National Center For Transportation Systems Productivity Management:
2015 Annual Report
Transportation Research Board (TRB) 95th Annual Meeting
January 10-14, 2016
Washington, D.C.
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) 95th Annual Meeting was held January 10–14, 2016, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Washington, D.C.
The information-packed program attracted more than 12,000 transportation professionals from around the world.
The spotlight theme for the 2016 meeting was: Research Convergence for a Multimodal Future.
Dr. Hatem Abou-Senna and Dr. Essam Radwan presented their research paper: “Investigating the Correlation between Sidewalk Gaps and Pedestrian Safety”.
Dynamic Flashing Yellow Arrow: A New Left Turn Treatment
November 6, 2015
Florida State University
Dr. Radwan was invited by the Center for Accessibility and Safety for an Aging Population (ASAP) and FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Civil and Environmental Engineering Seminar Series Friday, November 6, 2015 to deliver a talk titled “Dynamic Flashing Yellow Arrow: A New Left Turn Treatment” and related to his Multi-year two-phase research project funded by FDOT. The psychology department at FSU, under contract with FDOT, are conducing a complementary study on FYA motorists’ comprehension and its safety aspects.
5th International Symposium on Highway Geometric Design
Safe and Efficient Design for the 21st Century
June 22 – 24, 2015
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Held every five years, the Symposium aims to encourage the continuous improvement of highway geometric design. This event focuses on the latest breakthrough practices relating to highway engineering in their different life phases, including daily operational effects and safe highway designs.
Dr. Essam Radwan and Dr. Hatem Abou-Senna presented their research paper:
“Effect of Sidewalk/Bike Lane Gaps on Pedestrian Safety”.
2015 Road Safety & Simulation International Conference
October 6—8, 2015
Orlando, Florida USA
Co-hosted by University of Central Florida & The University of Tennessee
Conference Chair: Essam Radwan (UCF)
Conference Co-Chair: Mohamed Abdel-Aty (UCF)
The University of Central Florida (UCF) and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) are pleased to host the 2015 Road Safety & Simulation International Conference.
The RSS series showcases advancements in traffic simulation and driving simulator 
technologies, introducing new initiatives and concepts that have emerged since the first RSS conference in Rome, Italy in 2007. Under the auspices of the Southeastern Transportation Center, three world-class research centers will support the conference: Center for Advanced Transportation Systems Simulation, and the Institute for Simulation and Training at UCF; and UTK’s Center for Transportation Research. 
These centers conduct sponsored research in driving simulators, traffic simulation, traffic safety, commercial vehicle operations, Intelligent Transportation Systems deployment, and congestion pricing; human factors; and comprehensive transportation safety, including surface modes, rail, and bicycle and pedestrian issues.
Dr. Hatem Abou-Senna presented his paper:
“Operational Evaluation of Partial Crossover Displaced Left-Turn (XDL) versus Full XDL Intersections”
The paper discusses the emerging “alternative intersection and interchange treatments” that would restore maximum efficiency of intersections especially those that are operating near or at capacity and specifically the effectiveness of partial XDL compared to a full XDL intersection. There is a wide array of studies involving the operation of XDL intersections in the literature. However, there is almost no guidance on determining whether partial XDL intersections are adequate to mitigate the overall intersection condition or full XDL is always required.
The International Conference on Civil Engineering Technologies and Productivity at UDC
August 26-28, 2015
Dr. Essam Radwan was invited to give the keynote speech at the International Conference on Civil Engineering Technologies and Productivity at UDC University during the period of August 26-28, 2015.
The University is located in the city of Foz De Iguacu, Brazil and has had long lasting joint activities with UCF. The topic was titled: “Applications of Advanced Technologies in Transportation Engineering”.
The 15th COTA International Conference of Transportation Professionals
July 25-27, 2015
The 15th COTA International Conference of Transportation Professionals (CICTP2015) was held during July 25-27, 2015, in Beijing, China. The conference was jointly organized by Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) and Chinese overseas Transportation Association (COTA).
The CICTP series, established by COTA and sponsored by ASCE and Transportation Research Board (TRB), is a primer gathering of transportation professionals worldwide who are interested in contributing to or gaining a profound understanding of transportation development in China.
Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Aty was invited to deliver a Keynote talk on his research activities related to traffic safety.
Dr. Essam Radwan delivered the conference welcome remarks and invited talk on transportation sustainability.
The participation of CATSS in this event supports the strong joint graduate and research program that UCF has with BJTU.
Florida’s i3 Transportation Showcase – Orlando, FL.
May 26-29, 2015
Dr. Hatem Abou-Senna attended the Florida’s i3 Transportation Showcase that was held at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate during the period of May 26-29, 2015. Dr. Abou-Senna’s presentation titled “An Interactive Decision Support System for Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) Signals” discussed the new standard for signalization as recommended in the 2009 MUTCD and the opportunity to take the protected-permissive left turn mode to a new level of operation with the advent of this new signal configuration.
The i3 is the first ever combined event that brings planning, design and operations together between the Florida Section of Institute of Transportation Engineers (FSITE), the Intelligent Transportation Society of Florida (ITS Florida) and the international Municipal Signal Association (IMSA).
2015 University Transportation Center (UTC) Conference for the Southeastern Region – Birmingham, AL.
March 26-27, 2015
Dr. Radwan, Dr. Aty and Dr. Abou-Senna’s research team (Alex Navarro, Mohamed Mellouli, Jiawei Wu, Sandesh Chalise, Luis Gonzalez) attended the 2015 University Transportation Centers (UTC) Conference for the Southeastern Region on March 26-27, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency – Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham, AL.
Dr. Abou-Senna also delivered a presentation on the “Effect of Sidewalk and Bicycle-Lane Gaps on Pedestrian Safety”.
This event sought to bring together faculty, students, practitioners, and public agencies in the southeast region to disseminate information about on-going activities at all partner universities and to further enhance collaboration among the academic community and the private and public sector agencies in the region.
94th Transportation Research Board (TRB) – Washington DC
January 11-15, 2015
Dr. Radwan, Dr. Abou-Senna and Mr. Chalise presented their research on the Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) signal at the 94th Annual Transportation Research Board meeting held in Washington DC during the period January 11-15, 2015. The TRB is an annual conference that brings policy makers, administrators, practitioners, researchers, and representatives of government, industry, and academic institutions from around the world.
University of Central Florida
College of Engineering and Computer Science
April 24, 2015
The 2015 CECS Advisory Board Award for Faculty Excellence, was presented to Dr. Essam Radwan
Dr. Essam Radwan was honored during the 94th Annual TRB Meeting
January 11-15, 2015
Dr. Essam Radwan was honored during the 94th Annual Transportation Research Board meeting held in Washington DC during the period January 11-15, 2015. The International Road Federation (IRF) presented him with a plaque in recognition for his support of the 17th World Meeting held in Saudi Arabia. He currently serves as the chair of the International Road Education Foundation the education arm of IRF that provides fellowships to students from all over the world to attend US universities.
IRF 2015 Fellows Program
January 11-15, 2015
The International Road Federation’s “Class of 2015 Fellows” spent 10 days prior and during the 94th Annual Transportation Research Board meeting held in Washington DC during the period January 11-15, 2015. This is an annual program that provides orientation for graduate students who recently started their graduate studies in US universities. It includes visitations to federal transportation agencies, private business and transportation consulting firms and a bridge building competition. Mr. Asad Waraich, the UCF representative and Dr. Eluru’s graduate student, is first Fellow on the left of the second row.