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Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College contributes through a strong focus on applied engineering and innovation in transportation-related technologies. Led by Dr. Li, the research team at Fort Lewis specializes in prototyping scientific instruments and designing integrated circuits tailored to various transportation applications. Based in the Computer Engineering Department, the lab has received over $2 million in federal support and offers full-time, paid research internships to more than 15 undergraduate students each year. The team brings together dedicated undergraduate researchers and engineers with expertise in software development, electronics prototyping, signal processing, and AI-assisted system design. One of their current flagship projects involves the development of a cost-effective, autonomous watercraft designed to monitor bridge piers beneath the waterline. This initiative addresses the critical issue of scour detection—erosion around bridge foundations that can compromise structural integrity. The watercraft integrates modern navigation systems, autonomous control technologies, and artificial intelligence to enable efficient and affordable underwater surveys. The lightweight, custom-built vessel features a single-beam sonar mounted on the underside of the hull and is optimized for simplicity, weighing less than 30 pounds with a compact footprint of approximately five feet by two feet. Its user-friendly design allows a single operator to complete a survey in just minutes. Fort Lewis College’s contribution to the CTIPS program exemplifies the value of engaging undergraduate students in hands-on, impactful research that directly supports national transportation safety and innovation goals.