Fariba Mahmoudi
Senior Director, San Francisco
What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?
I am passionate about transit and rail projects and have spent most of my career working on various projects in this field.
What current project(s) are you working on?
I am currently working on the Bay Area Rapid Transit Transbay Capital Core Capacity Program, a five-billion-dollar construction program intended to increase the BART’s bay crossing underwater tube from 23 to 28 trains per hour. The program includes procurement of 252 new heavy rail cars, a new 250-railcar storage facility in Hayward, CA, replacement of BART’s existing positive train control system with a new communication-based train control system, and the addition of six new traction power substations. I oversee the design and construction of the program and provide professional assessment reports and technical assistance to BART.
Who/what inspires you to push yourself? (Personal heroes, family members, ideas)
I am glad to be a part of the effort to build projects and improve people’s quality of life.
What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA? Or Share your impressions of PMA’s culture.
PMA management and the staff are kind and friendly. It is a transparent organization, and I am happy that I work with such talented and experienced individuals across the nation.
What is something innovative happening in your industry that makes you excited about the future?
The transit industry is leveraging technology such as Communications Based Train Control System to increase throughput of the transit system.
What university or college did you graduate from?
I earned my BS in civil engineering from Polytechnic University and my MS in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. I also pursued PhD studies in civil engineering at UC Berkeley.
What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?
The Bay area offers some of the best natural environments for hiking and exploring outdoors. I enjoy hiking, restaurants, shopping, and outdoor activities.