George Mason scientist leads $1.8M NSF grant to address mobility challenges from urban flooding

George Mason University researcher Alireza Ermagun has been awarded a $1.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to address mobility challenges caused by nuisance flooding. The project, a collaboration with Villanova University and the University of South Carolina, centers on understanding how frequent, low-level flooding disrupts daily transportation systems and devising equitable solutions. 

Nuisance flooding frequently inundates roads and overwhelms stormwater systems, creating widespread transportation challenges. Ermagun emphasizes that such flooding disproportionately affects vulnerable populations who depend on public transit, walking, or biking. “These frequent but seemingly minor floods accumulate to create major disruptions, particularly for those already facing socioeconomic and mobility barriers,” said Ermagun, the director of Mobility Observatory and Data Analytics Lab and an assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science. “This project aims to ensure that every resident has access to reliable transportation, regardless of the challenges posed by flooding.”

The research focuses on three neighborhoods in Philadelphia—Kensington, Manayunk, and Germantown—and involves close partnerships with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), the Delaware Valley River Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), and the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA). The team will examine the spatial and temporal extent of flooding in these areas and develop strategic green infrastructure solutions to address mobility barriers.

“Nuisance flooding is common but difficult to assess,” said Virginia Smith, a water resource scientist at Villanova University. “These events, however, disrupt people’s lives and their ability to move around their communities. By identifying where flooding occurs and its impact, we can develop meaningful solutions to improve daily life and beyond.”

The project places a strong emphasis on engaging communities directly impacted by nuisance flooding. Peleg Kremer, a social-ecological systems scientist at Villanova University, explained, “this project brings community voices into planning, translating their lived experiences into equitable, actionable solutions.”

“Many individuals rely on stable, predictable transportation patterns in their daily lives, and disruptions can be especially harmful for the most residents. Understanding the roots of these

impacts is key to creating effective solutions,” said Brian Levy, a social scientist at the University of South Carolina.

The project also aims to innovate in green infrastructure and mobility planning, ensuring that proposed solutions are not just functional but equitable. “By reducing mobility barriers through strategic infrastructure planning, we can promote resilience in urban transportation,” said Chenfeng Xiong, a transportation scientist at Villanova University.

Reflecting on the broader vision of the project, Ermagun emphasized the importance of combining data-driven approaches with community insight. “Some solutions, like flexible pick-up and drop-off stations or subsidies for ride sharing, show promise,” he said. “But to truly address the scale of the problem, we need to explore more transformative changes, potentially redesigning urban infrastructure, from roads to sewer systems. Our research aims to provide the data and strategies necessary to identify the most effective interventions while centering the voices of those most impacted.”

With a timeline extending through August 2028, this initiative offers unique opportunities for graduate students, researchers, and community members to collaborate on cutting-edge research while contributing to lasting, positive change in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.

“Our ultimate goal is to not only mitigate the impacts of nuisance flooding,” said Ermagun, “but also to empower communities to adapt and thrive in the face of increasing climate challenges.”