May 1, 2019
Civil engineering graduate students sweep paper competition
Three doctoral students from the civil engineering department placed first, second and third, respectively, in the Thomas J. Seburn Student Paper Award, an annual competition that selects the engineering student paper that has made the most significant contribution to transportation engineering.
It is sponsored by Missouri Valley Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, ITE, or MOVITE. The institute is an international professional society for those engaged in the planning, design and operation of streets, highways and other transportation facilities.
The three will receive their awards and recognition at the 2019 Midwest District and MOVITE annual meeting, June 19-21, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Jack Cunningham will receive a $1,500 award for his first-place paper, "An Investigation of Factors Associated with Motorcycle Crashes on Kansas's State Highway System." His major professor is Eric Fitzsimmons, assistant professor of civil engineering.
Imalka Martarage, second-place awardee, will receive $500 for her paper, "A Comparison between Calibration Factors and Calibration Functions for Predicting Crashes on Freeway Speed-Change Lanes in Kansas." Her major professor is Sunanda Dissanayake, professor of civil engineering.
Third place was awarded to Mizra Sharif, who will receive $250 for his paper, "Characteristics of Animal Crashes in the State of Kansas." His major professor also is Fitzsimmons.