Wooyoung Kim’s Journey in Transportation Engineering
Meet Wooyoung Kim, a recent graduate from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, who is now making an impact in the field of Transportation Engineering. With a blend of early exposure to civil engineering and hands-on academic experience, Kim is launching his transportation engineering career at Horrocks Engineers, a Utah-based firm founded in 1968 with a significant impact on state infrastructure.
Growing up surrounded by civil engineering professionals—his father at the Korea Expressway Corporation, his mother in design, and his grandfather in road electrical equipment—Kim had the chance to visit tunnels, bridges, and design offices from a young age. These experiences sparked his interest in civil engineering.
As one of the first international students who transitioned from the U’s Asia campus to the U.S. campus, Wooyoung Kim reflects fondly on Professor Cathy Liu’s courses in Transportation Engineering in his first years as an engineering student.
“Studying transportation, which has such a direct impact on people’s daily lives, was incredibly rewarding,” said Kim. “Dr. Liu’s courses greatly inspired me to pursue Transportation Engineering further.”
Notably, exposure to the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) during his third year at the U was instrumental in his decision to specialize in transportation engineering. Through an introduction by Professor Liu, Wooyoung Kim had the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Juan Medina, a CvEEN Research Associate Professor and notable figure in the field of transportation engineering. Medina’s research, which uses data-driven and computing techniques to analyze large, diverse datasets for improving transportation operations and safety, aligned perfectly with Kim’s interests.
With Medina as his mentor, Kim produced the research project Network Effects of Disruptive Traffic Events, which he presented at the U’s annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, a platform where students from across disciplines showcase their innovative projects. The research investigated how traffic disruptions, such as accidents or road closures, impact traffic flow. Using data from the Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM) system and police accident records, Kim analyzed the relationship between traffic volume changes and accident occurrences. The experience deepened his passion for designing more effective and efficient transportation systems.
Thanks to his advanced research experience as an undergraduate, along with his solid classroom foundation in The Green Book and FE exam preparation, Kim was able to land the reputable role as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) at Horrocks Engineers immediately after the completion of his degree. In 2023, Horrocks acquired CRS Engineers and grew to 950+ employees in over 30 locations, bringing Heavy Rail capabilities to their list of services. As a full-service engineering firm, Horrocks has an impressive portfolio which Kim is excited to contribute to.
Kim’s career goals are clear: improve connectivity, reduce travel times, and foster empathy between communities through better-designed roads and transportation systems. He believes these improvements will lead to a more unified global community. Outside of work, Kim is an avid snowboarder, enjoying the outdoor challenges Utah offers, despite occasional road conditions affected by the weather!
CvEEN Graduate Wooyoung Kim Enjoying Fresh Powder
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