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InTrans

Institute for Transportation

InTrans|People

Omar Smadi

TITLE

Director, CTRE

PHONE

515-294-7110

EMAIL

smadi@iastate.edu

ADDITIONAL ROLES

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

AFFILIATIONS

InTrans, CTRE, MTC, REACTOR

About Omar

Dr. Smadi has over 25 years of experience in the area of infrastructure and asset management ranging from pavements, bridges, safety, pavement marking, signs and other infrastructure assets. He is currently serving as PI for several research projects for the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Iowa Highway Research Board, the federally funded Midwest Transportation Center, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Second Highway Research Program, and Federal Highway Administration dealing with roadway data, safety, and asset management.

 

Education


  • PhD, Transportation Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 2000 
  • MS, Transportation Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 1994 
  • BS, Civil Engineering, Yarmouk University, Jordan, 1987 

Professional Experience


  • Director, Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE), November 2016–present
  • Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, July 2014–present
  • Director, Roadway Infrastructure Management and Operations Systems (RIMOS) program, Center for Transportation Research and Education, Institute for Transportation, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, June 2010–present
  • Research Scientist, Center for Transportation Research and Education, Institute for Transportation, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, May 1994–present

Selected Research Projects


  • Planning, Implementation, and Operation of the Iowa Pavement Management Program, Iowa DOT, 1996–present
  • Planning, Implementation, and Operation of the Iowa DOT Bridge Management System, Iowa DOT, 2004–present
  • Pavement Management Performance Modeling: Evaluating the Existing PCI Equations, Iowa DOT, 2014
  • Developing/Teaching FHWA Data Integration Workshop (sub to Battelle), FHWA
  • Developing/Teaching NHI Asset Management workshops (sub to ApTech)
  • SHRP2 S04A Roadway Information Database Development and Technical Coordination and Quality Assurance of the Mobile Data Collection Project (S04B), SHRP2
  • Implementation and Operation of the Iowa DOT Pavement Management Optimization Model, Iowa DOT, 2000–present
  • Automated Pavement Condition Data: Analysis, Feasibility, and Data Integration, Prepared for the FHWA and Iowa DOT, February 2005
  • Development of a monograph on the “Science of Transportation Asset Management,” in partnership with the Office of Asset Management, Federal Highway Administration
  • Pavement Optimization System for the Iowa Department of Transportation, Center for Transportation Research and Education, Iowa Department of Transportation

Selected Publications


  • Khatami, D., Shafei, B., and Smadi, O. 2016. Management of Bridges under Aging Mechanisms and Extreme Events: Risk-Based Approach. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2550, pp. 89–95.
  • Chen, C. R., Williams, C., Marasinghe, M., Ashlock, J., Smadi, O., Schram, S., and Buss, A. 2015. Assessment of Composite Pavement Performance by Survival Analysis. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 141, No. 9.
  • Bektas, F., Smadi, O., and Nlenanya, I. 2015. Pavement Condition: New Approach for Iowa Department of Transportation. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Vol. 2523, pp. 40–46.
  • Zimmerman, K. and Smadi, O. 2014. Investigating Consistency in Highway Performance Monitoring System and Pavement Management Reporting. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Vol. 2455, pp. 37–43.
  • Bektas, B. A., Carriquiry, A., and Smadi, O. 2013. Using Classification Trees for Predicting National Bridge Inventory Condition Ratings. Journal of Infrastructure Systems, pp. 425–433.
  • Kim, S., Ceylan, H., Gopalakrishnan, K., and Smadi, O. 2010. Use of Pavement Management Information System for Verification of Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide Performance Predictions. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Vol. 2153, pp. 30–39.
  • Smadi, Omar. 2001. Knowledge Based Pavement Management Optimization. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Managing Pavements, Seattle, WA, September 2001.

Professional Affiliations, Honors, and Service


  • Transportation Research Board (TRB)
    • Member, TRB Committee AFD20 – Pavement Monitoring and Evaluation (Chair for 6 years)
    • Member, TRB Committee AFD10 – Pavement Management (2000 to 2012)
    • Member, TRB Committee ABC40 – Asset Management 
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
    • Member, ASCE Infrastructure Management Committee
    • Member, ASCE Advanced Technology Committee
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
  • Friend, AAHSTO Asset Management Subcommittee
  • International Road Federation (IRF): Asset Management Committee (Chair for 4 years)
  • World Road Association (PIARC): Infrastructure Asset Management Group

Completed Research


Feb, 2021
Asset Management, Extreme Weather, and Proxy Indicators
Oct, 2020
Assessing and Enhancing the Transportation Resilience for the State of Iowa
Mar, 2020
Risk-Based Bridge Management: A Methodology to Assess and Incorporate Risk in Decision-Making
Sep, 2019
NCHRP 24-46: Development of an Implementation Manual for Geotechnical Asset Management for Transportation Agencies
Sep, 2018
Concrete Overlay Performance on Iowa’s Roadways
Apr, 2018
Durable Pavement Marking and Grooving
Apr, 2018
Investigating the Necessity of and Prioritizing Pavement Markings on Low-Volume Roads
Sep, 2016
Historical Performance Evaluation of Iowa Pavement Treatments Using Data Analytics
Jan, 2016
Machine-Vision-Based Roadway Health Monitoring and Assessment
Dec, 2015
MnDOT LRRB Next Generation Bridge Management Tools and Inspection
Nov, 2015
Iowa Pavement Asset Management Decision-Making Framework
Nov, 2015
Evaluation of the Sequential Dynamic Curve Warning System
Jan, 2015
Evaluation of Dynamic Speed Feedback Signs on Curves: A National Demonstration Project
Dec, 2014
Pavement Management Performance Modeling: Evaluating the Existing PCI Equations
Oct, 2013
Low-Cost Strategies to Reduce Speed and Crashes on Curves
Mar, 2013
Measuring Salt Retention
Dec, 2012
Evaluating the Effectiveness of the City of Des Moines LED and RRFB Pedestrian Crossing Treatments
Nov, 2012
Recommended Laboratory Test for Predicting the Initial Retroreflectivity of Pavement Markings from Glass Bead Quality
Oct, 2012
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Temporary Work-Zone Pavement Marking Products
Jun, 2012
Visualization Resources for Iowa State University and the Iowa DOT: An Automated Design Model to Simulator Converter
Jul, 2011
Wet Reflective Pavement Marking Demonstration Project
Jul, 2011
Implementation, Training, and Outreach for MnDOT Pavement Marking Tool – Phase II
Mar, 2011
Asset Management and Safety: A Performance Perspective
Feb, 2011
The Actual Cost of Food Systems on Roadway Infrastructure
Dec, 2010
Roadway Lighting and Safety: Phase II-Monitoring Quality, Durability, and Efficiency
Nov, 2010
Pavement Markings and Safety
Oct, 2010
Iowa Pavement Marking and Sign Management System
Jun, 2010
Local Agency Pavement Marking Plan
Nov, 2009
Minnesota Truck Parking Study Phase 2
Dec, 2008
Interstate System 4R Plan: An Asset Management Approach
Oct, 2008
Planning, Implementation, and Operation of the Iowa Pavement Management Program, Phase 13
Sep, 2008
PONTIS, Implementation and Operation: Iowa DOT and Counties, Phase III: Implementation and Operation
Aug, 2008
Implementation of HERS-ST in Iowa and Development /Refinement of a National Training Program
Jul, 2008
Planning, Developing, and Implementation of the Iowa Pavement Marking Management Program III
Feb, 2008
Developing Guidance for Use of Lighting on Rural and Urban Roadways in Iowa
Jul, 2007
Implementation and Operation of the Iowa DOT Pavement Management Optimization Model
Jun, 2007
Use of Functional Silos to Optimize Agency Decision Making
Apr, 2007
Existing Pavement Input Information for the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide
Apr, 2007
Validation of Pavement Performance Models for the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide
Dec, 2006
PONTIS Implementation and Operation, Phase 5
Sep, 2006
Planning, Developing and Implementing the Iowa Pavement Marking Management System (IPMMS)
Dec, 2005
PONTIS, Phase 4
Dec, 2005
County Non-FAE Paved Road Condition: Data Collection, Summary, and Delivery, Phase I 2003-2005
Jun, 2005
Iowa Pavement Management Program, Phase X
Dec, 2004
Pavement Management through Data Collection and Analysis
Dec, 2004
Automated Pavement Condition Data: Analysis, Feasibility and Data Integration
Sep, 2004
PONTIS Implementation and Operation, Phase II: Implementation
Jun, 2004
Implementation of Iowa DOT Pavement Management Optimization Model, 2004
May, 2004
Planning, Implementation and Operation of the IPMP, Phase IX
Mar, 2004
Planning, Developing and Implementation of the Iowa Pavement Markings Management Program
Mar, 2004
Development of a Method to Determine Pavement Damage Due to Detours (TR-470)
Sep, 2003
Statistical Analysis of Highway Needs Condition Data: Manual vs Automated
May, 2003
Planning, Implementation and Operation of the IPMP, Phase VIII
Apr, 2003
Implementation of Iowa DOT Pavement Management Optimization Model, 2002
Jun, 2002
Implementation of Iowa DOT Pavement Management Optimization Model, 2001
Jun, 2002
Planning, Implementation and Operation of the IPMP, Phase VII
Dec, 2001
PONTIS Implementation and Operation: Iowa DOT and Counties
Apr, 2001
Implementation of Iowa DOT Pavement Management Optimization Model, 2000
Dec, 2000
Planning, Implementation, and Operation of the IPMP, Phase VI: Proposal to develop the Implementation and Operation of the IPMP
Oct, 2000
HWYNEEDS: Methodology, Analysis and Evaluation (TR-433)
May, 2000
Local Agency Pavement Management System
Dec, 1999
Planning, Implementation, and Operation of the Iowa DOT Pavement Management Program, Phase V: Proposal to Develop the Implementation and Operation of the IPMP
Dec, 1999
Implementation of Iowa DOT Pavement Management Optimization Model, 1999
Oct, 1998
Feasibility of Using Automated Distress Data in the County Need Study (TR-418)

In-Progress Research


May, 2020
Iowa’s Pavement Preservation Guide
Mar, 2020
Developing Guidance Documents and Training Workshops to Support Enhancement of the State DOTs Transportation Asset Management Plans
Sep, 2019
Infrastructure Research and Technology Deployment Program
Sep, 2019
Impact of Pavement Friction on Traffic Safety, Phase 1: Pavement Friction Evaluation
Jan, 2018
Pavement Management Support for the Iowa DOT and Local Agencies
Oct, 2017
High Friction Surface Treatment for High Crash Locations Phase II: Performance Assessment
Jul, 2017
Evaluating All-Weather Pavement Markings & Lab Methods to Simulate Field Exposure
Mar, 2016
Use of SHRP2 NDS Data to Evaluate Roadway Departure Characteristics
Mar, 2016
Evaluation of Work Zone Safety Using SHRP2 Naturalistic Driving Study Data
Dec, 2015
NCHRP Standard Definitions for Comparable Pavement Cracking Data
Nov, 2015
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Investigate Work Zone Safety using SHRP 2 Safety Data
Nov, 2015
Research Utilizing the SHRP2 Safety Data to Support Highway Safety
Sep, 2015
Safety and Performance Criteria for Retroreflective Pavement Markers
Feb, 2015
MnDOT Evaluation of Workzone Safety Using the SHRP2 Naturalistic Driving Study Data
Sep, 2014
Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Problems. Topic 46-13. Practice of Rumble Strips and Rumble Stripes
Aug, 2014
Technical Analysis to Support the Bridge Condition Performance Measure
Jul, 2014
High Friction Surface Treatment for High Crash Locations
May, 2014
MnDOT LRRB Minnesota Local Agency Pavement Marking: Mining Existing Data
Apr, 2010
SHRP 2 (S04(A) Roadway Information Database Development and Technical Coordination and Quality Assurance of the Mobile Data Collection Project (S04B)
Apr, 2009
Minnesota Local Agency Pavement Marking Practices-Phase I
Mar, 2009
Development and Field Evaluation of a Prototype Tool to Detect and Identify Left Turning Vehicles
Nov, 2007
Implementation of the Iowa DOT Pavement Management Optimization Model
Nov, 2006
AASHTOWare BrM Bridge Management System Implementation and Operation
Jun, 2006
Iowa DOT Pavement Marking Management System: Research and Field Evaluation Assistance
May, 2006
Pavement Marking Demonstration Project
May, 2006
Pavement Markings Concept
Apr, 2005
County Non-FAE Paved Road Condition: Data Collection, Summary, and Delivery, Phase II
Apr, 2005
Sign Management System for Iowa DOT
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