Jinhua Zhao
Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
My Research
My work combines behavior science and computational intelligence to improve urban transportation systems.
My Labs
Mobility Memos
I share actionable insights on urban transportation system. For transportation professionals who want to understand what actually works, what’s not, and what might come next.
Making AI Work in State DOTs
Lessons from California, Texas, and Utah
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New Generation Activity-Based Travel Demand Models: From Trips To Lives
A new generation of travel demand modeling is pushing toward much greater behavioral detail
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Two Types of AI in Transportation: Fantastic AI and Grounded AI
What Transportation Professionals Should Learn and Do Now
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In the News
JTL Urban Mobility Lab won the Google's AI for Government Innovation Challenge Award.
We will work with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to develop an open-source agentic AI platform for public transportation monitoring, control, and rider communications.
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Jinhua Zhao named head of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning
An expert in behavioral science and transportation, Zhao combines the expertise with AI and public policy to address the most urgent challenges.
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Is Boston ready for self-driving cars?
Prof. Jinhua Zhao joins GBH’s Edgar B. Herwick for a ride—and a candid conversation about the risks and promise of self-driving cars. Before asking how safe AVs must become, Zhao argues, we must confront how unsafe today’s roads already are.
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Jinhua Zhao Joins the Singapore Ministry of Transport Steering Committee on AV
17-member committee formed to guide the progressive roll-out of autonomous vehicles in Singapore
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Practical application of AI on the Singapore-MIT AI Symposium, by CNA Asia
Jinhua Zhao on CNA Asia
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Emotional Travel: Decarbonize Urban Mobility
Is travel emotional? Zhao highlights the role of emotion in shaping travel behavior and urban mobility system.
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A collaborative approach towards the future of work
Remote work reshapes not only workplaces, but also where we live and how we travel. Its future should be designed collaboratively—not dictated from the boardroom.
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SMART launches research group to advance AI, automation, and the future of work
Mens, Manus and Machina (M3S) will design technology, training programs, and institutions for successful human-machine collaboration.
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