The recent Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting provided an incredible opportunity for professionals across the transportation industry to exchange knowledge, share cutting-edge research, and build valuable connections. Among the participants was PRIME AE’s Pooya Komeilian, a Transportation Engineer in Jacksonville, FL, whose presentation at the event highlighted both his dedication to research and his commitment to advancing the field.
Pooya’s recent paper, titled “Spatial Equity in Accessing Critical Facilities During Hurricanes,” was accepted for a poster presentation session at the meeting. This important work, based on research conducted during his master’s program at the University of North Florida (UNF), was guided by Dr. Shabanpour, now a professor at the University of Pittsburgh. In his presentation, Pooya shared his findings on how equitable access to critical facilities can be improved in the face of natural disasters—a subject crucial to improving emergency preparedness and response strategies.
The TRB Annual Meeting, which featured over 4,000 presentations across more than 650 sessions, workshops, and meetings, brought together experts, policymakers, and researchers from around the globe. Pooya had the opportunity to engage with several well-known figures in the field, exchanging ideas and receiving valuable feedback from peers and mentors alike.
In addition to presenting his research, Pooya actively participated in technical committee meetings, such as the “Disaster Response, Emergency Evacuation, and Business Continuity Committee” and the “Geographic Information Science Committee.” These forums offered Pooya the chance to collaborate with professionals from various institutions, further deepening his knowledge on key issues related to transportation and disaster management.
Pooya’s involvement underscores his commitment to contributing to meaningful discussions on transportation resilience and the application of research to real-world challenges. We look forward to seeing how Pooya continues to build on his experiences and contribute to the field in the years to come.
