Consistent VMT Mapping and Modeling in California: How Can We Better Assess the VMT Impacts of State and Local Transportation Projects?

SERENA ALEXANDER, PHD

Dr. Alexander is an Associate Professor of Environmental Policy and Engineering at Northeastern University. Her research predominantly focuses on developing and implementing cutting-edge strategies to address climate change and the environmental impacts of transportation. Before joining the Northeastern faculty, Dr. Alexander was an Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at San José State University. Between 2022 and 2024, she served as a Visiting Scholar at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Climate Change Center (CCC) and the Office of the Under Secretary, where she provided leadership and research on the development of policy centered around all major transportation issues, such as infrastructure development, climate, innovation, and equity. She has published several peer-reviewed journal articles and technical reports and presented her research at national and international conferences. She has also established the American Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) and Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) collaboration platform, focusing on climate justice and best practices of climate action planning. She holds a doctoral degree in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University, and master’s degrees in Urban and Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and Architectural Engineering from Azad University of Tehran.

SHAMS TANVIR, PHD

Dr. Tanvir is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management (CECEM) at California State University, Long Beach. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka. His research aims to develop and characterize transportation technologies that minimize energy consumption and emissions while enhancing mobility efficiency and equity. Dr. Tanvir is a member of the Transportation Research Board committee on Highway Capacity and Quality of Service, and Transportation Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation. He chairs the Sustainable Transportation committee at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He has served as a Principal Investigator in projects sponsored by US Department of Transportation, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the US Department of Education, and the California Department of Transportation. Dr. Tanvir received his Ph.D. in Transportation Systems Engineering from North Carolina State University. He received B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from BUET.

SYED TANVIR AHMED

Syed Tanvir Ahmed is a graduate student in Civil Engineering at California State University, Long Beach. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University in 2021. His research focuses on transportation impact studies, planning, and operations, emphasizing efficient traffic flow, multimodal transit systems, and sustainable urban mobility solutions. He aims to provide efficient and sustainable solutions that enhance connectivity and urban development.

ANNIE JONES

Annie Jones is a graduate student in the Urban and Regional Planning program at San José State University. She received her bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from California State University, Monterey Bay in 2023. During her undergraduate studies, she gained a passion for the intersection between climate change, people, and the built environment. Her career goals involve working in the environmental planning sector to create greener, more resilient places for people to thrive.