Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti after her December 2023 graduation from the Masters of Urban Regional Planning program. (Photo courtesy of Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti)
The American Planning Association (APA) Transportation Planning Division (TPD) organizes an annual competition that showcases student papers written about current transportation planning or policy issues. Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti, a Master of Urban & Regional Planning (MURP) graduate, earned first place in the 2023/2024 competition.
The TPD hosts this competition to acknowledge and reward the academic achievements of graduate students in the urban planning and transportation field. Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti, who graduated from the MURP program in December 2023, submitted her award-winning paper titled, “Investigating the Role of Street Lighting Illuminance and Demographic Factors in Nighttime Crashes: A Case Study of Florida’s District 7.”
“My paper examines Florida's district seven region as a case study to investigate the role of street lighting illuminance and demographic factors in nighttime crashes through empirical statistical analyses. The inspiration behind this research stemmed from the concerning rise in nighttime collision fatalities due to reduced visibility and driver cognition in low-light conditions,” Hoti explained. “As an urban and regional student, I was interested in exploring the intersection of transportation safety, infrastructure design, and demographic considerations. The diverse urban and suburban areas within district seven presented an ideal setting to examine these factors comprehensively.”
Hoti describes the meticulous detail that went into her research paper, utilizing sources such as the Florida Department of Transportation and USF’s Center for Urban Transportation Research to incorporate factors such as illuminance, traffic patterns, surface width, and demographic characteristics. Despite the challenge, Sugeerappa Hoti is incredibly proud of this achievement and attributes her success in the competition to the support and guidance of her professors.
“This achievement is an incredible honor and I feel incredibly proud. It validates the hard work and dedication I invested in this research. I am incredibly grateful for the invaluable guidance and directions provided by my advisors, Dr. Chen Peng, Dr. Zhenyu Wang, Steven Fernandez, and Dr. Evangeline Linkous. This achievement would not have been possible without their mentorship and support,” Hoti said.
The TPD’s student paper competition not only acknowledges students for their achievements but also provides a platform to share their research. Sugeerappa Hoti hopes that her research will contribute to the fields of transportation planning and road safety.
“I hope my research will have a significant impact on this field. By highlighting the importance of tailored strategies based on regional characteristics, the findings can inform street lighting design and policy decisions, ultimately contributing to safer roads and reduced nighttime collision fatalities. The policy recommendation stemming from this study could also pave the way for more effective and targeted interventions, addressing the unique needs of different communities,” Hoti said.
Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti receiving first place in the APA Transportation Planning Division student paper competition. (Photo by Beneetta Mary Jose)
Hoti credits the academic environment and resources at USF, including access to faculty, research opportunities, and hands-on learning, for her success in this competition. Reflecting on her achievement, she offers advice to other students interested in participating in similar competitions.
“For students pursuing research, the most crucial aspect is selecting a topic that genuinely excites and aligns with their interests. This will fuel your motivation throughout the research process. I also suggest students seek early mentorship by finding experienced faculty or researchers in their area of interest and approaching them early for guidance in refining their topic and creating a clear roadmap. Lastly, I urge students to maintain their focus by crafting a well-defined research question to provide a solid foundation for your study,” Hoti said.
This competition has energized Hoti for her future, opening possibilities such as pursuing further research opportunities, entering roles in transportation planning, or contributing to policy development and implementation.
Read Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti’s first-place winning paper by visiting the website for the APA Transportation Planning Division.