SIDRA Team

Dr Akçelik (pronounced Ak-chelik) is a Director at Akcelik & Associates.  He is a leading scientist and software developer in the area of traffic management with over 290 technical publications in his area of expertise. Dr Akçelik leads the SIDRA SOLUTIONS software development team and contributes to software design and technical specifications, user training and technical support. 

He graduated as a Civil Engineer from Istanbul Technical University (1968), and received a Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering from Leeds University, England. He migrated to Australia in 1975. He worked as a traffic engineer-planner with the National Capital Development Commission, Canberra (1975-79), and as a researcher with ARRB Transport Research, Melbourne (1979-1999). In 1999, Dr Akçelik established Akcelik and Associates Pty Ltd as a research and software company specialising in the area of road traffic operations, traffic engineering, management and control.

Dr Akçelik served as member of the US Transportation Research Board (TRB) Committees on Highway Capacity and Quality of Service (HCQS), and Traffic Signal Systems. He is currently a member of the HCQS Signalised Intersections, Unsignalised Intersections, and Concepts and Modeling Subcommittees.

Awards received by Dr  Akçelik include the 1999 Clunies Ross National Science and Technology award for outstanding commitment and contribution to the application of science and technology in Australia, the Institute of Transportation Engineers Australia and New Zealand Section Certificate of Commendation in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the profession, and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (USA) 1986 Transportation Energy Conservation Award in Memory of Frederick A. Wagner for research into energy savings from urban traffic.

Mark Besley is a scientist and software specialist who has worked in the traffic management area during the last three decades. Mark was born and grew up in Melbourne, Australia. He studied applied mathematics at Monash University, and worked as a researcher with ARRB Transport Research (1980-1999). In 1999, Mark Besley joined Akcelik and Associates Pty Ltd as a Director.

Mark has been involved in many aspects of research on traffic operations including incident detection, traffic network models, fuel consumption estimation, traffic data collection and analysis. He has made a significant contribution to the development of the SIDRA SOLUTIONS software in collaboration with Dr Akçelik over a long period. His contributions include software design and programming, user training and technical support.

Licheng (Harry) Cai is a Software Engineer at Akcelik & Associates. He completed Master of Applied IT and Master of IT (Minor Thesis) degrees at Monash University. During his studies, he was involved in research for a Collision Warning System which enhances intersection safety. Harry joined Akcelik and Associates Pty Ltd in 2008.  He contributes to the development  and support of SIDRA SOLUTIONS software products.

Sabine Boukamp is a Software Engineer at Akcelik & Associates. She graduated as a Civil Engineer with specialization in Computer-aided Civil Engineering from the Bauhaus University, Weimar, Germany in 2001.  During 2002-2009, she worked for a major US engineering company, where she was involved in the development and implementation of bridge engineering software systems.  Sabine joined Akcelik & Associates in 2010.  She contributes to the development of SIDRA SOLUTIONS software products.

Ben Greene is a Software Developer at Akcelik & Associates. He has industry experience developing and maintaining mapping and geographic data capture software products across multiple platforms and technologies. He studied at La Trobe University towards Bachelor of Network Engineering degree.  Ben joined Akcelik & Associates in 2010.  He contributes to the development of SIDRA SOLUTIONS software products.

Thanh Tung (Tony) Phan is a Software Engineer at Akcelik & Associates. Tony graduated from Ho Chi Minh City University of Pedagogy in Vietnam with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Informatics in 2007. He worked as a high school teacher in IT before coming to Melbourne for further study. He completed Master of IT and Master of Business Administration degrees at La Trobe University in 2010. Tony joined Akcelik & Associates in 2011 to contribute to the development of SIDRA SOLUTIONS software products.

Sevim Akçelik is Manager Operations at Akcelik & Associates.  She held various management positions over two decades including her role as the the Chief Executive Officer of a leading service organisation providing support to the Medical, Health and Aged Care sectors in Victoria before joining Akcelik & Associates in 2004. Sevim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Multicultural Studies, Diploma in Financial Management, Graduate Diploma in Management, and Master of Business and Administration. Strong academic/technical foundations have seen her career evolve through Research, Training, Accountancy and Management roles in Turkey, England and Australia. Her in-depth understanding of government processes and organisational dynamics is supported by proven managerial capabilities and effectiveness.  Sevim developed the Integrated Management System for  Akcelik & Associates culminating in ISO 9001 quality system accreditation.

Umut Akçelik is Marketing and eCommerce Manager at Akcelik & Associates. He joined the company 2007.  Umut brings a broad range of experience in the field as well as successfully completing a Bachelor of Business in Marketing at Swinburne University of Technology and a Master of Arts in Advertising at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

Umut has been responsible for company rebranding, authoring a comprehensive brand identity model for SIDRA SOLUTIONS, and developing an integrated marketing communications plan for SIDRA INTERSECTION and SIDRA TRIP. He used his online marketing savvy to design and implement the eCommerce system for the business which was successfully launched in 2009.

Amanda Savage is Sales Administrator for Akcelik and Associates. Her primary role is ensuring prompt and efficient service to existing and potential clients. She is responsible for the maintenance of company's Intergrated Management System.  Amanda joined Akcelik and Associates in 2007. She was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia and has Certificate II in Business.

Nilgun Safak joined Akcelik & Associates as an e-Learning developer in 2011. She is responsible for the development of tutorial videos for SIDRA SOLUTIONS software products. She is an experienced educator in the field of physics, mathematics and learning technologies. She gained Bachelor of Science in Physics, Mathematics and Bachelor of Education degrees at Middle East Technical University in Ankara,Turkey. She completed a PostGraduate Diploma in Computer Education at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Nilgun has been a life-long learner with special interests in researching the developments of educational technologies, one-to-one computing and web design.  For over twenty years, she worked at Methodist Ladies College as a Mathematics, Physics, Pastoral Care teacher and Learning Technology Consultant, and as the Director of Learning Technologies at the Korowa Anglican Girls' School, in Melbourne. Nilgun has presented on topics related to teaching and learning technology at various conferences in Australia and overseas, and she has created many e-learning resources for teachers and students for online delivery.

Ayda Akçelik has worked as an Accounts Officer at Akcelik & Associates for more than ten years. She is now engaged as a consultant to act as an advisor on financial activities of the company. She holds a Diploma in Business and Legal studies from Victoria University.

Liz Hoskin is the Accounts Officer at Akcelik and Associates. She joined the company in 2010.  She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in New Zealand and holds a Bachelor of Business Studies Majoring in Accountancy from Massey University in New Zealand. Prior to moving to Australia, Liz worked for 9 years as an Accountant in London and New Zealand.