MTI NEWS

November 2025

MTI Team Spotlight

Brian Michael Jenkins

Heartfelt congratulations to MTI’s very own Brian Michael Jenkins, Director of the Allied Telesis National Transportation Security Center, for receiving The Soufan Center’s (TSC) inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to the study of terrorism.

Presented at the 2025 Global Summit on Terrorism and Political Violence in New York City, this prestigious honor recognizes Mr. Jenkins as one of the world’s most distinguished authorities on terrorism and political violence. The award was presented by John Miller, CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst and TSC Board Member, who lauded Mr. Jenkins as a pioneer whose groundbreaking work has set the standard for generations of counterterrorism professionals.

At MTI, Mr. Jenkins leads research on national transportation security, addressing both persistent and emerging threats. His leadership ensures that the Institute’s work continues to strengthen the safety and resilience of the nation’s transportation systems, protecting people, goods, and the economy.

“Brian’s visionary leadership has transformed how our industry understands and addresses transportation security,” said Dr. Karen Philbrick, MTI Executive Director. “His lifelong dedication to advancing safety through research and practice has made a lasting impact not only on global security but also on the daily lives of those who depend on safe, reliable mobility.”

We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and Brian’s enduring contributions to both global and transportation security.

New Research

Broadening Workforce Participation in Transportation: Challenges and Strategies

Attracting and retaining a diverse, skilled workforce remains one of the most pressing challenges in the transportation industry. A new MTI-led California State University Transportation Consortium report examines why workforce participation gaps persist and identifies practical strategies organizations can implement to address them.

Drawing on an extensive literature review, a nationwide industry survey with 996 respondents, and in-depth interviews with 15 transportation professionals, the study highlights both the barriers and the solutions to workforce participation. The findings emphasize that open dialogue, intentional investment, and inclusive workplace policies can help transform industry culture, making transportation careers more appealing to a broader and more diverse talent pool.

Fresno’s Scribbles Bike Path: A Master Plan for Active Transportation

The Fresno Scribbles Bike Path Master Plan represents a commitment to equitable active transportation and social infrastructure designed to enhance quality of life for Fresno residents. Through safe, comfortable, and accessible biking and walking paths, the plan promotes sustainability, community connection, and environmental resilience.

Led by the Intelligent Design Visualization Lab (IDVL) in collaboration with the Fresno State Transportation Institute, the project supports the Fresno County Regional Active Transportation Plan and focuses on two important initiatives: the design of eight educationally themed, district-specific bike shelters and the creation of a Heat Island Design Toolkit (HIDT). Grounded in principles of health, safety, environmental equity, and social justice, these efforts advance a participatory, community-based approach to active transportation design in California’s Central Valley.

A Holistic Inquiry of Intelligent Speed-Assist Technology: Safety Impacts, Technology Implementation, and Challenges

Speeding is a leading contributor to roadway fatalities in the United States, and California consistently ranks among states with the highest number of speed-related crashes—including second in the nation (after Texas) in 2023. Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology has emerged as a promising solution by alerting drivers to posted speed limits and, in some cases, automatically reducing vehicle speed. MTI’s new report, A Holistic Inquiry of Intelligent Speed-Assist Technology: Safety Impacts, Technology Implementation, and Challenges, examines ISA’s safety benefits, implementation challenges, and public perception through a large-scale analysis of over two million consumer complaints, 300,000 recall records, and a survey of 286 California drivers.

Findings reveal that while most drivers recognize the potential safety benefits of ISA, many express concerns about autonomy, reliability, and data privacy. A strong preference emerged for advisory or supportive systems that assist drivers without taking full control of vehicle speed. The study concludes that ISA has significant potential to reduce speeding and enhance safety, but its success depends on thoughtful design, public trust, and supportive policy frameworks.

Sustainable Frameworks and Life Cycle Assessment for Reinforced Concrete Bridges for Sustainability in Transportation

Bridge structures are critical components of California’s transportation network,  and reinforced concrete (RC) bridges are among the most common. Extending the lifespan of these structures can lead to significant reductions in environmental impacts. However, the state’s frequent seismic activity continues to reveal the vulnerability of these structures. A new MTI-led  California State University Transportation Consortium study presents an advanced nonlinear finite element modeling framework that predicts potential damage and evaluates the seismic performance of RC bridges, providing data-driven recommendations for retrofitting.

The research also includes a life-cycle assessment (LCA) comparing the environmental impacts of retrofitting versus rebuilding RC bridges. Findings show that retrofitting significantly reduces environmental impacts and resource use while extending bridge lifespan and improving safety. This sustainable approach strengthens California’s infrastructure resilience and supports long-term environmental stewardship.

Professional Development Opportunity

Embark on a high-speed rail adventure across Spain & France!

MTI is delighted to partner with Move Bay Area and invite you to the Move Bay Area Transportation, Climate, and Health South Bay Summit on Friday, December 5, 2025, at San José State University's Student Union. This free event brings together public officials, community advocates, and transportation leaders to explore the connections among climate, health, and transportation and to help shape a regional transportation vision.

What to expect:

• A Visionary + Successes Panel featuring leaders advancing mobility, clean air, and healthier communities across the Bay Area
• A Full-Room Discussion & Interactive Activity, where every voice helps shape our shared regional transportation vision
• A Free Event with breakfast and lunch included

Keynote Speaker: CA Senator  Dave Cortese

Visionary Panel Speakers:

• Sergio Lopez, Mayor of Campbell & Chair of VTA
• Padma Balaji, MTI Student Research Assistant & Co-Chair of the Bay Area Youth Climate Summit
• Clarrissa Cabansagan, Executive Director of Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
• Sheri Burns, Executive Director of SV Independent Living Center

Shared Successes Panel Speakers:

• Pat Burt, Palo Alto City Councilmember & MTC Commissioner
• Sara Barz, Seamless Bay Area Co-Founder & Transportation Product Manager at Apple
  
• Raj Singh, President of ATU 265

Additional Speakers:

• Hon. Rod Diridon Sr., Retired Founding Executive Director of MTI & Emeritus Chair of California High-Speed Rail Authority
• Kendra Chang, President of SJSU Public Health Honor Society
• Raashi Sachdeva, Safe Routes to School Representative of Cupertino High School