Expansion of bi-modal express transit networks - a hybrid optimization approach
A Study on Extending and Redesigning the City of Calgary's Bi-Modal Express Transit Network.
Reza Mahmoudi, Ph.D.
(he/him)
Operations Research Scientist | Transportation Scientist | Data Scientist
Professional Summary
Reza Mahmoudi is a senior applied operations research, transportation, and data scientist. He holds a Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering from the University of Calgary and another in Industrial Engineering from the Isfahan University of Technology. He is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto. His research has been published in top-tier journals and has received over 1,000 citations.
Reza applies a diverse toolkit of data science techniques for statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and performance evaluation to generate actionable recommendations. He leverages this expertise in mathematical programming, machine learning, and advanced optimization to build innovative decision support tools that drive cost savings and improve operational efficiency across diverse industries.
As a transportation planner, he specializes in public transit and microtransit planning, sustainable and smart urban mobility, equity and accessibility analysis, long-range planning, corridor studies, planning and environmental linkages and project management. With over 10 years of experience collaborating with public agencies and private sectors, he combines deep technical expertise with strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Outside of work, Reza enjoys hiking, baking, playing FC25, and spending time with his family.
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, Transportation Engineering
University of Toronto
PhD, Transportation Engineering
University of Calgary
PhD, Industrial Engineering
Isfahan University of Technology
MSc, Industrial Engineering
Azad University
BSc, Mathematics - Education
University of Kurdistan
Interests
Applied Operations Research
Emerging Technologies in Urban Mobility & Logistics
Transportation Systems Modeling & Operations Planning
Public Transit
Micromobility, Microtransit, & Shared Mobility
Sustainable Supply Chains, Logistics, & Transportation
AI- and Data-Driven Optimization
Large-Scale Multimodal Network Design
Machine Learning
Game Theory
Metaheuristics
📚 My Research
I am a senior applied operations research, transportation, and data scientist. I usually blog about modern mobility and logistics systems.
My work combines qualitative and quantitative methods to explore a wide range of challenges in transportation and logistics, with a particular focus on integrating emerging technologies and advancing sustainability.
Feel free to reach out if you are interested in collaborating!
Featured Publications
Optimal vehicle capacity and dispatching policy considering crowding in public bus transit services
A Study on Vehicle Sizing and Frequency Setting
Sustainable public bus transit systems: Proof-of-concept
How to Measure Sustainability in Public Bus Transit Services?
Enhancing Network Performance in Mitigating the Impact of Traffic Accidents with Full User Information
How to Enhance Network Performance in Mitigating the Impact of Traffic Accidents While Providing Information to Users?
A multi-period performance analysis of airlines: A game-SBM-NDEA and Malmquist Index approach
Measuring the Performance of Multiple Airlines and Identifying Strategies to Improve Their Productivity
Recent Publications
(2025).
Expansion of bi-modal express transit networks - a hybrid optimization approach.
Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review.
(2025).
Mathematical programming in public bus transit design and operations: Emerging technologies and sustainability - A review.
Socio-Economic Planning Sciences.
(2025).
Optimal vehicle capacity and dispatching policy considering crowding in public bus transit services.
Transportmetrica A: Transport Science.
Recent & Upcoming Talks
A Decision-Support Framework for Expanding Express Transit Networks: The Case of Calgary
I am presenting our project with the City of Calgary at 2025 Research-to-Practice Transit Symposium.
Introducing T-SPARK: Transit Service Performance Analysis & Redesign Kit
Introducing T-SPARK to the Transit Community of Ontario, Canada.
Relative Performance Evaluation of Public Bus Transit Routes
How to Measure the Performance of Transit Routes: Are We Doing It Right?
Measuring Sustainability in Public Transit and Serving Calgary's Suburbs with Modular Buses
Presenting Two Projects Conducted in the City of Calgary at WCTR 2023.
Recent News
Trending
Our project on extending Calgary's express transit network will be presented at the Western Transit Innovation Summit.
Prof. Saidi is presenting our project with the City of Calgary at the Western Transit Innovation Summit.!
Trending
Prof. Shalaby is talking about our on-demand transit project with the City of Mississauga at CUTRIC.
Prof. Shalaby is presenting our on-demand transit project with the City of Mississauga at CUTRIC's Academic Committee for Transit Innovation (ACTI)!
Our partnership with the City of Mississauga is featured by the Mobility Network at the University of Toronto.
Our project with the City of Mississauga, supporting the launch of an on-demand transit pilot across multiple zones in the city, has been featured by the Mobility Network.
I earned my second PhD degree! :)
I'm thrilled to share that today I successfully defended my PhD thesis at the University of Calgary, and have been honored with a PhD degree for the second time.
Recent Blog Posts
Trending
BRT, LRT, or Subway: What Is the Best-Fitting Express Transit Service for the City of Columbus?
I am preparing an article to share my thoughts on which express transit mode best fits the City of Columbus - and I will be posting it here soon.