Laura Zhao: A Mind for Data, A Heart for Safety

We’re an interconnected nationwide team, but we each have our own reasons for being passionate about the work we do. This month, get to know Laura Zhao, PhD, senior engineering associate in our Reston office.

What’s your background and how did you end up at Kittelson?

While I was finishing my doctoral research, my advisor, Dr. Zong Tian from the University of Nevada, Reno, introduced me to Brandon and Karl. After graduating, I joined the Reston office. I grew up in a city in northeast China. My father used to review transportation impact analyses (TIAs) for the city, and he often described the traffic system as chaotic and messy. That inspired me to pursue a degree in transportation in college.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading with my seven-year-old daughter, Theodora, traveling with my family, and switching out my home décor based on the season or upcoming holidays. Thea and I are currently reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. We finished The Sorcerer’s Stone earlier this summer and watched the movie together. She has her favorite plots and characters, which are very different from mine!

Although I love changing up our decorations, one thing never changes in our house: my absolute favorite holiday is Christmas. My philosophy is that Christmas should last all year. After many years of persuasion, my husband finally agreed to let me keep a Christmas tree up year-round in a cozy nook, decorated with my favorite ornaments I’ve been collecting over the years.

What motivated you to pursue a PhD in traffic safety, and how has that shaped your consulting work?

My research focused on safety planning analysis, Highway Safety Manual (HSM) applications, and traffic operations. That experience helped me develop knowledge in safety performance functions (SPFs), crash modification factors (CMFs), national roadway safety strategies, and highway safety improvement programs.

I also gained extensive experience with crash and geometric data collection, integration, and manipulation, which has contributed to the success of several state and national research projects at Kittelson. Since joining the firm, I’ve worked with clients ranging from state DOTs to small towns to develop data-driven safety and active transportation plans.

What aspects of your work do you find most rewarding?

Many aspects of my work give me a sense of fulfillment. Kittelson gives everyone the freedom to pursue the projects we’re passionate about and the opportunity to apply our skills to diverse challenges. This keeps the work engaging and stimulating.

I also find it rewarding to constantly learn and adapt to new skills, information, and tasks. Helping clients solve complex problems and improve everyday lives is incredibly meaningful. And I value the relationships I’ve built, both within Kittelson and with clients, which have helped grow my professional network.

How do you stay up to date with industry developments and advancements?

I try to stay current by engaging in learning and networking opportunities through local events, activities, and conferences. Reading papers and publications and conducting literature reviews for project work or proposals is also helpful. Another valuable way is staying connected with other professionals and friends in the industry to share and exchange ideas. A challenge I’m facing might be something others have already solved somewhere else.

What excites you most about the future of transportation?

I’m intrigued to see where safety trends are headed. I expect we’ll see a long-term reduction in crashes, thanks to technological advancements like better infrastructure integration and self-driving vehicles. I’m also looking forward to the next phase of transportation research and development. For example, with the upcoming release of the second edition of the Highway Safety Manual (HSM2), I’m curious to understand the updates, lessons learned, and how we can help our clients apply the new content. I’m also interested in how future safety research should be structured—this will be important to address in proposals related to safety performance and analysis.

Fast Lane Facts

Favorite dessert to bake?

Basque cheesecake is our go-to holiday dessert, and probably the only dessert my husband and I bake! We love the burnt exterior and creamy interior.

One word your teammates would use to describe you?

Quiet, and hopefully problem-solver. I’m an introvert and enjoy introspection and reflection. That’s one of many reasons I think the Reston office is the best Kittelson office, it’s usually quiet (though others may tell you a different story!).

A recent book you’ve read and loved?

I’m currently working on Murdle: Volume 1 by G.T. Karber. It includes 100 original murder mystery logic puzzles, perfect for puzzle lovers. The cases are a bit tricky but very rewarding to solve. For me, it’s the perfect brain teaser after staring at a computer screen all day.

Spreadsheet, script, or simulation—what’s your preferred analysis tool?

It’s hard to choose just one! I’d say either a combination of spreadsheet and script, or spreadsheet and simulation. Spreadsheets are the ultimate tool for capturing, refining, interpreting results, and sharing files. I often use scripts to improve data processing and model development—they help enhance efficiency and reduce errors. I use microsimulation on most of my projects to assess the performance of highways, street systems, transit, and pedestrian/bicycle travel. Microsimulation can capture individual vehicle movements on a second-by-second basis.

At Kittelson, we have a strong team across offices dedicated to microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic traffic simulations, and I’m honored to be part of that team. Overall, these tools support the thoughts and knowledge of our engineers and planners to help clients solve real problems.