- Faculty
- Faculty Faculty of Sciences and Engineering
- Research Interest
- Dr. Billah's research interests span several interdisciplinary domains, emphasizing the application of advanced techniques to address critical engineering challenges. Primary focus areas include transportation safety , investigating strategies to reduce accidents and enhance the safety of vulnerable road users through data-driven approaches. Research efforts also involve water resources modeling , exploring sustainable and efficient methods for managing water systems. Additionally, machine learning techniques are applied to enhance predictive modeling in both transportation safety and resource management. Another key area of interest is the use of solid wastes in construction materials , aiming to promote sustainable building practices by incorporating waste materials into construction processes. Dr. Billah also conducts research on assessing the water quality of water bodies , investigating methods to monitor and improve the quality of freshwater and coastal systems. The overarching goal of his research is to integrate innovation and technology to tackle pressing challenges in urban infrastructure, environmental systems, and sustainability.
- Teaching Materials
- Dr. Billah has been working as a teacher of the following subjects: CE100: Civil Engineering Drawing CE103: Surveying and Introduction to GIS CE200: Details of Construction CE208/408: Quantity Surveying and Cost Analysis CE261: Fluid Mechanics CE361/CE461: Open Channel Flow CE463: Hydrology, Irrigation, and Flood Control CE498: Thesis/Project
- Academic Background
- Ph.D. in Civil Engineering ( Concentration : Water Resources Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas, 2022) M.S. in Civil Engineering ( Concentration : Sustainable Transportation, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas, 2018) B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh, 2014)
- Awards & Achievements
- CoE Scholarship, UTSA (2016-2018) Academic Excellence Scholarship, UTSA (2018-2021) Ex-National Champion in Table Tennis, Bangladesh (Junior and Sub-Junior Level)
- Selected Publications
- Billah, K.; Sharif, H.O.; Dessouky, S. How Gender Affects Motor Vehicle Crashes: A Case Study from San Antonio, Texas. Sustainability 2022, 14, 7023. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127023. Mia, M.F.; Dessouky, S.; Weissmann, J.; Sharif, H.O.; Billah, K. Geo-Locating and Identifying Wrong-Way Driving Entrance Points in Bexar County Highways by Implementing Mathematical Modeling and Land-Use Impact Assessment. Sustainability 2022, 14, 33. Billah, K.; Sharif, H.O.; Dessouky, S. Analysis of Bicycle-Motor Vehicle Crashes in San Antonio, Texas. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 9220. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179220 Billah, K.; Le, T.B.; Sharif, H.O. Data- and Model-Based Discharge Hindcasting over a Subtropical River Basin. Water 2021, 13, 2560. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13182560 Billah, K.; Adegbite, Q.; Sharif, H.O.; Dessouky, S.; Simcic, L. Analysis of Intersection Traffic Safety in the City of San Antonio, 2013–2017. Sustainability 2021, 13, 5296. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095296 Billah, K.; Sharif, H.O.; Dessouky, S. Analysis of Pedestrian–Motor Vehicle Crashes in San Antonio, Texas. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6610. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126610 Billah, K.; Sharif, H.O.; Dessouky, S. Bivariate-Logit-Based Severity Analysis for Motorcycle Crashes in Texas, 2017–2021. Sustainability 2023, 15, 10377. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310377 Billah, K.; Sharif, H.O.; Dessouky, S. Statistical and Spatial Analysis of Large Truck Crashes in Texas (2017–2021). Sustainability 2024, 16, 2780. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072780 Adegbite, Q., Billah, K., Sharif, H., Dessouky, S., 2019. Urban Intersections and Traffic Safety in the City of San Antonio. MATEC Web of Conferences. Tafazzol, S., Sharif, H., Gholikhani, M., Ahsan, M., Ghebreyesus, D., Billah, K., and Furl, C. (2025). Relative crash risk and road safety during rainfall in Texas from 2006 to 20760-w 2021. Scientific Reports, vol. 15, 36749. https://doi.org/10.1038/s415 Sustainability 2022 , 14 (12), 7023; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127023 Traffic crashes are among the leading causes of injuries and fatalities worldwide. The main assumption of this study is that traffic crash rates, injury severity, and driving behaviors differ by the driver’s gender. Utilizing ten years (2011–2020) of data from the Texas Crash Record and Information System database, this study investigates how some of the most prominent driving behaviors leading to crashes and severe injuries (distracted driving, speeding, lane departure, and driving under influence) vary by gender in San Antonio, Texas. The spatial distribution of crashes associated with these driving behaviors by gender is also investigated, as well as the influence of some environmental and temporal variables on crash frequency and injury severity. This study adopted bivariate analysis and logistic regression modeling to identify the effect of different variables on crash occurrence and severity by gender. Male drivers were more likely to be involved in a speeding/DUI/lane departure-related crash and subsequent severe injuries. However, female drivers were slightly more associated with distracted-driving crashes and subsequent injuries. Nighttime, interstate/highway roads, the weekend period, and divider/marked lanes as the primary traffic control significantly increased the crash and injury risk of male drivers. Driving behavior-related crashes were mostly concentrated on some interstate road segments, major intersections, and interchanges. The results from this study can be used by authorities and policy-makers to prioritize the use of limited resources, and to run more effective education campaigns to a targeted audience. Sustainability 2022 , 14 (1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010033 Wrong-way driving (WWD) leads to high severity crashes and is a major concern for transportation managers. This study aims to identify WWD entry points of urban highway ramps and develop an analysis methodology using basic knowledge of WWD
- Professional Experience
- 1. Graduate Research Assistant at The University of Texas at San Antonio (2016-2022) Role Overview : Contributed to advanced research initiatives at The University of Texas at San Antonio, focusing on engineering, data analysis, and urban safety projects. 2. Graduate Teaching Assistant at The University of Texas at San Antonio (2019-2021) Responsibilities : Supported faculty in teaching undergraduate and graduate-level courses, primarily in engineering, urban planning, or transportation systems. 3. Severe Pedestrian Injury Areas (2014-2028) - Project for the City of San Antonio, Texas Project Scope : Focused on identifying areas in San Antonio with a high incidence of severe pedestrian injuries between 2014 and 2018. Role and Contributions : Conducted spatial and statistical analysis of crash data to pinpoint hotspots of severe pedestrian injuries. Collaborated with city planners, engineers, and public safety officials to develop targeted interventions. Proposed engineering, enforcement, and education measures to reduce pedestrian injuries, such as improved crosswalk designs, better lighting, and awareness campaigns. Link to the report: https://share.google/gIayfjGUKga6KBcdB 4. Severe Bicyclist Injury Areas (2016-2020) - Project for the City of San Antonio, Texas Project Scope : Focused on analyzing and mitigating severe bicyclist injuries in San Antonio during the same period. Role and Contributions : Performed in-depth analysis of crash locations, contributing factors, and injury severity using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and statistical models. Worked with city officials to recommend improvements to cycling infrastructure, including dedicated bike lanes, signage, and traffic calming measures. Supported the creation of policy recommendations to promote safe cycling practices and reduce conflicts between motorists and cyclists. Link to the report: https://share.google/AH8etzwk8OkfTzby9
- Affiliation Professional Membership
- Member, Institute of Engineers Bangladesh