The University of Texas at Arlington has awarded funding to research teams to launch new investigative projects. The Research Enhancement Program (REP), administered by UTA's Office of Vice President for Research and Innovation, offers seed funding to investigators to help them test new ideas and explore new directions that could lead to future innovations and more competitive proposals for external funding from federal agencies and nonprofit foundations.
In our research series, we highlight six of these grants.
Researcher: Mahmoud Bayat, School of Architecture, College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs
Project title: "Innovative Disaster Response: Digital Twins for Community and Transportation Resilience"
What's the idea?
Dr. Bayat is developing an AI-powered digital twin framework for disaster response. The project aims to create a real-time adaptive system that optimizes evacuation planning by integrating live environmental data, infrastructure vulnerability assessments and transportation modeling. The goal is to better protect vulnerable communities in disaster-prone regions like the Gulf Coast.
Why it matters:
Evacuation delays and mismanagement can cost lives. During events like Hurricane Rita, which made landfall just east of the Texas and Louisiana border in 2005, hundreds died—not from the storm itself, but from traffic congestion, heat exposure and poor evacuation planning. Traditional models rely on fixed assumptions that can't adapt to fast-changing conditions. Bayat's project moves beyond these static systems, offering a smarter, more responsive approach that gives emergency officials accurate real-time data to make better decisions when every second count.
Real-world use:
The system will serve as a decision-support tool for emergency managers, enabling them to simulate disaster scenarios and adjust evacuation plans in real time based on changing traffic patterns, road conditions and environmental factors. This dynamic approach could be the difference between chaos and coordination during hurricanes, wildfires and other emergencies. Once fully developed, the framework could be adopted by cities, counties and state agencies nationwide.
Next steps:
Bayat and his team will begin by reviewing existing digital twin and evacuation planning to build a solid knowledge base. Next, they will develop two core AI components: a generative model to estimate infrastructure damage during disasters and a dynamic routing engine that adapts evacuation routes in real time. These components will be integrated into a single platform and tested through case studies. The project will conclude with a final report offering actionable guidelines for emergency planners to implement the system.
In their words:
"This project is as much about social equity as it is about technology. We're designing tools that don't just serve the majority, but ensure that elderly, disabled, and low-income residents receive the same level of protection and priority during a disaster. That's how we build truly resilient communities."—Bayat
May 27: Studying how bacteria grow to fight infections
May 29: Radar system aims to catch drone failures early
June 3: Improving PSA messaging to protect against online scams
June 5: Harnessing nature's design to build tougher materials
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
