News Archives - Page 2 of 12 - The Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Irvine

The Institute of Transportation Studies is proud to spotlight Sara Kabbara for her contributions to the 2026 Transportation Research Immersion Program (TRIP). Sara is a Chemistry major with an Emphasis in Natural Sciences at Irvine Valley College and is working toward a career in pharmacy. Her interests lie at the intersection of public health and community well-being, with a focus on how transportation systems and the built environment influence health outcomes.

“What intrigues me most is how deeply transportation infrastructure is tied to public health outcomes. From urban air quality and emissions to the design of walkable communities that encourage active transit, the way we move directly impacts a population’s physical wellness.”

TRIP provides students like Sara with the opportunity to explore how transportation research can contribute to healthier communities. Drawing from her passion for public health, she is interested in understanding how transportation systems, emissions, and community design affect quality of life. Through research, she hopes to identify structural and preventative approaches that address health challenges before they arise.

“Researching these connections allows us to find preventative, structural solutions to widespread health challenges.”

As part of this project, Sara hopes to deepen her understanding of healthy built environments and the role transportation networks play in shaping community health. She is especially interested in how active transportation infrastructure can reduce reliance on emissions-heavy transit and support long-term public wellness.

“I want to discover how intentional urban planning can be used as a primary tool for preventative medicine and public wellness.”

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.

The Institute of Transportation Studies is proud to spotlight Izabel Vicente for her contributions to the 2026 Transportation Research Immersion Program (TRIP). Izabel is a Human Biology major at UC Irvine with aspirations of becoming a physician assistant. Growing up in Santa Ana and living near a freeway her entire life sparked her interest in understanding how transportation infrastructure and environmental conditions affect public health, particularly in underserved communities.

“What interests me most about transportation research is understanding how transportation and freeway environments can affect human health over time. Having lived next to a freeway my entire life, I have personally seen family members struggle with asthma and severe allergies.”

TRIP allows students like Izabel to explore the connection between transportation and community health through hands-on research. Motivated by her experiences with pollution exposure near her home, she is interested in examining how transportation-related pollution and noise may contribute to respiratory illnesses, stress, and other long-term health concerns. Through this work, she hopes to better understand the environmental factors that shape health outcomes.

“These experiences are what drive my interest in research. I want to better understand the relationship between transportation pollution and human health, specifically how environmental exposure may contribute to respiratory disease, allergies, stress, and other chronic health issues.”

As part of TRIP, Izabel hopes to strengthen her research and analytical skills while learning how to investigate environmental health challenges. She believes these experiences will help prepare her for a future career in healthcare and equip her to address health disparities through evidence-based solutions.

“As part of this project, I hope to develop strong critical thinking and research skills that will help me both as a future physician assistant and in solving real-world problems.”

Story and Photographs by Stephanie Santos

On Friday, April 24, 2026, UCI Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS-Irvine) hosted a rapid-fire research summit. The event was the inaugural Mobility Partnership meeting, where ITS-Irvine researchers and key transportation stakeholders came together to align research with real-world priorities. Leading the event were newly appointed ITS-Irvine Director Jean-Daniel Saphores, and ITS-Irvine faculty Sarah Catz.

Faculty, researchers, and students affiliated with ITS-Irvine and representatives from the Orange County Transportation Authority, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the Riverside County Transportation Commission, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority and the Transportation Corridor Agencies – were in attendance including Executive Director at the Southern California Association of Governments Kome Ajise and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Orange County Transportation Authority Jennifer Bergener. Also participating were representatives from the Offices of Congressman Dave Min, State Senator Catherine Blakespear, Assembly Member Cottie Petrie- Norris and Irvine Mayor Larry Agran.

ITS-Irvine faculty presented their research through a rapid-fire system, with each speaker having one minute to present before answering questions from stakeholders.

Douglas Houston, Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy at UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology. Houston presented his research on infrastructure equity, which includes examining resident perceptions of neighborhood change related to major projects like the OC Streetcar. Houston explains, “So we [Houston’s research team] look at where the projects are, are they going to be addressing historic inequalities and the process? How are the decisions made, and were community groups involved in that process?”

Community wellbeing was a common focus among ITS-Irvine research projects. Research conducted by Dr. Jun Wu, professor at Wen School of Population and Public Health, uses deep learning and satellite imagery to detect heavy-duty trucks and map their impact on disadvantaged communities near the Ports of LA and Long Beach.

Elijaah Knaap, Assistant Professor in Urban Planning and Public Policy at UCI School of Social Ecology, presented his research involving analyzing the social and economic consequences of ICE raids and subsequent protests in the Los Angeles region.

Knaap explains, “We want to understand the chilling effect of these law enforcement activities, and whether people were willing to leave their houses and go and spend money and participate in the economy throughout the region.”

ITS-Irvine students were also given the opportunity to share their research before and after the event as attendees networked. Posters summarizing research done by these emerging scholars were displayed around the room.

Once all faculty members finished presenting their research, an interactive discussion where stakeholders could share their priorities and concerns was held. Priorities and concerns mainly related to housing, land use, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) as a core transportation metric, and infrastructure. Despite the many concerns voiced, though, there is a positive path to be seen. Ajise states, “[We] live in probably one of the most fun, economically vital regions on the planet… We’re seeing incredible potential.”

The Mobility Partnership meeting will be a recurring event to continue aligning research and real-world issues to capitalize on that exponential potential and shape the future of transportation and our communities.

Dr. Sarah L. Catz was featured as an expert in WalletHub’s latest “Best & Worst States to Drive In” report, which ranks all 50 U.S. states on driving conditions based on factors like cost, traffic, safety, and infrastructure. You can read the full article here.

Author: Pearce, Jeannine Marie; Ulibarri, Nicola, PhD; Borowski, Elisa, PhD

Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Irvine

At ITS-Irvine, researchers are exploring how environmental justice (EJ) can be more fully integrated into transportation, climate, and hazard preparedness planning. This study looks at how overlapping layers of governance in Greater Los Angeles—from city to regional to state—can both help and hinder progress toward equity-centered planning.

For decades, urban planning decisions such as redlining and freeway construction have divided neighborhoods and placed communities of color closer to pollution and other environmental risks. While efforts to include EJ principles in public policy have grown, they often remain scattered across agencies and plans rather than connected through a shared framework.

By reviewing 16 regional plans focused on climate action, racial equity, transportation, and hazard preparedness, the researchers assess how each addresses the core EJ values of recognition, participation, and fairness in outcomes. Their findings point to the need for stronger coordination and intentional planning across all levels of government to ensure every community benefits equally from investments in safety, mobility, and sustainability.

Key Research Findings

Recognition Justice is Inconsistent Across Plans
Multi-Level Governance (MLG) Increases Coordination and Capacity, but EJ Remains Underemphasized
Community Engagement is Correlated with Equity Integration in Planning
Social Movements are Associated with Equity Integration as EJ in Planning Increases Post-2019

Author: Wenlong Jin and Joseph Lo

Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Irvine

At ITS-Irvine, researchers are pioneering innovative methods that balance the power of data with the need to protect individual privacy. In this study, Dr. Wen-Long Jin and Joseph Lo explores how a “bathtub model” can serve as a privacy-preserving alternative to traditional traffic data collection. Transportation agencies depend on detailed trip data to improve roads and transit systems, yet conventional and “big data” methods often track travelers’ movements with concerning precision—raising ethical and legal challenges under growing privacy regulations.

The bathtub model offers a fresh, system-level approach that captures the overall flow of trips across a network without identifying individual travelers. By representing travel based on the remaining distance rather than specific routes, the model enables meaningful insights into network performance while keeping personal data anonymous. This work demonstrates that it’s possible to advance transportation planning and analytics without compromising public trust or individual privacy.

Key Research Findings

The bathtub model effectively captures network traffic dynamics while preserving traveler privacy
The bathtub model was successfully validated using public bike-sharing data
Computational needs are low, enabling rapid assessments

Author: Wenlong Jin

Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Irvine

At ITS-Irvine, researchers are advancing the science of automated vehicle safety to ensure a smoother transition toward mixed human-autonomous traffic. In this study, Dr. Wenlong Jin addresses a critical gap in how automated vehicles (AVs) interpret and respond to real-world driving conditions. Current car-following models often fail to mimic the nuanced braking and spacing behaviors of human drivers, leading to potential safety and traffic-flow issues—especially at intersections designed for human decision-making.

To overcome this challenge, Dr. Wenlong Jin developed a multi-phase projection-based model that allows AVs to anticipate future braking scenarios rather than simply react to present conditions. This approach produces driving patterns that are both safer and more human-like, reducing the likelihood of “dilemma zones” and improving coordination between AVs and traditional vehicles. The work provides an essential step toward ensuring that automated vehicles can coexist harmoniously with human drivers and the infrastructure shaping California’s transportation future.

Key Research Findings

Standard car-following models have significant limitations in maintaining safe distances between vehicles in everyday driving situations
Human drivers are able to anticipate when other vehicles may brake, but existing car-following models fail to adequately do this
Our car-following model mathematically guarantees safety while exhibiting human-like behavior
The model can be readily installed in AV systems

The Institute of Transportation Studies, Irvine is proud to spotlight student researcher, Miles Shaffie, for his involvement in the 2025 Pre-College Research Immersion Program (PRIME).

As a Senior at Dana Hills High School, Miles supports his passion for civil engineering and transportation with a strong academic foundation in math and science in addition to active involvement in AP and honors coursework.

“I’ve always known that I have a curious mind, questioning the way things work… it’s through experiences like these that allow me to better shape my path in the engineering world.”

As a PRIME participant, Miles assisted with research fueling the LA Metro “28 by 28” Railway Expansion Project. In addition to building his public speaking skillset, PRIME helped Miles gain experience in real-world data collection and analysis within an academic setting.

“The data collection and analysis skills help in the research I conduct for my own construction projects… Having opportunities to present throughout this project has given me added confidence that I will carry over to my future college and career endeavors.”

With the supportive leadership of faculty researcher Dr. Elisa Borowski and graduate student Montana Reinoehl, Miles learned the importance of community and guidance when searching for solutions to transportation projects.

“I really felt a sense of community in this team. I knew that if I had any questions or needed advice I could turn to them.”

The experience Miles gained over the summer prepares him for a career full of meaningful impacts on infrastructure. Inspired by a recent trip to Costa Rica, Miles approaches transportation with a global perspective. He hopes one day his research can contribute to improving transportation systems in developing countries.

“I visited Costa Rica and noticed the road system is drastically underdeveloped… I would love to find opportunities to help innovate their infrastructure because it is a beautiful country with amazing people.”

Miles is a testament to the impact of early exposure to research and mentorship within the field of engineering. Opportunities for collaboration, such as PRIME, empower students to envision a more connected future.

“This program showed me that engineers have a monumental impact, and I am grateful for my trajectory to join this community.”

Each summer, the ITS-Irvine Transportation Research Immersion Program (TRIP) and the Pre-college Research Immersion Program pairs 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 Valentine Deguzman at vvdeguzm@uci.edu.

The Institute of Transportation Studies, Irvine is proud to spotlight former TRIP participant, Sara L., for her new position at NTT DATA. At NTT DATA, Sara will work as an Associate Data Engineer, joining a graduate team delivering technical consulting across multiple industries. Sara’s background in mathematics and her computational skillset has prepared her for real-world problem solving, both within and beyond transportation and infrastructure challenges.

“I’m excited to work toward getting a doctorate in engineering that allows me to apply my math and data science experience.”

As an undergraduate researcher, Sara focused on prompt engineering for traffic signal warrant analysis, aiming to enhance efficiency and accuracy in traffic engineering workflows. In the process, Sara created a Python framework to test and evaluate large language models (LLMs) using traffic data. From her efforts, Sara discovered performance gaps in LLMs when applied to engineering-specific tasks and developed targeted recommendations for improvement. In January 2025, Sara presented these recommendations amongst many other findings at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) 104th Annual Meeting.
Sara’s new role at NTT DATA will expose her to a diverse array of innovation across many sectors including transportation, finance, and technology.

“NTT DATA explores a lot of different industries, and I’m excited to explore how my skills are transferrable across industries. At an international company, I will be able to learn about what the process is like across cultures and learn about their unique perspective.”

Sara’s career journey is an inspiration to current TRIP/ PRIME participants who are looking to improve the future through interdisciplinary learning and curiosity. She encourages others to open themselves up to opportunities, even when the path may seem uncertain.

“Don’t let failure or unexpected circumstances get to you! Sometimes there’s something better on the other side.”.

Each summer, the ITS-Irvine Transportation Research Immersion Program (TRIP) and the Pre-college Research Immersion Program pairs 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 Valentine Deguzman at vvdeguzm@uci.edu.

The Institute of Transportation Studies, Irvine is proud to spotlight Dr. Dominic Bednar for their contributions to a sustainable tomorrow. Dr. Bednar is many things—an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy at UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology, a leader in energy justice, an innovative researcher—but most importantly they’re community-centric.

One of Dr. Bednar’s first communities began at the University of Maryland where they majored in Civil Engineering and minored in Sustainability Studies. During this time, Dr. Bednar’s interest in environmental justice and energy poverty took root, eventually guiding them to the University of Michigan. There, Dr. Bednar earned a Masters in Sustainable Systems and a Ph.D. in Environment and Sustainability. Since then, Dr. Bednar’s interdisciplinary background has informed three years of people-oriented transportation research. Their hopes for the future of transportation challenge the equity gap exacerbated by the single-person vehicle.

“My vision is a transit system that transforms how we move and transforms the world around us…I hope for a future where transportation is nearly free or universally accessible, where you can get where you need to go with your own two feet or whatever mobility you require.”

Currently, Dr. Bednar’s research examines Los Angeles and Atlanta, two cities that experience some of the highest levels of traffic and car dependency in the world. In addition to determining what contributes to car-dependency, Dr. Bednar’s project will also engage community members in thinking sessions to reimagine the future of transportation.

“If I’m going to do this job any justice, I feel like doing it on behalf of the people is really what is important to me. No matter how expert of a team I put together, it won’t be that expert unless it includes folks on the front lines.”

When Dr. Bednar isn’t expanding the field of energy justice research, they’re building a global network. They’re a leader in policy as a member of the Black Hive for the Black Lives Movement and the Co-founder of Black in Environment, two organizations that prioritize environmental and racial justice. They’re a DJ, a sonic artist, an avid traveler, and an outdoor enthusiast. It’d be easier to list everything Dr. Bednar isn’t, then everything they are.

“If we don’t take our joy and our pleasure and our excitement for ourselves, there will be no time for it. Traveling, music, and language learning are just as much part of my practice as research—they keep me balanced and connected.”

Dr. Bednar’s accomplishments stem from their connection to community. Their contributions to the Institute of Transportation Studies is fueled by a desire to provide others with the same opportunity.