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 hunt@cutr.usf.edu.

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