One word to describe yourself: Persistent
Alma Mater: Texas A&M University
Fun fact about yourself: I got my degrees from four different universities on three continents.
Sharareh (Sherri) Kermanshachi, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Technology Transfer director of CTEDD and director of the Resilient Infrastructures and Sustainable Environment (RISE) Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington. She received her Ph.D. in civil engineering from Texas A&M University, as well as a master’s degree in civil engineering andan MBA and bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering. She specializes in the deployment of autonomous vehicles. Kermanshachi teaches various undergraduate and graduate courses and she is currently leading the RISE lab with more than a dozen graduate students.
Kermanshachi has made major and significant contributions with the integration of autonomous vehicles (AVs) into transit services through leading research efforts in Arlington, Texas, with the Arlington RAPID (Rideshare, Automation and Payment Integration Demonstration) project, which analyzes and evaluates the impact of integrating AVs into the existing on-demand transit services. In this project, Kermanshachi evaluated how the AV-based transit services enhance transportation equity, accessibility and safety, providing insights into transportation strategies which improve citizens’ mobility needs. Led by Kermanshachi in partnership with the city of Arlington, Via and May Mobility, the team has received an FTA grant to help launch a new public transportation pilot program in downtown Arlington. The goal of this $1.7-million project was to provide a blueprint for combining AVs and mobility-on-demand technologies to develop more effective, efficient, safe and accessible transit networks in low-density settings where traditional fixed-route transit is impractical. She and her team conducted three focus groups, developed and distributed multiple surveys, conducted interviews and performed quantitative data analytics to collect input from people residing and/or working in Arlington, and investigated travelers’ behavioral patterns in the choice of transportation mode selection.
Kermanshachi also received federal funds for the “TCRP SD-O5: Mitigating Third Rail Insulator Failures though New Technologies,” and conducted research to investigate the causes of third rail insulator failures and developed mitigating strategies to overcome these challenges.
Kermanshachi has published more than 250 books, scholarly articles, conference proceedings and research reports and has conducted several national- and state-level research projects, which were awarded by FTA, Transit Cooperative Research Program, FHWA, USDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, U.S. Department of Labor, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, Construction Industry Institute (CII), city of Arlington, Engineering Information Foundation and city of Fort Worth.
Kermanshachi is an active technical member of eight American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) committees and two Transportation Research Board (TRB) committees, among others. She also serves as a board member of the CMAA- North Texas and editorial board member of three academic journals. Kermanshachi has been invited to serve as a technical panel member for multiple federal research projects including USDOT; NCHRP 08-113: Transportation Asset Management Practices at state DOTs regional organizations and local Agencies; and TCRP SA-46: Mobile Fare Apps Business Models. Additionally, she has served as an organizer for multiple ASCE and CSCE conferences.
Kermanshachi has received several national and regional awards including the 2022 Award of Excellence from Texas Parking and Transportation Association; 2022 Leaders in Diversity Award; 2022 Texas Women Foundation Leadership Award; 2021 Best Paper Award; 2021 ASC Teaching Award; 2020 Women in Technology; 2020 Rosa Parks Leadership Diversity Award from WTS; 2020 Mark Hasso Educator of the Year; 2020 ASEE-GSW Outstanding Young Faculty Award; 2020 ASC Regional Teaching Award; 2019 Rising Stars in Civil Engineering; 2018 Design Build Institute of America Distinguished Leadership Award; ASCE Outstanding Reviewer; Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award; ASCE Professional Service Award; ASCE Excellence in Civil Engineering Education (ExCEEd); Open Educational Resources Research Fellowship; and the Graduate Climate Award. She was the only academic recipient of the 2017 Texas and Louisiana Engineering News Record Top 20 Under 40 award. She was also invited to serve as the judge for the 2017 and 2018 ENR Best Projects.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
One of the aspects of my job that I truly enjoy is developing the future workforce and training the next generation. I am amazed to see the extent that the young generation is innovative, and with some guidance and encouragement, they can concur a lot in their career path. The other aspect of my job that is very rewarding is conducting research to enhance quality of life for citizens, especially for the low-income communities. When the results of the research projects are applied to eliminate or minimize the gap between the needs of vulnerable people and existing services, it yields a very satisfying moment. The research findings can help with proper decision-making and funding allocation benefiting everyone in society.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Balancing time between several different tasks related to conducting research, training students and providing professional services needs a great level of discipline. However, proper planning and time management are helpful tools that enabled me to allocate sufficient time to various aspects of my work.
Accomplishment you’re most proud of and why?
I am proud of being able to serve others outside my work responsibilities and helping K-12 students learn about engineering majors, especially the civil engineering field. When I see how they look with enthusiasm to learn more about their possible future career paths, it makes me very happy and proud.
Best advice/tip/best practice to share from your area of expertise?
I always tell my junior colleagues what I really believe in: “When you fail, you are one step closer to success.” I do not allow failures to stop me from trying. I truly believe if there is a will, there is a way. Persistence makes everything possible, and we should never compare ourselves to anyone else. The best example to compare is our own self one year ago and then see how much closer we are to our life and career goals. It is never too late to start something if we are ready to put in the hard work.
