b'An Eight-Year Photometric Study of the Seyfert 1 Galaxy NGC 5548Elizabeth A. Scott Sponsor: Kenneth S. RumstayWe present multi-wavelength continuum light curves spanning the period 2012 to 2020 for the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548. CCD observations in the B, V, R, and I photometric bands (using Johnson/Cousins or Bessel filters) were made with the telescopes operated by the Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy (SARA) in Arizona, in Chile, and on the island of La Palma. Our observations show variations of up to one magnitude during this period, with a slight average increase in brightness of 0.033 magnitude per year. NGC 5548 brightened by one-half to one magnitude (depending upon the filter) during the period 2012 to 2014, followed by a three-year period of dimming. During 2019 the galaxy exhibited a period of rapid brightening. The data show a correlation between brightness (V) and color (V-I), though with significant scatter. These observations will contribute to ongoing reverberation mapping studies of NGC 5548, with the goal of determining the mass of its central back hole (estimated at 5.31.7107 solar masses) and the geometry of the surrounding gaseous regions.Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) of Leading Smart CitiesMinjeong Jeong, David H. Yoo and Gaeun KimSponsor: Dr. Barry HojjatieVSU Engineering Program REPPAn Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is a technology, application, or platform that improves the quality of transportation through applications that monitor, manage, or enhance transportation systems. ITS relies heavily on data science and analytics. Once the system is built to collect data and analyze it, the results are then used to control, manage, and plan transportation. The area of ITS has witnessed rapid growth in recent years, with the application of control, communication, and information technologies to transportation infrastructures of leading smart cities around the world. In general, ITS can be categorized into three major areas: Vehicle Systems, Traffic Management Systems, and Travel Information Systems. The primary objectives of ITS have been focused on improving safety and increasing mobility and associated transportation efficiency. In addition, it is now well known that ITS technology can be used to improve transportation-related environmental impacts. The purpose of this case study is to investigate various technologies, applications, and outcomes of ITS in innovative smart cities. Based on this understanding, this research is to propose future development directions of ITS for future smart cities. Leading smart cities around the world including Copenhagen, Incheon, New Orleans, and Sydney will be selected and examined.51'