James Wong
Photo:
View from Atlantic Avenue Subway station, New York, NY.
An intern at OpenPlans in New York City.
Things I care about:
Family | Friends | Transportation | Grad school | Hitting around a volleyball | Cooking | Travel Abroad | Moving a lot | Finding great places to ride | Carpe'ing Diem | Being twenty-something
Professional- Thoughts
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Info
- SummaryI am a graduate student pursuing dual masters degrees in Transportation Systems Engineering and City & Regional Planning. My research so far has been focused on multi-modal traveler information systems, transit planning, ITS applications and open data. These build on my interests in transportation planning and engineering in urban areas, particularly for public transportation applications.
Prior to graduate school, I worked as a transportation engineering consultant for three years, one of which was on a staff exchange in South Africa. In those jobs, I worked on transportation engineering, planning, design and operations projects for public and private clients. I also contributed to project analysis in traffic operations, safety, campus planning and graphics preparation for public outreach. Many of my projects were located in the Mid-Atlantic, specifically in the Philadelphia, Baltimore and DC metropolitan areas.
If you are interested in learning more about me or some of the projects I am working on, please feel free to send me an e-mail.Specialties: EIT Certified, MarylandExperience- May 2012 - PresentIntern / OpenPlans
- Aug 2011 - PresentGraduate Research Assistant / Georgia Institute of TechnologyAs a GRA at the Georgia Institute of Technology, I perform research with my advisor, Dr. Kari Watkins while I work on my Masters' degrees. My current research is in the area of multimodal traveler information. Augmenting transportation with detailed and readily available information (like congestion and service interruptions) improves their quality. The tangible benefits that can emerge from the successful outcome of my work will help the Georgia Department of Transportation and other regional agencies prioritize their investments and improve the effectiveness of traveler information products. This research project will conclude towards the end of this summer; my hope is to use my next project to focus on public transportation planning. This project is sponsored by the Georgia Transportation Institute - University Transportation Center and the Georgia Department of Transportation.
- Jul 2010 - Aug 2011Transportation Analyst / Kittelson & Associates, Inc.In my time at KAI, I served as an analyst on diverse projects including: enhanced bus planning, urban corridor planning, university master plans, roundabout design and operations, transit data analysis, traffic operations, safety analyses using Highway Safety Manual and transit capacity and quality of service. In addition, I managed several elements of projects by participating in client communication, presentations, scoping and budgeting. In addition to my project work, I helped coordinate KAI's summer internship program, organized the firmwide summer intern retreat and participated in candidate interviews and selection. I was likewise involved in social media and outreach, business services and mentoring new staff and interns. Selected Project Work: WMATA Metrobus 28 Route Enhancements (Northern Virginia) - Evaluated a bus transit corridor in Northern Virginia to introduce a limited-stop/enhanced service in the future; included AVL data analysis, corridor traffic operations, service planning and public participation. Short term recommendations were implemented with changes to service and routing including limited-stop Metrobus Express service. Clarendon Circle (Arlington, VA) - Arlington County has prioritized the redesign of the skewed six-leg intersection next to the Clarendon Metro Station because of its high activity as a pedestrian, bicycle, transit and auto node. I applied the multimodal level of service (MMLOS) methodology, designed a VISSIM micro-simulation, and developed geometric design drawings for alternative alignments. 16th Street NW Corridor Study (Washington, DC) – Following a decade of planning projects with varying and incompatible recommendations, the District Department of Transportation is developing an action plan to improve person-capacity on the 6-mile urban corridor. Project tasks include transit lane justification, reversible lane design, traffic and transit operations and multi-agency coordination.
- Sept 2009 - Jul 2010Transportation Analyst / ITS EngineeringI worked for Innovative Transportation Solutions (ITS) Engineering in South Africa for a year to gain traffic operations experience and to broaden my understanding of transportation issues internationally. In this capacity, I worked extensively with Traffix models to track the impacts of public and private developments in different locations throughout South Africa. Two impact studies evolved into larger projects that assessed the overall capacity needs in newly developing regions in Gauteng on both a local and regional scale. In addition to the operational impacts related to new construction, I also assisted in the development of interchange designs for a new international convention center in George. These designs required understanding of safety, weaving, traffic operations and travel demand on a limited network. The outcome of this exercise was a selection of the preferred interchange design. This was also an opportunity for cross-cultural exchange to be exposed to different work environments and styles. --- Founded in 1997, ITS Engineers is currently one of the largest black owned, transport- and traffic consulting engineering companies in South Africa. With offices in Tshwane and Cape Town, ITS Engineers serves many public and municipal clients, as well as large private clients in South Africa. The firm emphasizes an integrated approach to transportation engineering, road design and construction management. Active relationships with partners in the United States and Germany ensure that the latest thinking and technology are available for local applications. ITS is the lead consultant for Park and Ride facilities at the Soccer City and Rustenburg stadiums for the 2010 World Cup.
- Aug 2008 - Aug 2009Transportation Analyst / Kittelson & Associates, Inc.After a successful internship with Kittelson & Associates, Inc. (KAI) and graduation in 2008, I began work in KAI's Baltimore office. My early experience at KAI was focused on a wide variety of projects including roundabout design/operations, transit planning, traffic operations, highway safety, FTA funding and public participation. Please see additional updates in more recent employment summary. I was enthusiastic about the transit projects I worked on with KAI including the Charles Street Trolley and the Quick Bus 40 in Baltimore, and the MetroBus Extra outside in Northern Virginia. I was also involved privately in providing assistance to the Baltimore Car Share organization explore the possibility of operations as a non-profit in Maryland.
- May 2007 - Aug 2007Intern / Kittelson and Associates
- May 2005 - Jul 2006Intern / The Sam Schwartz Company
Education-
2011 - 2013Georgia Institute of TechnologyDual Masters (MSCE/MCRP) in Transportation Systems Engineering/City & Regional Planning
Activities: Institute of Transportation Engineers at Georgia Tech (ITE@GT), Women's Transportation Seminar, -
2004 - 2008University of PennsylvaniaBSE in Transportation Systems Engineering, Minor in Economics
Activities: The Transportation Systems Engineering Alumni Club, The Mask & Wig Club, and Performing Arts Council
Additional Information-
Websites:
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Posts
- Nov 18, 11
As part of a project I've been working on with a terrific group of students in my Intro to Transportation Planning class, we created a two-page handout to help describe what open data is and how agencies can build relationships with the development community.
Open data is critical to increasing the availability of a diverse set of apps and products to an agency's riders. It promotes innovation and ensures that the market responds to what riders want.
Take a look and use it as fodder to advise an agency that is considering opening up their GTFS feed.
Everything was a team effort aided by Landon Reed, Jacob Tzegaegbe, Bin Yan and Lauren Pessoa with essential advice from Dr. Kari Watkins. - Nov 16, 11
Today I got to give a lecture in statistics class on visualizing data using different tools like R and Excel. It was a great opportunity for me to learn the material in @FlowingData's book: Visualize This. It was enjoyable because, as my close friends will assert, I love presenting.
Take a look. Let me know what you think!
- Jun 26, 11
StopAlert
(An entry a month too late for Beyond the Countdown Clock... but I hope you'll take a look and let me know what you think!)
Loud music. Sleepy. Hearing/Visually Impaired. Playing Angry Birds...
There are a dozen reasons that you might miss your stop. But with StopAlert, your mobile device will alert you as you are approaching your stop. StopAlert puts Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) in your hands to interrupt your multimedia or to vibrate your device in order notify you that you will be alighting shortly. StopAlert also provides real-time transfer guidance. By telling StopAlert where you are going, it will tell you how to get there. As you approach the transfer station, StopAlert will tell you whether or not you have any chance of making a train within the next few minutes. This cuts down on the stress of sprinting up stairs only to see that you were never going to make that transfer. This is gret both for visitors and commuters alike.
How it Works
StopAlert uses an open short-range communication from a bus or rail-based AVL system* to determine where the device, and user, is en route. By pinging the AVL device on the transit-vehicle, there is far less uncertainty for reception in tunnels. It also taps into the sophisticated location from the AVL unit (using speed, distance and heading in conjunction with GPS) which is better than phone GPS for a closed system. When the user boards a train, he or she can tell the app her ultimate destination. When the train departs the stop before the destination, the app will alert and announce that the next stop is coming up. It effectively replicates the audio and visual alerts on Metro and puts them into the device that people are caught up in.
The transfer capabilities will be built off of Google Transit which now provides transit routing. An algorithm will look at the multiple options provided by Google Transit and determine the best route based on real time ability to make a transfer, which will update while on the journey.
StopAlert feeds data into a central database that all apps will periodically take information from. The actual time between stops will be recorded and aggregate bits of anonymous AVL data will be uploaded. On a regular basis, calculations will be run on this database to provide average speed between stops and the reliability of those amounts. It will effectively create a rudimentary version of NextBus which will help with the transfer module.
*Currently, commercial AVL products are not transmitting any wireless signal that could be received by a phone. An AVL unit or mobile data terminal would be able to broadcast this signal if a transit agency required it, but I don’t think it’s currently available.
**Also note that wi-fi will be needed en route for the transfer information to work properly. This is available in DC Metro.
*** This is one more reason for people to keep their heads buried in their mobile devices... for better or worse...
- Apr 16, 11
Hi there - Looks like you found me on Facebook or someone told you about this - guess it worked! As you probably realize, I'm starting GA Tech in the fall and am looking for a roommate to go in on an apartment with. I'm interested in learning a little about you and what you're looking for in a roommate; if it seems like a good fit then maybe we can catch up by phone or a video chat and check out some places. So send me an e-mail with some info and we'll see if we can make it work! (jcwong@alumni.upenn.edu. or jcwong86@gmail.com). A little about me...
Social/Random stuff about me
I like to think I'm a pretty easy-going roommate, and a very outgoing person. I enjoy road biking and beach volleyball, and I'd really like to get back into swimming. I've been exploring the world of micro-brews and craft beers, even brewed a few batches with a buddy of mine while I was living in Baltimore. I've been moving around a lot, so I like to keep lots of pictures around to remind me of the places I've been and people I've met. I like going out (a few times mid-week, usually game for weekends) but am more than okay to hang out, watch TV and chill. I do like to entertain - I like cooking and having people over for BBQ's and dinner, or just a few drinks. And I think I'm pretty open-minded for people's points-of-view, backgrounds, orientations etc. I love to travel - I've been to a few different places around the world from Honduras to South Africa, Europe and yes, even Canada. I think these were all phenomenal experiences; the best kind of travel to me is when you can look at it from a local perspective and understanding.
Professionally
I graduated from Penn in 2008 with a Systems Engineering degree with a Transportation focus. I'm passionate about cities and public transit, and am constantly trying to learn more about them. A lot about me relates to my interests in transportation, which is why I'm studying it for a year and a half at Georgia Tech starting this fall. Since I graduated, I've been working with transportation consulting firm called Kittelson and Associaties and they've been great. I worked in Baltimore for a year (Charm City - a great place!) and then had the opportunity to do a work exchange with some folks we know in South Africa. In doing so, I had an amazing chance to work abroad for a year, culminating in two weeks going to matches during the 2010 World Cup. Since I got back last summer, I've been living and working for Kittelson again, this time in our office just outside DC. It's been a great year and I'm sad to leave.
Looking for in a roommate- So I've had a mix of roommates from great (current) to awful (living with a couple is a terrible idea). Here are a few things I'm hoping you would bring to the table:
- a tidy, but not OCD attitude about cleaning. Nobody does the dishes every time, but I hope we empty the dishwasher and don't let things pile up real bad.
- a willingness to give the whole apartment a good team cleaning every couple of months.
- an upbeat, active lifestyle who can push me to go out and do stuff
- a not too loud lifestyle, unless we're hosting a party or going out, in which case we should both be having a great time.
- recycles
- a better understanding/appreciation of major sports than me (almost anyone has this)
- not absolutely, but ideally a grad student too. Not a deal breaker at all.
Nuts and bolts
- I'm hoping to live in Midtown or some place real close to campus so it's an easy, safe walk or bike ride. My buddy who just graduated gave me this map: http://bit.ly/iken6D
- I would love a 2-3 bedroom apartment to keep rent down
- I think I'm more looking for an apt building, but not closed to the idea of a house.
- I'm good for up to ~$900/mo (hopefully less, though)
- I have a lot of communal furniture from living on my own (living room couch, coffee table, Poang chair, shelves, some wall art, most kitchen supplies, dining table and chairs).
- I do NOT have a decent television or stand. I hope you do or we'll have to get one.
As I said - I hope you'll reach out if you think we might get along and then we'll take it from there! Thanks for reading! Cheers! -James
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Tweets
- @smelodelicious I'm here! (@ Paul's "Da Burger Joint") http://t.co/M36EkN1G
- I just reached Level 2 of the "Flame Broiled" badge on @foursquare. I’ve checked in at 5 different burger joints! http://t.co/9Lr7IPDn
- How will you use NYC bike share? Plan your trip now at http://t.co/7r2DXpY0 #bikenyc @transitmom @yptnyc (via @OpenPlans)May 17, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- May 17, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- First random meetup in NYC this am w @andrewjshults. i'm ate slutty bkfst food from landmark diner, he came from yoga. #lifestyledifferencesMay 16, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- A @YPTAtlanta transplant, I'm hanging in NY this summer and looking forward to @YPTNYC events!May 15, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Settled in Chinatown, looking forward to my first day of work tomorrow! #livingNYCMay 13, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- I'm at a wedding sponsored by @amtrak! http://t.co/GVPbBvAP
- Get married at Citi Field. http://t.co/fYKUgb6C
- The Cotugno Wedding! (@ Citi Field) http://t.co/yhlOAQzu
- I just unlocked the "Triple Play" badge on @foursquare for checking in at baseball stadiums! Juuust a bit outside. http://t.co/3VjyIaW8
- I just unlocked the "Trainspotter" badge on @foursquare for checking in at trains and subway stations! http://t.co/xyvqCOzr
- Despite 7 years as part of @maskandwigclub, it was just now that I learned how to tie a bowtie.May 10, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Hangin w the rents! (@ AMC Loews Raceway 10 for The Avengers w/ 2 others) http://t.co/tt2TSfqZ
- I'm back! (@ Hemo's) http://t.co/5Di7irZy
- Oh... just presenting our research to the World Bank.... (@ World Bank w/ 3 others) http://t.co/Ujax5o0j
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Checkins
- Thirsty Scholar155 2nd Ave
- The Meatball Shop84 Stanton St.
- Confucius Plaza17 Bowery
- Paul's "Da Burger Joint"131 2nd Ave.
- OpenPlans148 Lafayette St.
- Upstate Craft Beer and Oyster Bar95 First Avenue
- The Scratcher209 E 5th St
- Confucius Plaza17 Bowery
- Tacombi267 Elizabeth St.
- Jubilee Market447 Broadway
- OpenPlans148 Lafayette St.
- Landmark Diner158 Grand St.
- Eastville Comedy Club85 E 4th St
- Cucina Di Pesce87 E 4th St
- OpenPlans148 Lafayette St.
- Gantry Plaza State Park474 48th Ave.
- Riverview Restaurant & Lounge201 50th Avenue
- Citi Field12301 Roosevelt Ave.
- Il Passatore14 Bushwick Ave
- LIRR - Jamaica StationSutphin Blvd & Archer Ave
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Status
- Way to go Craig Milch last night!
- I tried to run 4 miles but got lost and ran 7. Lower manhattan is absolutely mind boggling.
- Settled in Chinatown, looking forward to my first day of work tomorrow! #livingNYC
- Settled down in Merrick till Sunday. Sweet relaxation.
- What a trip... crashing in philly tn. Hemo's in the am before heading up to nyc. Maybe a quick jaunt through campus. Thanks for the kind birthday wishes everyone!
- Will be in DC on evening of May 7. Will you be around? Will let you know where I go and you can plan to be there! Josh Michelle Gregory Alek Nadia Jen David Megan et al. PS - it will be too early for train day, but don't worry, we can still celebrate. Probz just gonna drink at Club Acela...
- While running, I reflected on the fact that its been an amazing week. ITE@GT. SQL/PHP. DDEF. YPT. All of these are accomplishments!
- Between ITE and YPT - it's been a great day. :) Now for my project proposal...
- Blew out a tire as i was inflating my bicycle. Twice. I am now deathly afraid of putting more than 20 psi into it. I'm like... staying back as I inflate to see if it loses the bead somewhere on the way. Landon lets not ride till next wkend ok?
- If anybody asks, it's Wednesday. Nothing fun is happening tonight. So don't feel bad about working right now. Right? Right.
