Meet Our Rail & Transit Engineers — Part 2

Cherry Xiong, P.E., Director of Transportation Modeling

“It has been shown worldwide that, with good planning, passenger rail/high speed can significantly increase efficiency, improve quality of living, and boost regional/local economies.”

Why did you choose to become a rail and transit professional?

In the first few years after graduating from The University of Illinois, most of the projects I worked on were highway focused. I developed a strong interest in Rail and Transit after creating the regional transit planning model for the Vancouver Metropolitan Area. Based on my expertise, mass transit in high density urban areas is the ultimate solution for reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. It has been shown worldwide that, with good planning, passenger rail/high speed can significantly increase efficiency, improve quality of living, and boost regional/local economies. A majority of the projects that I have managed in Asia have shown these improvements in the communities where they were built, which is what makes this profession such a rewarding career.

What are some of the most memorable projects you have worked on and why?

I am currently working on my most memorable project, which includes reviewing the impact of one SEPTA Line extension on ridership and its potential impact on Amtrak ridership.

The project involves regional travel demand modeling, transit ridership forecasting, and an understanding of the unique travel characteristics of Amtrak passengers. The study results will provide important information for decision-making purposes.

Other memorable projects include three high-speed-rail station design review projects in China, which have all been constructed and are in operation. Construction costs for these mega stations are very high and infrastructure cannot be changed once built. Complex 3D vehicle and pedestrian microsimulation models were developed and applied to scenario analysis. It feels great to work closely with architects, structural engineers, and the clients to ensure transportation functionality requirements are fully met and that sizes of functional areas are optimized.

What trends do you see in the rail/transit market or in the industry as a whole?

ITS: Innovative Ticketing System using contactless card cell phones.

Big Data: Collect ridership data and operations data for better understanding of travel patterns, monitor operations, and to maintain reasonable level of service.

Since you entered the rail and transit segment of engineering how has your personal/professional development changed?

Before, I was primarily involved with transportation planning, demand forecasting, and microsimulation. Now, my role now has shifted to applying my former roles to transit oriented projects and business development activities.

I have more opportunities to interface with rail operation agencies and the regional rail planning department of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, (MPOs). In addition, I became more involved with the rail and transit research community. I now serve as a committee member in both AP025 and AR030 for the Transportation Research Board (TRB).

What do you enjoy about working at T.Y. Lin International?

I enjoy working at T.Y. Lin International because of the diverse project opportunities, the great work environment, and the focus on innovation and technology.

What advice do you have for engineers just starting out in their careers?

“…treat each task as a stepping stone to your growth and future success with the company. There is no easy way to becoming an expert.”

My advice for new entry-level engineers is to spend as much time as possible learning new software, new methodology, etc. I also would suggest to treat each task as a stepping stone to your growth and future success with the company. There is no easy way to becoming an expert. Lastly, strive to be more efficient— always think before starting a task. A good approach means less time spent and better results.