Amir Mehrara Molan

Amir Mehrara Molan is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Mississippi (University of Mississippi). He holds a Ph.D. from Wayne State University and degrees from Azad University (B.S., 2011; M.Sc., 2013). His research focuses on innovative infrastructure designs, traffic operations analysis, highway safety, intelligent transportation systems, and transportation modeling. He pioneered the Super Diverging Diamond Interchange (Super DDI) to enhance interchange efficiency and safety, particularly in underserved regions like the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming.

Education:

• B.S. Civil Engineering, Azad University (2011)
• M.Sc. Civil Engineering, Azad University (2013)
• Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Wayne State University (2017)

Research Interests: Dr. Molan emphasizes multimodal transportation solutions, including pedestrian and bicycle safety, and innovative designs to address urban and rural challenges. His work integrates safety equity, traffic simulation, and data-driven decision-making to optimize infrastructure performance. Notable contributions include the Super DDI and novel approaches to coordinated ramp metering and public acceptance scoring systems for alternative intersections.

Articles Trends: Recent publications focus on alternative intersection designs (e.g., Super DDI, Double Contraflow), bicycle/road safety, and the application of microsimulation and surrogate safety measures. His work bridges theoretical models with real-world case studies in Denver, Atlanta, and Wyoming.

Scientific Awards:

• 2018 Best Paper in the ASCE Journal of Transportation Engineering

Advising & Grants: Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI on eight projects totaling over $1.5M, funded by state DOTs and UTCs. Advises the Ole Miss ITE Chapter and contributes to TRB committees. Prior roles include Lecturer/Researcher at Cal Poly-SLO and Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Wyoming.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with University Transportation Centers and federal/state agencies to advance applied transportation research. Engages in projects addressing rural-urban disparities and Indigenous community transportation needs.