Samuel Sefah A.

Samuel Sefah A.

Traffic Engineer

Columbus, OH

Quotation Mark
The thing I love most about my job is the tangible impact it has on the community, knowing that my efforts directly contribute to safer, more efficient travel experiences for thousands of people every day.
Quotation Mark

About Me

Alma Mater: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana – Bachelor of Science, BSc Civil Engineering & Ohio University – Masters, Civil Engineering

Hobbies: I enjoy playing the drums, playing video games, swimming, playing soccer, and watching soccer games, particularly during major tournaments like the World Cup, La Liga, Premier League, and Champions League, to follow my favorite teams (Ghana and Barcelona), and players (Kudus, Pedri and Phil Foden). I also find enjoyment in watching movies across various genres.

Career Q&A

  • I chose to pursue a career as a Traffic Engineer because…

    I am passionate about designing and optimizing transportation systems that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. I am driven by the opportunity to improve the daily lives of people by creating smoother, safer, and more reliable transportation networks. In addition, the rapid advancements in technology and the increasing focus on smart cities, connected and autonomous vehicles make traffic engineering an exciting and dynamic field with endless possibilities for innovation and impact.

  • The thing I love most about my job is…

    The tangible impact it has on the community, knowing that my efforts directly contribute to safer, more efficient travel experiences for thousands of people every day.

  • My favorite thing about TranSystems is…

    The commitment to innovation and excellence in transportation solutions. TranSystems fosters a collaborative environment where ideas are valued, and creativity is encouraged, allowing me to continuously grow and contribute meaningfully to impactful projects.

  • Since joining TranSystems…

    I’ve had the opportunity to work on increasingly complex and innovative transportation projects that push the boundaries of what is possible in traffic engineering. I look forward to leveraging TranSystems’ extensive expertise and resources to tackle challenges at a larger scale, implementing cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices that enhance mobility and safety.

My Day

8 – 9 AM – Begin the Day

I typically commence my office day at approximately 8 am. Upon arriving, my initial action is to turn on my computer and promptly attend to any outstanding Teams messages, emails, and notifications. The next step is to organize all tasks according to their priority, focusing first on those that are most urgent or critical.

Since most of my tasks rely on specific software, I proceed by launching essential programs such as ProjectWise and OpenRoad Designer (ORD). By ensuring these software applications are operational from the outset, I can promptly delve into tasks that require their functionalities.

9 AM – 12 PM – Work on Current Projects

Currently, my focus is on three key projects in Ohio: FRA 71/270 (City of Columbus, Franklin County), Hilliard Bridge Replacement (Cities of Lakewood & Rocky River, Cuyahoga County), and Northwest Corridor BRT (City of Columbus, Franklin County).

12 – 12:30 PM – Lunch Break

I typically bring lunch from home and take a brief break. Occasionally, I may work through lunch if deadlines require it, or I might join colleagues at a restaurant for a more social lunchtime experience.

12:30 – 2 PM – Traffic Team Meetings

As part of my routine, I participate in internal meetings with the traffic team every Tuesday. During these meetings, we review progress made, discuss ongoing tasks, and outline the next steps for each project.
Additionally, I frequently collaborate with the drainage team, particularly on projects encountering drainage issues at the construction phase.

2 – 3 PM – Check-in with Mentors

Santi Sopraseuth, Susan Paterson, and Nicholas Donofrio are among the mentors I regularly connect with at TranSystems.

 3 – 5 PM – Continue Working on Daily Tasks

In addition to the current projects I am working on, some recurring items on my to-do list are monitoring the status of projects and addressing any internal review comments.

 5 PM – Sign-off

In The Future

I am currently enrolled in traffic training courses through the ODOT Traffic Academy programs, which is an online eLearning module. I am also working on joining ASHE (American Society of Highway Engineers) and ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers) as a young engineer.

Learn more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at TranSystems

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