Remembering Hani Mahmassani, renowned transportation scholar

Illinois Center for Transportation mourns the passing of Hani Mahmassani, William A. Patterson Distinguished Chair in Transportation and director of the Northwestern University Transportation Center, on July 15.

A globally recognized leader in transportation systems research, Mahmassani made foundational contributions to dynamic traffic modeling, intelligent transportation systems, freight logistics and the integration of telecommunication and transportation networks.

He earned his doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1982 before joining Northwestern University in 2007. Mahmassani previously served as a faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin and University of Maryland.

Mahmassani received many honors during his career, including being elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2021, receiving the 2023 INFORMS Robert Herman Lifetime Achievement Award, and being inducted as an INFORMS Fellow in 2024, among others.

Throughout his career, Mahmassani mentored more than 75 doctoral students, many of whom have gone on to lead major academic and industry research programs across the globe.

In addition to his broader impact on the field, Mahmassani worked on several ICT projects, most recently R27‑241: Advancing Air Mobility in Illinois, which concluded in 2024. He frequently collaborated on many ICT initiatives and efforts at the federal and state levels, and many of his colleagues at ICT have benefited from his insights and wisdom.

“I have known Hani for more than 25 years. We became very close friends, chatting and seeing each other regularly. I will miss him greatly,” said Imad Al-Qadi, ICT director.

“He was genuine, humble and incredibly intelligent — one of the hardest working individuals I’ve ever met. He truly cared deeply about people, especially his students,” he added. “Everything he did was rooted in a commitment to excellence and visionary ideas that changed how we think about transportation, particularly in freight and network systems.”

Al-Qadi emphasized that Mahmassani’s most lasting professional legacy will be his students, who have continued his message and mission.

“He was more than an advisor, and his support and our relationship continued well beyond my graduation,” said Alireza Talebpour, former student of Mahmassani and U. of I. professor. “Beyond his profound knowledge and integrity in research, what struck me most was his generosity. He was always there whenever I needed support, whether personal or professional. I will always carry his memory with me, and his impact will live on in all who knew him.”

Beyond his academic achievements, Mahmassani was admired for his warmth, collegial spirit and community building.

“One of my favorite memories is from our early morning chats — around 3 or 4 a.m. — when I was waking up and he was finally winding down,” Al-Qadi said. “We’d always laugh and exchange a ‘good morning’ and ‘good night.’ He was always there when his friends or students needed him. Even after his students graduated, he kept advocating for them, mentoring them and making sure they had every opportunity to succeed.”

“He was a giant — irreplaceable,” he added. “He had a smile even in his most serious moments, and he connected with everyone around him. He genuinely cared. Everything he did came from a place of goodness. He will be deeply missed.”