ATAC Staff AdditionsKate Miner joined ATAC in December 2002 as an associate research fellow. Miner's primary responsibilities include improving traffic operations through analysis and use of simulation software; supporting Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) planning, deployment, and evaluation; and assisting with instruction of classes sponsored by ATAC. Currently, Miner is focusing on the development the Regional ITS Architecture for North Dakota and streamlining dynamic message sign operations across the state. Miner received her bachelors degree in civil engineering from NDSU in 1999. Prior to her position at NDSU, she worked for Moore Engineering, Fargo, N.D. and the North Dakota Department of Transportation as a traffic engineer in the Fargo District. While working on ITS projects, Miner is pursuing a masters degree in civil engineering with a transportation option and expects to be completed in 2004. Jerilyn Swenson joined ATAC in July 2004 as an associate research fellow. She began work with ATAC in early 2002 as an undergraduate research assistant. Swenson's main responsibility is the design and maintenance of metropolitan transportation models. Swenson is key in the updating of network and socioeconomic information and the generation of specific traffic scenarios requested by clients. She performs model runs, analyzes the resulting data, and creates maps and data summaries for ATAC's clients. She has been involved with several long-range transportation planning projects and is currently working on various projects for the F-M Metropolitan Council of Governments and the NDDOT. Swenson received her bachelor's degree in civil engineering the Spring of 2003 and is currently pursuing a master's degree. Marcie Phillips, project support coordinator, joined ATAC in September 2003. She supports ATAC researchers working on the development of ITS plans and ITS architectures by acting as a single point of contact with project partners. She organizes stakeholder groups and relevant committees, sets up meetings, assists in collecting data, and coordinates the review of project material by researchers and stakeholders. Phillips is also assisting with the development of web pages for these projects. Md. Ahsan Habib was hired as a full-time research assistant in September 2003. He began work with ATAC in 2001 as a graduate research assistant while pursuing a master’s degree in computer science. Habib's work has primarily focused on system engineering. He is an expert in software development, as well as GIS and has developed several interfaces which have enhanced existing transportation analysis software used by researchers. Habib recently worked on system requirements for the Bismarck-Mandan ITS Strategic Plan and is working extensively with the development of ITS architecture for four North Dakota regions. Habib earned a B.S. in computer science and engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 1998 and a M.S. in computer science from NDSU in 2003. Graduate Research AssistantsJason Baker started at ATAC in 2002 as an undergraduate research assistant. His work focuses on data collection procedures and traffic analysis using simulation programs. Baker's primary interest is the analysis of traffic volumes through the use of traffic simulation programs to determine optimal traffic signal intervals. Baker was involved with data collection and analysis for the Moorhead Train Detection Project and is currently working on two NDSU traffic studies pertaining to parking, access and pedestrian issues. Baker received a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering the Fall of 2003. He is currently pursuing a master's degree at NDSU. Andrew Paulsen has been with ATAC since 2002. His work involves projects requiring electrical and computer engineering solutions. Paulsen has been primarily responsible for the development of an innovative Controller Interface Device (CID) which creates a connection between traffic controllers and traffic simulators. He is currently developing an embedded computer system and is in the process of writing the firmware and software necessary for its operation. Paulsen received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in the Spring of 2003 and is currently pursuing a master's degree at NDSU. Khaled Shouman started work with ATAC in 2001 while acquiring his masters degree in civil engineering. His research has focused on the use of accurate traffic volume data, separating "right turn on red" movements from "through traffic" counts in order to effectively customize traffic detection device designs thereby ensuring their optimal operation. Shouman acquired a master's degree in civil engineering the Fall of 2003 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in transportation and logistics. Mohammad Smadi has been with ATAC for more than four years. As part of his master's research he developed a knowledge-based expert system for an adaptive signal control. Mohammad has been involved in several software development projects and is assisting with system engineering for the Regional ITS Architecture development in North Dakota. His involvement with the current project includes the design of various ITS systems and identification of requirements and components necessary for the successful operation of the systems. Mohammad received his master's degree in computer science the Fall of 2001 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in software engineering. |
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