Before the Crash : Real-time Crash Risk and Its Applications

Abstract

Tarek Ghoul was a finalist in the 2026 UBC Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Tarek presented the research titled “Transportation Before the Crash: Real Time Crash Risk and Its Applications.” Every year, over one million people are killed on roadways worldwide. Yet road safety improvements often happen only after a statistically significant number of crashes occur. This means decision makers must wait until enough people are injured or killed before taking action. This research offers a proactive alternative. By including a hazardous location identification system, a safety-based navigation tool, and a safety-based traffic signal timing optimization system, this approach may help cities prevent crashes before they happen rather than reacting after tragedy occurs. Tarek Ghoul is completing a PhD in Civil Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering under the supervision of Dr. Tarek Sayed. #3MT is an academic competition that assists current graduate students with fostering effective presentation and communication skills. Participants have just three minutes to explain the breadth and significance of their research project to a non-specialist audience. For more information or to participate in UBC’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) visit https://3mt.grad.ubc.ca.