News Archives - Page 2 of 8 - The Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Irvine

“Geoffrey is an exceptional student with a passion for transportation. After his performance in my undergraduate course covering optimization in the context of civil engineering this past winter, I was excited for him to conduct research with me this summer through the TRIP program. Geoffrey has been an invaluable asset to our team, and I am excited to have him continue with us on a funded research project this fall.”

-Michael Hyland, Advisor

How did you hear about this summer research program?

I took a class with Professor Hyland and worked with him throughout the year. I was very interested in the subject matter of mathematical programming and optimization. Professor Hyland told me about this summer program and I was very happy to be selected.

What interested you most about it?

There was a lot of appeal to me about this program; my favorite part is being exposed to such cool and interesting research so early in my academic career. I didn’t know Transportation Systems Modeling and Analysis even existed as a field until about four months ago, and now I can spend the rest of my undergrad (and possibly grad school) studying it.

What are your career goals?

My end goal is to work for a public agency and help develop transportation solutions in a big metropolitan area. I also am interested in working in rail logistics for a freight rail company, or being employed at a large port could be great too.

Why are these kinds of summer research programs helpful to students like you?

This program helps me become a better researcher, student and engineer in many ways. Chief among them is how I am encouraged to think for myself and develop solutions without a right answer, which is much different from many classes I am taking. I am also learning hard skills including research, programming and writing that are applicable in my future.

How will this program help you in school and/or your eventual career?

The TRIP program helps me understand the world of research better and how to explore my interests deeper than before. It allows me to build connections that help in future academic or career pursuits.

What intrigues you about research?

Research in transportation explores the unknown worlds where we can design whole new systems, which I find fascinating. I love poking around in the hypothetical so that we can help industry and policymakers make decisions in the real world.

What intrigues you about transportation?

Transportation is so fundamental to how we live our lives. Any improvement to transportation serves to enhance the lives of everyone, especially those who have been historically excluded. I love the challenge of serving the public by building up our systems.

What do you like most about the project on which you are working?

My current project, Quantifying “Shareability” in Transportation Networks using Graph Theory, is teaching me a lot about computer science, high level math, and their intersections with civil engineering. I enjoy seeing how the fields connect and overlap, which allows us to solve incredibly complex problems.

What do you hope to learn and/or discover as part of this project?

I hope to discover a new passion for computer science. I always thought coding was something I would never grasp, but I am figuring out that it is a valuable skill that I can begin to master in this program.

What is something interesting few people know about you?

I hiked Half Dome in Yosemite with my good friend, Sheryl.

What is your superpower?

I am a certified lifeguard!

What is something unique about you?

I played water polo for six years, from middle school to the end of high school.

How did you become interested in transportation? What interests you most right now?

I matriculated college at George Washington University in Washington, DC when the Metro system was still being built. I was able to witness first hand how a wonderful, efficient, convenient and equitable transit system could improve the quality life of a region’s citizens, as well as improve the entire economic vitality of said region.

When I arrived in Orange County I was stunned to see the lack of transportation options available and knew I wanted to help change that.

I continue to be most interested in finding ways to move people and goods in an efficient, safe, sustainable and equitable manner.

What drew you to UCI/ITS-Irvine? What do you like best/find as strengths at UCI/ITS-Irvine?

I was aware of the outstanding reputation of the ITS professors and the research performed, and I was eager to assist in any way I could.

If you could give incoming students one piece of career advice, what would it be?

Try a few different paths and don’t hesitate to ask for advice from your favorite professors.

What are your research interests and what types of projects are you currently working on?

I work in policy and try to effectuate transportation policy decisions. I have always been a transit advocate and I have been involved in autonomous vehicle policy. Currently, I am working on safety issues with active transportation – in particular, how to create many more protective bike lanes so bike and scooter operators can be protected from cars.

What do you consider your most significant research finding or accomplishment thus far?

I am most proud of the impact I have had on many policy decisions in Southern California regarding our rail and transit systems.

What are your other plans for future research?

I think technology and artificial intelligence will make our transportation systems much safer because I truly believe that humans are terrible drivers and we need to do everything in our power to make our streets and roads as safe as can be. I look forward to staying on top of the trends in AI and autonomous vehicles and potentially working on some policies that will impact those trends.

What issues in transportation keep you up at night?

Currently, I am so disturbed by the violence on or near many transit stations and the fact that a large number of riders are avoiding using transit because of the violence. I am also disturbed by the number of people I hear about almost daily who die or get severely injured in unprotected bike lanes, as well as in automobile accidents. We have to do better!

Is there someone or something that has inspired you?

I am greatly inspired and motivated when I see people taking advantage of a transit system that I played a role in implementing.

What are you watching right now?

I’m on season two of Suits. I am a lawyer by background, and I love legal dramas.

What is a fun fact about you?

Dodger Stadium is my “happy place” and I have been to 27 of the 30 current baseball stadiums in North America.

The article featuring ITS Researcher Sarah Catz was originally posted on WalletHub.

How do you think increased adoption of electric vehicles will change the car insurance landscape?

According to a recent online report, car insurance premiums in 2023 rose an average of 26% nationwide. The largest increases were seen in New Jersey (45.69%), Missouri (44.16%) and Rhode Island (42.29%). Unfortunately, the increased adoption of electric vehicles will not have much impact on the car insurance landscape—at least for the near future.

Currently, electric car owners pay slightly more for automobile insurance than owners of cars that use fossil fuels. A reason for this could be that electrical vehicles tend to cost more than other vehicles, so the replacement value is higher. Additionally, if something were to happen to an electric vehicle battery in an insurable accident, a brand-new battery could cost as much as $15,000. Further, many of the parts in an electric vehicle are imported from overseas and could be more expensive to replace.

There is some good news for electric vehicle drivers, however – several insurance companies are now offering up to a 10% discount for drivers of a clean fuel vehicle!

We are going to be seeing more and more autonomous vehicles on our streets and highways in the next five years. California, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Nevada have already seen electric “robo taxis” hit the road. The influx of autonomous vehicles presents a tremendous challenge to the insurance industry, since there is no driver to insure. As we see a proliferation of autonomous vehicles, insurance companies will most likely only be insuring the manufacturer of the car, and not the users of the vehicle. This is good news for drivers who give up their cars for robo taxis, but perhaps not great news for the insurance industry.

How did you become interested in transportation? And what interests you most right now?

I became interested in transportation by following a trail of interests that initially had very little to do with transportation. I earned my bachelor’s degree with a double major in anthropology and English and my master’s degree in civil engineering with a specialization in structures and materials. From there, I wanted to continue my education and simultaneously find a way to combine my passions for society and the built environment. While researching doctoral programs, I discovered the specialization of human travel behavior housed within civil engineering. I was attracted to the intersection of systems design and the human experience. My interests continue to grow in the direction of transportation equity, environmental justice, and social change.

What drew you to UCI/ITS-Irvine? What do you like best/find as strengths at UCI/ITS-Irvine?

I was drawn to UCI because of the Black Thriving Initiative, which is a campus-wide interdisciplinary commitment to advancing the wellbeing of Black individuals and communities across the country through research, teaching, and service. It was the first program of its kind that I had encountered. With the help of significant encouragement from faculty, family, and friends, I worked up the courage to apply and began the process that led me to UCI. I am grateful to now be part of ITS-Irvine, which contributes to the Black Thriving Initiative, because the faculty are very supportive; they maintain positive relationships with each other and honor a healthy work-life balance.

What are your research interests and what types of projects are you currently working on?

My research has examined transportation behavior during disasters and the role of social infrastructure in facilitating the sharing of rides and resources. Within a few months of joining UCI, I started a project in collaboration with the local non-profit organization Climate Resolve examining transportation access to resilience hubs in Los Angeles. I am drawn to the concept of resilience hubs as community-based spaces that provide essential resources to the public during both day-to-day conditions and extreme events. The goal of this initial project is to ensure that these hubs remain accessible during climate hazards, especially for individuals who do not drive a personal vehicle.

What issues in transportation keep you up at night?

The main transportation issues that keep me up at night are economic inequity and the constraints that places on where people can live and work and how they can travel; the impacts of climate disasters and what we can do to better prepare for them; and how we can design mobility systems that better support the innate human desire to help one other in times of need.

How did you become interested in transportation? And what interests you most right now?

I had a knack for understanding travel patterns (like traffic signal preemption and memorizing signal timing in my hometown). This ignited my curiosity about designing and evaluating transportation systems. That early knack for patterns now fuels my research on integrating electric vehicles into the grid. It’s about understanding not just traffic flows but also energy flows and designing systems that are both sustainable and smart. With every line of code and every equation, I’m striving to create a transportation future that leaves no one behind—a future where getting around is simply part of living a healthy, sustainable life.

What drew you to UCI/ITS-Irvine? What do you like best/find as strengths at UCI/ITS-Irvine?

What attracted me to UCI/ITS-Irvine wasn’t just the top-notch research but also the chance to work with people from different fields. Here, I can team up with urban planners, public health experts, energy scientists, and economists. My own research connects two very different areas—transportation and power systems—and needs a variety of specialists to tackle it. That’s where UCI/ITS-Irvine shines. Our researchers don’t stick to one method; they use many different tools and work closely with government agencies, all while producing research that matters around the world. From activity-based models, inductive loop detectors, and freight electrification, amazing things happen at UCI/ITS-Irvine, especially when we team up with UCI partners like APEP.

If you could give incoming students one piece of career advice, what would it be? Or, what was the best piece of advice you received?

Transportation is a dynamic field, as are we. Embrace lifelong learning by venturing beyond ITS and CEE. You’ll be surprised by what you might learn from urban planners, data scientists, or other engineers. Remember, ambiguity and change are inevitable, but structure them around a long-term vision. Set goals for yourself, but allow for adjustments as you discover new passions and opportunities. Seek guidance from mentors, attend seminars, and explore online resources. At UCI/ITS-Irvine, we have a vibrant community of lifelong learners, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

What are your research interests and what types of projects are you currently working on?

I’m deeply invested in vehicle-grid integration, focusing on the interplay between human behavior, regional policies, and innovative business models. This year, with my GSR Angela Yun, we’re delving into ‘charging-as-a-service’, analyzing stakeholder experiences with this pay-as-you-use service model. Additionally, I’m developing integrated transportation-power system models to test smart-charging algorithms across vehicle fleets and exploring reverse causal models for clean energy technology acceptance.

What is a fun fact about you?

I’ve been bobsledding.

The article featuring ITS Researcher Sarah Catz was originally posted on WalletHub.

What are the biggest mistakes that people make when it comes to driver’s license points?

The US Constitution outlines the power of the Federal Government. Anything not specifically granted to the Federal Government in the US Constitution is reserved for the states. Because the US Constitution does not mention the regulation of drivers or vehicles, those regulations fall to each individual state. Consequently, there are 50 different Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and each one handles points on records a little bit differently. […]

What is your UCI degree, and when did or do you expect to receive it?

PhD 2018

If you know, what are your post-graduation plans; or what are your career goals in general?

Faculty member at McGill University

Who is/was your advisor?

R. Jayakrishnan

What drew you to UCI? What do you like best/find as strengths at UCI?

Reputation of UCI and ITS-Irvine, funding support, location, and weather

How did you become interested in transportation? And what interests you most right now?

As someone naturally curious and deeply interested in a wide array of subjects, I find transportation engineering to be the perfect fit for my inquisitive nature. This field stands as a uniquely comprehensive area within engineering, intricately woven into virtually every facet of society. It is not merely a technical discipline; it intersects profoundly with critical societal elements like environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and public health. Transportation engineering plays a pivotal role in promoting social equity, preserving historical contexts, and influencing political and policy decisions. Moreover, it is integral to effective urban planning and management, reflecting its vast scope and significance in our daily lives. My current focus, particularly in the realm of human-machine transportation systems, is a direct continuation of my dissertation research. This focus aligns seamlessly with my interest in exploring the dynamic interactions between humans and advanced transport technologies. Therefore, transportation engineering resonates deeply with me, offering a rich platform to engage with my broad interests and to contribute significantly to this vital field.

What drew you to UCI/ITS-Irvine? What do you like best/find as strengths at UCI/ITS-Irvine?

Funding opportunities, kind people

Is there anyone at ITS-Irvine who has been particularly helpful, memorable, or supportive?

R. Jayakrishnan (helped me a lot about my PhD work and my faculty application) Sarah Hernandez (significantly enhanced the social vibe of ITS-Irvine)
Victoria Valentine Deguzman (very supportive about my job applications and professional networking)
Michael F. Hyland (very supportive about my postdoc research and my faculty application)

Are there any programs or activities at ITS-Irvine that you particularly enjoy or find useful?

The ITS-Irvine programs encouraged me to take a business school course on decision-making, which I am really grateful about.

If you could give students one piece of advice, what would it be? Or, what was the best piece of advice you received?

Have a goal, lay a wide and solid foundation for that goal, be patient, and enjoy the journey

What are your research interests and what types of projects are you currently working on?

I am interested in synergizing human intelligence and machine intelligence for resilient infrastructure and sustainable mobility services. The research projects I am working on are generally on this topic.

What do you consider your most significant research finding or accomplishment thus far? What are the next steps in this research/what do you have planned?

Developed a paradigm/research domain of “human-machine transportation systems.” My next steps are to obtain fundings and develop programs for continuing development of this research topic.

What are your other plans for future research?

Continue introducing and developing quantum cognition and quantum computing into the field of transportation engineering

What issues in transportation keep you up at night?

What is REALLY a good transportation system

Is there someone or something that has inspired you?

Amos Tversky, Richard Thaler, Jay Forrester, Donella Meadows

What are you watching right now?

Superstore

What is your favorite book/who is your favorite author? What are you reading right now?

Thinking Fast & Slow by Daniel Kahneman

What is a fun fact about you?

I was trained as a gymnast during my childhood. But I later realized that I like books a lot better.

What is something about you that most people don’t know?

I like elevator music.

What is your superpower?

Using analogy

What is your UCI degree?

My UCI degrees are MSCE (Transportation) 1995 and BSCE 1993.

Who was your advisor?

My advisor for undergraduate studies was Professor Stephen G. Ritchie and my graduate advisor was Professor Michael McNally.

What drew you to UCI? What do you like best/find as strengths at UCI?

I transferred from Pasadena City College to UCI in the fall of 1990 as a junior. Although I was also accepted by UC Davis, I decided to attend UCI to be closer to home (in Los Angeles).

Once I arrived at UCI, I completely immersed myself in every opportunity available, including student organizations such as ASCE, ITE, Engineering Student Council, and the campus-wide Yearbook (1992-1993) as a staff photographer.

In the early 1990s, Irvine was like a teenager – professors were encouraging, eager to experiment, and so much had not been done before. We all had chances to try and pave our own ways.

How did you become interested in transportation? And what interests you most right now?

I recall being fascinated by a guest lecture (a former student of Professor Ritchie) on transportation projects, traveling, and the magnitude of impact by transportation. That lecture sparked my interests in transportation engineering. Later on, I took a course called Introduction to Social Ecology. That class sparked my parallel interest in city planning and geography.

It’s been 30 years since I earned my BSCE. In the last 30 years, I’ve worked in public and private industry on transportation issues in addition to adjunct teaching in colleges (UCI, UCLA, USC) for a combined 23 years so far. I recently retired from 27-years of public service and established my own consulting firm while teaching transportation courses at USC. I don’t foresee myself retiring anytime soon.

What drew you to UCI/ITS-Irvine? What do you like best/find as strengths at UCI/ITS-Irvine?

I began working for several PhD candidates at UCI-ITS when Professor Ritchie hired me as an undergraduate research assistant. After earning BSCE myself, I received an ITS fellowship and continued my graduate studies.

Is there anyone at ITS-Irvine who has been particularly helpful, memorable, or supportive?

I am grateful for Professor Ritchie and Professor McNally for their guidance and friendship over the last 30+ years!

Are there any programs or activities at ITS-Irvine that you particularly enjoy or find useful?

It’s always nice to meet up with former classmates and new graduates of ITS-Irvine at the annual TRB meeting.

If you could give students one piece of advice, what would it be? Or, what was the best piece of advice you received?

No singular path will define who we are. Learn from others, but have the courage to chart our own trails.

What are your research interests and what types of projects are you currently working on?

My research interests include intermodal freight and organizational leadership.

What issues in transportation keep you up at night?

Safety, equity and security issues in transportation keep me up at night.

Is there someone or something that has inspired you?

Mobility should be considered as a basic human right. We, transportation professionals, need to recognize that our work has an immediate and long-lasting impact on the movements of people and goods universally.

What are you watching right now?

I spend time on anything related to technology, travel, and history on Tik Tok.

What is a fun fact about you?

As a professional photographer, I have ultra-sharp visual observation.

What is something about you that most people don’t know?

I served two years of military service in the Chinese Taiwan army before I emigrated to the United States.

What is your superpower?

My superpower is capturing moments through photography to become eternity for friends.

University of California, Irvine (UCI) senior, Uriah Campos, was recently named the Pacific Southwest Region Undergraduate Student of the Year. Campos is majoring in Urban Studies with a GIS Specialization, and a minor in Management.

“I met Mr. Campos when he applied last spring for a position as an Undergraduate Research Assistant as part of the Transportation Undergraduate Research Assistant Program here at the Institute for Transportation Studies, Irvine,” notes UCI Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michael Hyland, who nominated Campos for this award. “I am his faculty advisor for his research project, Equitable Design of Shared E-bikes and E-scooter Systems within American Cities. This summer and fall, as part of his research, Mr. Campos investigated the implementation and design of shared e-bike and e-scooter systems within several US cities. He performed a spatial equity analysis utilizing ArcGIS to create maps and visualizations of spatial data illustrating the relationship between e-bike and e-scooter service quality in comparison to neighborhood demographics.”

Campos completed transportation-related research projects in each of his sophomore, junior, and senior years, and his research has been recognized broadly. He was invited to present his research at the 2024 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Forum on Integrated and Sustainable Transportation System (IEEE FISTS) in Riverside, California in February of this year, at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in January, to California Secretary of Transportation, Toks Omishakin and UCI in August, 2023, and at the 2023 Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Conference and General Assembly in Palm Desert, California this past May. He was also selected to represent UCI at the California Transportation Foundation (CTF) to participate in the 2023 CTF Education Symposium in Walnut Creek, California this past November, and was awarded and Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Travel and Publication Award to facilitate his progress this academic year. Campos is also a high performing student, maintaining Dean’s Honor list status through his junior and senior years.

Campos’ career goal is to design cities for optimal and sustainable transportation systems. “I am so honored to have received the PSR Undergraduate Student of the Year award,” Campos shares. “I am deeply appreciative to be recognized for all the hard work and research that I’ve been able to complete as an undergraduate here at UCI. I am thankful to have worked with everyone who has offered me their help and support, especially my advisors at the UCI Institute of Transportation Studies. I have been able to learn from so many great experiences and opportunities that I am thrilled to take with me as I graduate and enter a career within the field of planning.”

“Uriah is an exceptional student who is a pleasure to have in my research group. He shows great promise as a young researcher, and will represent PSR well,” adds Dr. Hyland.

Campos will present his research and receive his award at the PSR Annual Congress this spring in Las Vegas, Nevada.