January 5, 2016 — HAPPY NEW YEAR!
WELCOME NEW CUTR EMPLOYEES
January
Birthdays
Pei-Sung Lin
Ryan Wakefield
Nevine Georggi
Todd Parsons
Rob Gregg
Kelly Douglass
Melissa De Leon
Khoa Tran
Karen Seggerman
Kristin Larsson
January
CUTR Anniversaries
Dennis Hinebaugh— 23 yrs
Phil Winters — 23 yrs
Joel Volinski —22 yrs
Martin Catala — 22 yrs
Ed Bart — 13 yrs
Sean Barbeau — 12 yrs
Kristin Larsson— 6 yrs
SiWon Jang –2 yrs
Nour El Mehraz –2 yrs
Maximilian Mantius – 2 yrs
Christen Miller – 2 yrs
Ryan Wakefield – 2 yrs
Ric Hartman – 1 yr
David Hill – 1 yr
David Guzik – 1 yr
Matthew Kessler – 1 yr
James Takacs has joined CUTR as a Traffic Safety Outreach Special-
ist. He has earned a doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction from West
Virginia University and has a strong commitment to adult learn-
ing|theory and learning style research. He is interested and involved in
motorcycle safety training and research and has over 10 years experience
as an effective MSF Certified RiderCoach. He got his start in the
FDU Motorcycle Safety Education Program at Fairleigh Dickinson
University in Teaneck, New Jersey and additionally worked with the
Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) at Tobyhana. In 2006, he relocated to
Tampa and joined the ranks of Tampa Harley-Davidson as a Rider’s Edge Instructor where he
has taught both New Rider Courses (NRC) and Experience Rider Courses (ERC) at the dealer-
ship. In early 2015, he became trained in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s updated curric-
ulum and continues to teach as a Harley-Davidson Riding Academy Coach. Additionally, he
is a US Sailing Certified Race Official and member of the Davis Island Yacht Club.
Dr. Takacs has a wide variety of experience in transportation, technology, teaching, research,
and curriculum development. He will be involved in program outreach and designing and
disseminating safety education materials for the Motorcycle Injury Prevention Institute.
Welcome James!
Alex Fortuna will work with Dr. Seckin Ozkul on the FDOT District 7
Land Use Analysis Project to enhance the successful logistics activity cen-
ter development. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Civil
Engineering with a concentration in Transportation Engineering from
Kuban State Technological University in Russia. He worked several
years on Civil Engineering and GIS projects. He produced routable navi-
gation maps for GARMIN and data sets for DOT, managed civil engi-
neers, GIS specialists and technicians. Now he is pursuing his second Master’s Degree with a
concentration in Structural Engineering with an expected graduation date of May 2016.
Welcome Alex!
January 10-14 Transportation Research Board (TRB) 95th Annual Meeting
January 11-15 Transit Supervisor Certification, CUT102, 8:00 am
January 18 USF Holiday — Martin Luther King Day
January 19-22 Understanding ADA, CUT102, 8:00 am
January 25 CUTR Managers’ Meeting, CUT207, 1:30 pm
UPCOMING EVENTS
KUDOS
Transportation professionals earned a certificate by participating in the online
and in-person workshop, “Social Marketing in Transportation Certificate,”
sponsored by USF Center for Urban Transportation Research and the Florida
Department of Transportation. Participants engaged in four, live, 90-minute
online courses, followed by an in-person, 3-day workshop held in Tampa,
Florida. The online component introduced social marketing, identifying the
obstacles and opportunities for changing behavior, segmenting the market,
and collecting data to gain insights to design effective behavior change
programs. The
in-person workshop provided an opportunity to continue the development
of their social marketing plan by working cooperatively with team mem-
bers to refine and present a social marketing campaign specifically
designed for a demographic persona to address a transportation problem
facing their communities. One participant who completed this workshop
encouraged others to enroll in upcoming workshops by commenting,
“Attending the social marketing class through CUTR will provide insight,
knowledge and growth for you personally for your current and future jobs,
as well as increase your credibility and effectiveness in program promotion
and implementation with your clients, giving you increased credibility not only to your priority audience (employers) and part-
ners, but create value for your skills internally at your own organization.” Look for upcoming Social Marketing in Transportation
Certificate programs at http://www.commuterservices.com/.
Best Workplaces for Commuters, a program designed to encourage sustainable transportation
innovation singled out 29 employers nationwide Thursday, December 17th during the annual “Race
to Excellence” Virtual Awards Ceremony. The awards recognize organizations who have taken
exemplary steps to offer transportation options such as vanpool and transit benefits or telework
and compressed workweek for their employees. “The annual Race to Excellence provides national
recognition for employers who offer high level commuter benefits,” said Julie Bond, NCTR’s
national program manager for Best Workplaces for
Commuters. “Offering commuter benefits is a win-win
situation for employees who change their commuting
habits to save time, money, and stress and employers
who gain a competitive edge in employee recruitment
and retention. This year we recognized 29 Race to Excellence winners who have excep-
tional commute programs.” Best Workplaces for Commuters provides qualified em-
ployers with programs and services along with national recognition and an elite desig-
nation for offering outstanding commuter benefits, such as free or low cost bus passes.
Employers that meet the National Standard of Excellence in commuter benefits, a
standard established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and maintained by the National Center for Transit Re-
search (NCTR), can become a member of Best Workplaces for Commuters. For the list of participants and results:
http://www.bestworkplaces.org/race-to-excellence-2/2015-race-to-excellence-results/#sthash.hXTbt62O.dpuf
KUDOS
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive line teamed up with Alert Today Florida
and Buccaneers staff members to surprise families battling tough times this holiday
season as part of the D-Line Delivers Christmas event. Alert Today Florida staff and
volunteers fitted over 75 bicycle helmets on kids who received new bicycles. Alert
Today Florida also provided bags that included bicycle lights, reflective safety items,
and bicycle safety information. Alert Today staff were quick to capture a fun selfie
with Defensive Captain and 2016 NFL Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy and the Alert Today
Florida mascot “Walker”.
Congratulations to Seckin Ozkul and Scott Washburn for their paper: Updated Commercial Truck Speed versus
Distance-Grade Curves for the Highway Capacity Manual. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation
Research Board, 2483, 91-101.
Congratulations, Seckin Ozkul for passing the Professional Engineer Exam and becoming a Professional Engineer!
Congratulations to CUTR’s newest Doctor — Dr. Victoria Perk, who recently received her PhD in Economics!
Congratulations, Steve Polzin for your paper, Automobile Travel: The Impacts of Changing Demographics and
Technology, Quality Cities, Volume 89, Number 4, Florida League of Cities, Inc., pp 34-35, November/December 2015.
Steve Polzin was invited to serve on the AASHTO Expert Task Group for ECONWORKS and participated in the Kick-off
meeting in Washington D.C. on December 16 and 17.
Steve Polzin presented Transportation’s Transformation to Tampa Bay Applications Group during their December
Holiday Awards Banquet meeting. He also presented Transportation Network Companies, the Beginning of Transporta-
tion’s Transformation, at the AUVSI - The Future of Shared Mobility Workshop in Jacksonville, FL in December.
Joel Volinski chaired multiple meetings of the Research, Education, and Training Reauthorization Coalition (RETRC), a
subset of the Council of University Transportation Centers which lobbied for including funding for the University Transpor-
tation Center program in the FAST Act which was passed in early December. The UTC program was funded for five more
years, with funding increasing from $72.5 million to $77.5 million dollars over the five year period.
Joel Volinski chaired multiple meetings of the Council of University Transportation Centers Executive Committee in
which a number of policy changes were approved to take to the full committee that will increase membership and
revenues. He also secured $72,500 in sponsorships for the CUTC Annual Award Banquet (a figure $25,000 higher than
previous years and attracting four private sponsors after not having any for three years), and succeeding in
attracting Anthony Foxx, USDOT Secretary to be the keynote speaker.
USF CLASSES TAUGHT BY CUTR PERSONNEL
Planning for Healthy Communities: Richard Hartman, JD, AICP, Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:30 –10:45 am
Transportation and Land Use: Steve Polzin, PhD, Thursdays 5:00—7:45 pm
Macroeconomics Principles: Victoria Perk, PhD, Wednesdays, 2:00-4:45, St. Pete campus
Microeconomics Principles: Victoria Perk, PhD, Wednesdays, 6:00-8:45, St. Pete campus
Transportation and Society: Cheryl Thole, Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:30 –4:45 pm
AEGIS Timesheets
Pay period 1/01/16 to 1/14/16
AEGIS submission date is Monday,
January 11th by 10 am.
Pay period 1/15/16 to 1/28/16
AEGIS submission date is Tuesday,
January 26 by 10 am.
Alma Mater Days
SHOW YOUR ALMA MATER
PRIDE: Wear your favorite college t-
shirt, sweatshirt, and the like (must
display the College’s logo or name)
the first Friday of every month.
Friendly banter on performance of
affiliated sports teams or alumni news
is also highly encouraged. If you want
to add a banner or anything to your
door, that’s great too. Dress code
restrictions on sleeveless shirts,
shorts or sandals will remain en-
forced. Jeans can, of course, be worn
(with a reminder that a contribution
($1) is appreciated).
GO BULLS!!!
Alma Mater Days:
January 8
February 5
March 4
April 1
May 6
June 3
July 1
August 5
September 2
October 7
November 4
December 2
NOTEWORTHY ACCOLADES
Mariann Abrahamsen with husband, Hans Christian and daughter, Sofie Mai. Congrats, Mariann on receiving your MS in Urban and Regional Planning!
CUTR partnered with Safe Routes to School Tampa
Bay to sponsor an essay contest to increase awareness
about the importance of riding a bicycle. The contest
was open to all 5th grade students currently enrolled
in a Hillsborough County School participating in the
Safe Routes to School Tampa Bay program.
Marisa Lewis from Fishhawk Ranch Elementary
School earned 1st place with an outstanding essay and
won the grand prize of a new bicycle, bicycle lights, bicycle U-lock, a fitted bicycle helmet,
and a guide to bicycle safety. All essay participants received a reflective backpack, bicycle
lights, safety vests, and a guide to bicycle safety.
The judging was based on content, relevance to theme, originality, and grammar. The
CUTR essay committee included Jason Jackman, LaToyia Fipps, Jennifer Flynn, Lucy
Gonzalez, Alex Henry, and Erica Nelson. The contest was funded through the Jeans Fund
Donation. We encourage participation in the Jeans Fund Donation by contributing a $1
when wearing Jeans on Thursdays and Fridays; all proceeds go to the bicycle essay contest
every year.
Abhishikth Martin Pasupuleti with International
Office (IO) personnel. Photo taken at the Sash
ceremony where the IO department provides a
sash with the student’s country’s flag colors.
Congrats, Martin on receiving your MS in Civil
Engineering! Sharmila Chennoju at
the Sash ceremony.
Congrats, Sharmila on
receiving your MS in
Civil Engineering with an
emphasis in Transporta-
tion!
Congratulations to Sharmila and Martin
on their initiation as Engineers at the
Introduction into the Profession
ceremony where they received their
Engineering rings.
CUTR AWARDS/CONRACTS
Project Transit Research Inspection Procurement Services (TRIPS) Pro
Sponsor Florida Department of Transportation
PI(s) Staes/Bart
Value $570,000
Project Transit Maintenance Analysis & Resource Center
Sponsor Florida Department of Transportation
PI(s) Bart/Staes
Value $360,000
CUTR HOLIDAY PARTY
DECEMBER 10, 2015
WORLD OF BEER
INFORMATION
If you are on FaceBook, Like Us at this link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Urban-Transportation-Research/318839614894743
Enjoy!
NEED TO SUBMIT TO CUTR CONNECTIONS?
If you have information that you would like to share and include in the monthly issue of the CUTRConnections—CUTR
Employee Newsletter, please send an email with the information to Grace Hunt at [email protected].
General information on CUTR procedures:
Have a question, check out the wiki site to find your answer: https://sites.google.com/site/cutrwikisite/
Hiring a new employee? The wiki site is the place to find the form and submit it electronically:
https://sites.google.com/site/cutrwikisite/admin-group-page/ken-short/hr-tasks/hiring-new-people
CUTR AWARDS/CONRACTS
Project Understanding Factors Driving Future Vehicle Miles of Travel
Sponsor Sloan Foundation
PI(s) Polzin
Value $75,000
Project: NITC National Round 1 Project Conference Travel Funding
Sponsor: Portland State University
PI(s): Williams/Volinski
Value: $2,500
Project: NCHRP 08-106 Metropolitan Freight Transportation: Implementing Effective Strategies
Sponsor: Texas A&M Transportation Institute
PI(s): Ozkul/Williams
Value: $74,938
Project: NCHRP 08-105 Measuring the Effectiveness of Public Involvement in Transportation Planning and Project
Sponsor: Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A & M University
PI(s): Williams
Value: $134,990
Project: Clean Cities Outreach, Education, and Performance Tracking
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Energy
PI(s): Reich/Kolpakov
Value: $45,000
CUTR PROPOSALS