At the intersection of theory and practice, Mahtab Goudarzi innovates infrastructure monitoring

When wind speeds climb and weather turns unpredictable, even sturdy traffic signage can sway or wobble unexpectedly. The forces acting on these structures during high wind events are often erratic, making their behavior difficult to predict and challenging to model.

Graduate student Mahtab Goudarzi is working with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to change that. Her research centers on optimizing the structural design of traffic sign supports using real-time monitoring and data analysis.

Goudarzi developed and installed an instrumentation plan across two large-scale sign structures. The support systems were outfitted with advanced sensors, including accelerometers, strain gauges and anemometers, allowing them to continuously stream high-resolution structural data. The monitoring system captured subtle vibrations as well as intense wind events, enabling both static and dynamic testing.

“This work connects everything I’ve studied with real-world infrastructure challenges,” Goudarzi says.

Using sensor measurements and camera footage, Goudarzi calculated how the structures respond to wind loads. The findings informed a revised design and construction plan, including a reduction in shaft length in the foundation, that minimized material use without sacrificing performance.

But her goals reach beyond traffic signs. Goudarzi’s research is part of a broader effort to create transferable digital twin frameworks, allowing engineers to adapt her methods to other infrastructure exposed to dynamic loads, such as towers and bridges.

“By converting real-world sensor data into actionable insights through AI modeling, Mahtab is creating a new way to monitor and assess infrastructure health,” says Alice Alipour, associate professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, and Goudarzi’s advisor.

The project merges years of engineering study with cutting-edge data tools. For Goudarzi, it’s a blend of practical impact and academic rigor.

“Seeing the importance of your work in practice fuels my drive to make an impact in the future of intelligent infrastructure,” Goudarzi said.

As the wind continues to shape the future of transportation infrastructure, Goudarzi is helping engineers predict every movement.