THE PINELLAS ENGINEER Chapter Newsletter

December 2013

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E 1 Pinellas Calendar of Events

2 Message from the President

3 FES Pinellas Chapter News

4 FES News from Tallahassee

5 Attachments

12 FES Membership Lunch & Tour with Mr. Ken Jacobs – Map Attached

December 2013

Pinellas County Primary Traffic Control Center 22211 US 19 N, Building One, Clearwater 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Bring a Toy to donate to Toys for Tots! 13 FES Pinellas Board of Directors Meeting Village Inn, Gulf to Bay Boulevard 7:30 – 8:30 AM

17 FES Pinellas Board of Directors Meeting

January 2013

Village Inn, Gulf to Bay Boulevard 7:30 – 8:30 AM

4-5 PE Legislative Days in Tallahassee

February 2014

15 MATHCOUNTS at SPC Seminole Campus 21 Engineer’s Week Banquet

Dear Fellow Members:

The holidays are upon us, the time to celebrate friends and family. The time to help, contribute and rejoice. As this year comes to an end, I want to thank you all for your enthusiastic support of our Chapter and your dedication to your profession.

Our Chapter once again was very active this last year in developing and delivering a wide variety of professional programs, social activities and other educational and philanthropic initiatives for our members, our families, friends and communities such as MATHCOUNTS, golf tournaments, baseball games, scholarships, the Engineer’s Week celebration and banquet, the Transportation Supersession, the Great American Teach-In, ongoing K-12 programs, and the St. Petersburg College Student Chapter.

Looking to the New Year, we are in a very sound and strong financial position. This will enable us to continue providing our membership with even better professional development programs, service benefits and community outreach programs.

I want to thank FDOT’s District Seven Secretary, Mr. Paul Steinman, our keynote speaker at our November meeting, for a very exciting and informative presentation.

I am very excited to announce that our December meeting will be held at the Pinellas County Primary Traffic Control Center on December 12, 2013. Mr. Ken Jacobs, Pinellas County’s Traffic Engineering Manager is hosting our group with a tour of the facility and a presentation on Pinellas County’s ITS/ATMS system.

Check out the calendar section of the newsletter for details on your Monthly meetings, Board meetings and other events. Come join us at your Board meetings! Your suggestions are always welcome. Hope to see you soon! Thanks again, Mahshid Arasteh, PE President, FES Pinellas Chapter

2013-2014 Pinellas Chapter Officers President Mahshid Arasteh, P.E. President Elect Fred Dargahi, P.E. Vice President Brad Foran, P.E. Treasurer Jon Gotwald, P.E. Secretary Jeremy Runkle, P.E. State Director Kevin Becotte, P.E. Past President David O’Connor, P.E.

FES PINELLAS CHAPTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

1

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

2

December 2013

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COMMITTEE REPORTS

FES Annual Conference Steering Committee Meeting was conducted on November 20, 2013. Below are the highlights:

ANNUAL CONFERENCE STEERING COMMITTEE

1. The Theme for the August 2014 Conference will be “Engineers Lead the Way".

2. It will be held at Marco Island 3. PDH’s will be offered. 4. There will be 4 tracks, Civil and Mechanical,

Electrical, Environmental, Water & Wastewater 5. We are considering a few people for the

Keynote Speaker.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 18, 2013.

MATHCOUNTS is an annual event sponsored by the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Engineering Society, the Florida Engineering Society and the National Society of Professional Engineers. The Pinellas Chapter FES organizes and runs the Chapter competition with the winning teams promoted to the State and possibly even the National competition.

MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment, competition and club program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory.

Last year we had a phenomenal turnout of Mathletes and Volunteers supported by our sponsors.

Platinum: Clearwater Gas System, Parsons Brinkerhoff, SRI, Raytheon, Brighthouse Networks, Progress Energy (Duke)

We want to thank our 2013 Sponsors including:

Gold: Cardno TBE, CDM Smith, Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc., FGE Engineering, Inc, SAME, HSA Engineers & Scientists, Jones Edmunds & Assoc, Inc Silver: Publix Bronze: Williamson Dacar Architects.

We need your help again this year!

This year, the all day Pinellas Chapter event will take place on February 15, 2014 at St Petersburg College, Seminole Campus, in the Digitorium. We are now accepting sponsorships for the event for Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors. A sponsorship Application is attached in this newsletter. These sponsorships through the FES Foundation qualify as a 501(c)(3) donation for your Tax purposes. The SPC Seminole Digitorium is a great venue to have your company promoted at a very nominal cost. All sponsorships provide for food, operations, trophies, T-Shirts and awards for the teams and coaches.

Sponsorships:

We are also in need of giveaway bags so we can fill them with parting gifts for our Mathletes and Coaches. We usually plan on around 120 bags to give to our participants. Please consider donating your marketing bags, pencils, pens, mugs, cups, calculators, flying discs, coolie’s, rulers, thumb drives, hats or any other item that you would think a middle school student or coach would enjoy. Another opportunity to get your name out in the hands of our Future Engineers!

Donations:

We are currently in the planning stages already and need Volunteers to assist in the planning and the day of the event. Please contact Jon Gotwald at

Volunteers:

gotwald@georgefyoung.com or call at 727-822-4317 if you would like to be a part of an exciting day of fun and competition!

The 2013 Great American Teach In was a success again this year with schools filled with speakers and volunteers in their classrooms. I know of a few FES Engineers who participated, but I would like to thank all of those who took the time to talk to our future Engineers. Anyone who participated in the Teach In, please email me at gotwald@georgefyoung.com with the schools that you visited, the topics you talked about and how many hours you contributed. And remember to send any photos taken if you have them. I will add your names in the January Newsletter with a special thank you.

K-12 COMMITTEE

The Pinellas Regional Science and Engineering Fair is coming around again February 8, 2014 and there is a need for volunteer hjudges. Please give a little time out of your Saturday and come see what our brightest students in Pinellas County have to offer! It is really a fun time, and Sonny’s Bar-B-Que will be provided for lunch

FES PINELLAS CHAPTER NEWS

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December 2013

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too! Please see the flyer attached to the newsletter for more information.

Jon Gotwald, K-12 Committee Chair

Donate a toy to FES Pinellas Chapter for Toys for Tots! We will be collecting new, unwrapped toys during December to distribute as Christmas gifts to needy children in the Tampa Bay community. The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children experience the joy of Christmas and play an active role in their development. Join in uniting with the local community for a common cause and contribute to better our children’s future. Please bring your unwrapped toy to our next membership meeting on Dec. 12th.

TOYS FOR TOTS CAMPAIGN

Renew Today

2013-2014 FES Membership Dues Renewal

Thank you for your membership in the Florida Engineering Society (FES). We look forward to your continued support throughout the year.

Renew today and keep YOUR professional society strong.

The 2013-2014 FES Membership renewal statement is available for your review online. Invoices were mailed August 31, 2013 and payments were due on October 1, 2013. Please contact Amanda, Janice or Jane for assistance at 850-224-7121.

http://www.fleng.org/customers.cfm

NSPE Honor Awards promote the engineer profession's contributions to society and recognize the achievements of the profession's very best

NSPE AWARDS

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NSPE Award

The NSPE Award is the highest award given to an individual by the Society. It is presented to an engineer who has made outstanding contributions to the engineering profession, the public welfare, and/or humankind.

Nomination Form/More Information

http://www.nspe.org/AboutNSPE/Awards/nspe.html

Young Engineer of the Year Award

This award recognizes young NSPE members who have made outstanding contributions to the engineering profession and their communities during the early years of their careers.

Nomination Form/More Information

http://www.nspe.org/AboutNSPE/Awards/young_eng.html

NSPE Distinguished Service Award

This award was established to recognize NSPE's members for their exceptional technical contributions to the engineering profession, their contributions to their communities, and to NSPE.

Nomination Form/More information

http://www.nspe.org/AboutNSPE/Awards/distserv.html

FES NEWS FROM TALLAHASSEE

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December 2013

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2014 PE Legislative Days

LEGISLATIVE DAYS

Hosted by the Florida Engineering Society (FES) and Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE)

February 4-5, 2014

I have attended our FES Legislative Days for a number of years. I have had the opportunity to meet with our elected officials and I have learned that they are, for the most part, dedicated to the welfare of the public. I have also learned that we can influence the law making process. You need not be a seasoned veteran. Few of us are. You might be surprised at how effective a short visit with your representative can be. They may see hundreds of bills during the session and the time you take to call their attention to the ones that are important to us can prove to be invaluable. - John R. Hall, PE, F.NSPE.

Click here for more information and to register.

http://www.fleng.org/seminars.cfm?event_id=604

April 3-4, 2013

Mark Your Calendar

GMEC Conference, Orlando May 21-22, 2014

2014 FICE Transportation Conference

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport Hotel To Register/More Information Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) Call for Entries Official Entry Form: http://www.fleng.org/images/files/EEA-CallEntries2014.pdf Questions? Contact Debbie Hall, dhall@fleng.org

Continuing Education | Seminars, Conferences and Distance Learning

Upcoming Seminars & Conferences

January 15-16 FICE/FDOT Mutual Gains Negotiations For more information and to register, click here. https://www.fleng.org/seminars.cfm?event_id=593

December 2013

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Saturday, January 25-Wednesday, January 29, 2014

33rd Annual Water Management Conference Vail, Colorado Water and the Environment The Thirty-third Annual Vail Water Management Seminar will focus on “Water – And the Environment”. We have invited many participants of the early years to give us insight into the beginnings of this very successful conference. This is an excellent program for all water management decision-makers. Although this four-day course is primarily designed for persons already active in water matters, course materials and speakers will furnish sufficient background information so that all participants will benefit and enjoy. The seminar schedule is a rigorous one, with formal three-hour sessions each morning, which includes informal exchanges among participants having similar interests. Each participant is also assigned to a small two and a half-hour group discussion session in the late afternoon, Sunday through Wednesday. Groupings are changed daily so that each participant has an opportunity to meet and interact with other participants. This year the Florida Bar is expected to authorize 23 hours of C.L.E. credit for this seminar, as well as C.E. credits through the Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE). The Water Management Institute is a FBPE approved C.E. course provider.

Course Registration Fees:

Before November 01, 2013: Participant - $545, Guest - $50 After November 01, 2013: Participant - $695, Guest - $75

Registration Fee includes a one year membership in the Water Management Institute. Register online by clicking here: http://www.fleng.org/seminars.cfm?event_id=602

Upcoming Distance Learning & Webinars

January 16 – Basic and Mutiparameter Demand-Controlled Ventilation For more information and to register, click here. http://www.fleng.org/seminars.cfm?event_id=596

Calendar of Events | January 2014

January 9-11 FELI Class of 2014, Session II, Hilton Walt Disney World Orlando

January 15-16 FICE/FDOT Mutual Gains Negotiations Seminar (Tampa)

https://www.fleng.org/seminars.cfm?event_id=593

January 16 Basic and Multiparameter Demand-Controlled Ventilation Webinar

http://www.fleng.org/seminars.cfm?event_id=596

Calendar of Events | February 2014

February 4 - 5 FELI Class of 2014, Session III, Four Points by Sheraton, Tallahassee

February 16 - 22 Engineers Week

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CHAPTER OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS 2012 - 2013

PRESIDENT SECRETARY Annual Meeting David O’Connor (727) 431-1543 Mahshid Arasteh, PE American Quality Consultants (727) 543-1458 americanqualityconsultants@gmail.com

Jeremy Runkle, PE Cardno (727) 531-3505 Jeremy.Runkle@cardno.com

Awards Kevin Becotte (727) 464-5377 Charter & Bylaws Kevin Becotte (727) 464-5377 Communications Rick Bowers Conservation & Eviro. Quality Vacant

PRESIDENT ELECT PAST PRESIDENT Construct Environment Vacant Fred Dargahi, PE City of St. Petersburg (727) 892-5379 fred.dargahi@stpete.org

David O’Connor, PE Cardno (727) 431-1543 david.oconnor@cardnotbe.com

Energy Vacant Ethical Practice Kevin Becotte (727) 464-5377 E-Week Banquet David O’Connor (727) 431-1543 Golf Tournament Fred Dargahi (727) 892-5379 K-12 Education Jon Gotwald (727) 822-4317

VICE PRESIDENT STATE DIRECTOR Leadership Adv. Pete Stasis (813) 258-0703 Brad Foran, PE Lighthouse Engineering (727) 726-7856 bforan@lighthouseenginc.com

Kevin Becotte Pinellas County (727) 464-5377 kbecotte@pinellascounty.org

Legislative & Government Affairs Mahshid Arasteh (727) 543-1458 Membership Development Chuck Warrington (727) 562-4901 MathCounts Jon Gotwald (727) 822-4317 MathCounts Pete Stasis (813) 258-0703 Professional Concerns Vacant

TREASURER FES STATE Professional Development Bob Pierro (727) 789-9500 Jonathan Gotwald, PE George F. Young, Inc. (727) 822-4317 gotwald@georgefyoung.com

PO Box 750 Tallahassee, FL 32302-0750 1255 Gadson St. Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 224-7121 FES@fleng.org

Scholarship Justin Keller (727) 526-9158 Student Professional Development Pete Stasis (813) 258-0703 Transportation Supersession Vacant FPEG Kevin Becotte (727) 464-5377 FECON Michael Gibson (410) 872-2250

FEE Vacant FPEI Rich Fraze FPER Don Henderson FICE Dorian Modjeski (727) 431-1543

November 14, 2013 Dear Friend of Science, The Pinellas Regional Science and Engineering Fair will be held at the Seminole Middle School....and we need your help. You are invited to serve as a judge at our fair on Saturday, February 8th 2014 from 8:00 a.m. until approximately 3:00 p.m. Again this year we anticipate over 200 projects from public and private middle and high school students. Twenty four students will be chosen to represent the Pinellas Region at the State Science and Engineering Fair in Lakeland. Of course, many projects must be chosen to receive "special awards" and category awards ranging from 4th Place to Best of Fair! Won't you please consider sharing your expertise by helping us make these very important decisions? The added dimension of the interaction the students will have with a professional of your prominence will prove to be a valuable experience for their individual growth in academic studies as well as assisting them in future career decisions. It is our hope that you will share our enthusiasm regarding the quality of research being accomplished by our students. Please review the attached form and tell us whether or not you will be able to join our judging team this year. If you can help judge please indicate in your “2014 Judging Category Form” (additional attachment) the field(s) of science in which you feel most comfortable to judge. You can either mail or email me your form. Also please tell us if your firm or organization would consider offering a “special award” at our fair. After receiving your affirmative reply, judging criteria and further information will be emailed to you. Please forward this email to your colleagues to see if they too would be interested in helping us. I thank you for your consideration and help in encouraging an investigative spirit among our young citizens. I hope to see you in February! Sincerely,

Paul H. Dickman Paul H. Dickman Fair Director Pinellas Regional Science & Engineering Fair dickman@cat.pcsb.org

Dear Judges, Thank you for volunteering your time to help judge our students on Saturday Feb. 8th 2014 at Seminole Middle School. A general overview of the judging day schedule is as follows: 8:00 am- Judges arrive to Seminole Middle School. 8:00-9:00 am- Refreshments and doughnuts are served. Judges go to their judging category groups. 9:00-9:30 am- Orientation of the judging process is given to the judges by the fair director. 9:30-10:00 am- Judges divide up the projects in their categories for Round 1 Judging. 10:00-12:00 (noon)- (Round 1 Judging) Judges interview students in the school gymnasium 12:00-1:00 pm- Lunch is provided to the judges. 1:00-2:30 pm- (Round 2 Judging) Judges finish student interviews in school gymnasium. 2:30-3:30 pm- Judges meet in their groups and finalize place awards, selections of student representatives to the State Science Fair* and Best of Fair*. * If your judging group selects student project(s) to attend the State Science Fair or selects project(s) to be considered for Best of Fair, it is important to have one or more representatives from your judging group to review/defend your group’s selections. This might be necessary if total number of selections for all of the categories exceeds our district’s quota for the 2014 State Science Fair. The same would be true for the Best of Fair selections.

1

2014 Pinellas Regional Science & Engineering Fair

If you would like to share this opportunity with a colleague, please feel free to duplicate this form and pass it along to a colleague, before completing it. Please mail or email this form to Paul Dickman (see below). Please check: Yes, I will be able to judge at the Pinellas Regional Science Fair on Saturday, February 8, 2014. No, I will be unable to judge, but contact me again next year. No, I will be unable to judge. Please remove my name from your mailing list. Please rank your choice(s) of judging categories from 1-3

; (1 = most preferred, 3 = O.K. but not my first or second choices):

_____Behavioral and Social Science _____Environmental Science _____Biochemistry _____Mathematics _____Botany _____Medicine and Health _____Chemistry _____Microbiology _____Computer Science _____Physics _____Earth and Space Science _____Zoology _____Engineering _____Team Projects _____Special Award(s): (Name of Award) Returning Judge: Yes: No: (Please complete the information below) Firm/Organization/Company: Name (Dr., Mrs., Ms., Mr.)

Firm/Organization/Company

Street Address City/Zip Code

Phone #/Fax #

Email Address If you or the organization you represent wish to consider providing a “special award” (certificate, plaque, trophy, cash award, savings bond, magazine subscription, etc.), please contact either Paul Dickman or Andrew Oyer (Science Specialist) with details. We look forward to greeting you in February! Paul Dickman, Fair Director Andrew Oyer, Science Specialist Lakewood High School 301 Fourth St. SW 1400-54th Ave. South P.O. Box 2942 St. Petersburg, FL 33705 Largo, FL 33779-2942 e-mail: dickman@cat.pcsb.org e-mail: oyera@pcsb.org Phone: (727) 893-2609 Phone: (727) 588-6127 FAX: (727) 893-2613 FAX: (727) 588-6284

Note: If you are a returning judge, please include your name and complete any updated contact information as needed. Thank you.

MATHCOUNTS is an annual event sponsored by the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Engineering Society. The Pinellas Chapter FES organizes and runs the Chapter competition with the winning teams promoted to the State and possibly even the National competition. MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment, competition and club program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory.

We need your help! This year, the all day Pinellas Chapter event will take place on February 15, 2014 at St Petersburg College, Seminole Campus, in the Digitorium. We are accepting the following sponsorships for the event. These sponsorships through the FES Foundation qualify as a 501(c)(3) donation. Platinum $ 500 Recognition from MC, large logo on back of t-shirt and large logo on signs

Gold $ 250 Recognition from MC, medium logo on front of shirt and medium logo on signs

Silver $ 150 Recognition from MC, small logo on front of shirt and small logo on signs

Bronze $ 50 Recognition from MC, listed on signs

MATHCOUNTS is a non-profit middle school mathematics enrichment program focused on helping America and the American workforce retain their competitive advantage in the world. By engaging the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in middle school children, a critical age, MATHCOUNTS instills confidence and curiosity while building a sound fundamental base in mathematics amongst its participants. These skills lead to success in the classroom, and prepare participants to be successful in life as well.

MATHCOUNTS emphasizes fun and excitement through its signature competition program, which is entering its 29th year. Since 1983, over 6 million students have participated in MATHCOUNTS, and compiled data indicates that there is a strong correlation between participation and higher SAT scores, selection of STEM majors in college, and selection of STEM careers after college. To learn more about the MATHCOUNTS competition, please visit http://www.fleng.org/mathcounts.cfm

Please consider making a donation to support your local chapter of MATHCOUNTS. We will also accept donations of needed supplies, goody bags and giveaways for approximately 125 Mathletes, food items, gift cards or other items to make the competition complete. Your support will make a difference! Help strengthen the American workforce by training your future employees today! As a Sponsor please provide a digital image for use on any t-shirt, sign or banner.

Sponsor Name

Contact Name_________________________________________________________ _______________

___________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________

City________________________________________State______________Zip______________

Phone No.______________________________ Fax No._________________________________

E-mail Address__________________________________________________________________

Platinum $500 ___ Gold $250 ___ Silver $150 ___ Bronze $ 50 ___

Other Donations (please list)__________________________

Support the young students in the area (the engineers and scientists of the future) by writing a check payable to the Florida Engineering Society Education Foundation and mail to:

Florida Engineering Society Or provide Credit Card information for payment by Credit Card: Jonathan Gotwald, P.E. c/o George F. Young, Inc. 299 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. St. Petersburg, Florida 33731 Office (727) 822-4317 Cell (727) 643-1852 FAX (727) 822-2919

Charge to: _____Visa _____ MasterCard Amount $_______________ Card # __________________________________ Exp. Date _______________ Name on Card ____________________________________________________ Signature ________________________________________________________

Graduate Transportation Course Offerings – Spring 2014

USF offers a variety of graduate transportation courses to support your professional development and academic advancement. With shifting national priorities, the increasing interest in transportation infrastructure, urban development and sustainability, transportation safety, and the reauthorization of federal transportation legislation, all lead to growing importance for transportation professionals. There is no better time than now to update your skills and knowledge base. Also, it has never been more convenient with opportunities to attend evening classes at USF or via distance learning using internet from wherever you are (and whenever your schedule permits).

Course Number Schedule Instructor

Transportation Safety** 12029 Mon 6:30 – 9:15pm Zhenyu Wang

Sustainable Transportation 15106 Tue 2:00 – 4:45pm Abdul Pinjari

GIS in Transportation 11416 Tue 5:00 – 7:45pm Chanyoung Lee

Asphalt and Asphalt Mixes 13143 Wed 6:30 – 9:15pm Qing Lu

Air Transportation 18283 Thu 2:00 – 4:45pm Yu Zhang

Transportation and Land-use* 20617 Thu 5:00 – 7:45pm Steve Polzin

Graduate Transportation Seminar 14329 Fri 11:00 – 12noon Abdul Pinjari

** These courses will be offered for distance-learning students also (via internet).

Non Degree-Seeking Students: Non-degree seeking students need to submit a non-degree seeking enrollment application form (https://secure.vzcollegeapp.com/usf/) prior to course registration. For more details, see http://gradcerts.usf.edu/. For questions, contact the graduate school 1-866-974-8800. Those who plan to attend classes in person need to submit immunization forms through student health services, available at the following link: http://www.shs.usf.edu/immunizations/immunization-compliance.aspx (813-974-4056). No need of immunization forms if the course is completely online. Instead, submit a copy of an email from the course instructor saying that the course does not require the student to be present in the campus. Graduate Certificate in Transportation Systems Analysis USF offers a fully online graduate certificate program in “Transportation Systems Analysis”. Only four courses (12 credits) are required to complete the certificate. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree are eligible. See the link: http://www.gradcerts.usf.edu/certificates/xts.html for more information. The application process is straightforward. Please visit http://www.gradcerts.usf.edu/apply.asp for step-by-step instructions. Please submit (to the Office of Graduate Certificates, Room SVC1072):

1. A Departmental Approval form (available at http://www.gradcerts.usf.edu/apply.asp; see top right) 2. Official transcripts, a resume, and a 250-word letter of interest 3. Immunization form (if you wish to take classes on the campus, instead of online classes).

Register for classes through OASIS http://oasis.usf.edu/. For instructions, see: http://www.gradcerts.usf.edu/register.asp. If any questions, contact Barbara Johnson (barbaraj@usf.edu) or Abdul Pinjari (apinjari@usf.edu)

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Center for Urban Transportation Research