In January 2020, during the Annual Transportation Research Board (TRB) Meeting, the Korean Transportation Association in America (KOTAA) hosted its 15th annual meeting attended by more than 100 participants across many sectors (e.g., academia, public, and private sectors). KOTAA’s main objectives included the following: 1) Promote relationship and friendship among Korean Transportation Professionals, 2) Improve the development of members’ consciousness, and 3) Contribute to the expansion of transportation science and research as well as industrial growth.
The KOTAA annual meeting was divided into two major sessions: the Technical Session and the General Session. During the Technical session, more than 30 graduate students had a venue to present their research activities as well as explore other research topics. These graduate students were KOTAA Travel Grant Recipients, selected based on their academic performance and paper contribution to the TRB meeting. Students’ poster session served as an intersection where current and state-of-the-art research topics were shared.
KOTAA Technical Session
KOTAA Travel Grant Awardees
During the General Session, several presentations were shown. The two Best KOTAA Paper awardees had a chance to introduce their on-going research activities. Dr. Keechoo Choi, the Committee Chair of the Metropolitan Planning committee (대도시권광역교통위원회, 위원장), presented the Vision and Plan 2030. Together with Dr. Choi, Mr. Juyeob Kang, 교통정책조정과장, also introduced the Government policy and planning of South Korea’s Metropolitan Committee. The presentation of the Seoul Metropolitan Planning Committee highlighted the importance of current graduate students’ role in shaping the future of Korea’s sustainable infrastructure.
KSEA’s 48th President Dr. Jun Seok Oh (Western Michigan University) presented various KSEA activities including UKC 2020 which will be held in Los Angeles, 2020. Afterwards was Dr. Seri Park, current KOTAA President, with an introduction of KOSEN (한민족과학기술자 네트워크). All presenters highly encouraged KOTAA members’ participation in the above-mentioned network, activities, and conferences. The KOTAA annual meeting ended with a network dinner where over 100 participants were able to expand their social and professional circles. KOTAA’s annual meeting was sponsored by KSEA, KSCEE and 대한교통학회.
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