Dr. Zhuo Yao is a Transportation Engineer (Civil) at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). He is a leading staff working in the HPMS program at the Division of Research, Innovation & System Information. Before his joining Caltrans, Dr. Yao worked as an Air Pollution Specialist at California Air Resources Board (CARB) in the Transportation Analysis Section, Sustainable Transportation and Communities Division. He is also an adjunct professor in the Civil Engineering Department at California State University Sacramento (CSUS). Dr. Yao holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management, College of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, a Master of Science degree from Beijing University of Technology, and a Bachelor’s degree from Polytechnic University of the Philippines. His areas of expertise include integrated land use, transportation and emission modeling, vehicle detection and classification, and traffic activity data inputs for emission modeling. Dr. Yao spent most of his career working with Caltrans, California EPA, and other state agencies developing tools and data sets for decision support and performance measurement systems for evaluating policies, strategies, and modeling techniques for transportation and air quality. one of the key positions fighting to reduce the GHG emissions from the transportation sector by implementing multiple legislations set by the state of California, such as Assembly Bill 32 (the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006), Senate Bill 375 (the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008), Senate Bill 1014 (the California Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program: zero-emission vehicles), etc.
About Myself
I am a deep thinker, motivated, thoughtful, optimistic, outgoing, and easygoing person. I want to make a difference in the world with my existence.
Interests
I would like to live a life to meet new stuff and person every day- that’s why I like doing Research.
Fishing- I am an experienced fisherman. I enjoyed the waters in California and will continue to fish by the rivers and lakes…
Traveling – It’s the best way to see something you never see before and meet with fantastic people around the world!
Reading – That is why I am wearing eyeglasses.
Music- I play a little guitar, bass, and drum when I was in college. How I wish I am as good as I was…
Sports- Basketball, Golf, Soccer.
Photography- Although I can not afford expensive gear.
Philosophy
No Pay No Gain.
You may find my updated curriculum vitae (CV) here.
Awards, Honors and Scholarships
Outstanding Service Award, Chinese Overseas Transportation Association (COTA). July 2017
Top Article Award, Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (English Edition). January 2017
First place, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Great Lakes District Student Paper Competition. December 2016
Finalist, Kikuchi-Karlaftis Best Paper Award. December 2016
Excellence Service Award, Intelligent Transportation Society Midwest. September 2015
Second place, ITE Great Lakes District Student Paper Competition. May 2014
Winner, Civil Engineering Graduate Student Association Logo Contest, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Ohio. April 2014
ITE Outstanding Graduate Student in Transportation, Ohio Institute of Transportation Engineers. November 2009
University Graduate Scholarship, University of Cincinnati. 2008-2014.
Research Excellence Award, Beijing University of Technology. October 2007
Special Contribution Award, Beijing University of Technology. October 2007
Academic Excellence Award, Beijing University of Technology. November 2006
Best Senior Project, Polytechnic University of the Philippines. April 2004
Special Award for Graduated in 4-Years Only, Polytechnic University of the Philippines. April 2004
Assistantship Award, Royal Institute of Education, Singapore. January 2000