FHWA Works: Employee Spotlight - Abdul Zineddin, Ph.D.

Full Name: Abdul Zineddin, Ph.D.
Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Safety R&D
Location (City/State): McLean, VA

What is your current position and how long have you been in this role?
At FHWA’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC), I manage and assist in various highway safety research projects related to speed management, geometric design, roadway departure, and Automated Vehicles (AVs). I oversee the speed management research program where I’m responsible for researching on issues related to speed management in addition to managing the various speed management research activities and coordinating with other agencies within and outside of the FHWA to oversee the recommendations adopted by the Speed Management Program Plan that was established in 2005, and was updated in 2014. In addition, I manage the Geometric Design Laboratory’s overall geometric design program including the development and maintenance of the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) tool to support the implementation of Highway Safety Manual developed by American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, and FHWA’s Data-Driven Safety Analysis. I serve as a member of the FHWA’s Automated Vehicles policy team. I’m a member of the Asset Management Investment Group (AMIG) that was established in 2014 with a focus on developing a strategic and long-term vision for research infrastructure and capital investments at TFHRC. Lastly, I’m the diversity champion on the FHWA’s Diversity Management Committee.
What is your typical workday like?
I usually start by addressing all my emails before planning for my meetings in that day or the day after. I visit my lab to check on the on-site contractors to address any questions/concerns. Finally, I’m a researcher so I get to review a lot of reports.
What has been your biggest accomplishment over the last year?
I published three research reports related to automated vehicles, roadway departure, and geometric designs. I assisted in the development of speed management plans for the states of Oregon and Pennsylvania. I also led the release of version 13.0.0 of FHWA’s IHSDM tool last September. I’m proud to be part of the delivery team for the FHWA’s National Dialogue on Highway Automation. I received the Corporate Team Award for the FHWA’s Automated Vehicle Policy Team last June and the Corporate Team Award for the FHWA’s Rural and Local Team last July. I’m currently enrolled in the FHWA Formal Mentoring Program, and I serve as the Diversity Champion for TFHRC.
Prior to working at FHWA, what was the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had?
Prior to joining FHWA in 2014, I served as the regional manager for Gannett Fleming in the Middle East. Responsibilities involved overseeing business and professional staff development, managing application development teams, and providing technical leadership and mentoring in the region. I coordinated and tracked all Gannett Fleming’s activities in the region where I grew the business from one person to 30 professional staff with a budget of $23M, and opening two offices in UAE and Qatar.
What are your hobbies in your spare time?
Almost all of my spare time is devoted to my wonderful two children. We like to hike and watch movies at home. I also enjoy reading; some of my favorite books include Quiet by Susan Cain and the Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron, which I recommend to everyone.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned in your career to get you where you are today?
I will make this simple . . . . listen, listen, and listen.
Who do you admire in the transportation field and why?
It has to be my doctoral advisor, Dr. Martin Pietrucha. I took a human factors course with him when studying for my master’s degree and became fascinated with highway safety. He supported me throughout my doctoral degree and has always been a great mentor . . . he calls me “Sonny”.
Complete this sentence: "People would be surprised if they knew..."
I had a third-degree black belt in Jung Sim Do Korean Martial Arts.

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Title: Transportation Specialist
Division/Department: Office of Safety R&D
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Page posted on September 12, 2018