Dr. Alexander Bigazzi Wins Wall Legacy Award for Inclusive, Sustainable Transport Design
This initiative focuses on creating transportation infrastructure that equitably attracts users to sustainable travel modes
UBC Civil Engineering finds e-bike incentives worth the investment
A version of this article originally appeared on UBC News. Electric bicycle rebates have exploded in popularity in North America as transportation planners try to get people out of their cars and into healthier, more climate-friendly alternatives. However, there is limited understanding of the full impacts of these incentives. Are new cycling habits sustainable? Who benefits most from these incentives? And are they worth the cost? Researchers at UBC’s Research on Active Transportation (REACT) Lab have some answers. They surveyed participants in an e-bike incentive program offered by the District of Saanich, B.C. and found that most new e-bike users continued to regularly use their bikes […]
UBC REACT Lab Wins 2023 Climate Action Award
UBC Civil Engineering’s REACT Lab has been honored with the 2023 Climate Action Award from the Community Energy Association for their work on an income-qualified e-bike incentive program in collaboration with the District of Saanich, British Columbia and the Greater Victoria Community Social Planning Council. This award highlights the effectiveness of the program in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting equity, underlining the vital role of research and government collaboration in addressing climate challenges. With a goal of enabling widespread adoption of e-bikes for more sustainable transportation, the Saanich’s e-bike incentive program uniquely combines climate and equity objectives — a novel […]
Study finds Vancouver can integrate new electric-powered mobility
Originally published by UBC Media Relations Love them or hate them, new mobility devices like e-bikes are here to stay. In one of the first large-scale studies to measure the real-world usage of these devices, UBC transportation researchers found that most other road users are comfortable sharing cycling lanes and off-street paths with these new modes of transport—despite some misperceptions of how fast these devices are actually going. Take electric bikes, currently enjoying a boom in Metro Vancouver and other cities. “Many people like electric bikes but others worry that they travel at high speeds, although in reality they don’t – […]
UBC Civil prof. partners with Saanich on e-bike rebate program
Professor Alex Bigazzi has partnered with the District of Saanich to launch the first local rebate program in BC for residents purchasing new electrically assisted bicycles (e-bikes). By assisting residents who wish to switch to electric mobility, this rebate program aims to reduce local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase awareness of the economic and health benefits of e-bikes. Estimated to save between 1,000-2,000 tonnes of GHG emissions, the pilot program aims to cut community emissions by half by 2030. Providing up to $1,600 in rebates, the program is designed to be equitable and accessible to everyone regardless of income level. Dr. Bigazzi […]
Alex Bigazzi promoted to associate professor with tenure
Dr. Alex Bigazzi, a faculty member in the UBC Department of Civil Engineering and the School of Community and Regional Planning, has received tenure and been promoted to Associate Professor. Tenureship recognizes exceptional faculty members for their distinguished scholarship, dedication to teaching and mentorship, and exemplary service to the University in helping achieve its vision as a globally influential institution. In so doing, Dr. Bigazzi is “helping create an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, promotes the values of a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research,” said UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Santa J. Ono in a statement. Dr. Bigazzi’s research […]
Dr. Bigazzi: Vancouver’s car sharing landscape is safe and healthy
Dr. Alex Bigazzi, an assistant professor in UBC’s Department of Civil Engineering, was recently interviewed by the Vancouver Sun on changes to Vancouver’s car-sharing services. Vancouver had four popular services: Evo, car2go, Modo and ZipCar. However, as of February 29th, car2go was pulled out of Vancouver and all of North America citing the “volatile state of the global mobility landscape.” This car-sharing service was incredibly popular in Vancouver with 1,200 cars and 20,000 members. Although it would seem that car2go’s departure would create a huge hole in the market, Dr. Bigazzi states that “Vancouver’s car-sharing landscape, which [now] includes Evo, Modo, and Zipcar, […]
Professor Alex Bigazzi speaks on proposed Rapid Transit Lines
Professor Alex Bigazzi spoke with CBC on the $9.4B 4-track rapid transit line in Metro Vancouver, proposed by former B.C. premier Mike Harcourt. Recently, both Vancouver city council and the Metro Vancouver Mayors’ Council have voted to endorse a rapid transit extension to the University of British Columbia. The project would bring rapid transit from the VCC-Clark station to Arbutus Street, with thecost is expected to run roughly $7 billion. However, former B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt thinks this plan is not enough of a push for long-term plans, and the city needs to think bigger. His pitch is to build a rapid transit line all the way […]
UBC Civil Staff and Faculty Team Competes in Vancouver Sun Run
Congrats to the Department of Civil Engineering Sun Run Team for completing the 2019 Vancouver Sun Run! This years CIVIL Sun Run Team included (left to right): Professor Bernard Laval, Professor Terje Haukaas, Diego Pastor Bartoli, Professor Alex Bigazzi, Jade Koide, Professor Carlos Molina Hutt, Shannon Remillong, Chris Gorczynski, and Daniela Hajdukovic (not pictured) Despite some team members having to run through an unprecedented hail storm, the CIVIL Team, which included both staff and faculty, all completed the run within 1 hour 17 minutes. The Vancouver Sun Run is Canada’s largest 10K road race. Run through a beautiful scenic course that […]
Call for Participants: Road User Interactions Survey
HOW WELL DO ROAD USERS INTERACT IN VANCOUVER? We are looking for participants who travel in Vancouver to take our survey. Participation requires about 15 minutes and involves viewing and rating a series of video clips of real-world interactions. All participants will be entered into a draw for one of four gift cards of $25 each. For more information, or to participate, please visit Road User Survey Link. Principle Investigators: Dr. Alex Bigazzi and Dr. Meghan Winters
Professor Alex Bigazzi Speaks on Transit Efficiency In Vancouver
According to a study on global traffic patterns , Vancouver has the 203rd worst traffic in the world. In an effort to solve the congestion issue in city, Vancouver Mayoral candidate Wai Young proposed to remove separate bike lanes and demolish the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts if she gets elected. But are these infrastructures really the ones to blame? Vancouver Magazine invited UBC Civil Engineering and Community and Regional Planning Professor Alex Bigazzi to the conversation on transportation. Bigazzi disagrees with Wai Young’s argument and suggests that population growth has a bigger impact on congestion. On the same note, Bigazzi is not optimistic about the city’s […]
Civil engineering professor studies new patterns in transportation
Civil Engineering Assistant Professor Alex Bigazzi and his students are using the data from these pedal and solar powered rental vehicles to look at how alternate forms of transportation change the way we move. Working with the Veemo pilot project happening across the UBC campus, Dr. Bigazzi wants to see if the app-activated electric-assisted tricycles will have an effect on reducing established transportation patterns, particularly car use. For the full interview with Dr. Bigazzi and more about the Veemo beta test, check out the article on the CBC.
Road pricing in Vancouver
CBC Radio’s On The Coast featured an interview with Civil professor Alex Bigazzi about road pricing. He discussed how natural boundaries of downtown Vancouver peninsula could be a good starting point for setting up road pricing. The segment starts at 23:47.
The right walking speed to optimize your health
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 | By Lindsay Cashin The Times Colonist quoted Civil professor Alex Bigazzi about his study that examined the optimal speed for pedestrians to move for both health benefits and lower risk of pollution. Bigazzi said the faster you move, the harder you breathe and the more pollution you could inhale.
Vancouver’s West End urged to embrace parking sharing
Tuesday, March 14, 2017 | By Lindsay Cashin CBC featured a UBC study that examines how renting out residential parking spots in the West End can help with Vancouver’s parking shortage. Professor Alex Bigazzi supervised the research which found that there are about 3,700 empty parking spaces, mostly underneath West End apartment towers. Similar stories appeared on Global, in the Vancouver Sun and The Province. Prof. Bigazzi also spoke with CKNW’s Jill Bennett Show about the study.
Professor Alex Bigazzi on improving road safety for cyclists
Tuesday, November 22, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Alex Bigazzi spoke with CTV News Vancouver about possible strategies to improve road safety for cyclists, following a recent fatal crash involving a car and multiple cyclists in Richmond.
Professor Bigazzi’s study on reducing air pollution inhalation
Thursday, October 27, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Cyclists should be riding at speeds between 12 and 20 kilometres per hour on city roads, while pedestrians should be moving at two to six kilometres per hour to minimize their inhalation of air pollution while still getting the health benefits of exercise, according to new research from the UBC Civil Engineering transportation group. “The faster you move, the harder you breathe and the more pollution you could potentially inhale, but you also are exposed to traffic for a shorter period of time. This analysis shows where the sweet spot is,” said Alex […]
Prof. Bigazzi on the upward trend in driving in the U.S.
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Alex Bigazzi discusses the upward trend in U.S. driving with the Vancouver Sun, in an article about the recent increase in the volume of U.S. visitors to B.C.
New Civil grad course – Transportation Emissions and Air Quality
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin UBC Civil Engineering is pleased to announce the launch of a new graduate-level course, Transportation Emissions and Air Quality, starting in term 2 of the Winter 2016/2017 academic year. The transport sector is a huge contributor to local and global air pollution. This new course will address the generation, control, regulation and analysis of traffic-related air pollution, including greenhouse gases. Students will get hands-on experience with emissions models and learn about relevant policies for transportation projects. Instructor: Dr. Alex Bigazzi Course Code: CIVL 598A 002 Topics in Civil Engineering – TRNSPRTN EMISSNS Credits: 3 Date & […]
Prof. Alex Bigazzi on urban cyclists’ exposure to toxicants
Friday, May 6, 2016 | By Lindsay Cashin Professor Alex Bigazzi discusses urban cyclists’ exposure to toxicants while cycling on busy streets, and the advantage of choosing lower-traffic routes.
Civil Engineering welcomes newest faculty members
Wednesday, September 30, 2015 | By Lindsay Cashin UBC Civil Engineering is pleased to announce that three new faculty members have joined the Department. The teaching and research activities of Alex Bigazzi, Steven Weijs, and Cristina Zanotti are well underway for the fall term. Alex Bigazzi Dr. Alex Bigazzi, jointly appointed in Civil Engineering and SCARP, is the newest member of the transportation group. He is instructing CIVL 586 Urban Transportation System Analysis this term, and CIVL 583 Urban Engineering Methods and Models next term. Furthermore, he aims to bring a new course on transportation emissions and air quality to UBC […]