local Technical Assistance Program Amount: $99,660 (07/01/2019 - 06/30/2022)
	Cognitive Attention and Traffic Crashes: A Study of Countermeasures in Two Intersections and One Section Role: Subcontract PI; Sponsor: Georgia Department of Transportation Amount: $161,480, with Purdue Subcontract of $73,500 (9/16/2019 - 7/16/2021)
	PFI-RP (INCLUDES Supplement): Partnerships for Innovation in Interoperable Building Information Modeling Technology for Applications in Automated Building Code Compliance Checking and Modular Construction Automation Role: Co-PI (PI: Jiansong Zhang); Sponsor: National Science Foundation Amount: $149,827 (09/15/2018 - 08/31/2023)
	PFI-RP: Partnerships for Innovation in Interoperable Building Information Modeling Technology for Applications in Automated Building Code Compliance Checking and Modular Construction Automation Role: Co-PI (PI: Jiansong Zhang); Sponsor: National Science Foundation Amount: $749,770 (09/15/2018 - 08/31/2023)