CHEN YIKAI

Professor  |  Doctoral Supervisor  |  Master's Supervisor

School of Automobile and Transportation Engineering, Hefei University of Technology

E-mail: yikaichen@hfut.edu.cn

PROFILE

Dr Chen Yikai, born in 1984, is a Professor, doctoral supervisor and master's supervisor at the School of Automobile and Transportation Engineering, Hefei University of Technology. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Queensland University of Technology, Australia (selected for the Australian Endeavour Awards), and a postdoctoral fellow at the Traffic Management Research Institute of the Ministry of Public Security. His main research interests are traffic big data mining and analysis, as well as road traffic safety evaluation and proactive prevention.

He has presided over two General Projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the NSFC Young Scientists Fund project, the Doctoral Fund Project of the Ministry of Education, the Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation project, the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation first-class funded project and special funding project, the Australian Ministry of Education “Endeavour Research Fellow” project, and the Hefei University of Technology Academic Newcomer Enhancement Program, among other vertical research projects. He has presided over multiple industry–academia–research cooperation projects, including the special topic of the Anhui Comprehensive Transport Services “15th Five-Year Plan” development plan, a major research topic of the Hefei Municipal People’s Government, and key topics commissioned by the Hefei Municipal Government. He has also participated in one National Science and Technology Support Program project and six NSFC projects.

He has published more than 50 academic papers, including more than 20 SCI/SSCI papers in journals such as Accident Analysis and Prevention, Safety Science and Journal of Safety Research. He holds more than 20 authorized invention patents and two invention patents that have been transferred. He has received one first prize and one third prize of the Anhui Provincial Teaching Achievement Award. He has guided students to win national-level awards repeatedly in competitions such as the National University Students’ Transportation Science and Technology Competition, the National College English Translation Contest, the APMCM Asia-Pacific Mathematical Modeling Contest, the MathorCup Mathematical Application Challenge, the “Huashu Cup” National College Students Mathematical Modeling Contest, the “Huawei Cup” China Postgraduate Mathematical Modeling Contest, and the “Zhongqing Cup” National College Students Mathematical Modeling Contest. He is an expert in the NSFC review expert database, an editorial board member of the journal Traffic Safety & Environment, a member of the Technical Committee on “Traffic Facility Safety and Emergency Management” of the World Transport Convention, a member of the China Society of Automotive Engineers, and a reviewer for multiple SCI/SSCI journals.

In recent years, his research group has targeted international frontiers and carried out research in the field of smart transportation, including traffic big data modeling and mining based on machine learning (ensemble learning, reinforcement learning), traffic safety evaluation and proactive prevention, and traffic safety management and control based on vehicle–road–cloud integration. Students with backgrounds in transportation, computer science, vehicle engineering, data science and related fields are welcome to contact him regarding master’s studies.

Main destinations of graduates: SAIC, BYD, Chery, CATL, Hikvision, iFLYTEK, Shenzhen Urban Transport Planning Center, Anhui Provincial Communications Survey and Design Institute, Hangzhou Urban Planning and Design Institute, Xiamen Airlines, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Anhui Vocational University, Anhui Communications Vocational and Technical College, and other enterprises and institutions.

ADMISSION MAJORS

082300 – Transportation Engineering (Academic Degree)

086100 – Transportation (Professional Degree)

EDUCATION

Sept. 2001 – Jul. 2005, Southeast University, Transportation, Bachelor of Engineering

Sept. 2005 – Apr. 2010, Southeast University, Transportation Engineering, Ph.D. in Engineering

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Apr. 2010 – Dec. 2013, Hefei University of Technology, School of Transportation Engineering, Lecturer

Jun. 2011 – Jan. 2012, Queensland University of Technology, Postdoctoral Fellow

Dec. 2012 – Sept. 2016, Traffic Management Research Institute of the Ministry of Public Security, Postdoctoral Fellow

Jan. 2014 – Dec. 2024, Hefei University of Technology, School of Automobile and Transportation Engineering, Associate Professor

Jan. 2025 – present, Hefei University of Technology, School of Automobile and Transportation Engineering, Professor

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS AND SERVICE

Expert, NSFC Review Expert Database

Editorial Board Member, Traffic Safety & Environment

Member, Technical Committee on “Traffic Facility Safety and Emergency Management”, World Transport Convention

Member, China Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE-China)

Member, Road Machinery Professional Committee, Anhui Highway Society

Reviewer for AAP, TR series and multiple other SCI/SSCI journals

MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS

1. National Natural Science Foundation of China, General Project, 72371094, Crash estimation method based on traffic conflicts under the spatio-temporal coupling of risk factors, 2024/01–2027/12, ongoing, Principal Investigator.

2. National Natural Science Foundation of China, General Project, 71871078, Highway geometric alignment safety evaluation based on a coupling mechanism of dynamic and static risk factors, 2019/01–2022/12, completed, Principal Investigator.

3. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Young Scientists Fund, 51305117, Axle load balancing mechanism and control of longitudinally connected air suspension for multi-axle trucks, 2014/01–2016/12, completed, Principal Investigator.

4. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Special Project of the Department of Management Sciences, Scheduling and distribution optimization for hazardous chemicals road transportation, 2025/01–2028/12, ongoing, Participant (ranked 2nd).

5. Enterprise-commissioned project, Research on highway network integration in Ma’anshan City, 2026, ongoing, Principal Investigator.

6. Enterprise-commissioned project, Anhui Comprehensive Transport Services “15th Five-Year Plan” — Research on the Development of Multimodal Freight Transport and Intermodal Passenger Transport in Anhui Province, 2025, ongoing, Principal Investigator.

7. Enterprise-commissioned project, Anhui Comprehensive Transport Services “15th Five-Year Plan” — Research on Comprehensive Transport Service Support for the Development of Key Industries in Anhui Province, 2025, ongoing, Principal Investigator.

8. Enterprise-commissioned project, Transport Service Special Chapters of the “15th Five-Year Plan” for Transportation Development of Ma’anshan, Wuhu, Anqing and Huainan, 2025, ongoing, Principal Investigator.

9. Enterprise-commissioned project, Transport Service Special Chapter of the “15th Five-Year Plan” for Transportation Development of Xuancheng City, 2024–2025, ongoing, Principal Investigator.

10. Major Research Topic of the Hefei Municipal People’s Government, JS2023DPZK0030, Research on building Hefei into a capital of new energy vehicles, 2023/04–2023/10, Principal Investigator.

11. Hefei University of Technology Academic Newcomer Enhancement Program, JZ2017HGTB0212, Evolution mechanism of highway traffic crashes under the coupling of dynamic and static risk factors, 2017/03–2019/03, completed, Principal Investigator.

12. China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, 7th Batch Special Funding Project, 2014T70464, Vehicle instability mechanism and identification strategy for typical extremely serious road traffic crashes, 2014/07–2016/09, completed, Principal Investigator.

13. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Young Scientists Fund, 51308177, Operating characteristics of road traffic flow under changing environmental illumination and its influence mechanism on traffic safety, 2014/01–2016/12, completed, Participant.

14. Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education, 20130111120031, Dynamic axle load balancing mechanism and stepwise decoupling control of longitudinally connected ECAS based on singularity theory, 2014/01–2018/12, completed, Principal Investigator.

15. China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, 53rd Batch General First-Class Funding Project, 2013M530230, Basic theory and key technologies of longitudinally connected ECAS for multi-axle heavy trucks, 2013/05–2016/09, completed, Principal Investigator.

16. Australian “Endeavour Award” Postdoctoral Fellowship, Highway design safety analysis and improvement based on driving simulation, 2011/07–2012/01, completed, Principal Investigator.

17. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Young Scientists Fund, 51108150, Structural optimization and fatigue behavior of thermally de-icing and snow-melting pavement under snow disasters and freezing, 2012/01–2014/12, completed, Participant.

18. National Natural Science Foundation of China, General Project, 51078087, Formation mechanism of highway traffic crashes under the coupling of human, vehicle, road and environmental wind, 2011/01–2014/12, completed, Participant.

19. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Young Scientists Fund, 51008109, Fatigue durability of asphalt pavement structures under the coupling of temperature and cumulative dynamic load, 2011/01–2013/12, completed, Participant.

20. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Young Scientists Fund, 50708020, Multi-domain collaborative modeling and simulation of road damage under vehicle–road coupling, 2007/01–2009/12, completed, Participant.

21. Commissioned project of the Anhui Road Transport Service Center, Special survey of road freight volume in Anhui Province in 2019, 2019/06–2019/12, ongoing, Principal Investigator.

22. Hefei Soft Science Project, Research on innovation-led countermeasures for Hefei’s new energy vehicle industry, 2019/01–2019/12, completed, Participant.

23. Key Topic Commissioned by the Hefei Municipal Government, Research on urban traffic congestion and governance countermeasures in Hefei, 2018/01–2018/12, completed, Principal Investigator.

24. Commissioned project of the Anhui Road Transport Administration, Research on service quality evaluation of ride-hailing, 2017/06–2017/12, completed, Principal Investigator.

25. Commissioned project of the Anhui Road Transport Administration, Analysis of the economic operation of transport enterprises, 2016–2017, 2016/05–2017/04, completed, Principal Investigator.

26. Commissioned project of the Anhui Road Transport Administration, Second phase of the special survey of highway transport volume in 2015, 2015/01–2015/12, completed, Principal Investigator.

27. Science and Technology Project of the Anhui Provincial Public Security Department, Traffic safety improvement strategies for the Bengning section of the Nanluo Expressway, 2010/07–2011/07, completed, Principal Investigator.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

1. Yikai Chen*, Yujie Bian, Quan Yuan*, Mark King*, Jie He, Xudong Cao, Xiaobo Ruan, Yubing Zheng. Exploring novel surrogate safety indicators measuring conflict riskiness and severity: a case study in Sacramento, United States. Accident Analysis and Prevention. 2026, 228: 108400.

2. Yikai Chen*, Zhengbin Tao, Qunsheng Chen, Jie He, Xiaobo Ruan, Xiang Ling. Investigating Risky Behaviors and Safety Countermeasures for E-Bike Riders in China: A Traffic Conflict Analysis Approach. Systems. 2026, 14(1): 37.

3. Xudong Cao*, Qin Shi, Yikai Chen, Chen Chenchen. Short-term traffic flow uncertainty prediction based on novel GM(1,1). Promet – Traffic & Transportation. 2024, 36(3): 450-462.

4. Zongpin Hu, Qin Shi, Yikai Chen*, Quan Yuan*, Zhengbin Tao*, Yujie Bian, Md Mazharul Haque. Analyzing factors and interaction terms affecting urban fatal crash types based on a hybrid framework of econometric model and machine learning approaches. International Journal of Crashworthiness, 2023, 28(6): 809-821.

5. Yikai Chen*, Renjia Luo*, Mark King*, Qin Shi, Jie He, Zongpin Hu. Spatiotemporal analysis of crash severity on rural highway: A case study in Anhui, China. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 2022, 165: 106538.

6. Yikai Chen*, Ting Shi, Shujun Yu*, Qin Shi, Jie He, Yujie Bian*. Setting the speed limit for highway horizontal curves: A revision of inferred design speed based on vehicle system dynamics. Safety Science, 2022, 151: 105729.

7. Chenwei Wang, Jie He, Xintong Yan, Changjian Zhang, Yikai Chen, Yuntao Ye. Temporal-spatial evolution analysis of severe traffic violations using three functional forms of models considering the diurnal variation of meteorology. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 2022, 174: 106731.

8. Yikai Chen*, Kai Wang, Yu Zhang, Qin Shi*. Identification of black spots on highways using fault tree analysis and vehicle safety boundaries. Journal of Transportation Safety & Security, 2021, 13(1): 46-68.

9. Changjian Zhang, Jie He*, Mark King, Ziyang Liu, Yikai Chen, et al. A crash risk identification method for freeway segments with horizontal curvature based on real-time vehicle kinetic response. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 2021, 150: 105911.

10. Changjian Zhang, Jie He*, Xintong Yan, Ziyang Liu, Yikai Chen, Hao Zhang. Exploring relationships between microscopic kinetic parameters of tires under normal driving conditions, road characteristics and accident types. Journal of Safety Research, 2021, 78: 80-95.

11. Peiqing Li*, Shunfeng Zhang, Biqiang Zhong, Jin Wu, Hao Zhang, Yikai Chen, Yang Fu, Qibing Wang, Qipeng Li. Service quality evaluation of bus lines based on improved momentum back-propagation neural network model: A study of Hangzhou in China. IET Intelligent Transport Systems, 2021, 15: 958-972.

12. Jiacheng Jiang, Peiqing Li*, Yikai Chen, Qipeng Li. Ride comfort of heavy vehicles based on key response characteristics of multibody dynamics. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part K – Journal of Multi-Body Dynamics, 2021, 235(4): 553-567.

13. Yikai Chen*, Renjia Luo, Huimin Yang, Mark King*, Qin Shi*. Applying latent class analysis to investigate rural highway single-vehicle fatal crashes in China. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 2020, 148: 105840.

14. Yikai Chen*, Kai Wang, Yu Zhang, Renjia Luo, Shujun Yu, Qin Shi*, Wenting Hu. Investigating factors affecting road freight overloading through the integrated use of BLR and CART: A case study in China. Transport, 2020, 35(3): 236-246.

15. Chen Zhang, Jie He*, Yinhai Wang, Xintong Yan, Changjian Zhang, Yikai Chen, et al. A crash severity prediction method based on improved neural network and factor analysis. Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, 2020, Article ID 4013185: 1-13.

16. Qin Shi, Chengwang Peng, Yikai Chen*, Jie He, Peiqing Li, Jiajia Chen. Robust kinematics design of McPherson suspension based on a double-loop multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 2019, 233(12): 3263-3278.

17. Yikai Chen*, Kai Wang, Chengcheng Xu*, Qin Shi*, Jie He, Peiqing Li, Ting Shi. Evaluation of the safety performance of highway alignments based on fault tree analysis and safety boundaries. Traffic Injury Prevention, 2018, 19(4): 409-416.

18. Yikai Chen*, Sen Huang, Lloyd Davis, Haiping Du, Qin Shi*, Jie He, Qiang Wang, Wenting Hu. Optimization of geometric parameters of longitudinal-connected air suspension based on a double-loop multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm. Applied Sciences, 2018, 8(9): 1-18.

19. Yikai Chen*, Kai Wang, Mark King, Jie He, Jianxun Ding, Qin Shi, Changjun Wang, Pingfan Li. Differences in factors affecting various crash types with high numbers of fatalities and injuries in China. PLoS One, 2016, 11(7): 1-12.

20. Yikai Chen*, Yiming Li, Mark King, Qin Shi, Changjun Wang, Pingfan Li. Identification methods of key contributing factors in crashes with high numbers of fatalities and injuries in China. Traffic Injury Prevention, 2016, 17(8): 878-883.

21. Yikai Chen*, Jie He, Mark King, Wuwei Chen, Weihua Zhang. Stiffness-damping matching method of an ECAS system based on LQG control. Journal of Central South University, 2014, 21(1): 439-446.

22. Yikai Chen*, Jie He, Mark King, Wuwei Chen, Weihua Zhang. Effect of driving conditions and suspension parameters on dynamic load-sharing of longitudinal-connected air suspensions. Science China – Technological Sciences, 2013, 56(3): 666-676.

23. Yikai Chen*, Jie He, Mark King, Zhongxiang Feng, Weihua Zhang. Comparison of two suspension control strategies for multi-axle heavy truck. Journal of Central South University, 2013, 20(2): 550-562.

24. Yikai Chen*, Jie He, Mark King, Wuwei Chen, Changjun Wang, Weihua Zhang. Model development and dynamic load-sharing analysis of longitudinal-connected air suspensions. Strojniski Vestnik – Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2013, 59(1): 14-24.

25. Jie He*, Yikai Chen, Chihang Zhao, Zhiguo Qi, Xiuhuan Ren. Heavy truck suspension optimisation based on modified skyhook damping control. International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2011, 18(2): 161-178.

PRINCIPAL INVENTION PATENTS

1. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Li Jiqiang, Li Xiuhui, Shi Qin, Li Youzhen, Tang Xin, Xie Su, Zhang Yiwei, Liu Bo. A traffic conflict identification method based on time-series data of vehicle motion states, granted, 2025.4.8, ZL202311632560.4.

2. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Bian Yujie, Tao Zhengbin, Duan Rui, Dai Gaole, Weng Yifan, Huang Mingfeng, Wang Jin’ao. A traffic safety unit evaluation method based on the theory of incompletely elastic collision, granted, 2022.12.6, ZL202210036052.9.

3. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Huang Sen, Shi Ting, Yang Huimin. A geometric parameter optimization method for longitudinally connected air suspension based on a second-generation non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm with inner and outer nested loops, granted, 2022.9.20, ZL201811302294.8.

4. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Shi Ting, Shi Qin, Huang Sen, Wang Kai, Dong Mansheng. A method for calculating the speed limit of highway horizontal curve sections based on CarSim simulation, granted, 2021.11.9, ZL201810380836.7.

5. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Shao Yanmin, Liu Shuai, Chen Kai, Sun Ting, Zhang Jiaqing, Shi Qin. A novice driver driving skill auxiliary improvement system based on the Logistic model, granted, 2021.9.14, ZL201811426366.X.

6. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Yu Shujun, Shi Qin, Wang Fei, Dong Mansheng. A highway crash frequency prediction method considering the time-varying characteristics of risk factors, granted, 2021.1.8, ZL202110021359.7.

7. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Hu Jing, Li Jianchang, Hou Linzi, Mei Sitao, Liu Yannan, Shi Qin, Dong Mansheng. A mobile APP-based pedestrian crossing warning system, granted, 2020.8.21, ZL201811490019.3.

8. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Wang Kai, Shi Qin, Ding Jianxun, Shi Ting, Huang Sen. A safety evaluation method for three-dimensional highway alignments based on vehicle dynamics simulation and fault tree analysis, granted, 2019.9.20, ZL201611028652.1.

9. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Wang Kai, Shi Qin, Ding Jianxun, Huang Sen, Shi Ting, Xiong Fen. A safety guarantee system for vehicle meeting and turning around on narrow mountain road sections, granted, 2018.7.3, ZL201610998622.7.

10. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Li Xue, Chen Jian, Wang Wei, Cheng Huan, Zhang Yujie, Wang Kai, Shi Qin. An automotive engine vibration energy harvester based on piezoelectric materials, granted, 2018.1.11, ZL201610147857.5.

11. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Wang Kai, Shi Qin, Hou Chaoqun, Dong Mansheng, Chen Jinxu. A driving safety assistance system for large passenger vehicles and its control method, granted, 2017.12.26, ZL201510451781.0 (transferred).

12. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Wang Kai, Li Yi, Dou Shuai, Qu Xingru, Zheng Peiqing, Ji Shiqian, Shi Qin. A construction site road dust control system, granted, 2017.8.25, ZL201610125113.3.

13. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Ji Shiqian, Zheng Peiqing, Qu Xingru, Dou Shuai, Li Yi, Wang Kai, Shi Qin. A dust treatment system for truck construction sites, granted, 2017.5.17, ZL201511008613.0 (transferred).

14. Chinese patent, Chen Yikai, Zhang Mengya, Shi Qin, Dong Mansheng, Jiang Kang, Feng Zhongxiang. A rollover warning method and warning system for road vehicles on curves, granted, 2014.04.30, ZL201310116217.4.

SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT

1. Shi Qin, Zhang Fei, Chen Yikai, Ding Jianxun, Zhang Jun, Wang Jian. Typical Vehicle Simulation Test and Optimization Platform Software V1.0, China, 2017/02/28, Registration No.: 2017SR147810.

MAJOR AWARDS

1. Third Prize, National College Student Transportation Science and Technology Competition, “A Driving Safety Assistance System for Buses Based on Driver Physiological Information Monitoring,” 2014

2. First Prize, Anhui Provincial Teaching Achievement Award, “Exploration and Practice of an Innovative Transportation Talent Development Model Oriented toward Dynamic Demand,” 2018

3. Third Prize, Anhui Provincial Teaching Achievement Award, “Collaborative Training Mechanism and Practice for Postgraduate Education in Transportation Engineering,” 2020

4. Second Prize, National College Student English Translation Competition, 2024

5. Second Prize, 15th Asia-Pacific Mathematical Contest in Modeling, 2025

6. Third Prize, 6th Huashu Cup National College Student Mathematical Contest in Modeling, 2025

7. Third Prize (National Level), 22nd Huawei Cup Chinese Graduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling, 2025

8. Second Prize (National Level, English Division), 15th Asia-Pacific Mathematical Contest in Modeling, 2025

9. Second Prize (National Level), 16th MathorCup Mathematical Modeling Challenge, 2026