Dear Reader,
This month, MTI invites students in grades 1-6 to explore the people and careers that keep America moving by train through our annual Elementary Poster Contest. Introducing young people to transportation careers early helps them recognize the many ways they can contribute to the systems that connect communities.
Other topics in this issue:
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- Meet Anthony Montes, SJSU’s new Transportation Solutions Manager
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New research on AI-assisted sustainability assessments, recycled asphalt, vehicle aerodynamics, and wearable alcohol detection technology
- Upcoming events featuring transportation leaders and research focused on real-world transportation challenges
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MTI’s Elementary Poster Contest is Open! |
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Help us introduce young people to transportation careers!
MTI’s annual Elementary Poster Contest—sponsored this year by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and CRISI: Promoting Railroading Careers and Developing the Current Rail Industry Workforce—invites students in grades 1–6 to explore: Who Keeps America Moving by Trains?
Freight and passenger rail systems depend on a wide range of roles, but much of the work happens behind the scenes. Young people might envision themselves as a conductor, but what about a dispatcher, mechanic, or safety inspector? This contest can help make that work and available career paths visible for the next generation of rail professionals.
Eight winners will be selected (four from grades 1–3 and four from grades 4–6) to win hundreds of dollars in prizes! People’s Choice finalists will also have their posters featured online for public voting.
Share your passion for mobility and encourage kids to get creative: pass this along to family, friends, and colleagues to spread the word!
📅 Submission deadline: January 22, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. PT
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SJSU’s new Transportation Solutions Manager |
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While attending college in Portland, Anthony Montes relied on Bus #35 to get to class and work. Coming from the car-dominated South Bay, he was impressed by Portland’s well-connected, reliable transit system—and began asking why San José couldn’t offer the same. Today, as San José State University’s Transportation Solutions Manager, he leads a team helping students access those same benefits. Through partnerships with local and regional agencies, the team provides discounted intercity rail tickets and unlimited, fare-free transit rides through the SJSU Clipper BayPass.
“We made our launch date in August and now we have exceeded 15,000 active BayPass users,” Anthony said.
The team continues to enroll students and improve support for those encountering accessibility issues. Anthony also wants students to help shape what comes next. He is working to build a culture of service within Transportation Solutions, supporting student leaders as they bring their own ideas to improving the student experience. That work includes expanding transit access and developing educational programming, along with collaborating with local agencies on off-campus transportation issues.
“We’re going to do this work with our students, not for them,” he said.
For students interested in working on transit issues, Anthony’s invitation is simple: reach out and get involved.
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AI-Based Environmental Code Checking Tool for Sustainability Best Management Practices of Infrastructure Construction Projects
Infrastructure construction and operation contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions and can create long-term environmental and air quality challenges. Sustainability rating systems, such as Envision, provide guidance for reducing these impacts, but verifying project compliance often requires manually reviewing large volumes of documents.
This research developed an artificial intelligence-based tool to automate the review of infrastructure project documents and evaluate life-cycle greenhouse gas reductions under Envision Credit CR1.2. Using natural language processing and life-cycle assessment, the tool extracts information such as project materials, quantities, and construction activities from PDF files, calculates emissions, and compares the results with baseline scenarios. A web-based application also allows users to review documents, visualize emissions, and generate Envision performance scores.
The findings demonstrate how AI can make sustainability evaluations faster and more consistent, and easier to scale while supporting earlier integration of life-cycle assessment into infrastructure planning and design.
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Performance Evaluation of Fiber Reinforced Hot Mix Asphalt Containing Reclaimed Asphalt Shingles
Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and reclaimed asphalt shingles (RAS) can increase the recycled content of asphalt mixtures, but the aged binder in RAS may make pavement more vulnerable to cracking. This MTI-led California State University Transportation Consortium study examined whether polymer fibers could improve the performance of mixtures containing RAP and RAS.
The researchers found that polymer fibers improved cracking resistance without compromising resistance to rutting or moisture damage. Fiber B produced the strongest results, particularly at higher concentrations. These findings suggest that polymer fibers can support greater use of recycled materials in more durable and sustainable pavement design.
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Reducing Drag of Vehicles with Half-Stepped Cylinder Surfaces Part I: Numerical Optimization
Aerodynamic drag increases fuel consumption, reduces electric vehicle range, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. This study examined whether microscopic surface features called half-stepped cylinder arrays could reduce the friction created as air moves along a vehicle’s surface.
Using computer simulations and numerical optimization, researchers tested different surface designs and found that features smaller than 1% of the boundary layer thickness reduced average skin friction by more than 33%. The findings suggest that microscopic surface structures could improve vehicle efficiency, extend electric vehicle range, and reduce transportation-related energy use and emissions.
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Sensing Safety: Developing a Flexible, Portable Alcohol Detection Patch for Community Wellness
Alcohol-impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the United States, posing significant challenges to transportation safety and imposing substantial social and economic costs. While existing breathalyzers and wearable alcohol-monitoring devices can detect alcohol consumption, many are expensive, bulky, or unsuitable for continuous use.
This study evaluated a low-cost electrochemical sensing platform designed to support future wearable alcohol-monitoring technologies. Researchers developed a disposable screen-printed electrode that cost approximately 10 cents to produce and tested it with artificial sweat samples containing different ethanol concentrations. The sensor consistently detected ethanol levels ranging from 0% to 30%. By pairing inexpensive disposable electrodes with reusable electronics, the system provides a scalable foundation for technologies that could support impaired-driving prevention, workplace safety, and transportation research.
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Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Online
12:00-12:30p.m. (PT)
*0.5 PDH credit available.
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Trailblazer Tuesday with Carolyn Gonot
The Mineta Transportation Institute is hosting a series of virtual fireside chats featuring influential women leaders in transportation. These successful women—representing academia, public and private industries, and the nonprofit sector—will share their compelling personal narratives and leadership journeys. Gain valuable insights into their strategies for balancing assertiveness with emotional intelligence, overcoming stereotypes, and leading with intention. Join us to explore the profound impact of reshaping perspectives and championing women's roles within the transportation industry and beyond.
Featured Guest: Carolyn Gonot, General Manager & CEO, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
Moderator: Karen Philbrick, PhD, Executive Director, MTI
This webinar is co-sponsored by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), COMTO Northern California Chapter, and WTS San Francisco Bay Area.
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Monday, November 16, 2026
Online
12:00-12:30p.m. (PT)
*0.5 PDH credit available.
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SMART-TWIN: Building a Digital Twin for Smarter Traffic Operations
This MTI Research Snaps webinar is based on an MTI-led CSUTC research project, SMART-TWIN: Systematic Modeling and Real-Time Transportation with Digital Twins.
Transportation agencies need to make faster, smarter decisions about congestion, safety, and infrastructure, often with limited resources and incomplete information. Digital Twins offer a way to move beyond traditional traffic simulation by connecting modeled conditions with real-time operational insights. In this webinar, attendees will learn about SMART-TWIN, an AI-powered Digital Twin designed to help agencies identify traffic problems early and understand their real-world impacts. Using a Fresno corridor as a case study, the research shows how SMART-TWIN can help agencies identify traffic disruptions, understand their impacts, and make faster, better-informed decisions.
Presenter: Hovannes Kulhandjian, PhD, MTI Researcher; Professor, Fresno State
Moderator: Hilary Nixon, PhD, Deputy Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI)
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About the Mineta Transportation Institute |
At the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University (SJSU) our mission is to increase mobility for all by improving the safety, efficiency, accessibility, and convenience of our nation's transportation system. Through research, education, workforce development and technology transfer, we help create a connected world. MTI was founded in 1991 and is funded through the US Department of Transportation, the California Department of Transportation, and public and private grants including those made available by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1). MTI is affiliated with SJSU’s Lucas College and Graduate School of Business.
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Mineta Transportation Institute
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192
sjsu.edu
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