Richmond Branch: September Technical Meeting

September Topic: Citywide Signal Retiming and the North South Bus Rapid Transit

Join the ASCE Richmond Branch for a monthly technical lunch meeting where our community of civil engineers come together to network, learn about exciting new topics, and earn 1.0 PDH credit. This meeting is in-person only.

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Abstract:

Revolutionizing Multimodal Safety and Accessibility with Comprehensive Citywide Signal Retiming

In September 2022, the City of Richmond initiated a citywide signal optimization program with support from Kimley-Horn to improve multimodal safety and operations at 506 signalized intersections. The intent of signal optimization program is to improve traffic signal coordination to meet the demands of existing traffic conditions and travel patterns, improve travel times, and reduce stops and delays to lower vehicle emissions and fuel consumption. In connection with the City’s Vision Zero initiative, this presentation will include a discussion of how the City has enhanced its approach to traffic signal coordination by applying multidisciplinary safety and operational principles to the signal optimization process to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries and to improve mobility for all street users.

Planning and Process for the GRTC North-South Bus Rapid Transit

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing planning and engineering processes for the GRTC North-South Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Richmond, Virginia. The session aims to illuminate the different elements involved in developing the corridor, highlighting the project’s schedule, history, and significant milestones. We will explore the timeline of the project, tracing its evolution from initial concept to its current status. By discussing the robust public engagement efforts, the presentation underscores the importance of community input and stakeholder collaboration in shaping the project’s design.  A summary of findings from the engagement process will be shared, reflecting community input. The presentation dives into the conceptual design decisions , examining the rationale behind specific engineering and planning choices. Additionally, we’ll address the integration of GRTC’s concurrent projects and initiatives that complement the North-South BRT project. Attendees will gain insights into the planning and engineering processes of this transformative transit project. Ultimately, this session aims to provide a thorough understanding of the GRTC North-South BRT project’s trajectory, its current status, its overall design, and its future potential to enhance the public transportation network in Richmond.

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Presenters:

Sayed Adel – Transportation Operations Engineer, City of Richmond (VA)

Sayed Adel has nine years of experience in the transportation engineering field, serving as both a Project Manager and Traffic Operations Engineer. He earned his master’s degree in Transportation Engineering from the University of Virginia in 2020 and his bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Kabul University.

Since joining the City of Richmond in 2021, Adel has led traffic signal projects encompassing project management, traffic operations, and transportation system enhancements. His experience includes the planning, design, and operation of traffic signal systems; coordinated signal timing optimization; traffic studies; intersection safety improvements; project scheduling; and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) projects. He assists in monitoring traffic signal operations, analyzing performance data, identifying operational challenges, and implementing effective solutions.

Outside of work, Adel enjoys biking, swimming, playing football, exploring new places, following trends in transportation technology, and spending time with family and friends.

Kellie Urman, EIT holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Kellie is a transportation analyst with Kimley-Horn and is extremely grateful to serve the City of Richmond on transportation and technology projects improving multimodal safety and traffic efficiency. Kellie is excited to share their coordinated signal timing knowledge and hopes to engage audience members on how coordinated signal timings can revolutionize multimodal safety and accessibility.

On the weekends, Kellie enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, running, and skating as a member of the Richmond River City Roller Derby team.

Rachel Hill is a community planner at Kimley-Horn with 13 years of experience. She serves municipalities and regional planning agencies with land use and mobility efforts that cover a wide range of planning areas. This includes comprehensive planning, transit planning, safety action planning, corridor planning, bicycle/pedestrian planning, grant writing, and resiliency and sustainability. Rachel has prepared for and participated in numerous public engagement efforts, including public workshops, stakeholder groups, and committee meetings. Prior to becoming a planner, Rachel spent a decade as a marketing and communications professional. She is a skilled storyteller and desktop publisher with the ability to convey technical concepts to the public in easy-to-understand ways.

Frank Adarkwa, Ph.D. currently serves as the Director of Planning, Scheduling, and Capital Construction for GRTC, where he leads a multidisciplinary team overseeing planning, scheduling, data analytics, and capital construction. With a clear focus on strategic direction and organizational structure, Frank has been instrumental in driving transformational change at GRTC. In his role, Frank manages key infrastructure projects, including GRTC’s flagship Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) initiatives, the Pulse North-South BRT and the Pulse Western Extension BRT.

His leadership was pivotal in executing the largest service expansion in GRTC’s history, a milestone that contributed to a significant and commendable increase in ridership across the system. A champion of data-driven decision-making, Frank spearheaded the creation of a dedicated data management team, enhancing transparency and ensuring that both internal and external stakeholders have access to critical performance metrics. His efforts have helped build a resilient, responsive, and innovative planning environment within GRTC.

Before joining GRTC, Frank served as a transit planner with the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL), where he focused on service planning and operational improvements. He also held planning roles with the Capitol Region Council of Governments and CTtransit, both in Connecticut, where he contributed to long-range transit planning initiatives and regional mobility strategies.

Frank is a committed leader who prioritizes empowering his team by removing barriers to success and implementing best practices that support sustainable growth. He is known for his collaborative style and belief in systems thinking to drive operational excellence.

Originally from Ghana, Frank takes great pride in his heritage and brings a global perspective to his work in public transportation. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Public Policy from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Frank is dedicated to maintaining an active lifestyle outside of work. He engages in outdoor fitness activities and has a passion for a variety of sports, including soccer, tennis, ping-pong, and boxing.

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Sponsor: 

Sponsorship for this event still available!

For information on how your company could sponsor future ASCE Richmond events please contact Niko Ambrose at [email protected].