SUNDAY OKAFOR
Houston,Texas
Summary
Licensed Civil Engineer specializing in transportation safety and operations, with a focus on enhancing roadway efficiency through data-driven analysis. Led statewide network screenings and advanced crash analyses, delivering actionable recommendations for state DOTs and municipal agencies. Expertise in collaborative project delivery and effective communication of technical findings.
Overview
1
1
Certification
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Engineer
Garver
Houston, Texas
08.2024 - Current
- Led transportation safety and operation projects for state DOTs and municipal agencies to enhance roadway safety and efficiency.
- Conducted ARDOT statewide roadway network screening covering 10,000+ miles to identify high-risk corridors, systemic crash patterns, roadway-departure risks, and roadside hazards.
- Perform advanced crash analysis, traffic engineering evaluations, corridor safety studies, and operational assessments to identify cost-effective countermeasures and alternatives for transportation improvements.
- Lead technical components of Safety Action Plans, including identifying High Injury Network and Intersections
- Supported corridor and mobility studies, including ARDOT Central Searcy Mobility Study, Stribling Road Widening Traffic and Safety Analysis, Redd Road Corridor Improvements, Little Rock I-30 Deck Park Planning Study, ARDOT I-30 ITS Project, and Forsyth County Multiple Corridor Operational Analysis in Georgia, contributing to improved traffic flow and safety outcomes.
- Utilized HCS and Synchro and SIDRA software to evaluate existing conditions, No-Build and Build Conditions for multiple traffic operation projects.
- Prepared technical reports, memoranda, exhibits, and presentations to effectively communicate findings and recommendations to agency staff, project teams, and stakeholders.
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary engineers, planners, public agencies, and project managers to deliver technically sound work products within demanding schedules.
Research Engineer
Alabama Transportation Institute
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
01.2021 - 07.2024
- Led transportation research on pedestrian safety, heavy-truck safety, roadway-departure crashes, and systemic safety countermeasures, contributing to enhanced roadway safety strategies.
- Conducted large-scale crash-data analysis, statistical modeling, geospatial analysis, and transportation systems evaluation to identify high-risk roadway conditions.
- Applied machine-learning and econometric methods to transportation safety datasets and translated analytical results into practical recommendations for transportation professionals.
- Developed a predictive traffic safety framework using connected-vehicle event data to identify crash risk and support proactive roadway safety interventions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary researchers and transportation stakeholders and delivered technical presentations at conferences and professional forums.
- Produced technical manuscripts, reports, and presentations that effectively communicated research findings and informed stakeholders on critical safety issues.
Education
PhD - Civil Engineering
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa01-2024
MS - Civil Engineering
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa01-2023
MS - Civil Engineering
Nottingham Trent University
United Kingdom01-2019
BEng - Civil Engineering
Federal University of Agriculture
Abekokuta, Nigeria01-2017
Skills
- Traffic operations analysis
- Highway capacity evaluation
- Roadway safety assessment
- Data visualization techniques
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
- Traffic simulation software expertise
- Project coordination skills
- Technical writing proficiency
- Technical analysis capabilities
- Process improvement initiatives
- Analytical thinking skills
- Project management
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION & LEADERSHIP
ITE Young Leader to Follow — Institute of Transportation Engineers, 2024, Excellence in Highway Safety Data Research Award — USDOT, FHWA & ITE, 2022, Graduate School Ambassador, The University of Alabama (2022–2024), Vice President, ITE Student Chapter (2021–2022)
Certification
- Professional Engineer (PE) - Texas and Oklahoma
- Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI)
Timeline
Project Engineer
Garver
08.2024 - Current
Research Engineer
Alabama Transportation Institute
01.2021 - 07.2024
PhD - Civil Engineering
The University of Alabama
MS - Civil Engineering
The University of Alabama
MS - Civil Engineering
Nottingham Trent University
BEng - Civil Engineering
Federal University of Agriculture