June '25 Newsletter

MTI NEWS

June 2025

 

To ensure the efficient movement of people and goods, we must prepare the next generation of skilled transportation professionals who can lead a thriving, forward-thinking transportation industry for a more connected world. To that end, MTI proudly hosted its 33rd Annual Banquet and Convocation Celebration at San José State University on June 21, 2025. Esteemed trustees, generous sponsors, local leaders, graduates, friends, and family gathered to celebrate our 2025 MSTM graduates.
 

*This event was presented by ACE and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission.

MTI proudly recognizes April Lucchesi as the ACE Distinguished Student of the Year. A Civil Engineer at Caltrans District 11 in San Diego, April has served in diverse roles across Structure Design, Construction, Project Management, and Broadband Network initiatives. Currently serving as the Acting Design Support Supervisor, she leverages her extensive experience to develop safe and efficient transportation networks that meet the needs of California communities. April exemplifies the leadership, dedication, and impact that the MSTM program inspires, and we are honored to celebrate her achievements as she continues to shape the future of mobility.

THANK YOU to ACE,  AC Transit, AECOM,  AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department, Alstom, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials ( AASHTO), American Public Transportation Association ( APTA), Allied Telesis, Association of American Railroads ( AAR), Bay Area Rapid Transit ( BART), California High-Speed Rail Authority ( CAHSRA),  California Strategies, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials ( COMTO), Contra Costa Transportation Authority ( CCTA),  Econolite, Glydways,  HNTB, InfraStrategies, Latinos in Transit, Lea+Elliott, Mott MacDonald,  SamTrans, San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission,  San Jose Department of Transportation, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority ( VTA), TYLin, Uber Transit,  United Airlines, WMH Corporation, and WSP for supporting the MTI Student Fellowship Fund! Your generous contributions will support the next generation of transportation leaders. 

Allied Telesis congratulates the 2025 graduates of San Jose State University’s graduating class of Master of Science in Transportation Management program. Your dedication has equipped you with the essential knowledge, skills, and experiences to lead the future of transportation. We celebrate your achievements and look forward to your continued success.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the industry’s largest and most influential trade association for all modes of public transit, leads the industry in a new mobility era, advocating to connect and build thriving communities. APTA delivers a wide array of products and services to support its members, including advocacy, networking, statistical and policy information, and professional and career development. Learn more at www.apta.com.

California Transportation Foundation’s Program Award for Organized Research

We are proud to share that the California State University Transportation Consortium (CSUTC), led by MTI, has received the California Transportation Foundation’s Program Award for Organized Research. This honor recognizes CSUTC’s exceptional contributions to research, workforce development, and innovation across California’s transportation sector.

First established in 2018, CSUTC comprises four key partners–CSU Chico, CSU Fresno, CSU Long Beach, and San José State University–as well as collaborations across the entire CSU system. CSUTC research advances California’s mobility, transportation systems, and decisions about the current and future position and condition of transport in the Golden State. The focus of CSUTC research is safe, reliable solutions that increase the mobility of people and goods and strengthen California’s economy, with special concentration on high priority areas as identified by  Senate Bill 1  (SB1).

Since 2018, CSUTC has supported groundbreaking work— including four patents, a smartphone app for pothole management, and free curriculum for preschool and elementary students—while also publishing 210 peer-reviewed research projects with an additional 60 more underway. With 18 CSU campuses engaged and alumni now leading at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Caltrans, LA Metro, Orange County Transportation Authority, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), and more, CSUTC’s work is shaping the future of mobility across the state and the country.

Congratulations to MTI Executive Director Dr. Karen Philbrick, Deputy Executive Director Dr. Hilary Nixon, CSU Chico’s Dr. DingXin Cheng, CSU Fresno’s Dr. Aly Tawfik, CSU Long Beach’s Dr. Tom O’Brien and Dr. Hamid Rahai, for their leadership, MTI Director of Operations Alverina Weinardy for her invaluable contributions to MTI’s endeavors, and to the entire CSUTC network for this well-earned recognition!

Congratulations MSTM student Margaret Karraker for winning the 2025 HNTB Spark Scholarship! Maggie’s journey into transportation began during her undergraduate studies in Ecology and Environmental Science at Augusta University, where she first began to understand her goal of addressing one of the world’s most urgent issues: climate change.

“Growing up in a family that worked in the railroad industry, I knew I wanted to be a part of connecting the world, but in a different way,” said Maggie. “I took a keen interest in environmental science and later realized I could combine both efforts by working to not only address the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and fossil fuels consumption with technological breakthroughs that give more areas of the population accessibility to these modes of transportation.”

Through the MSTM program, she furthers her goal of deploying environmentally sustainable solutions. Maggie explained, “The HNTB Spark Scholarship gives me the financial support I need to continue this important work.”

This is the third time the HNTB Spark Scholarship for the Master of Science in Transportation Management Graduate Program at San José State University’s Lucas College and Graduate School of Business has been awarded. The scholarship, which was designed to financially support and increase opportunities for students from historically underserved and underrepresented communities, empowering the next generation of transportation leaders, was previously awarded to Sonja Johnson and Girmay Beyene—both of whom recently graduated! Like Sonja and Girmay, Maggie demonstrates this “spark” in her aspirations and dedication to growth and giving back. Congrats again, Maggie! 

An Olympian Task: Security for the Super Bowl, World Cup, and Olympics

With California set to host several major global events—including the 2026 and 2027 Super Bowls, FIFA World Cup matches, and the 2028 Olympics—this expert perspective explores the complex security and mobility challenges these mega-events pose. Drawing on decades of experience in anti-terrorism and event planning, the piece examines how geopolitics, evolving threats, and public transit systems all play critical roles in keeping cities safe and moving. It calls for sustained civic engagement, along with careful planning and policymaking, to protect both the events and the communities that host them. This perspective builds on insights shared during the 16th Annual Mineta National Transportation Policy Summit webinar, “ Beyond the Stadium: Keeping Cities Moving During Mega-Events,” presented by the  Commonwealth Club World Affairs  and the Mineta Transportation Institute.

Assessing Perceived Safety of Non Motorized Travel with Virtual Reality

As cycling grows in popularity for health and sustainability, concerns around safety persist—especially with rising crash fatalities. A recent MTI study tackled this issue using a virtual reality bicycle simulator to examine how different bike lane designs affect cyclist behavior, stress, and perceptions of safety. Using sensors to track speed, eye movement, and heart rate, 50 participants rode through simulated street environments featuring sharrows, curbside bike lanes, and protected bike lanes with flexible barriers. Results showed that protected bike lanes were rated safest, lowered stress levels, and improved focus—especially among female riders. 

From Doorstep to Bus Stop: Ridesharing as a First-Mile/Last-Mile Transit Connection

Since the early 20th century, American transportation has centered on personal vehicles—contributing to congestion, pollution, and public health costs. Despite the benefits of public transit, many remain dependent on cars due to challenges like the first-mile/last-mile (FMLM) gap. This perspective explores how ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft can serve as effective FMLM solutions when partnered with public transit. Drawing on case studies from the FTA’s Mobility on Demand Sandbox Program and other initiatives, it highlights how public-private partnerships can improve multimodal connectivity, expand access, and better serve underserved communities.

Strategized Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Predicting and Extending the Service Life of Concrete Pavements and Bridges

Durable concrete is essential for the construction of long-lasting roads and bridges, especially as climate change places growing stress on transportation infrastructure. This research explores innovative strategies to extend the service life of concrete in pavements and bridge decks while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Focusing on chloride ion penetration, a key factor in steel corrosion, the study highlights the benefits of using lightweight aggregates to enhance concrete’s resistance and durability. The findings provide practical guidance for building more resilient, low-impact infrastructure that supports safe and sustainable mobility across the U.S.

Caltrans is gathering community insights on how freight activities—trucks, trains, ports, and local deliveries—affect everyday life. Your feedback will guide the California Freight Mobility Plan. 

Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey and interactive map by July 15, 2025: https://bit.ly/CaltransCFMP_outreach.

Questions? Contact Kiran Parmar at kiranjit.parmar@dot.ca.gov.