During his student days traveling between home and college, Zhenhua Chen vividly recalls a 44-hour train journey navigating the mountains and tunnels of southwest China. Now an associate professor in the City and Regional Planning Section at the Knowlton School, Dr. Chen’s fascination with trains persists. He has authored numerous articles on the impact of high-speed rail and has published two acclaimed books—Chinese Railways in the Era of High Speed (Emerald, 2015) and High-Speed Rail and China’s New Economic Geography (Edward Elgar, 2019).

Dr. Chen’s research spectrum spans transportation infrastructure planning and policy, and resilience planning and impact evaluations. His work largely revolves around applying quantitative data analytical methods to assess the regional impacts of transportation infrastructure systems. As a result of his prodigious research, Chen was awarded Geoffrey Hewings Award from the North American Regional Science Council in 2022 and the Ohio State Lumley Research Award in 2023.

In a recent conversation, we talked with Chen about his current scholarship, the role his research has on policy-making, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence.

Can you frame your research — especially over the past five years?

My research is centered on impact evaluations of infrastructure investments and disruptions on societies and economies. It involves the assessment of impacts from both the positive and negative sides.

On the positive side, I explore how infrastructure investments spur job creation, foster business growth, and serve as robust economic drivers. Moreover, I study how these investments influence different communities, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their wider socioeconomic implications.

Conversely, I also measure the negative impacts caused by infrastructure system failures due to disasters, extreme weather events, and even events like terrorism. The objective here is to deepen our understanding of these impacts, paving the way for effective policy formulation and recommendations aimed at achieving system resilience and ensuring sustainability.

Can you discuss a few examples of how your research enters discussions about policy development and investment decisions at the regional and federal levels?

I have had the privilege of collaborating with exceptional students in my research endeavors, using advanced data techniques such as deep learning, machine learning, and AI. Our primary focus is to improve decision-making processes for public agencies like the Department of Transportation.

Many countries, including the US, are now considering developing high-speed rail, which is a passenger rail system that travels at 155mph (or 250km/h) or higher connecting major metropolitan cities. However, the investment is considerable. I recently participated in a high-speed rail conference in Washington, D.C. that brought together industry professionals and policymakers from Congress and the White House. I spoke about the importance of the resilience these new investment opportunities will bring to the transportation system.

In a recent Forbes article, I underscored that building high-speed rail isn’t merely about offering a new travel option. It can significantly bolster the resilience of transportation systems, vital especially in our current era of climate-related challenges.

Another recent project, funded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), delves into understanding how the aging infrastructure along the Mississippi River’s inland waterways (such as locks and dams) affects regional economic growth. This project aims to provide essential insights and recommendations to the USDA, crucial for their efforts to secure support from Congress for continuous upgrades to the systems.

Do you have a sense how artificial intelligence (AI) may impact your research or the practice of planning?

Well, AI stands as a transformative force, particularly in quantitative planning data analytics. While our analyses adopt various methodologies, AI presents opportunities to streamline processes and uncover novel insights from data, particularly those previously unexplored. For instance, AI aids in understanding complex relationships between transportation investments and their socioeconomic impacts, especially in the context of climate change, where transportation systems are affected, AI enables the understanding of non-linear patterns within these relationships.

Undoubtedly, there is substantial discussion on the potential impacts of AI’s use. Many academic journals have recently introduced policy guidelines regarding AI’s application in research and writing. AI helps to significantly enhance productivity; for example, it functions as a tool, swiftly offering insights on topics that typically require manual search. It proves especially helpful in understanding methodologies, providing references to address any complexities.

In sum, the potential of AI is immense. These evolving technologies hold promise in advancing planning and decision-making processes. However, their integration requires careful attention. Thoughtful and precise implementation is crucial in maximizing their benefits.

Can you give us an idea of your upcoming research topics or projects?

Well, I aim to continue my ongoing research endeavors while seeking opportunities to broaden their scope, particularly in addressing the critical issue of climate change concerning different modes of transportation systems. Expanding the scope of our efforts to enlighten the general public and decision-makers about the significance of resilience thinking in transportation planning remains a key priority for me.

Simultaneously, I am gearing up for my next book project, which revolves around a crucial query—What would be the cost to the U.S. if it foregoes investment in passenger rail systems? Given the growing disruptions in air travel and highways, I would like to explore how passenger rail could provide resilience as an alternative mode of intercity mobility. 

Delving into history, it is intriguing to note that in the 1920s, Ohio boasted the largest inter-urban rail system. It connected all the cities with populations over 10,000, amassing 2,798 miles of rail across the state. One of the factors for the wide adoption of such a system in Ohio was because it offers a more reliable mode of travel, especially in winter seasons, as compared with horses and walking, in the era before the automobile. Of course, this extensive system faded with the dominance of cars as the primary mode of transport. I believe it’s imperative for research not only to illuminate this historical context but also to see how rail systems can once again yield positive impacts.