Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fei Zhang | Digital Highways Awards | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fei Zhang, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, China

Dr. Fei Zhang is an Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor at the Inner Mongolia University of Technology, China. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (2010–2014), Master’s degree in Transportation Engineering (2014–2017), and Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics (2017–2021) from the same university. His research is focused on the viscoelastic behavior of asphalt and asphalt mixtures, with particular interest in the incorporation of solid waste materials for sustainable pavement engineering. Dr. Zhang has led and participated in several national and regional research projects, including grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation. He has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals such as Materials, Polymers, and Construction and Building Materials. In recognition of his scientific contributions, he was honored with the Second Prize of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Science and Technology Progress Award. Dr. Zhang also serves as a Youth Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Jilin Jianzhu University.

Professional Profile:

ORCID

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award: Fei Zhang

Dr. Fei Zhang, Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor at Inner Mongolia University of Technology, has demonstrated a strong and consistent research trajectory in the field of asphalt rheology and pavement engineering, with a specific focus on the viscoelastic behavior of asphalt mixtures and the innovative reuse of solid waste materials such as rubber and steel slag for improved road safety and environmental sustainability.

🎓 Education

📘 Bachelor of Civil Engineering
Inner Mongolia University of Technology
(2010.09 – 2014.07)
🛣️ Master of Science in Transportation Engineering
Inner Mongolia University of Technology
(2014.09 – 2017.07)
🧠 Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics
Inner Mongolia University of Technology
(2017.09 – 2021.07)

💼 Work Experience

🧑‍🏫 Associate Professor & Master’s Supervisor
Inner Mongolia University of Technology
📝 Youth Editorial Board Member
Journal of Jilin Jianzhu University

🧪 Research Focus

🔁 Viscoelastic theory of asphalt and asphalt mixtures
♻️ Application of solid waste materials in pavement engineering

🏆 Achievements & Projects

💼 Principal Investigator of several prestigious research projects:
- NSFC Projects (2) 🇨🇳
- Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation 🏞️
- Inner Mongolia Department of Education Research Program 🏫
- IMUT High-Level Talent Research Startup Fund 💡
- IMUT Scientific Research Program 🔬
📚 Publications in leading journals:
- Construction and Building Materials 🧱
- Fatigue & Fracture of Engineering Materials & Structures ⚙️
- Polymers 🧬
- Materials 🔍
🖊️ Author of 8+ peer-reviewed papers
- Example:
  - “The Discrete and Continuous Retardation and Relaxation Spectrum Method…” – Materials, 2020

🥇 Awards & Honors

🏅 Second Prize – Science and Technology Progress Award
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Publication Top Notes:

Effects of freeze-thaw cycles on fatigue performance of asphalt mixture and a fatigue-freeze-thaw damage evolution model

Cracking Resistance of Recycled Rubber Asphalt Binder Composed of Warm-Mix Additives

Performance evaluation of warm-mixed crumb rubber modified asphalt based on rheological characteristics

Predict the Phase Angle Master Curve and Study the Viscoelastic Properties of Warm Mix Crumb Rubber-Modified Asphalt Mixture

The Discrete and Continuous Retardation and Relaxation Spectrum Method for Viscoelastic Characterization of Warm Mix Crumb Rubber-Modified Asphalt Mixtures

Assoc. Prof. Dr Zhonghe He, North China University of Technology, China

Dr. He Zhonghe is an Associate Professor and postgraduate supervisor with extensive expertise in urban traffic management and control. His research interests focus on urban road traffic state estimation, traffic network modeling and signal control, multi-mode traffic operation evaluation, and public transport vehicle risk monitoring. Dr. He has led 15 projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation, the National Key Research and Development Plan, and various enterprises, contributing to key innovations in road network balance control, state estimation from traffic data, and video monitoring of public transport. Notably, he developed a traffic signal control system based on an information physical system, enabling closed-loop control from perception to execution. He also pioneered a bus vehicle video monitoring system for identifying and warning abnormal behavior among drivers and passengers, and a vehicle terminal system for remote risk monitoring. His research outcomes have been successfully applied in cities like Beijing, Shandong, Yunnan, and Xinjiang. Dr. He has received four science and technology progress awards, published over 40 papers in SCI/EI journals and conferences, and contributed to a monograph on his field.

Suitability for Best Researcher Award: He Zhonghe

Dr. He Zhonghe is highly qualified and an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award, as demonstrated by his extensive contributions to the field of urban traffic management and public transport monitoring. Below is a summary of his key accomplishments and attributes that support his suitability for this prestigious award.

Work Experience:

Associate Professor at [Institution Name] (specific university details not provided), where he has been actively involved in research and postgraduate supervision. His academic work focuses on urban traffic state estimation, traffic network modeling, signal control, and public transport vehicle risk monitoring, among other topics.

He has led and contributed to 15 national and regional research projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation, the National Key Research and Development Plan, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, and various enterprises. These projects have led to significant technological innovations and theoretical advancements in traffic management, such as the development of balanced control strategies for road networks and the creation of video monitoring systems for public transport.

Publication top Notes: