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Advisory Committee

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Mengzhao Hu

Mengzhao started her career as a transportation planner in 2005. She specializes in transit planning, travel demand modeling, and traffic engineering. She has worked on more than ten LA Metro Measure R/M Urban Rail and BRT projects, as well as commuter rail projects across Southern California. Mengzhao has managed a variety of multimodal corridor studies to improve traffic operation and safety for the Cities of Pasadena, Whittier, and Hesperia. Outside Southern California, Mengzhao has worked on rail and transit projects in Fort Lauderdale, Austin, Honolulu, New Orleans, Vancouver, and Sydney. Furthermore, Mengzhao has experience helping clients such as LA Metro and RCTC secure FTA New Starts and Small Starts funding. Mengzhao received her Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from Tongji University in her hometown Shanghai and her master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Southern California. Mengzhao previously served as the president of ICTPA and the ICTPA-Southern California Chapter.
Xudong Jia

Dr. Xudong Jia is a Professor of Transportation Engineering at Department of Civil Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). 
He has been the group leader of the transportation team at Cal Poly Pomona working with transportation agencies and institutions on transportation research and education. Dr. Jia’s research area is transportation systems planning, design, and operations.  His current research interests include Intelligent Transportation Systems, design of transportation facilities, GIS/GPS Applications in Transportation, Transportation Modeling, and Transportation Safety. Professor 
Jia got his PhD degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and his bachelor’s degree from Beijing Jiaotong University.
 
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Wendy Li, P.E.,
Principal
IDC Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Wendy Li is a principal of IDC Consulting Engineers, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in structure engineering, civil engineering, project management, and other transportation engineering services. Her Southern California experience is over twenty two (22) years. Prior to joining IDC, she was with the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) as Chief of Programming and Fund Administration.

In CALTRANS District 8, she performed various duties in the Division of Planning, Design, and Project Management. Her duties in Caltrans District 8 included positions as Transportation Engineer, Senior Transportation Engineer, Project Manager, then as San Bernardino County Area Project Manager. Additionally, she also has been Caltrans District 8 Local Assistance Engineer.

Her earlier career was with consulting engineering firms in the private sector that included positions as Draftsperson, Design Engineer, Project Engineer at Jaykim Engineers and HNTB; and later on, became a Senior Project Manager / Associate Vice President at HNTB.

She received her BSCE with major study in Commercial and Building Structure Design from Fuzhou University, China in 1988; and completed her MSSE from Cal Poly Pomona, California in 2000. She received her registration as Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of California in 1995.
Jimmy Lin

Mr. Lin has served as Principal-in-Charge or Project Manager on challenging and large- scale and design projects including planning traffic engineering, regional transportation planning, railroad engineering, ITS planning and design, and highway and freeway design projects with more than $500 million in construction.
40 years traffic and transportation engineering experience 
Registered Professional Engineer in California, Kansas, Florida, Illinois and Washington 
United Nations certified UNDP transportation expert providing technical services to China 
Planning Commissioner and Chairman, Diamond Bar, California 
Traffic Commissioner and Past Chairman, Diamond Bar, California
Member/Past President, International Chinese Transportation Professional Association (ICTPA)
Former President, Kansas Consulting Engineers
Former ACEC National Director
Former four-term (1985-1993) Council Member, Leawood, Kansas
Former Member of State Water Board, Kansas
 
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Eric C. Shen, P.E., PTP
Adjunct Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Practice
University of Southern California - Viterbi School of Engineering

Professor Eric C. Shen, P.E., PTP is an accomplished leader and visionary in the field of infrastructure and transportation. With over three decades of practical experience, he has consistently demonstrated his expertise in project design, planning, and delivery, as well as emergency operations. As the founder and CEO of Shen and Associates, LLC, a newly established Southern California-based consulting firm, he provides clients in both public and private sectors with expert advice on multimodal strategic planning, capital projects and transportation program management, and interagency coordination.

Professor Shen's contributions extend to high-profile roles that highlight his dedication to progress. Notably, he was appointed by the Eco-Rapid Transit Board of Directors as the contracted Executive Director in late 2022 to continue advocating for the development of the 34-mile West Santa Ana Branch (WSAB) transit corridor project in the southeast region of Los Angeles County. His impact extends beyond project leadership - Professor Shen is an At-Large Director of the WTS-Los Angeles Board of Directors where his commitment is instrumental in advancing opportunities for women and minorities within transportation fields. Recognizing his wealth of knowledge and experience, Professor Shen's insights are sought at the national level. His appointment to the Intermodal Freight Committee (AT045) and previously served as Chair of the Marine Group (AW000), and the Ports and Channels Committee (AW010), by the esteemed Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences underscores his stature within the industry.

Professor Shen's journey has encompassed influential roles in various capacities, showcasing his versatile expertise. His tenure as Chief Engineer/Director of Capital Projects at the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (CA), Mid-Pacific Gateway Office Director of the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), and leadership positions at the Port of Long Beach (CA) and the City of Pasadena (CA) exemplify his impactful contributions.

Professor Shen has also made significant contributions to academia. His affiliation with the Viterbi School of Engineering began in 2008, where he initially served as an industry lecturer. This engagement followed his substantial tenure as a lecturer at both UC Irvine (UCI) and UCLA for a cumulative span of eight years. Here at USC, he ascended to the role of Adjunct Associate Professor of Civil Engineering & Environmental Engineering Practice in 2017, a testament to his commitment and teaching acumen. In 2023, Professor Shen was reappointed to Adjunct Professor rank. His instructional offerings include Traffic Engineering (CEE585), Sustainable Transportation (CEE430) and Transportation Studio (PPD531) at the Sol Price School of Public Policy, where he also undertakes the role of faculty advisor for the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) USC Chapter.

Professor Shen's accomplishments are underpinned by an array of esteemed credentials. Holding the distinction of being a registered Professional Engineer in Alabama and California (Civil), a certified Transportation Professional Planner (PTP) by the Transportation Professional Certification Board of Washington DC, and a Certified Port Executive (CPE), he embodies a profound commitment to professional excellence.

Education has been a cornerstone of Professor Shen's journey, as he earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with honors and his Master of Science in Civil Engineering from UCI. His exceptional contributions have earned him a roster of honors and awards, including his induction into The Hall of Fame by the UCI Samueli School of Engineering, the recognition of Distinguished Engineering Alum by the UCI Alumni Association, The Honorable Ray LaHood Award by the WTS-LA Chapter, The Outstanding Engineering Educator Award by the Orange County Engineering Council, and The Western ITE Outstanding Transportation Education Award.

Professor Eric Shen's multifaceted journey is marked by innovation, leadership, and a profound commitment to advancing the fields of transportation and infrastructure. His contributions resonate across academia, industry, and public service, making him an exemplary figure whose impact is both far-reaching and enduring.
Nien Wang, P.E.
Director of Structures, Associate Vice President
HNTB Corporation

Mr. Wang is the Director of Structures for HNTB Southern California District, responsible for structure business development, project management and staff mentoring/training on various highway, railroad bridge and tunnel projects.   Mr. Wang has more than thirty years experience on various structural projects, and is a team leader for numerous projects involving seismic analysis, bridge design and renovation of over 300 highway, railroad bridges and tunnels in California.  Mr. 
Wang is a project-management-level structural engineer with experience throughout the continental United States.  Combined with a solid technical background, Mr. Wang has a proven track record of effective project management, and has successfully completed numerous bridge and tunnel projects.  The local/OC project includes the PE role for SR91/SR57 HOV connector final design, SR73/I-405 widening projects. PM roles for OCTA Kraemer Blvd Grade Separation project, Caltrans Structure On-Call contract in District 7 area, City of Los Angeles Bridge On-Call contract and Caltrans 1st Devil’s Slide Tunnels (construction cost of $400 Million dollars).  Mr. Wang was also the structure lead for I-405 Sepulveda Design/Build and tunnels lead for Bay Area Presidio P3 the contracts.  

Besides managing projects and leading the 20 structure staffs in SCA, Mr. Wang is also the co-chair for ACEC/DES Caltrans Structure Liaison committee hosting quarterly committee meetings.  He also organized 2 training seminars in 2012 to the industry that include Caltrans 2010 Specification training in April 2012 and Caltrans Structure Construction Winter training in June 2012.

QUALIFICATIONS
•         Associate Vice President, HNTB Corporation
•         Education: MSCE, 1983, University of Maryland, College Park MD
•         Registration: California Registered Civil Engineer
•         Years in Professional Practice: 30 years

Mr. Wang was also former president of ICTPA, International Chinese Transportation Professionals Association Southern California Chapter
And former board director of AAa/e, Asian American Architects & Engineers Association.
Liping Yan, Ph.D., PE, GE
Civil Engineering Associate
Geotechnical Engineering Group
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Liping Yan graduated from the Southwest Jiaotong University located in Sichuan, China, in 1983 with a B.Eng. Degree, majoring in bridge structural engineering. 

He received an M.Eng. Degree with emphasis in geotechnical engineering from the same university in 1986 and came to U.S. for further study. He earned M.S. and E.D. from the California Institute of Technology, and Ph.D. from the Universityof Southern California, all in civil engineering with focus on geotechnical and earthquake engineering.  

Dr. Liping Yan's research projects have related to soil constitutive relations, numerical analysis on seismic stability of earth dams and embankments, dynamic analysis on soil-structure interactions, and development and implementation of improved seismic design and retrofit procedures for bridge abutments and footings. He has authored and co-authored over forty scholarly publications.  

Since 1990, Dr. Yan has been consulting for both public and private clients. He has been involved in or has managed a variety of transportation and water system projects, such as reconstruction of I-10 Freeway bridges at Fairfax and Washington Boulevards after the Northridge earthquake in January 1994, Port of Los Angeles 2020 Plan, California Statewide Bridge Retrofit Program, Alameda Corridor, Metro Gold Line, and Los Angeles Reservoir Water Quality Improvement
Project. His experience covers a broad spectrum of geotechnical issues for design and construction. His expertise in geotechnical analysis and construction support includes aspects of building and bridge foundations, seismic site response, seismic hazard evaluation, seismic retrofit design, ground improvements, highway and parking pavements, airports, stations, earth dams, tanks, tunnels, storm drain, pipelines, port and harbor facilities, landfill, parks, and retaining structures. 
 
Currently Dr. Yan works in the Geotechnical Engineering Group, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Dr. Liping Yan served as President of International Chinese Transportation Professionals Association - Southern California Chapter from 2005 to 2007.
 
Min Zhou
Vice President of Orange County Operations, KOA Corporation

As a principal engineer for KOA, Ms. Zhou has 22 years of transportation engineering and planning experience with both private consultant companies and public agencies.  She has experience managing large-scale projects involving multiple stakeholder groups with elected public officials and is able to deliver the projects on-time and under budget.  Ms. Zhou has a proven track record of excellent communication, coordination, and consensus-building.  She has worked on numerous transportation projects which have required inventory, data collection, and GIS capabilities. Her professional expertise includes GIS database management, travel demand modeling, corridor studies, traffic signal operation, traffic simulation, environmental impact report (EIR) traffic support, and non-motorized transportation planning and engineering.

Min is a registered civil engineer in the States of California. She got her master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University, master’s degree in Urban Planning from Tsinghua University and her bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from Tongji University. Min serves as the president of ICTPA-SCC from year 2007 to year 2009.
 
 
Wen Cheng, Ph.D., P.E., T.E., PTOE
Associate Professor, Civil Engineering
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Dr. Cheng received his Ph.D. from Arizona State University. His research focuses on highway safety, statistical modeling, traffic operation and management. He won the nationally recognized “2008 Young Researcher Award” presented by TRB Committee on Safety Data, Analysis, and Evaluation due to his research related to safety performance ranking. He also received the 2013 National James M. Robbins Excellence in Teaching Award from the Civil Engineering honor society. Most recently, he received the 2015 Outstanding Research Award from Cal Poly Pomona College of Engineering.
 

Professional Experience

  • Sept. 2014~Present: Associate Professor, California State Polytechnic Univ., Pomona

  • Sept. 2009~Aug. 2014: Assistant Professor, California State Polytechnic Univ., Pomona

  • Aug. 2008-Sept.2009:  Project Manager, Tetra Tech Inc., Irvine, California

  • Aug. 2006-Aug. 2008:  Project Engineer, Tetra Tech Inc., Irvine, California

 

Education

 

Professional License

  • California Professional Traffic Engineer, License No. 2536         

  • California Professional Engineer, License No. C72602

  • Professional Traffic Operations Engineer, License No. 2432

 

Research Interests

  • Traffic Operations and Safety

  • Statistical Analysis and Modeling

  • Multimodal Traffic Analysis

  • Highway Design

 

Honors and Awards

  • CPP CoE Outstanding Research Award (2015)

  • Chi Epsilon’s James M. Robbins National Excellence in Teaching Award (2013)

  • Chi Epsilon’s James M. Robbins Pacific District Excellence in Teaching Award (2013)

  • ITE’s Coordinating Council Best Project Award (2013)

  • Cal Poly Pomona Eminent Engineer in the CA Nu Chapter (2013)

  • Outstanding Area Editor Award, CICTP International Conference (2012)

  • Best Poster Award, 18th annual UCTC Research Conference (2012)

  • Best New Professor, ASCE Student Chapter, Cal Poly Pomona (2010)

  • Young Researcher of 2008 Award, TRB committee on safety Data, Analysis and Evaluation, Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., US  (2009)

 

Textbook

  • Jia, X., W. Cheng, & M. Guan. Highway Geometric Design: Application of Design Standards in InRoads, Kendall/Junt Publishing Company, 2013.

 
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