Ahmadreza Mahmoudzadeh, a doctoral student in the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been named to Mass Transit’s 40 Under 40 list for 2020.
Mahmoudzadeh is also a graduate research assistant at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI). Within the department and at TTI, he develops methodologies using different modeling techniques to apply his knowledge in transportation-related problems. He also develops multiple automated toolboxes from scratch for analysis of transit agency operational and financial data, which have been key for projects in transit cost allocation, route scheduling, service provision and data evaluation.
“It is truly an honor for me, and I greatly appreciate all the board members choosing me,” he said. “I believe that I had great mentors in academia, industry and especially the great support of my family who contributed to who I am today. Listening and trying to implement the lessons I have learned are the most powerful tools, which put me on the right path to walk and make progress.”
Specifically, Mahmoudzadeh is grateful for his advisor and professor, Dr. Bruce Wang, and his TTI supervisor, Todd Hansen, and their encouragement and guidance.
“I have learned statistical and optimization methods, machine learning tools and different programming languages to apply my knowledge in transportation-related problems. I used this knowledge to improve travel operations using different modes, such as public transit, vehicles and vessels,” he said.
In one of his recent projects, Mahmoudzadeh developed a new methodology for assigning buses to the campus shuttle system. He evaluated the campus shuttle system's annual ridership data in terms of service efficiency and then proposed a new scheduling system based on a clustering-based methodology. This methodology reflects the difference in graduate and undergraduate students' behaviors and considers rapid changes between peak and off-peak services. Implementing this methodology showed that the shuttle fleet could operate more efficiently when class changes take place.
As for the future, Mahmoudzadh will continue his work to improve the transportation of people and goods.
“Doing research helps society to bridge the gap between practice and innovation,” he said.