Khaled Abaza

Stochastic Modeling of Pavement Performance 

Pavement Performance Prediction Using Markovain Chains 

Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation

Pavement Management Systems

Pavement Design

Professor and Dean

Birzeit University - Civil Engineering Department

PO Box 14, Birzeit-Palestine

Work Tel:.   (02) 298-2108

Jawwal Tel:  0599-899421

Home Tel:    (09) 234-4942

Email:  kabaza@birzeit.edu            

BACKGROUND

Dr. Abaza has a main teaching interest in transportation and highway engineering. Also, interested in teaching elementary mechanics courses such as statics and strength of materials, surveying, and engineering science courses such as probability and statistics, operations research, and optimization. Research interests are mainly in pavement design, pavement performance prediction, pavement maintenance & rehabilitation, pavement management, and developing statistically-based solutions to civil engineering problems. In addition, Dr. Abaza has substantial professional experience in highway design, pavement maintenance and rehabilitation, and pavement management.

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA, 1990
• M.S.  in  Civil  Engineering, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA, 1986
• B.S.  in  Civil  Engineering, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA, 1984

 PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

• Professional  Engineer (P.E.) License, Civil Engineering, State of California, Certificate No. C51296, February 1994.
• Engineer-In-Training (E.I.T.) Certificate, State of Ohio, Certificate  No. PES0021, June 1991.

 ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

• Dean of Engineering and Technology (September 2014 to present), Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Birzeit University, Palestine.
• Professor (September 2008 to present), Civil Engineering Department, Birzeit University, Palestine.
• Department Chairperson (15 August 2009 to 15 Augsut 2012), Civil Engineering Department, Birzeit University, Palestine.
• Associate Professor (academic year 2007/2008: subbatical leave), Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE.
• Associate Professor (September 2003 to August 2008), Civil Engineering Department, Birzeit University, Palestine.
• Department Chairperson (September 2002 to August 2006), Civil Engineering Department, Birzeit University, Palestine.
• Assistant Professor (September 1997 to August 2003), Civil Engineering Department, Birzeit University, Palestine.
• Part-time Faculty (September 1990 to May 1991),  Civil Engineering Department, University of Toledo, Ohio.
• Teaching Assistant (January 1985 to June 1990), Civil Engineering Department, University of Toledo, Ohio.

 BZU SERVICE

• Member of the University Council from 1/9/2014 to present
• Member of the Academic Council from 1/9/2014 to present
• Chair of the Academic Integrity Committee for the year 2015/2016
• Chair of the Due Process Committee for 3 years (2011 - 2014)
• Member of the Academic Integrity Committee for 3 years (2011 - 2014)
• Member of the Scientific Research Committee for 2 years (2012 - 2014)
• Member of the Due Process Committee for 1 year (2010 - 2011)
• Member of the UPLD master program committee for 5 years (2002 - 2007)
• Member of the Academic Council for 2 years (2002 - 2004)
• Served on several committees at both the department and college levels

 REVIEWER FOR INTERNATIONAL JOURNALS

• International Journal of Pavement Engineering - Taylor & Francis
• Journal of Infrastructure Systems - American Society of Civil Engineers
• Transportation Research Part C - Elsevier
• Transportmetrica - Taylor & Francis
• Journal of Transportation Safety & Security - Taylor & Francis
• Journal of Advanced Transportation - John Wiley and Sons
• Advances in Civil Engineering - Hindawi Corporation
• SpringerPlus (Engineering Section) - SpringerOpen

 BZU  COURSES  TAUGHT

      - BS Level Courses

• Engineering Geology (CE231)
• Engineering Mechanics: Statics (CE232)
• Engineering Mechanics: Strength of Materials (CE223)
• Soil Mechanics Laboratory (CE311)
• Construction Materials Laboratory (CE314)
• Surveying I & II (CE330 & CE332)
• Civil Engineering Drawing (CE420)
• Transportation Engineering (CE431)
• Highway Engineering (CE438)
• Traffic Engineering (CE5350)
• Pavement Design (CE5351)
• Transportation Planning (CE5352)
• Pavement Maintenance and Management (CE5355)
• Graduation Projects (CE520 & CE530)

      - MS Level Courses

• Analysis and Decision-Making Methods (UPLD621)
• Statistical Design and Analysis Methods (SCOM7314)
  

INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE

• Highway and Pavement Expert (August 1997 - July 2003), Universal Group for Engineering and Consulting, Nablus-West Bank. Worked as a part-time consultant on several road improvement and rehabilitation projects in West Bank owned by PECDAR. Also, worked on the Palestinian Central Roads Administration Project, a joint venture with Dornier SystemConsult-Germany, owned by the Palestinian Ministry of Transportation.

• Transportation Engineer (June 1991 to August 1997), California Department of Transportation, Los Angeles District. Job titles and work assignments are described below:

• Traffic Area Engineer (October 1996 to August 1997), Office of Traffic Management. Assignments included collecting and analyzing Modcomp traffic data and performing traffic delay studies, surveillance and operation of the ramp and connector metering system for LA-10, conducting traffic investigations and preparing speed zone survey reports, providing technical assistance for Project Development and Construction in support of the district capital outlay delivery program, and corresponding to the concerns of private citizens and elected officials.

• Construction Project Engineer (February 1995 to September 1996), Construction Division. Assignments involved performing Construction Management and Contract Administration for capital highway improvement projects including seismic retrofit of highway bridges. Work activities included performing preconstruction evaluation, analyzing and approving CPM progress schedules using Primavera, preparing and administering contract change orders, inspecting contract item work and preparing progress reports, and investigating and resolving potential contract claims.

• Materials Project Engineer (June 1993 to January 1995), Engineering Services Division, Materials Investigations. Work assignments required preparing materials reports and geotechnical investigations for highway related projects, recommending pavement rehabilitation strategies for California State Highways, reviewing pavement rehabilitation projects for the local agencies requiring Federal funding, and preparing and administering consultant contracts for materials sampling & testing, and geotechnical investigations. In addition, this position required working with Caltrans District-07 Materials Laboratory to perform standard testing on rock products, asphaltic concrete, and portland cement concrete as per California Testing Manual.

• Design Project Engineer (June 91 - May 93): prepared complete Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for highway improvement projects. Performed the surveying required during the design phase. Applied the CADD computer system using Intergraph and Apollo. Prepared Project Scope Summary Reports (PSSR) for highway improvement projects.

 AMERICAN HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

• Collegiate Scholastic All American - United States Achievement Academy
• Phi Kappa Phi - National Academic Honor Society
• Tau Beta Pi - National Engineering Honor Society
• Pi Mu Epsilon - National Mathematics Honor Society

Refereed Journals

1) Abaza, K. A. "Optimal approach for assessment of potential pavement rehabilitation strategies at the project level with non-homogenous Markov chain", Journal of Infrastructure Systems, under review.

2) Abaza, K. A. "Empirical Markovian-based model for estimating the overlay design thickness for asphalt concrete pavement", Road Materials and Pavement Design, under review.

3) Abaza, K. A. (2016). "Empirical Markovian-based models for rehabilitated pavement performance used in a life-cycle analysis approach", Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, Taylor and Francis, accepted for publication.

4)  Abaza, K. A. (2016). “Simplified staged-homogenous Markov model for flexible pavement performance prediction.” Road Materials and Pavement Design, Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 365-381, Taylor and Francis.

5) Abaza, K. A. (2016). “Back-calculation of transition probabilities for Markovian-based pavement performance prediction models.” International Journal of Pavement Engineering, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 253-264, Taylor and Francis.

6) Abaza, K. A. (2015). "Empirical approach for estimating the pavement transition probabilities used in non-homogenous Markov chains." International Journal of Pavement Engineering,Taylor and Francis, published online. 

7)  Al-Khatib, I. A., Abaza, K. A., Al-Khatib J. I. (2015). "An empirical discharge prediction model for smooth asymmetric compound rectangular channel validated using area method." ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, Vol. 21, No.3, pp. 231-241, Taylor and Francis.

8)Al-Khatib, I. A., and Abaza, K. A. (2015). "Multi-variable regression models for prediction of discharge and approach velocity coefficients in flow measurement flumes with compound cross-section." ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, Vol. 21, No.1, pp. 65-84, Taylor and Francis.

9) Al-Khatib, I. A., Abaza, K. A., and Abu Fkhidah, I. (2014). "Prediction of zonal and total discharges in smooth straight prismatic compound channels using regression modeling." Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, Vol. 38, pp. 40-48, Elsevier.

10) Al-Khatib, I. A., Abu Hassan, H., and Abaza, K. A. (2013). "Development of empirical regression-based models for predicting the mean velocities in asymmetric compound channels." Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, Vol. 33, pp. 77-87, Elsevier.

11) Al-Khatib, I. A., Abu Hassan, H., and Abaza, K. A. (2013). "Application and Validation of Regression Analysis in the Prediction of Discharge in Asymmetric Compound Channels." Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Vol. 139, No. 7, pp. 542-550, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

12) Abaza, K. A. (2011). "Stochastic Approach for Design of Flexible Pavement: A Case Study for Low Volume Roads." Road Materials and Pavement Design, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 663-685, Taylor and Francis.

13) Abaza, K. A., and Ashur, S. A. (2011). "Investigating the Accelerated Deterioration of Flexible Pavement Using Two-Stage Design Analysis Approach." European Transport Research Review, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 23-34, Springer.

14) Abaza, K. A., and Murad, M. M. (2010). "Pavement Rehabilitation Project Ranking Approach Using Probabilistic Long-term Performance Indicators." Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), Record No. 2153, pp. 3-12, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C.

15) Abaza, K. A., and Ashur, S. A. (2009). "An Optimum Microscopic Pavement Management Model Using Constrained Integer Linear Programming." International Journal of Pavement Engineering, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 149-160, Taylor and Francis.

16) Abaza, K. A., and Murad, M. M. (2009). "Predicting Flexible Pavement Remaining Strength and Overlay Design Thickness with Stochastic Modeling." Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), Record No. 2094, pp. 62-70, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C.

17) Abaza, K. A. (2007). "Expected Performance of Pavement Repair Works in a Global Network Optimization Model." Journal of Infrastructure Systems, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 124-134, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

18) Abaza, K. A., and Murad, M. M. (2007). "Dynamic Probabilistic Approach for a Long-term Pavement Restoration Program with Added User Cost." Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), Record No. 1990, pp. 48-56, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C.

19) Abaza, K. A. (2006). "Iterative Linear Approach for Non-linear Non-Homogenous Stochastic Pavement Management Models." Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 132, No. 3, pp. 244-256, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

20) Murad, M. M., and Abaza, K. A. (2006)."Pavement Friction in a Program to Reduce Wet-weather Accidents at the Network Level." Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), Record No. 1949, pp. 126-136, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C.

21) Abaza, K. A. (2005). "Performance-Based Models for Flexible Pavement Structural Overlay Design." Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 131, No. 2, pp. 149-159, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

22) Abaza, K. A. (2004). "Deterministic Performance Prediction Model for Rehabilitation and Management of Flexible Pavement." International Journal of Pavement Engineering, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 111-121, Taylor and Francis.

23) Abaza, K. A., Ashur, S. A., and Al-Khatib, I. A. (2004). "Integrated Pavement Management System with a Markovian Prediction Model." Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 130, No. 1, pp. 24-33, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

24) Abaza, K. A., and Al-Khatib, I. A. (2003). "Generalization of Shear Stress Distribution in Rectangular Compound Channels." Turkish Journal of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 27, No. 6, pp. 409-421, Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey.

25) Abu-Eisheh, S. A., and Abaza, K. A. (2003). "Guidelines for a Pavement Management System and Rehabilitation Plan for Village Access Roads in the West Bank, Palestine." Dirasat: Engineering Sciences, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 235-248, University of Jordan.

26) Abaza, K. A., and Abu-Eisheh, S. A. (2003). "An Optimum Design Approach for Flexible Pavement." International Journal of Pavement Engineering, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 1-11, Taylor and Francis.

27) Abaza, K. A. (2002). "Optimum Flexible Pavement Life-Cycle Analysis Model." Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 128, No. 6, pp. 542-549, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

28) Abaza, K. A., Ashur, S. A., Abu-Eisheh, S. A., and Rabay'a, A. (2001). "Macroscopic Optimum System for the Management of Pavement Rehabilitation." Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 127, No. 6, pp. 493-500, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

29) Abaza, K. A., and Ashur, S. A. (1999). "Optimum Decision Policy for Management of Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation." Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (TRB), Record No. 1655, pp. 8-15, National Research Council, Washington, D.C.

 Refereed Conferences

1) Abaza, K. A. "Derivation of Pavement Transition Probabilities Using Discrete-time Markov Chain." Proceedings of the 93^rd Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D. C., 12-16 January 2014.

2) Abaza, K. A. "Empirical Design Approach for Flexible Pavement with Performance-based Design Factors." Proceedings of the 90^th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D. C., 23-27 January 2011.

3) Abaza, K. A., and Shaheen, Q. H. "A Non-Destructive Procedure for Assessment of Flexible Pavement Performance for Rehabilitation and Management Applications." First Meeting and Technical Conference, Middle East Society of Asphalt Technologies (MESAT), Beirut-Lebanon, 5-8 July 2010. 

4) Abaza, K. A., and Murad, M. M. "Pavement Rehabilitation Project Ranking Approach Using Probabilistic-based Long-term Performance Indicators." Proceedings of the 89^th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D. C., 10-14 January 2010.

5) Abaza, K. A., and Murad, M. M. "Prediction of Flexible Pavement Remaining Strength and Overlay Design Thickness Using Stochastic Modeling." Proceedings of the 88^th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D. C., 11-15 January 2009.

6) Abaza, K. A., and Murad, M. M. "Probabilistic Performance-based Approach for Prioritization of Pavement Rehabilitation Project Candidates." Presented at the 87^th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 13-17 January 2008.

7) Abaza, K. A. "Progressive Deterioration of Flexible Pavement: Can it be a Design Deficiency." Proceedings of the 22^nd Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) Conference, Canberra, Australia, 29 October-2 November 2006.

8) Murad, M. M., and Abaza, K. A. "Pavement Friction in a Program Aimed at Reducing Wet-Weather Accidents at the Network Level." Proceedings of the 85^th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D. C., 22-26 January 2006.

9) Abaza, K. A., and Murad, M. M. "An Optimum Dynamic Probabilistic Management Model for a Long-term Pavement Restoration Program." Proceedings of the 85^th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D. C., 22-26 January 2006.

10) Abaza, K. A. "An Optimum Microscopic Model for Management of Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation." Proceedings of the 84^th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D. C., 9-12 January 2005.

11) Abaza, K. A. "An Optimum Stochastic Model for Pavement Management." Proceedings of the 84^th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D. C., 9-12 January 2005.

12) Abaza, K. A. "An Optimum Linear Pavement Management Model for Local Governments." Proceedings of the 83^rd Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D. C., 14-16 January 2004.

13) Abaza, K. A. "Performance-Based Model for Flexible Pavement Structural Overlay Design." Proceedings of the 9^th Arab Structural Engineering Conference, pp. 609-620, Dubai, UAE, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2003.

14) Abaza, K. A., Ashur, S. A., and Rabay'a, A. "A Macroscopic Optimization System for the Management of Pavement Rehabilitation." Proceedings of the 20^th Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 19-21 March 2001.

15) Abaza, K. A., and Ashur, S. A. "A Discrete-Time Markovian Model for An Integrated Pavement Maintenance Management System." Proceedings of the 6^th International Conference on Applications of Advanced Technologies in Transportation Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Singapore, 28-30 June 2000.

16) Ashur, S. A., Siridhara, S., Abaza, K. A. "Evaluation of Traffic Software in the Signalization of Congested Roundabouts." Proceedings of the 6^th International Conference on Applications of Advanced Technologies in Transportation Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Singapore, 28-30 June 2000.

17) Abaza, K. A., and Ashur, S. A. "Optimum Decision Policy for Management of Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation." Proceedings of the 78^th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, National Research Council, Washington, D. C., January 1999.

18) Abaza, K. A., and Abu-Eisheh, S. A. "Implementation of a Pavement Management System (PMS) and a Road Rehabilitation Plan (RRP) for Village Access Roads in West Bank." Seminar Proceedings on the Role of Scientific Research in Low Cost Road Projects, Jordanian Ministry of Public Works and Arab Union of Scientific Research Councils, Amman, Jordan, 24-26 October 1998.

19) Ashur, S., M. Hadi, B., Crockett, B., and Abaza, K. "GIS as a Support Tool for Effective Decision-Making in Engineering Management: Two Case Studies from Arizona." Proceedings of First International Conference on New Information Technologies for Decision Making in Civil Engineering, pp.601-612, Montreal, Canada, 11-13 October 1998.