| Faculty Advisor |
Richard Wood
|
|---|---|
| Contact Email | rwood@unl.edu |
| Website | |
| Advisor College: |
Engineering
|
| Potential Student Tasks |
Responsibilities may include assisting with drone-based data collection, organizing and reviewing imagery, helping annotate datasets for artificial intelligence applications, exploring 3D models and digital twins of railroad infrastructure, conducting basic data analysis, and participating in weekly research meetings. Students may also assist with outreach activities, visualization projects, and demonstrations involving virtual or augmented reality technologies. No prior research experience is required. |
| Student Qualifications |
Students from any major are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates are curious, dependable, willing to learn new technologies, and interested in solving real-world problems. An interest in engineering, transportation, drones, mapping/GIS, computer science, artificial intelligence, video games, virtual reality, or emerging technologies may be helpful, but no prior experience is necessary. Training will be provided. |
| Training, Mentoring, and Workplace Community |
Students will work closely with Dr. Richard Wood, graduate student mentors, and other members of the research group and project team. Training will be provided in drone operations, image analysis, 3D modeling, and artificial intelligence workflows. Regular meetings and one-on-one mentoring will help students build technical skills, confidence, and professional experience. Students will become part of an active research group that values teamwork, curiosity, and professional growth. Flexible scheduling is available to accommodate academic commitments, and students will have opportunities to interact with industry partners, transportation professionals, and researchers from across the College of Engineering. |
| Available Positions |
3
|
Railroads are critical to moving food, fuel, and goods across the United States, but inspecting hundreds of miles of track can be challenging and time consuming. This project explores how drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and 3D digital models can help engineers inspect and monitor railroad infrastructure more safely and efficiently.
Students will work with aerial imagery collected by drones, help create detailed 3D reconstructions of railroad environments, and explore how AI can be used to identify potential maintenance concerns. The project combines engineering, remote sensing, computer vision, and emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality. Students will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools while contributing to research that supports transportation safety, infrastructure resilience, and workforce development.