Frank Dzawu

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Frank Dzawu

Graduate Student CIVE-PhD Lincoln Transportation Systems Engineering - Advisor: Aemal Khattak University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Contact

Email
fdzawu2@huskers.unl.edu

I am a Ph.D. student in Civil Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, with a specialization in Transportation Systems Engineering. My research focuses on enhancing traffic safety in Nebraska, with a specific emphasis on assessing the effectiveness of flashing yellow arrow signals at intersections. 

Through my work at the Mid-America Transportation Center, I analyze crash data, study driver gap-acceptance behavior, and assess intersection performance to help inform state and local agencies on safer signal operations. I aim to integrate transportation engineering methods with planning principles. I strive to provide solutions that address both immediate safety needs and long-term mobility challenges throughout the state.

Education

Academic Degrees:

  • Ph.D., Civil Engineering (Transportation), University of Nebraska–Lincoln, USA, 2024–Present
  • M.CRP, Master of Community and Regional Planning, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, USA, 2023
  • B.Sc., Logistics Management, Regional Maritime University, Ghana, 2015–2019
  • B.Sc., Logistics Management (Study Abroad), Shanghai Maritime University, China, 2017–2018

Employment History

  • Graduate Research Assistant, Mid-America Transportation Center, UNL, 01/2024–Present
  • Student Facilities Support Member, UNL Housing & Dining, 05/2025–08/2025
  • Terminal Assistant Intern, Port of Tema, Ghana, 10/2018–12/2018
  • Stores Assistant Intern, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana, 06/2017–08/2017

Area of Research and Professional Interest

  • Traffic safety
  • Intelligent transportation systems
  • Urban transportation systems
  • Intermodal transport

Research Experience

  • Guidance for Left-Turn Flashing Yellow Arrow Implementation in Nebraska, Nebraska Transportation Center, 09/2023–Present
  • Pedestrian-Vehicle Crash Severity Modeling Using Multinomial Logit, Hohai University, 05/2020–09/2022

Teaching Experience 

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant, CIVE 361 (Highway Engineering), UNL, Spring 2024

Publications and Presentations

  • Abudu, R., Thompson, E.A., Dzawu, F.S., & Roa-Henriquez, A. (2025). A meta-analysis assessment of adaptive and transformative approaches to supply chain resilience. Supply Chain Analytics, 10, 100124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sca.2025.100124
  • Zhao, L., Dzawu, F.S., Khattak, A.J., Guy, B.P., Gordon, N., & Schram, G. (2025, January). Are Flashing Yellow Arrow Signals Effective in Eliminating Yellow Traps for Lead-Lag Left Turns? Poster presented at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC

Service

  • Judge, ASCE Sustainable Solutions Competition (SSC), Mid-America Student Symposium, UNL, Spring 2025

Honors and Awards

  • Vermeer Haecker Historic Preservation Fund Scholarship, UNL, 2023
  • Hohai University Full Scholarship, 2019