Speakers
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Benjamin McCullochStrategic Data Scientist | Texas Department of TransportationBen McCulloch is the Strategic Data Scientist for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation Division at Texas Department of Transportation. He is responsible for the standing up the Digital Roadway Data project and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Strategic Plan
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Phil Lasley PhD, AICP, PMPDivision Head - Data Science & Visualization, Research Scientist | Texas A&M Transportation InstituteDr. Phil Lasley is a Research Scientist and Division Head of the Data Science & Visualization division at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. He leads data science, analytics, and application development efforts for a wide range of sponsors. With over 15 years of experience in policy and mobility analysis, Dr. Lasley partners with federal, state, and local transportation agencies to turn complex data into clear insights and practical tools that support smarter, data-driven decisions.
In addition to his research, Dr. Lasley also moonlights as an adjunct lecturer in Multidisciplinary Engineering and in Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University.
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Pramod Sambidi PhD, PMPAssistant Director, Data Analytics & Research | Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)Dr. Sambidi is the Assistant Director of Data Analytics & Research within the Metropolitan Planning and Analysis Division at the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). He provides strategic and operational leadership in regional forecasting, travel demand modeling, geospatial analytics, regional resiliency, data visualization, and emerging technologies. His team provides modeling, technical, and analytical support for the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) transportation plans and programs, as well as modeling and data support to TxDOT and other regional partners for transportation projects and studies.
With more than 20 years of professional experience, Dr. Sambidi has led and contributed to major regional initiatives involving transportation and land-use planning, scenario modeling, mobility analytics, socioeconomic forecasting, and transportation resilience. He led H-GAC’s 2020 Transportation Resiliency Pilot Program, which evaluated transportation infrastructure vulnerability to extreme weather events and developed approaches to strengthen regional transportation resilience.
Dr. Sambidi holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Louisiana State University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He works closely with local, state, and federal partners to translate complex data and analytics into practical strategies that support informed decision-making.
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Ram s. Maddali PE, AICP, PMPSenior Project Manager | OthonRam S. Maddali, PE, AICP, PMP, LGPP is a Senior Project Manager and transportation planning leader with OTHON, bringing more than 25 years of experience in transportation planning, traffic engineering, corridor and feasibility studies, travel demand modeling, traffic and revenue studies, safety analysis, and project management. He has led major statewide, regional, and corridor planning initiatives for TxDOT and communities across Texas, integrating engineering analysis, data analytics, public involvement, and practical implementation strategies to address complex transportation challenges
Ram’s experience includes leading TxDOT corridor planning and traffic engineering programs, statewide planning studies, multimodal and freight initiatives, and major corridor studies throughout Texas. His work has included the award-winning US 67 Corridor Master Plan, statewide functional classification assessment, I-35 Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) study, and numerous feasibility, mobility, and traffic engineering studies
Ram holds an MBA from Boston University and an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and is certified in TxDOT Local Government Project Procedures (LGPP).
Local Time
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Date: Sep 17 2026
- Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
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Convention Center First Floor
- 1901 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
From Insight to Investment: Using Data to Drive Resilient Transportation Decisions: Bridging Data, Policy, and Planning to Guide Transportation Investment Decisions
Moderator: Ram Maddali
As transportation needs continue to evolve, agencies must make investment decision to make investment decisions that balance mobility, safety, resilience, environmental stewardship, and fiscal responsibility. At the same time, the volume of available transportation data – from traffic and freight movement to land-use trends, travel demand, and asset condition-continues to expand. The challenge is no longer access to data; it is converting information into actionable investment decisions.
From Insight to Investment: Using Data to Drive Resilient Transportation Decisions brings together leaders from TxDOT, TTI, and H-GAC to examine how agencies and research institutions are bridging data, policy, and planning to prioritize transportation investments. The panel will explore practical examples of performance-based planning, corridor analysis, freight and multimodal evaluation, scenario modeling, and regional coordination that have informed funding priorities and project development.
Discussion topics include:
• Turning large and diverse datasets into decision-ready information
• Connecting findings with policy and programming decisions
• Aligning statewide objectives with regional and local transportation needs
• Using data-driven strategies to improve resilience, reliability, and long-term system performance
• Building trust and transparency through collaborative planning processes
Panelists will share lessons learned from real-world applications and discuss the institutional, technical, and communication challenges that arise when integrating analytics into transportation decision-making. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how data, research, policy, and planning can work together to support resilient transportation investments and more effective infrastructure outcomes across Texas.
