Each year, we are honoured to recognize many leaders who have served ITE and the transportation profession as well as emerging professionals. We are pleased to announce, alongside the Future Transportation Leaders Fund, the ITE Canada 2025 Excellence in Transportation Award and Scholarship recipients who were recognized on June 4 at our Annual Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Outstanding achievement in the transportation profession and dedicated service to ITE Canada
Toronto Section | NAVIGATS INC.
Geni Bahar, P.Eng., P.E., RSP2, FITE is a civil engineer with more than 40 years of professional experience as a researcher and a practitioner.
She has a broad and unique blend of experience with analytical methodologies and tools for road safety management; road safety analysis; countermeasure selection and evaluation; multi-disciplinary safety program, and policy development. Geni developed/delivered courses focusing on the principles of road safety and their applications, and the dissemination of evidence-based high-quality research results bringing them into practice.
Geni has been an active member of TRB, ITE, TAC, and CARSP committees. She is an Emeritus Member of the ITE Transportation Safety Council. Geni served as Chair of the TAC’s Road Safety Committee and served on the Board of Directors of the TPCB – Transportation Professional Certification Board as Director in charge of the Road Safety Professional (RSP) Certification. Her efforts were foundational in the establishment of this successful certification program.
Recognizing exceptional voluntary contributions and dedication to ITE Canada
BC Interior Section | Urban Systems
Ian has been a dedicated volunteer with ITE Canada, contributing to the BC Interior Section, the District Board of Directors, the 2016 Conference Local Arrangements Committee, and leading the ITE Canada Training Committee. His efforts have supported professional growth and collaboration within the transportation community. Join us in recognizing Ian’s commitment and meaningful contributions to ITE Canada.
Recognizing members under 35 who have made an impact on the profession early in their careers
Toronto Section | City of Mississauga
Erik is a Transportation Project Engineer with the City of Mississauga, leading integrated road projects and active transportation retrofits. He is also a part-time PhD student at York University where he was the founding President of the ITE Student Chapter. With a background in both planning and engineering, Erik is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), Registered Professional Planner (RPP), and Professional Transportation Planner (PTP). He served as President of ITE Toronto in 2023 and currently sits on the ITE Canada Board. During both tenures, Erik has volunteered on countless committees and task forces, contributing behind the scenes to many ITE Canada initiatives.
The Young Leaders to Follow program recognizes individuals starting to make an impact on ITE at the Chapter, Section, District or International levels and in their profession. Congratulations to the three Canadians recognized as part of ITE International’s Young Leaders to Follow Class of 2025!
Toronto Section
City of Mississauga
Greater Vancouver Section
Associated Engineering
Southern Alberta Section
University of Calgary
City of Surrey
Power Watch is redefining traffic management through the deployment of a state-of-the-art Central UPS Monitoring System, fully integrated into the city’s Traffic Management Centre. Utilizing active polling technology and a distributed, adaptive architecture, the system delivers real-time updates on UPS status, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of traffic signals across the network.
Its device-agnostic design, scalability, and dynamic communication enable rapid fault detection, enhancing traffic flow, emergency response, and scalable smart city infrastructure, setting a new benchmark for innovation, resilience, and reliability in modern urban infrastructure management.
Power Watch operates 24/7, continuously monitoring the network. During the November 2024 windstorm, it managed 84 alerts, swiftly deploying electricians with fresh batteries to critical sites, preventing disruptions, and ensuring smooth traffic flow—demonstrating its ongoing impact and driving meaningful change.
The ITE International Transportation Achievement Awards recognizes significant achievement in several categories and ITE Canada is pleased to share the Canadian nominees we have put forward to be considered for these awards.
Halifax Peninsula South Complete Streets Project
Englobe, Upland Planning + Design & Halifax Regional Municipality
Highway 16 and Dalmeny Access Road / Grid 684 RCUT Intersection Treatment Project
Associated Engineering & Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways
Sidewalk Needs Assessment Tool
Halifax Regional Municipality
York Regional Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA) Model
York Region, Parsons, WSP & Bentley Systems
PowerWatch: Central UPS Monitoring System Project
City of Surrey
Presented by Bunt & Associates
Recognizing contributions to transportation solutions by young professionals
Greater Vancouver Section / City of Vancouver
Adina is a transportation engineer-in-training with experience in multi-modal transportation design. Born in Calgary, Alberta, she moved to Vancouver seeking experience on passenger rail projects and now focuses on designing roadways to improve safety and active mobility with the City of Vancouver. Adina is driven by her passion for shaping communities and helping people connect, and she is proud to be part of a profession with a strong emphasis on mentorship.
Awarded based an essay highlighting her work leading the transportation geometric design of the new the South False Creek Seawall path
Presented by Stantec
University of Calgary
Ian is an MSc student specializing in Transportation Engineering at the University of Calgary. Through the MITACS Accelerate program with Calgary Transit, he conducts research on public transit under the supervision of Dr. Alex De Barros. He is also involved in road safety research focused on advanced driver assistance systems, contributing to broader efforts in improving transportation safety. Post-graduation, Ian aims to work in transportation or traffic engineering, applying his expertise to improve urban mobility and develop sustainable, safer transportation solutions.
Awarded based on the quality of his paper entitled “Preliminary Prioritization Framework for Transit Priority Measure Implementation at Unsignalized Intersections“
University of Waterloo
Born and raised in Prince Edward Island, Karla is currently pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Waterloo, with a focus on improving the efficiency and sustainability of transportation systems. A passionate traveler, Karla enjoys embracing new experiences and gaining global perspectives on infrastructure and mobility. Outside of academics, she is an active member of the varsity badminton team, where they demonstrate dedication, teamwork, and a competitive spirit. With a strong drive in both academics and athletics, Karla is committed to making a meaningful impact in the field of transportation engineering.
Chosen from the winners of our regional student presentation competitions hosted by Sections across Canada
Youjia Liu
Eric Seto
Elena Abu Khuzam
Tarek Ghoul (Alternate)
Excellence in a doctorate-level transportation program
University of Calgary
Sam Pollock is a PhD student in transportation engineering at the University of Calgary. His research focuses on the safety, comfort, and perception of multi-use pathways, aiming to inform better facility design and planning. While pursuing his studies, Sam is working part-time at Martinson Golly. Sam has served in both student chapter and section-level roles with ITE and is passionate about contributing to the transportation field through both research and professional practice.
Excellence in a master’s-level transportation program
University of Windsor
Saba Ikhlaq is pursuing her MASc at the University of Windsor. Her research focuses on work zone safety by analyzing the impact of warning signs on driver behavior. Saba brings over 7 years of experience in transportation engineering in Pakistan and is eager to become a professional engineer in Canada. She actively leads student initiatives and currently serves as President of the ITE UWindsor Student Chapter. Her passion lies in creating safer and more sustainable transportation systems.
Excellence in graduate-level research and innovation in transportation planning and engineering
University of Toronto
Tyler Hu is an M.A.Sc. Candidate in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto, specializing in transportation engineering and planning with applications of artificial intelligence. Driven by a passion to make cities more livable, efficient, and sustainable, he has led and contributed to travel modelling, micromobility, and infrastructure planning projects across Canada. Outside of research, he enjoys badminton, audiobooks, and spending time in nature.
Excellence in a transportation-related undergraduate program
University of Waterloo
Neshon Missaghian is a fourth-year civil engineering student at the University of Waterloo with a strong passion for transportation engineering. Through five internships at Canadian consulting firms and an academic exchange in Switzerland, Neshon has gained hands-on experience and a global perspective on urban mobility. With a deep commitment to sustainability, safety and accessibility, Neshon aspires to lead impactful transit and active transportation projects both in Canada and abroad.
These awards highlight the activities of our Student Chapters and Sections in the previous calendar year and the exceptional dedication of the ITE leaders who volunteer their time at our local levels.
One of ITE Canada’s newest student chapters, the University of Windsor team showed their vibrance with strong activity levels in 2024. They hosted diverse technical seminars and workshops featuring academic and industry leaders, enhancing member knowledge and professional skills. They organized engaging field trips and networking events, providing students with real-world transportation insights and industry connections. The student chapter also promoted leadership through structured mentorship, inclusive recruitment, and active executive development. Beyond the university, the chapter strengthened community outreach via K-12 STEM events and strategic collaborations to inspire future transportation professionals.
The University of Waterloo Student Chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary this past year with an event attended by many Waterloo alumni and students. They hosted talks and events with industry professionals and maintained strong connections to the Section and District through event participation.
They also introduced a formal leadership program encouraging members to lead events and attend the ITE Student Leadership Summit. They engaged K-12 students through STEM activities and promoted transportation engineering at campus events. Members published research, presented at conferences, organized technical tours, and contributed to local transit advocacy, helping to maintain and improve service in the Waterloo Region.
The focus for the Hamilton Section this past year was on revolutionizing Student Support. They turned ambition into action by establishing the Mohawk College Perpetual Bursary, ensuring sustained financial support for transportation engineering students. They partnered with Toronto and Southwestern Ontario Sections to host the student presentation competition, offering students a platform to present research, receive professional feedback, and compete for financial prizes. After a successful hosting of the 2024 ITE Canada conference, they allocated $7,500 from their proceeds to the Future Transportation Leaders Fund, directly benefiting student scholarships, networking events, and skill-building opportunities.
This past year, the Saskatchewan Section made a concerted effort to maintain a diverse Section Board, resulting in decision-making that reflects their community. They regularly collaborate with other ITE Sections in the Canadian Prairies, broadening the opportunities available to their members. This Section approaches all events, tours, and training sessions with caring and inclusive intentions, creating a fun atmosphere for the community and resulting in strong attendance and engagement levels.
ITE Canada’s Annual Conference is our flagship offering, bringing together hundreds of transportation professionals and students to connect and advance the industry. This event would not be possible without the incredible work of many volunteers. We would like to recognize members of the 2025 Local Arrangements Committee from the Atlantic Canada Section as well as the National Technical Program Committee.
Hannah McBride (Co-Chair)
Halifax Regional Municipality
Courtney Pyne (Co-Chair)
WSP
Halifax Regional Municipality
Adam Lanigan
Esprit Farmer
Josh Adams
Katherine MacLellan
Matt MacEachern
City of St. John’s
Anna Snook
Marianne Alacoque
Bri Benson
City of Fredericton
Jill DeMerchant
City of Saint John
Maddie Whitehouse
University of New Brunswick
David Copp
CBCL
Emily Atwell
Parsons
Florence Allaire
Harbourside Engineering
Adriana Teran
Englobe
Shanice Hay
WSP
+many event volunteers
Garrett Donaher (Chair)
Englobe + viaris
Amy Do (Vice-Chair)
Toronto Metropolitan University
Breanna Jackson
Associated Engineering
Erica Bayley
Paradigm Transportation Solutions Ltd
Omar Shams
City of Hamilton
Paula Sawicki (Past Chair)
+ Associate Members
These volunteers spent countless hours ensuring the technical content and social events at the Halifax 2025 conference exceeded our expectations. We thank them for the time and effort they put into this conference and offer gratitude to their employers for supporting their service to ITE Canada.
