Event Name: Lunch & Learn #9 – Shaping Communities with Innovative Engineering: Exploring Case Studies in Western Canada

Presenter: McElhanney

Time and Date: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM on Wednesday, March 27th, 2024

Location: CEME 1203

It’s time for our 9th lunch and learn of the year! Join the McElhanney team for a presentation on pushing the boundaries of innovation through groundbreaking project design and delivery, with safety and sustainability at the core. Learn about the community impacts of these projects and how engineers shape the neighborhoods we live in.

Introduction to Transportation

In September 2023, our UBC ITE Student Chapter hosted the first event in our 2023-24 Lunch and Learn series. This “Introduction to Transportation” session explored a brief introduction to the transportation industry, hearing from three speakers, including our Co-President Steve, UBC ITE Past President Ben, and recent UBC MCRP Graduate Chris, discussing topics in geometric design, transportation impact assessments, traffic management plans, transit planning, active transportation, and more. Special thanks to our two guest speakers Ben and Chris for taking the time to return to UBC to discuss their careers, experiences, and perspectives with current students and future industry professionals.

Day in the Life of an Engineer

In November 2023, the UBC ITE Student Chapter hosted the second event in our 2023-24 Lunch and Learn series. This “Day in the Life of an Engineer” session brought junior, intermediate, and senior engineers (including UBC grads) from HDR’s Vancouver and Victoria offices to discuss their career paths, current opportunities in transportation, and what the day-to-day looks like in engineering. Special thanks to the multiple guest speakers from HDR for taking the time to discuss their careers, experiences, and perspectives with current students and future industry professionals.

A Crash Course in Transportation Analysis Techniques and Road Safety

In December 2023, the UBC ITE Student Chapter hosted the third event in our 2023-24 Lunch and Learn series. Sponsored by Arcadis, the first part of this session took a dive into the world of transportation analysis through a crash course in micro and macro simulation software such as Synchro, VISSIM, EMME, and more. The second part investigated the procedures and processes involved in completing in-service road safety reviews, including real-world project examples illustrating how safety is prioritized for different road users. Special thanks to Matt and Alaleh from Arcadis’ Vancouver office for taking the time to share their expertise with UBC students.

The Life of A Transportation Project

In January 2024, the UBC ITE Student Chapter hosted its first event of 2024 within the fourth entry in our 2023-24 Lunch and Learn series. Check out the session recap from Mott MacDonald below: Using real-life examples from Mott MacDonald’s portfolio, including the UBC Campus Vision, Burrard Inlet Rapid Transit Feasibility Study, Burnaby Mountain Gondola, Edmonton Valley Line, and the Broadway Subway Project, we took students through the lifecycle of a transportation project, from high-level policy planning, through the various design phases to implementation and construction. Based on the experiences of people with years of experience in the field, we highlighted the goals and challenges at each stage, and how new entrants into the industry can be engaged at every stage of a project’s lifecycle. We also discussed how planners and engineers alike have important skills to bring involved throughout the lifecycle – engineers bring important insights to planning phases while planners are key to many important design decisions. Special thanks to Emily Bardutz, Katherine Miller, Dennis Wu, Gary Farmer, and Fajar Ausri from Mott MacDonald for taking the time to share their expertise with UBC students. Thanks to the ~25 students who came out.

Industry Night

On February 13, 2024, the UBC ITE Student Chapter successfully organized the annual Industry Night at The University of British Columbia, aimed at promoting the field of transportation engineering to a diverse group of students. The event brought together industry professionals from 30+ different transportation firms, providing an excellent opportunity for networking with over 200+ registrants. These gatherings play a crucial role in cultivating interest and enthusiasm for the transportation profession. It is our hope to consistently offer students opportunities to explore and engage with this field. We extend special thanks to our sponsors whose generous support enables our team to organize various events and contribute to our community. Heartfelt gratitude to: Arcadis, Binnie, HDR, ISL Engineering, McElhanney, Mott MacDonald, TransLink, Parsons Corporation, Urban Systems Ltd., WSP in Canada, Bunt & Associates Engineering Ltd., and Creative Transportation Solutions Ltd.

Livable Deep Cove – Gallant Avenue Renewal Project in North Vancouver

On February 28th, the UBC ITE Student Chapter hosted the fifth event in our 2023-24 Lunch and Learn series. Proudly sponsored by Urban Systems, attendees gained insights into pedestrian realm enhancements through a detailed case study of the Livable Deep Cove: Gallant Avenue Project. Additionally, we explored the rapid implementation of active facilities across the Lower Mainland, emphasizing the advantages of establishing temporary micromobility facilities before permanent installations. Special thanks to Jayson, Fujiou, and Eric from Urban Systems for taking the time to share their expertise with UBC students.

Student Training Workshop: VISSIM

From City-Wide Analysis to Conceptual Design

Integrated Approach to Transportation Planning

From University to Industry: Navigating Our Paths in Transportation