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UC Berkeley Institute of Transportation Studies welcomed around 200 students, faculty, researchers, and professionals to the Pacific Southwest Region University Transportation Center Annual Congress March 24-25, 2025. Featuring lectern sessions, poster sessions, and keynote speakers, attendees delved into the most current and relevant transportation engineering and planning obstacles and solutions.  Read more

Recognizing the long stretches of roads and logistical challenges that come with rural and Tribal communities, UC Berkeley’s Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology (PATH) has been awarded a $10 million, six-year project from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Rural Autonomous Vehicle Program. Read more

• Wu Receives Pikarsky Award

• Exon Smith Receives Wootan Award

• Fu Receives 2nd Place at UC Berkeley Grad Slam

• Saw Competes in UC Berkeley Grad Slam

• Marta Gonzalez's Award-Winning Research Harnesses Digital Data to Improve Cities

• Soga Delivers Rankine Lecture

• Bayen Receives Honorary Degree TU Delft

We are deeply saddened to announce the death of a great man, mentor, researcher, and teacher. Carl L. Monismith died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Missoula, Montana, at the age of 98. 

“Carl’s impact and legacy at the Institute of Transportation Studies will be felt for generations to come,” says ITS Berkeley Director Daniel A. Rodriguez.

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Get to know a member of TechTransfer's delivery team who handles digital communications for TechTransfer and student services for the Learn2Launch program, Jay Johnson, in this edition of the ITS Staff Spotlight Series!



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News Bits

• MCP Students Take the Classroom to the Streets of the Berkeley Hills
• Q+A on AI and Traffic Management
•  ITS Activities at TRB
• Is the Bay Area prepared for major wildfires?
• Transportation Seminars

Alumni News

• Alum McKenney Named Port of Oakland Executive Director

New Research

• New Publications Page

Media appearances

• Could Bay Area’s traffic nightmares bring back casual carpool?
• How California's New Fuel Standards Could Affect Drivers
• Because of their weight, electric vehicles cause more serious crashes
• As EV vehicles get heavier, they’re also getting more dangerous, safety experts say
• Latest Robotaxi Criticism Claims They’re Blocking SF Housing Development
• A California Port Gambles on Dirty Hydrogen
• High-speed rail financial crisis could get worse under Trump
• The Evolving (and Inexact) Science of Wildfire Evacuation
• Black, Latino and older Chicagoans more likely to die in traffic crashes, data shows
• Don't park too close to a crosswalk starting in 2025,
• Federal Government Approves California’s Ban on the Sale of New Gas Cars by 2035
• CalMatters Spotlights TSRC: Inspiring the Next Generation of Transportation Leaders

Opinions and Podcasts

• From Taxis to Ridehailing: Examining Differences for Drivers and Passengers
• What the Trump Administration Could Mean for Our Climate
• Speedrunners push their limits to set records on the BART system

Kudos and Welcomes

• Welcome to the ITS community Assistant Professor of City & Regional Planning Maryam Hosseini
• Welcome to the ITS community Civil and Environmental Engineering Assistant Professor Manxi Wu
• Welcome to the ITS community Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Negar Mehr
• Kudos the to the ITS Library team, Kendra Levine, Fred Webre, and Victoria Truong, for tackling, organizing, and uploading ITS publications on the ITS website, it looks and works fantastic!
• Thank you to ITS Library Circulation Manage Fred Webre and Assistant to the ITS Director Helen Bassham for going above and beyond in packing and shipping back the FHWA models that used to live in McLaughlin Hall.
• Thank you to everyone who contributed in making the Pacific Southwest Region University Transportation Center a success, from planning to execution! Our staff and volunteers really made the conference a great experience!

FRIDAY, MAY 2

410 McLaughlin Hall

3 p.m.

ITS Affiliated Student PhD Talks

Join the Institute of Transportation Studies to celebrate the research of graduating doctoral candidates at a special PhD Transportation Seminar on Friday May 2, 2025 at 3 pm in 410 McLaughlin Hall:

Wesley Darling (CEE) - Advised by Professor Michael Cassidy

Han Wang (CEE) - Advised by Maria Laura Dell Monache

Cheng-Kai Hsu (DCRP) - Advised by Professor Daniel A. Rodriguez

Ziad Yassine (CEE) - Advised by Professor Susan Shaheen

Join us for the cookie hour at 2:30 pm in the ITS Library (412 McLaughlin Hall) before the talks and the Student of the Year presentation!

THURSDAY, MAY 8

Cheit Hall at Haas

2-5 p.m.

Mobility Fireside Chat

Panel | Transportation, Automation, and AI

Panel | Private-Public Partnerships and Innovation

Hosted by the Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS), the California Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology (PATH), and the Haas Mobility Club, the event will examine how public agencies and private companies are navigating regulatory complexity, advancing safety and equity goals, and turning research into real-world deployments.

THURSDAY, MAY 8

Mudd Hall Lawn

4-6 p.m.

Fung Institute End of Year Showcase

We are excited to host the annual Fung Institute End of Year Showcase on Thursday, May 8 from 4-6pm PT at the Mudd Hall Lawn!

This free, two-hour event is open to the public and will feature Berkeley Master of Engineering (MEng) capstone teams and Fung Fellowship undergraduate teams showcasing their end-of-year projects.

Connect with Berkeley students, faculty, and alumni in learning more about cutting edge work in engineering and innovation for social impact alongside our community and industry partners and other UC Berkeley innovation communities.

Light refreshments and appetizers will be served. RSVP at bit.ly/FIShowcase25

TUESDAY, MAY 20

Hearst Greek Theatre

9 a.m.

2025 College of Environmental Design Commencement

The 2025 College of Environmental Design Commencement takes place on May 20 at the Greek Theatre. It is always a joyful event, a time for us to honor our graduates and celebrate their achievements in the company of families and friends.

Information about registration, ticketing, regalia, and more will be be announced in spring semester.

Commencement Information

Date and Time

Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 9 a.m.

Location

Hearst Greek Theatre, 2001 Gayley Road, Berkeley, CA 94720

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21

Hearst Greek Theatre

2-4 p.m.

Class of 2025 Engineering Master’s Degree Commencement

The College of Engineering will host a commencement ceremony for Master’s degree graduates of the Class of 2025, their family and friends on Wednesday, May 21.

SATURDAY, MAY 24

Zellerbach Hall

9 a.m.

Class of 2025 Engineering Doctoral Degree Commencement

The College of Engineering will host a commencement ceremony for Doctoral degree graduates of the Class of 2025, their family and friends on Saturday, May 24.