transportation research group newsletter

TransporTaTion research Group newsletter

annualreporT 2010

Florida atlantic Universitycollege oF engineering & compUter science

Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatics Engineering

leTTer from The direcTor 2

new TechnoloGy and faciliTies 3

iTe sTudenT chapTer 4

research projecTs 2010 5

spoTliGhT on TransiT research 6

selecTed publicaTions by The 7miTsl research Group

TransporTaTion research board 9(Trb) 2011 acTiviTies

2010 conferences 10

projecT presenTaTions 12

inviTed presenTaTions 13

mariTime 13

TransporTaTion sTudenT 13inTernships

sTudenT profiles 14

recenT alumni 14

special noTes 14

Transportation Research Group Newsletter

Letter from the DirectorAt Florida Atlantic University we have continuously been working on advancing technology and networking for transportation engineering students. For 2010 we are proud to say we have made many new advancements in both of these areas.

In Fall 2010, FAU opened the doors of a new Multimodal Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory (MITSL) in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering. The lab has state-of-the-art software and represents an expansion of the transportation engineering program at FAU. This laboratory will enable students to increase their knowledge of transportation software, facilitate collaborative learning and help further develop research strategies. This year the MITSL was awarded various new projects funded by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

We have also established an Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Student Chapter at FAU. ITE is a fantastic new way for students to network specifically with transportation engineers already working in the field. The chapter has already had distinguished speakers and presentations and has much planned for the future.

The Transportation Research Group participated in the Transportation Research Board Conference in Washington D.C., the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences (INFORMS), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Ports conference in Jacksonville, Fla., the Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions (LACCEI) in Peru, the World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society (WSEAS) Circuits, Systems, Communications, and Computers (CSCC) multi-conference in Greece and other major conferences nationally and internationally. We are always working on recruiting students both locally and internationally to the group to engage in research. We are looking forward to an exciting year and hope to engage many more researchers and practitioners on current environmental and transportation issues through various events.

I am looking forward to another creative and challenging academic year. We will continue to participate in annual meetings and major conferences while recruiting students interested in performing transportation-related research.

Dr. Evangelos I. KaisarAssistant Professor

Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Niles Chanel Bridge, Summerland Key, FL

Transportation Research Group Newsletter 3

In Fall 2010, the Multimodal Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory (MITSL) on the Boca Raton campus was expanded. It has been a well-anticipated expansion that will help FAU’s transportation students not only have access to greater resources, but also brand new, state-of-the-art hardware and software. The laboratory will help graduate and undergraduate students by giving them professional training and the opportunity to collaborate with local agencies on

transportation projects. The department puts emphasis on the research projects sponsored by Homeland Security, Florida Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), etc. Having the new technology will enhance the research students perform and allow them to continue to take on greater challenges. The lab is going to be fully operational in Spring 2011.

New techNoLogy aND faciLities

Transportation research students in FAU’s new MITSL


Developing a Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan for FAU Multi-campusesSponsored by:The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)PrincipaI Investigator: P. Scarlatos, Ph.D.Co-Investigator: M. Arockiasamy, Ph.D., Evangelos I. Kaisar Ph.D., K. Sobhan, Ph.D., and R. Teegavarapu, Ph.D., P.E.Amount Awarded: $400,000Project Dates: 2010–13

Development of a Methodology for the Assessment and Mitigation of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Florida’s Transportation Modes and Infrastructure Sponsored by: Florida Department of TransportationPrincipal Investigator: L. Berry, Ph.D.Co-Investigator: E. Kaisar, Ph.D.,and J. RodriguezAmount Awarded: $149,071Project Dates: 2010–11

Retiming Traffic Signals on Glades Road for the City of Boca Raton, FL Principal Investigator: A. Stevanovic, Ph.D.Co-Investigator: E. Kaisar, Ph.D.Project Dates: Spring – Summer 2010

Evaluation of LRT Impact on Traffic Operations at 1300 S and 2100 SArterials in Salt Lake CitySponsored by: Utah Transit Authority and Mountain-Plains ConsortiumPrincipal Investigator: A. Stevanovic, Ph.D.Amount Awarded: $66,983Project Dates: 2009–10

Size Effect of Fire and Heat Exposure on Structural Concrete ElementsSponsored by: U.S. Departmentof AgriculturePrincipal Investigator: D. V. Reddy, Ph.D., P.E.Co-Investigator: K. Sobhan, Ph.D.Amount Awarded: $29,978Project Dates: 2007–10

Surface Pavement Solution for Poor Subgrade Conditions – Phase II Sponsored by: Florida Departmentof TransportationPrincipal Investigator: K. Sobhan, Ph.D.Co-Investigator: K.P. GeorgeAmount Awarded: $139,875Project Dates: 2007–10

Washington Metro: Transportation Equity and Emergency Preparedness for Citizens with Special Needs. Model Calibration and Validation Sponsored by: Federal Transit AdministrationPrincipal Investigator: P. Scarlatos, Ph.D.Co-Investigator: E. Kaisar, Ph.D.Amount Awarded: $82,500 Project Dates: Jan. – Dec. 2010

Development of Travel Time Collection using Bluetooth TechnologyPrincipal Investigator: A. Stevanovic, Ph.D.Co-Investigator: E. Kaisar, Ph.D.and J. RodriguezProject Dates: Spring – Summer 2010

Bus System Efficiency Study for FAU Boca Raton CampusSponsored by: Florida Atlantic UniversityPrinciple Investigator: E. Kaisar, Ph.D.Co-Investigator: J. RodriguezProject Dates: 2010

research Projects 2010


EvALUATIoN oF LRT IMpACT oN TRAFFIC opERATIoNS AT 1300 S & 2100 S ARTERIALS IN SALT LAKE CITyprimary Author – Nikola MitrovicFaculty Advisor – Aleksandar Stevanovic Ph.D. Department of Civil, Environmentaland Geomatics Engineering

ABSTRACTThe project addresses the impact of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines on vehicular traffic on corridors that intersect with LRT tracks. With an increase in spatial coverage and frequency, it is likely that the LRT services will affect vehicular traffic. Increased number of operated trains will affect traffic operations at the corridors near LRT tracks. The goal of this research is to find a solution that will provide smooth operations for both traffic and public transit. With ever-increasing traffic demand and price of fossil fuels, public transit becomes more popular transportation mode than ever before, especially in the fast-growing regions such as Salt Lake City Metropolitan Region. New LRT services introduced by the UTA will both increase spatial coverage and frequency of overall transit services in the region. However, this increase in public transit coverage and frequency will come at the expense of conflict in priority with vehicular traffic. VISSIM microsimulation software is used to build high-integrity models of traffic and transit conditions for each relevant project. Three distinctive scenarios were evaluated in a properly calibrated and validated microsimulation model. To further resemble field operations we introduced randomness, like ones observed in the field, for the train arrivals. A scenario in which the LRT schedule minimized stops and delay on the busiest arterial generated the best results. The findings showed that there were no significant differences between arrivals which adhered to the schedule and randomized arrivals. Future research should investigate more strategies and potentially introduce an optimization-based search for the best strategy.

FAU ShUTTLE BUS EFFICIENCy pRojECTprimary Author – Alexis Kiever, Alicia Portaland Thomas RomahFaculty Advisor – Evangelos Kaisar Ph.D.,Jarice Rodriguez-SedaDepartment of Civil, Environmentaland Geomatics Engineering

ABSTRACTThe Shuttle Efficiency Study at FAU (Boca Raton Campus) is focused on the performance of the newly implemented shuttle. The service will mainly focus to serve the students and transport them between the main locations on campus. Throughout this research, an intensive analysis of the current stop locations was performed based on pedestrian counts, surveys, and a complete analysis of the shuttle route itself. After defining the new shuttle stops locations, a new schedule was developed based on several parameters such as delay and travel time. The different schedules and routes are discussed throughout the report and a comparison between the options is provided.

SPOTLIGHT ON TRANSIT RESEARCH continued on next page

As the importance of Public Transit Systems increase, the FAU Transportation Research Group has taken on new challenges to improve the transit systems all over

the nation. FAU has taken this opportunity to focus on three state-of-the-art funded projects on transit research.

sPotLight oN traNsit research

vISSIM project Simulation project Simulation Model


pREpAREdNESS ANd CATASTRophIC EvENT MANAgEMENT FoR ThE WAShINgToN, d.C. AREA SpoNSoREd By ThE FEdERAL TRANSIT AdMINISTRATIoN

primary Author – Linda Hess, Scott Parrand Alexandra JohnsenFaculty advisor – Evangelos Kaisar Ph.D.Department of Civil, Environmentaland Geomatics Engineering

ABSTRACTThe devastating effects of terrorism are distinctly clear and realistic to our generation with the haunting September 11 attacks, the 2005 subway bombings in London, 2009 attempted Christmas attack, and constant turmoil overseas. Therefore, it is important to examine and assess the outcome of potential terrorist attacks in preparation for an emergency by minimizing damages and identifying more effective solutions for improving the safety of the public. Most specifically, there is a need to investigate the ways in which a terrorist attack could affect a transportation network in densely populated areas and develop efficient emergency evacuation plans. Since the year 2007 up to 2010, Florida Atlantic University’s Transportation Research Group has developed several emergency management scenarios involving immediate aftermaths of terrorist attacks in Washington, D.C.

90th TRANSpoRTATIoN RESEARCh BoARdANNUAL MEETINg January 2011, Washington, D.C. Plan to Attend:Faculty: E. Kaisar Ph.D., J. Rodriguez, K. Sobhan Ph.D.,A. Stevanovic Ph.D. Students: A. Portal, Y. Psarros, C. Olarte, A. Johnsen, Y. ZhaoThe Transportation Research Group plans to participate in the Annual Transportation Board meeting in January 2010 in Washington, D.C. Our group will attend and give presentations, participate in poster sessions and attend various committee meetings.

The following papers have been accepted for presentation:

Kaisar, E.I., Edara, p., Rodriguez-Seda, j., Cherry, S. (2011). “Comparison of Nontraditional Intersection Designs Using Microscopic Simulation.” Accepted for presentation at TRB Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.

psarros, I., Kepaptsoglou, K., Karlaftis, M. (2011). “Wait Time at Bus Stops: An Empirical Investigation of Passenger Perceptions.” Accepted for presentation at TRB Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.

Stevanovic, A.Z., Kergaye, C., and Stevanovic, J. (2011). “Evaluating Robustness of Signal Timings for Conditions of Varying Traffic Flows.” Accepted for presentation at TRB Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.

Zlatkovic, M., Martin, P.T., and Stevanovic, A.Z. (2011). “Predictive Priority for Light Rail Transit: University Light Rail Line 1 in Salt Lake County, UT.” Accepted for Presentation at TRB Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.

ALSo oUR MEMBERS ARE pARTICIpATINg IN vARIoUS INTERESTINg EvENTS:

Dr. Khaled Sobhan will be hosting an event on Chemical and Mechanical Stabilization Committee, a workshop in Advances in Soil Stabilization: Practical and Sustainable Solutions, and an event on Recycled Materials for Transportation Infrastructure.

Dr. Aleksander Stevanovic will present Current Practice in Optimization of Signal Timings and Impact of Emissions.

traNsPortatioN research BoarD (trB) 2011 activities


FoUNdINg oFFICERS:president – Alicia Benazir Portal (center)vice president – Alexandra Johnsen (left center) Secretary – Claudia Olarte (right center)Treasurer – Psarros Ioannis (right)Advisor – Dr. Evangelos Kaisar (left)

MESSAgE FRoM ThE pRESIdENTAs the first president of the ITE Student Chapter at FAU I feel very proud of all the achievements we have accomplished in less than a year. The chapter currently has 30 active members and has hosted several guest speakers with the support of consulting companies and the faculty advisor. Through these events we have not only encouraged students to get involved with the community by presenting current projects and research performed by the program’s own graduate students, but also we also provide students the opportunity to develop relationships with future colleagues. Through the chapter, we try to promote the student’s development in a professional atmosphere in order to create better and more prepared professionals. Nowadays it is hard to keep up with all available technology, hence our desire to be able to illustrate to our members what is currently being used in the field. Whether it is research or real-life projects, there is always something new to learn and apply.

It has been an excellent experience and a great honor for me to be the president of the ITE FAU Student Chapter. We have already started planning events for the coming semester and we are all very excited to see how the chapter keeps evolving and influencing more students’ perspectives about transportation.

-Alicia portal, ITE President

ITE STUdENT ChApTER INvoLvEMENTThe ITE Student Chapter is constantly looking for new ways to involve more students. ITE achieves this by hosting a distinguished speaker series in both the spring and fall semesters at the Boca Raton campus. Affiliated faculty, students and staff from the departments of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering; Industrial & Systems Engineering; Urban & Regional Planning and Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science regularly attend the series.

The Distinguished Lecturers for the Fall 2010 were: • Carlos Cruz-Casas of Kimley-Horn and Associates

presented on Traffic Signal Design on October 2, 2010.

• ClaudaOlarte,FAUMSgraduatestudentandthewinnerof the prestigious Provost Scholarship, who presented her thesis topic “Operational, Environmental, and Safety Comparisons between Left-turn Bypass, Diverging Flow and Displacement Left Turn Intersections;” and

• ITE officers and Transportation Research Groupmembers, who collaborated during a lunch meeting.

The ITE Student Chapter also, participated in local and state events, including:• A Highway Capacity Manual andTrainingWorkshop by

H. Bill Sampson on Oct. 7, 2010 at Fort Lauderdale.

• AtourofthesimulatorattheStarCenterinDaniaBeach.

• The Gold Coast ITE Fall Meeting on Nov. 19, 2010 inWest Palm Beach.

• A collaborative lunch meeting between Kittleson &Associates and ITE student chapter officers.

• AnITEfacultyadvisorparticipatedintheI/ITSEC2010,the world’s largest modeling simulation and training conference on Nov. 29 at Orlando, Fla.

• Affiliate facultywith ITEstudentchapterattended theITS Florida Annual Award Meeting on December 14, Ponte Vedra, Fla.

ite stuDeNt chaPter


REFERREd pUBLICATIoNSSobhan, K., George, K. P., pohly, d. and Ali, H. (2010). “Use of Falling Weight Deflectometer Tests for the Characterization of Reinforced Asphalt Pavement Structures built over Organic Soils,” GeoFlorida 2010, Geotechnical Special Publication (GSP), ASCE, February, 2010.

Coolahan, J., Kane, M., Morse, K., Kaisar, E., Koomullil, R., Shih, A., and Walsh, K., “Results of a Simulation of Response to a Bioterrorism Crisis”, Management and Simulation Journal, Vol. 5 Issue 1, May 2010 pp. 4-16.

Chaudhuri, P., Martin, P.T., Stevanovic, A.Z., and Zhu, C. “The Effects of Detector Spacing on Travel Time Prediction on Freeways.” International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 1(Dec. 2010) 1-10.

Mulandi, J., Stevanovic, A.Z., and Martin, P.T. (2010). “Cross-Evaluation of Signal Timings Optimized by Various Traffic Simulation and Signal Optimization Tools.” to appear in Transportation Research Record, Journal of The Transportation Research Board (in press)

Sobhan, K., George, K. P., pohly, d. and Ali, H. (2010). “Stiffness Characterization of Reinforced Asphalt Pavement Structures Built Over Soft Organic Soils,” to appear in Transportation Research Record, Journal of The Transportation Research Board (in press)**TRB Practice Ready Paper of The Year nomination (Soil Mechanics Sections)

SELECTED PuBLICATIONS BY THE MITSL RESEARCH GROuP continued on next page

Bahia honda Bridge, Florida Keys

seLecteD PuBLicatioNs By the mitsL research grouP


BooK ChApTER Sobhan, K., Slope Stability in The Geotechnical Engineering Handbook, J. Ross Publishing. 2010: p.75.

oThER pUBLICATIoNSA. Stevanovic presiding officer for “Emerging Issues in Traffic Signal Systems: Air Quality and Traffic Signal Systems in an IntelliDrive World” – Workshop sponsored by TRB Standing Committees AHB10 and AHB25, TRB 89th Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 10th -14th, 2010.

Farhan, M., Stevanovic, A.Z., and Martin, P.T. (2010). “A Practical Perspective on the Benefits of Combined Traffic Assignment and Control Method.” Presented at the 89th TRB Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board, Washington D.C.

Nadimpalli, B., Martin, P.T., Chaudhuri, P., and Stevanovic, A.Z. (2010). “Road User Impacts Due to Speed Limit Reduction in Work Zones Which Tool Is Best: QuickZone or VISUM?” Presented at the 89th TRB Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board, Washington D.C.

ornitz S., Kaisar E., and Teegavarapu R., “Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming Model to Optimize the Use of Aircraft Deicing and anti-icing Fluids”, conference proceedings at the 90th Transportation research Board Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 2010.

Zlatkovic, M., Martin, P.T., and Stevanovic, A.Z.(2010).“EvaluationofTransitSignalPriorityinRBCandASC/3Software-in-the-Loop Simulation Environment.” Presented at the 89th TRB Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board, Washington D.C.

parr, S., and Kaisar, E. (2010)“Transit Priority Signal Optimization During Urban Evacuation Utilizing Dynamic Programming”, conference proceedings at the National Evacuation Conference, Feb. 3-5 New Orleans.

Kaisar, E., parr, S., and Scarlatos, p. (2010)“Traffic Simulation Modeling for an Urban Chemical Disaster: Emergency Evacuation Development and Case Study”, conference proceedings at the 8th Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions, June 1-5, Arequipa, Peru.

Chaudhuri, P., Martin, P.T., Stevanovic, A.Z., and Zhu, C. (2010). “The Effects of Detector Spacing on Travel Time Prediction on Freeways.” ICURPT 2010: International Conference on Urban, Regional Planning and Transportation, June 28-30, 2010, Paris, France.

Reddy, d. v., Arboleda, D., and Sobhan, K.(2010).“UseofHybridRiceHuskAsh/FlyAshasSustainableandGreenSupplementary Materials for Concrete in the Marine Environment,” Second International Conference on Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies, June 28-June 30, 2010, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.

Stevanovic, A., and Kergaye, C. (2010). “Evaluating Suitability of Microsimulation as a Tool to Replicate Variations in Field Traffic Flows.” Presented at Traffic Flow Theory and Characteristics Committee (AHB45) Summer Meeting, July 7-9, 2010, Annecy, France.

Kaisar, E., parr S., and Scarlatos, p. (2010).“An Urban Chemical Disaster Traffic Simulation Model: A Case Study for No-notice Emergency Evacuation Development”, conference proceedings at the 3th International Conference on Urban Planning and Transportation, July 22-24, Corfu, Greece.

Kaisar, E., degnan, W. (2010). “Catastrophic Event Planning and Response for Urban Areas Utilizing Dynamic Traffic Assignment and De,” Presented at the Institute for Operations Research and the Management, November 7-10, 2010, Austin, Texas.


dr. Kaisar, Scott ornits, Scott parr, and William degnan at TRB Conference in 2010

TRANSpoRTATIoN RESEARCh BoARd ANNUAL MEETINgJanuary 2010, Washington, D.C.Attended by: Faculty - E. Kaisar, Ph.D., J. Rodriguez, P. Scarlatos, Ph.D., K. Sobhan, Ph.D., A. Stevanovic, Ph.D.Students - B. Degnan, C. Olarte, S. Ornits, S. Parr, A Portal

The transportation group attended the conference with students from the graduate and undergraduate program, they participated very energetically in presentations, poster presentations and committee meetings. • Dr.KhaledSobhanisachairofTRBCommitteeAFS90:ChemicalandMechanicalStabilization. • Dr.EvangelosI.Kaisarisamemberofthefollowingcommittees:TransportationGuideforAll-HazardsEmergency Evacuation and Intermodal Freight Terminal Design and Operations. • Dr.AleksanderStevanovicwasthepresidingofficerforEmergingIssuesinTrafficSignalSystems:AirQualityandTraffic Signal Systems in an IntelliDrive World. Workshop sponsored by TRB Standing Committees AHB10 and AHB25.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NATIoNAL EvACUATIoN CoNFERENCENew Orleans, LA, February 2010 Attended by: E. Kaisar, Ph.D.

The purpose of the conference is to foster an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas surrounding a broad range of evacuation issues, particularly mass evacuations prompted by disasters. Special topics of discussion include:

• Addressingthechallengesfacedbyspecialneedspopulationsduringdisasters • Improvementsinevacuationplanningandmodeling • Nationalevacuationpolicydevelopment

2010 coNfereNces

2010 CONFERENCES continued on next page


AMERICAN SoCIETy oF CIvIL ENgINEERS (ASCE poRTS 2010) April 25 - April 28, 2010, Jacksonville, FL. Attended by: P. Scarlatos, Ph.D. and E. Kaisar, Ph.D.

PORTS 2010: “Building on the Past, Respecting the Future” was the twelfth in a series of international port and harbor development specialty conferences held by ASCE on a tri-annual basis since 1977.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LATIN AMERICAN ANd CARIBBEAN CoNSoRTIUM oF ENgINEERINg INSTITUTIoNS (LACCEI) 2010 CoNFERENCE May 31 – June 5 2010, Arequipa, Peru. Attended by: P. Scarlatos, Ph.D. and E. Kaisar, Ph.D.

A week of work and collaboration to advance engineering in the Americas! The conference acts as a hemispheric encounter of leaders, faculty and students to share advances in Engineering Education, align initiatives, and set an action plan for the Westerns Hemisphere for 2010-2015 to improve engineering education in this region.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECoNd INTERNATIoNAL CoNFERENCE oN SUSTAINABLE CoNSTRUCTIoN MATERIALS ANd TEChNoLogIES June 28- June 30, 2010, Ancona, Italy.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TRAFFIC FLoW ThEoRy ANd ChARACTERISTICS CoMMITTEE (AhB45) SUMMER MEETINg July 7- July 9, 2010, Annecy, France. Attended by: A. Stevanovic, Ph.D.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3Rd INTERNATIoNAL CoNFERENCE oN URBAN pLANNINg ANd TRANSpoRTATIoN (UpT)July 22 – July 25 2010, Corfu, Greece. Attended by: P. Scarlatos, Ph.D. and E. Kaisar, Ph.D.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SEvERE SToRM pREdICTIoN, EdUCATIoN, ANd EvACUATIoN SCIENCE (SSpEEd) CENTERSeptember 13, 2010, Houston, TX. Attended by: S. Parr.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

INSTITUTE FoR opERATIoNS RESEARCh ANd ThE MANAgEMENT (INFoRMS)November 7- November10, 2010, Austin, TX. Attended by: A. Portal and E. Kaisar, Ph.D.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ThE INTELLIgENT TRANSpoRTATIoN SoCIETy (ITS) oF FLoRIdA- ANNUAL AWARd MEETINg 2010December 14, 2010, Ponte Vedra, FL. Attended by: P. Scarlatos Ph.D.

jacksonville, Florida


Kaisar, E.I., Portal, A., and Rodriguez, J. (2010). “FAu Bus Efficiency Study.” Undergraduate Research Symposium. Jupiter, FL. October 2010.

Paluck, K. (2010) “Impact of Sea Level Rise on Florida’s Transportation Systems.” Climate Change Research Symposium. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL. October 2010.

Parr, S., Pentaras, D., Ornitz, S., Schokkin, J.W., Kaisar, E.I., and Sobhan, K. (2010). “Evaluation of Emergency Evacuation Strategies for the urban Chemical Disaster Federation.” Undergraduate Research Symposium. Jupiter, FL. October 2010.

Rodriguez, J. (2010). “Development of a Methodology for the Assessment and Mitigation of Sea Level Rise (SLR) impacts on Florida’s Transportation Modes and Infrastructures.” Florida Transportation Adapting to a Changing Climate Workshop. Tallahassee, FL. October 2010.

A. johnsen and FAU’s president Mary jane Saunders atthe Undergraduate Research Symposium, jupiter, Florida

Project PreseNtatioNs


iNviteD PreseNtatioNs Stevanovic, A.Z. (2010). “Retiming of Traffic Signals on Glades Rd.” – Palm Beach ASCE Chapter Meeting, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, April 13, 2010.

Stevanovic, A.Z. (2010). “Retiming of Traffic Signals on Glades Rd.” Broward County Transportation System Management & Operations Task Meeting, FDOT, Fort Lauderdale, June 17, 2010.

Stevanovic, A.Z. (2010). “Adaptive Traffic Control Systems: Domestic and Foreign State of Practice (NCHRP Synthesis 403).” Webinar Organized by Rhythm Engineering, June 24, 2010.

Kaisar, E., Parr, S. (2010). “Transit Signal Priority for Emergency Evacuation.” INFORMS. Austin, Texas. November, 2010.

Kaisar, E. (2010).“Catastrophic Event Planning and Response for urban Areas utilizing Dynamic Traffic Assignment.” INFORMS. Austin, Texas. November, 2010.

Stevanovic, A.Z. (2010). “Adaptive Traffic Control Systems: Domestic and Foreign State of Practice.” Intelligent Transportation Society of California – 2010 Annual Conference & Exhibition, Berkeley, CA, November 15-16, 2010.

Kaisar, E., and A., Johnsen (2010). “Preparedness and Catastrophic Event Management for the Washington, D.C. Area.” Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Meeting, Washington DC, November 17-19, 2010.

maritime The transportation group of the Civil, Environmental and Geomatics department at the FAU is proud to participate in the new maritime certificate program. This program was established in Fall 2010 and provides a higher education for engineers and maritime officers that are interested in maritime engineering. There has been a large response from FAU students as well as people in the industry. The transportation group offers the following courses in maritime study:

• MaritimeFreightOperations • TransportationSystemAnalysis

traNsPortatioN stuDeNt iNterNshiPsTransportation students at FAU are encouraged to take transportation internship opportunities nationally and internationally over the summer months. These internships provide students with real life experiences to prepare them for the future. During Summer 2010, four of the FAU transportation students served as interns:

• StefanieBattistiniinternedatFloridaAtlanticUniversityinBocaRaton,Florida.• AliciaBenazirPortaltookaninternshipwiththePalmBeachCountyTrafficDivisionasaStudentParaprofessionalin

West Palm Beach, Florida.• AlexandraJohnseninternedwithKimley-HornandAssociates,Inc.,inTransportationPlanningandTrafficOptimization

Department in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.• Yueqiong Zhao took an internship with China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO) Logistics.Yueqiong

interned internationally in Beijing, China.


eDitorsAlexis Kiever dr. Evangelos I. [email protected] [email protected]

PhotograPhyITE group

stuDeNt ProfiLes

“I’m excited to be at FAU to pursue my Ph.D. through the College of Engineering and Computer Science. My research will focus on Transportation Geotechnics and I expect to graduate in Fall 2012. This year, I have received the Graduate Fellowship for Academic Excellence and the Presidential Fellowship and I look forward to continuing my education here at FAU.”

fau aLumNi

Scott Parr graduated from Florida Atlantic University in Spring 2010 with a M.S. in Civil Engineering. Scott was immensely involved in the Transportation Research Group at FAU. He traveled to conferences including the TRB Annual meeting and conducted research in the field to co-write papers with Dr. Kaisar, Dr. Scarlatos and Dr. Sobhan, FAU Professors. Scott Parr is now studying at Louisiana State University in pursuit of his Ph.D.

jamie Fraser, FAU ph.d. student Scott parr, Louisiana State University ph.d. student

receNt aLumNiLILLIAN goNZALES – Ph.D. studentFlorida Atlantic UniversityALEx LIMA SCoTT pARR, E.I – Graduate Studies (Ph.D. program) Louisiana State UniversityWILLIAM dEgNANSTEvE ChERy – HaitiLAURA SIMoNS – Engineer at American WaterjILLIAN gASTRIghT – Transportation Engineer AECOMgAyANE ACopIAN – Engineer at the BRPH Engineers

sPeciaL NotesDr. Khaled Sobhan has been elected to be the Faculty President for the College of Engineering and Computer Science 2010-12.

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