PEO Mississauga – Engineering Safer Roads Seminar
Meadowvale Community Centre - Youth/Senior's Room
PEO Mississauga – Transportation Engineering: Intelligent Transportation Systems, Traffic Management, and Road Safety
Dear PEO Mississauga Chapter Members,
The Energy, Environment, and Transportation Committee is excited to invite you to an in-person event titled, “Transportation Engineering: Intelligent Transportation Systems, Traffic Management, and Road Safety”. This event promises to be an insightful presentation and a valuable networking opportunity for professionals in our field.
What to Expect:
This event lineup explores cutting-edge approaches to improving traffic efficiency and road safety. Attendees will gain insights into Toronto’s first real-world deployment of AI-powered adaptive traffic signals aimed at reducing congestion. Learn how expert forensic engineers assess road authority liability in collisions through data-driven analysis and legal interpretation. Discover a fresh, system-wide perspective on road safety that goes beyond traditional measures by integrating design, data, and human behaviour. Together, these sessions offer a comprehensive look at how technology, engineering, and policy are shaping the future of transportation.
Interactive Discussions: Participate in discussions that delve into the opportunities and challenges facing the industry today.
Practical Experience: Gain insights from real projects and case studies that highlight practical applications of smart grid and battery storage solutions.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow professionals and industry leaders, expanding your network and fostering collaboration.
Event Details
Date and Time: July 28th, 2025, at 6:00PM EDT to 9:30PM EDT
Duration: Three sessions, each lasting approximately 45~60 minutes, including a Q&A segment.
Address: Meadowvale Community Centre - Youth/Senior's Room
6655 Glen Erin Dr, Mississauga, ON L5N 3L4 (Free Parking)
Registration Link: Registration Here at Eventbrite.ca
Ticket Price: $10 (The event will include light snacks, such as pizza)
Session 1 - Getting Ready for the First Real-World Deployment of Self-Learning AI Traffic Lights in Toronto - Baher Abdulhai, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Introduces Toronto’s pilot project using eMARLIN-T, an AI-based Adaptive Traffic Signal Control system, to combat severe urban congestion.
- Highlights the use of real-time traffic data, reinforcement learning algorithms, and smart detection technologies.
- Covers pilot deployment details including site selection, simulation vs. real-world performance, system integration, and expected outcomes.
Session 2 - Uncovering Road Authorities’ Liability Through Expert Analysis - Dr. Essam Dabbour, Ph.D., RSP1, F.ITE, P.Eng
Examines how expert witnesses assess road design, maintenance, and inspection practices in the context of collision investigations.
- Explores real case studies, focusing on technical data interpretation, compliance with standards, and legal implications.
- Demonstrates the role of forensic engineering in identifying liability and promoting road safety accountability.
Session 3 - The Three Dimensions of Road Safety Countermeasures – Dr. Yoassry Elzohairy, Ph.D., P.Eng
Challenges traditional road safety perceptions, revealing gaps between perceived and actual risk.
- Advocates for a holistic approach that integrates road design, data analytics, and human behavior.
- Emphasizes shifting from driver blame to building smarter, system-oriented safety solutions.
Bios of Our Esteemed Speakers
Dr. Baher Abdulhai, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Professor and Director, Toronto Intelligent Transportation Systems Centre
Co Director, iCity Centre for Automated and Transformative Transportation Systems – iCity CATTS.
Dr. Baher Abdulhai has been a Professor at the University of Toronto since 1998, with over 35 years of experience in transportation systems engineering and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Born in Cairo, Egypt in 1966, he earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Cairo University, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine in 1996.
He is the founder and Director of the Toronto ITS Centre and co-Director of the Centre for Automated and Transformative Transportation Systems (CATTS). A former Canada Research Chair in ITS, Dr. Abdulhai has received numerous awards, including the IEEE Outstanding Service Award, the University of Toronto Inventor of the Year, and the Ontario Professional Engineers Engineering Medal for Excellence.
His work has been recognized internationally through awards from the International Transportation Forum, IEEE ITS, and INFORMS. He is a Fellow of both the Engineering Institute of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Engineering.
Dr. Abdulhai’s expertise spans AI-based traffic control, large-scale network modeling, emergency evacuation optimization, dynamic congestion pricing, and smart city applications under transformative mobility.
Dr. Essam Dabbour, Ph.D., RSP1, F.ITE, P.Eng.
Consulting Engineer & Expert in traffic safety, roadway/intersection design & maintenance, and traffic control devices. President of EDA Forensics.
Dr. Essam Dabbour is a Professional Engineer and designated Consulting Engineer with over 25 years of experience in transportation engineering and forensic analysis. He is the President of EDA Forensics, where he leads complex investigations into the role of road design, inspection, and maintenance in traffic collisions.
Dr. Dabbour is recognized for his expertise in helping courts, insurers, and legal professionals understand technical liability through rigorous, evidence-based engineering analysis. His work involves assessing whether road authorities adhered to applicable standards and best practices, using real-world data and case evidence. Through expert testimony and reporting, he provides clear insights into the causes of road-related incidents and the engineering factors involved.
With a deep understanding of both transportation systems and the legal landscape, Dr. Dabbour operates at the critical intersection of infrastructure design and public accountability. His contributions support improved safety, better-informed decision-making, and enhanced standards of practice across the industry.
Dr. Dabbour is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in forensic transportation engineering, widely respected for his impartial approach and commitment to advancing road safety in communities across Canada.
Dr. Yoassry Elzohairy, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Senior Manager, Research and Evaluation Office, Ministry of Transportation Ontario
Dr. Yoassry Elzohairy is a Senior Manager at the Ministry of Transportation Ontario, bringing over 30 years of expertise in traffic safety, operations, highway design, and transportation planning. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario.
Dr. Elzohairy is actively involved in the professional community as a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), and the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP). He served as Past Chair of the Committee on Road Safety Research and Policies for the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA).
An Adjunct Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, he contributes to both the Civil Engineering Department and Yeates School of Graduate Studies. Dr. Elzohairy has published extensively in leading journals such as Transportation Research Record and Accident Analysis and Prevention, and has provided expert testimony in Ontario Superior Court cases.
In recognition of his leadership in national road safety, he received the 2025 CCMTA Distinguished Service Award. His work continues to advance safer, more effective transportation systems across Canada.