In a thrilling showdown of innovation, engineering and student excellence, the Cal State Fullerton Institute of Transportation Engineers student chapter stole the spotlight at the highly anticipated annual ITE SoCal/Orange County Traffic Engineering Council student presentation night, held at Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel on May 1.
The Titans clinched first place with their standout presentation titled “LA Metro Rail A-Line Extension: Dodger Express,” earning a $3,000 prize to support future chapter initiatives. The event drew top talent from leading Southern California universities, including UCLA, UC Irvine, USC, Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Long Beach, but it was CSUF’s bold vision and expert execution that won over the judges.
Seniors Peter Nguyen and Ethan Lara took center stage to present their yearlong senior design project — a visionary proposal to extend the LA Metro A-Line directly to Dodger Stadium, revolutionizing access to one of LA’s most iconic landmarks. Their presentation showcased not only technical rigor, but also a thoughtful approach to sustainable and efficient urban mobility.
The panel of judges praised the team for their depth of knowledge, innovative thinking and polished delivery, citing their work as a shining example of the next generation of transportation leaders.
“This win isn’t just for us — it’s for the entire CSUF community,” said Lara. “We’re proud to represent our school and excited to see how our work might inspire real-world solutions.”
Nguyen added, “We couldn’t have done this without the incredible guidance of our faculty adviser, David Naish. He’s been a true mentor and a key part of our success.”
With this win, the CSUF ITE chapter cements its reputation as a rising force in transportation engineering and proves that big ideas, backed by hard work and passion, can take students all the way to the top.