The Institute of Transportation Studies is proud to spotlight Luka Krezovic for his contributions to the 2026 Transportation Research Immersion Program (TRIP). Luka is a Civil Engineering student at Irvine Valley College with aspirations of working in the railway industry as an engineering consultant. A lifelong train enthusiast, he is passionate about transportation systems and the role they play in connecting people, communities, and economies.
“I chose this research field as I loved trains since birth and always found it amazing how they are the backbone of society, both in passenger and freight logistical movements.”
TRIP provides students like Luka with the opportunity to explore the relationship between transportation systems, urban planning, and community development through hands-on research. His interest in transportation extends beyond engineering and infrastructure to understanding how people interact with and benefit from public transit. Through his experiences traveling by train and using public transportation, he has developed a strong appreciation for its social and environmental impacts.
“I love learning why people take transportation and how to make it more compelling to people to use. I firmly believe using public transit brings us together as we learn about our environment more, both physically and socially.”
As part of this project, Luka hopes to develop technical skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the factors that influence transportation choices. He is particularly interested in how urban planning affects transit use and what encourages individuals to choose public transportation over driving.
“I hope to learn GIS skills that I will carry onto my education and career and also learn how urban planning relates to public transit usage…I am excited to learn why people choose public transit instead of driving and what is the threshold to favor car dependency.”
Author Reina Kabbara is a recent graduate of Public Health Policy at UC Irvine. She has conducted transportation and environmental research under the Institute of Transportation Studies and through Professor Jun Wu’s E3: “Exposure, Epidemiology, and Equity” Environmental Health Lab.
Each summer, the ITS-Irvine Transportation Research Immersion Program (TRIP) and the Pre-college Research Immersion Program pair undergraduate and high school student researchers with faculty to contribute meaningfully to ongoing transportation research projects. To learn more about these programs, contact ITS-Irvine Assistant Director for Programs and Engagement Dr. Victoria Deguzman at vvdeguzm@uci.edu.