Our Team
Simply put—we are defined by our people. All of us have more than 20 years of hands-on experience. We are experts who love tackling transportation challenges through planning, operations and research. We don’t often brag, but we feel lucky to be part of such a talented, energetic, collaborative and accomplished group.
Lawrence Liao, president
Mr. Liao has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of travel demand forecasting, transportation planning and big data analytics. He has developed and updated travel demand models at various levels – from cities and counties to metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and states, and for both trip-based and activity-based models. Mr. Liao has also applied travel demand models to support various projects, such as traffic impact studies, general plan updates, environmental impact reports, corridor studies, transit-oriented development, corridor system management plans, managed lane modeling, as well as federal research projects.
Mr. Liao is experienced in all major travel demand modeling software packages, including Cube, TransCAD, EMME, VISUM, Tranplan, and MINUTP, as well as, common programming languages, such as, Python, Java, MS Office VBA, C++, Pascal, and Fortran. Mr. Liao is one of only five certified Cube Trainers in the world and is an expert in Cube-Voyager/TP+ scripting.
Lin Zhang, PhD, PE, PTOE, Vice President
Dr. Zhang brings over 20 years of experience in Transportation Engineering and Planning, with progressively responsible roles across both public agencies and private consulting. His areas of expertise include project management, traffic operations, corridor studies, traffic simulation and modeling, toll operations, managed lanes, congestion pricing, traffic signal systems, traffic safety, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), statistical data analysis, performance measurement, and benefit-cost analysis.
Dr. Zhang is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and Traffic Engineer (TE) in the State of California. He has actively contributed to the National Academies’ Transportation Research Board (TRB), including serving as a member of the Committee on Freeway Operations (ACP20) and the Committee on Highway Traffic Monitoring (ACP70). He also chaired the TRB Freeway and Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Simulation Subcommittee. In addition to his technical contributions, Dr. Zhang held leadership roles in the professional community, including serving as President of the San Francisco Bay Area Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE).
Xuemei Liu, PhD, Principal
Dr. Liu has more than 20 years of experience in travel demand modeling, transportation planning, GIS applications, and data analytics. She is especially proficient in modeling techniques and methods and is very experienced in using travel demand modeling software including Cube and TransCAD. She has extensive experience in model development in both metropolitan areas and at the state-wide level. Her model application experience includes regional, corridor, and sub-area planning studies. She also has strong technical expertise in transit modeling for alternative analysis and New Start or Small Start application. She is familiar with transit planning process and has strong experience in managing transit development plan and updating Transportation Improvement Program.
Yixin Wang, AICP, Principal
Ms. Yixin Wang has more than 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Yixin has committed herself to helping transportation agencies solve their toughest challenges by using advanced modeling and simulation tools and data analysis to support decision making. She is particularly experienced in developing and managing large and complex projects that incorporate current and emerging technology such as big data to improve traffic operations, safety, mobility, and reliability. Her specialties include advanced transportation modeling, traffic simulation, big data analysis, traffic engineering, traffic operation, corridor studies, connected/autonomous vehicles, and transportation system management and operations.