Wei Li

Research and Impact

Dr. Wei Li is a distinguished Associate Professor of Urban Planning at Texas A&M University, renowned for his innovative approach solving small-town mobility issues using emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles. His work has significantly contributed to the fields of transportation and urban planning, with 40+ peer-reviewed journal articles and 10+ technical reports.

As a leading Principal Investigator, Dr. Li has secured eight external grants totaling $3.9 million from prestigious organizations, including:

• National Science Foundation (NSF)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• W.M. Keck Foundation
• Google Inc.
• U.S. Department of Transportation

His groundbreaking work has earned him several prestigious accolades, such as:

• 2021 W.K. Kellogg Award for Exemplary Community Engagement
• 2021 Smart 50 Award (International recognition)
• 2019 Distinguished Achievement Award from Texas A&M University and the Association of Former Students. Since 1955, this award recognizes those who exhibit the highest standards of excellence at Texas A&M.

He has delivered numerous keynote talks and one highly impactful TED talk.

ENDEAVR Institute

As the founder of the ENDEAVR Institute, a 501c3 public charity, Dr. Li is at the forefront of bringing smart-city technologies to small communities and underprivileged populations. This initiative exemplifies his commitment to practical, community-focused urban solutions.

Teaching and Mentorship

Dr. Li’s teaching portfolio includes courses in transportation planning, planning analytics, and smart cities. He has developed three innovative courses in smart cities, employing his unique ENDEAVR pedagogical model. This approach has enabled him to train over 300 students from more than 10 majors in service-learning projects, benefiting 11 (and counting) small, underserved communities.

Dr. Li has demonstrated exceptional commitment to student mentorship, having chaired 44 committees (7 doctoral, 37 masters) and served as a Co-Chair/Member on 66 others (25 doctoral, 41 masters).

Professional Service

Dr. Li’s expertise is widely recognized in the academic community:

• Reviewer for NSF and over 20 reputable journals
• Former Associate Editor for Environmental Science and Policy
• Former Associate Editor for Journal of Planning Education and Research

Dr. Li continues to push the boundaries of transportation planning, combining academic rigor with practical applications to create smarter, more equitable mobility solutions for all.

Planning for smart and connected communities; autonomous vehicles for social goods; sustainable and active transportation; environmental economics