The Transportation Research Center (TRC) recently participated in the 2025 Pacific Southwest Region (PSR) University Transportation Center (UTC) Annual Congress at the University of California, Berkeley. Assistant research engineer Juliana Byzyka (TRC) presented their project titled, “A Methodology to Evaluate Complete Streets Development in Small Towns: An Illustration from Nevada,” co-authored by Byzyka, William Van Vlerin (Civil Engineering), and professor Shashi Nambisan (TRC; Civil Engineering). The project presents a methodology for evaluating safety and multimodal mobility factors when prioritizing investments in Complete Streets (CS) development. It focuses on small towns in rural Nevada (Ely, Tonopah, Hawthorne, and Yerington) and demonstrates the application of this methodology. The presentation of the project also highlighted the findings of this case study. The project is supported and funded by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the US DOT / Howard University.

At the congress, Vlerin was awarded the PSR Undergraduate Student of the Year. This is a very important recognition awarded to students who have shown outstanding leadership, contributed to their field, or demonstrated academic promise. The winners were selected by a committee of faculty, staff, and advisors from among the nominees.

Byzyka was joined at the congress by professor Billy Bai (Hospitality Management), who, along with professor Mehmet Erdem (Resort, Gaming, and Golf Management), collaborates with TRC on another project titled “An Examination of Transportation Needs and Challenges for Employees from Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Populations in Las Vegas Hospitality and Tourism Industry.” This study is funded by the PSR UTC and UNLV Faculty Opportunity Award and is also supported by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, who recently helped in administering a survey to employees working in the Las Vegas resort corridor (the Strip).