Sydney French, M.S.C.E, E.I.T – Engineer in Training

Education:

West Virginia University, B.S., Civil Engineering, 2022 West Virginia University, M.S. Civil Engineering, 2023

Licensure and Certification:

E.I.T., December 2023

Company Background:

Sydney originated at French Engineering as an intern in the summers of 2020, 2021, and 2023. Upon her graduation, she became a full-time employee in December 2023.

Company Responsibilities:

Sydney is proficient with the following software: MicroStation Connect, OpenRoads Designer, Synchro 11, ArcGIS Pro, JMP, PTV Vissim, HCS 2023, Sidra, AutoCAD, SignCAD, FreeVAL-PA, and MATLAB. Sydney has worked on a variety of different projects since she began working at French Engineering.

• Transportation Safety Analysis: Sydney has worked on transportation safety studies for SR 40 in Uniontown, PA, SR 66 in Delmont, PA, and US 30 near Breezewood PA, including developing pedestrian checklists and crash analyses. She has also worked with Pennsylvania State University on a driver safety project where she developed a list of appropriate safety strategies. She has used GIS to inform her of crash clusters in Washington, PA and has used it to develop mapping of crash clusters in Western PA.
• Transportation Impact Studies: Sydney has worked on TIS studies for The Deck which is a mixed-use commercial development along University Avenue in Morgantown, WV and a UPS parking lot review in New Stanton, PA.
• Traffic Analysis: Sydney has worked on traffic analysis projects for I-70 and SR 88 and I-70 and SR 2027 interchanges, and a feasibility study on making the HOV on I-279 two-way into Pittsburgh.
• Traffic Calming Signing and Pavement Marking Plans: Sydney has worked on signing and pavement marking plans for the City of Pittsburgh and the City of Frederick to enhance the safety and experience of being a non-motorist.
• Detour Plans: Sydney has worked on detour plans such as SR 119 near Greensburg and SR 36 near Altoona.

Prior Experience:

Sydney was a Graduate Research Assistant from January 2023 to December 2023 for Dr. James Bryce at West Virginia University. She gained experience in statistical modeling and coding for pavement deterioration models for the Federal Highway Administration. She used MATLAB and JMP for statistical analysis and modeling. She presented her work in monthly meetings with the Federal Highway Administration. In her Master’s thesis, Sydney performed statistical and spatial analyses of Census, infrastructure, and pre- and post-restructuring BSS usage data to discern potential disparities in the shift of usage across disadvantaged and affluent areas and to identify the associations between station locations, accessibility, and usage, with a focus on the effects on disadvantaged and affluent populations. Findings showed that equity programs can potentially improve the equity of the system; however, a more comprehensive planning approach is needed to enhance the accessibility of BSS across disadvantaged populations and communities. This research can guide effective planning efforts for new BSS development as well as BSS restructuring that go beyond the implementation of equity-focused programs.