Behrokh Bazmara

Currently, I'm a Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech University and my project is focused on the analysis and modeling of the pavement surface macrotexture by implementing Machine learning (ML) techniques. I implemented R-Studio, JMP, and MATLAB coding for relating dependent macrotexture and independent variables (aggregate properties, mix volumetrics, and construction parameters) form the basis for predicting macrotexture. Furthermore, I have proposed a novel approach of combining friction and macrotexture of the pavement surface properties by using the estimated available friction at the posted speed as a pavement safety performance measure on Freeways and Rural/Urban roads. This includes developing an index that could effectively capturing potential reduction in expected crashes and increasing safety. My other interests include further research on discovering the generalizability of the obtained model to alternative types of pavement surfaces.

I have graduated from Payame Noor University in Iran with an MSc in Civil Engineering-Transportation with primary interest in lab and experimental testing on the various asphalt mixes.

• Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT 2024), A Machine Learning Approach for Predicting Macrotexture of Hot Mix Asphalt Pavements.
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), International Conference on Transportation and Development (ICTD 2024) June 15-18, Publication and Presentation on Examining Safety Performance Functions with Emphasis on the Interaction between Mean Profile Depth (MPD) and Friction on
  Various Roadway Category.
• Road Profile User Group (RPUG) 2024 April 28- May 2, Application of Artificial Neural Network in Predicting Pavement Macrotexture.
• Data Science for Pavement Symposium (DSPS) 2024 March 11-14, Presentation of Relationship of Asphalt Mix Gradation to Macrotexture and Safety.
• Selected by the Virginia Tech Graduate School to judge undergraduate poster competition, 2024.
• Transportation Research Board (TRB) 2024, Presentation on Using Estimated Available Friction at the Posted Speed as a Pavement Safety Performance
  Measure on Freeways.
• Distracted Driving Summit Student Poster Competition, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 09/2023
• Awarded by the 4the international Conference on Civil Engineering and Environment for technical lecture, 4the international Conference on Civil Engineering and Environment, 02/2015.
• Awarded by mayor of Shahinshahr for great offer of the municipality competition, 06/2014.
• Ranked in the Top 1% among 300,000 participants in the national entrance exam of the Iranian national universities for the B.Sc. degree, 2006.
• Awarded as the best student Awarded as the best student of the top three students among more than 1000 students at Tolou High school, 2005.

• August 2021 - Current:

Graduate Student Research Assistant Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg.
Conduct a Machine Learning Approach for Predicting Pavement Surface Texture Properties of Hot Mix Asphalt Pavements.
Investigate the integration of Shannon Entropy as a feature selection and model evaluation technique within Random Forest (RF) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models for predicting pavement macrotexture using mix volumetric and aggregate properties. 

• September 2010 - January 2018:

Lecturer Bonyan Institution, Azad University of Shahinshahr, Iran
Inspired by the exchange of knowledge, I taught as a lecturer for several years, delivering undergraduate courses including 'Foundation Technology,' 'Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE),' 'Construction Management,' and 'Introduction to Transportation Engineering.'"

• January 2010 - January 2011:

Supervisor Engineer Municipality institution, Isfahan
After earning my degree in Bachelor in survey engineering, I spent a year at a municipal institution focusing on roadway and pavement design, as well as traffic engineering. During this time, I worked on road infrastructure projects, enhancing traffic flow, ensuring pavement quality, and implementing traffic management strategies. This hands-on experience deepened my understanding of transportation engineering and improved my skills in design and project management.