Welcome to the inaugural issue of CDD Profiles. Today we highlight Fred Zohrehvand, Senior Transportation Planner. Fred plays a pivotal role in the planning and programming of transportation projects in Glendale including acquiring transportation funding, implementing pedestrian & bicycle safety plans and more.
The transportation projects he plans and programs include anything that helps provide safe and efficient travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, and public transportation riders of all ages. Transportation projects range from education and outreach programs to engineering and building road improvements. Fred plans, programs and secures funding for these projects that are ultimately implemented or built by other branches of the City, such as the Public Works Engineering team.
The Nuts & Bolts
Grants & Compliance
Fred actively seeks, secures, and manages transportation funding from federal, state, and local sources to implement related projects and oversees their regulatory compliance. He applies for funding including writing grant applications, and manages ongoing reporting, compliance and audits. Fred was instrumental in the City receiving its fair share of Measure R funds of $98 Million for various transportation projects to be implemented over the 30-year span of Measure R life.
To be eligible to receive transportation funds, the City is required to comply with federal, state, and regional regulatory mandates including the Congestion Management Program. Fred manages these mandates and makes sure the City is in compliance.
Transportation Demand Model
Another of Fred’s tasks is to develop and update the Transportation Demand Model which is Glendale’s citywide collective strategy to analyze the impacts of current and future development growth. It is a complex mathematical tool used to analyze and evaluate the impact of development on the city’s transportation system within the regional context. It is also used to analyze various planning policies to forecast what their impact will be. The model is the backbone of all long-range planning to evaluate the city land use policies and their impacts on street roadway system.
Citywide Pedestrian Plan and Safety Initiative
Fred also concentrates on development of the Citywide Pedestrian Plan and Safety Initiative plan. These plans are a cohesive approach to develop policy and implementation plans to improve the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the City.
Highlights
- In 2008 Fred initiated the City’s Safe Routes to School Program. The purpose of this program is to secure funds and implement projects around schools to make it safer for students to walk and /or bike to school.
- To date, Fred has secured over $5 million for safety related improvements and safety educational program for students to safely walk and bike to school.
- Over the years, he has secured an astounding $97 million dollars for the City of Glendale for various transportation related projects!
Background
- Fred has worked at the City of Glendale for 24 years.
- Prior to that he worked as an educator at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on the east coast, the oldest engineering university in the country where he earned his PhD in Planning and a master’s degree in Engineering.
- Fred also hold a master’s degree in Business Administration.
- Work Philosophy: "I always do my job with care and the best way I can."
