09/05/2026
During our Graduate Technology residency last weekend, students in the Big Data Analytics and IoT course completed a real-world group project focused on Smart Traffic Analytics, using IoT-generated traffic data collected along Interstate I-94.
Working as data analysts, student teams examined traffic patterns along Interstate I-94 using data collected from traffic sensors, vehicle counting systems, roadway monitoring devices, weather-monitoring stations, and traffic cameras. Their challenge was to identify factors contributing to traffic congestion and develop data-driven recommendations to improve traffic flow and transportation planning.
Through the project, students gained hands-on experience analyzing large datasets, uncovering traffic trends, and exploring how factors such as weather conditions, time of day, and traffic volume impact roadway congestion. They applied descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics techniques while strengthening their skills in Python, Pandas, NumPy, data visualization, and data-driven decision-making.
Most importantly, this project showed how Big Data, IoT, and analytics can transform real-world data into actionable insights, helping improve transportation systems while preparing students for careers in data science, AI, and emerging technologies.
