The Institute of Transportation Studies, Irvine is proud to spotlight former student researcher, Joseph Faria-Poynter for his contributions to the Transportation Research Immersion Program (TRIP) and his dedication to advancing the transportation systems of tomorrow.
Joseph joined the TRIP programย in summer 2022 while an undergraduate in civil engineering. Throughout the program , Joseph felt encouraged to explore what most interested him. After engaging in collaborative brainstorming with his advisors, Joseph began researching complete streets and pedestrian refuge islands. He learned to think outside the box, drawing inspiration from cities like San Francisco, to reimagine the landscapes of Orange County.
โTRIP helped me develop critical thinking and independent research skills to try to improve transportation throughout the state. It also made me more aware of the importance of accessibility, equity, and multi-modality within transportation.โ
Josephโs research provided him with a crucial understanding of how people interact with transit infrastructure, especially in regards to their safety.
โTransportation involves people and how everything relates, itโs not just design manuals.โ
Building upon this understanding of transportation systems, Joseph now works as an assistant engineer at VST Engineering, in Oakland, while also pursuing a Masters in Transportation Management at San Jose State University. He hopes to one day improve safety and mobility in his own community by becoming a rail transit agency manager, a role that will provide him with a tangible sense of impact where it matters most.
When asked what practical advice students can gather from his experiences at ITS, Joseph urged the importance of remaining open to new experiences. By allowing passion to guide your research, thereโs less of a need to have everything figured out.
โJust try something meaningful to youโitโll come together.โ
Author Erin Boshers is a recent graduate of Urban Studies and Literary Journalism at UC Irvine, where she explored the intersection of infrastructure, social behaviors, and public policy. She has conducted transportation and housing research through roles at Caltrans, the Kennedy Commission, and the Institute of Transportation Studies.
Each summer, the ITS-Irvine Transportation Research Immersion Program pairs undergraduate student researchers with faculty in paid positions to contribute meaningfully to ongoing transportation research projects.ย To learn more about the program, contact ITS-Irvine Assistant Director for Programs and Engagement Dr. Victoria Valentine Deguzman at vvdeguzm@uci.edu.