University of Florida researcher develops LLM-based tool to incorporate cyclist perspectives in road design

Xiang Jacob Yan, an assistant professor in the University of Florida's Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering (CCE), is developing a tool aimed at incorporating cyclists' perspectives into roadway design using large language models (LLMs). The work is being conducted through Yan's Just & Green Transportation Lab at the university.

Roadway design involves navigating a complex mix of design manuals, standards, traffic impact assessments, and input from stakeholders and local government. Despite this complexity, cyclists — identified as a group more vulnerable to traffic hazards and patterns — are often inadequately considered in road infrastructure planning. The tool under development is intended to address this gap by enabling designers to generate hypothetical street designs layered on top of real street-view images, with LLMs used to simulate and assess cyclist perspectives.