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Kay Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., P.E.

Kay Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., P.E.

Senior Research Engineer
Program Manager
Roadway Design Program - CE/TTI, Room 411B
Texas Transportation Institute
The Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
ph. (979) 845-7321 · fax (979) 845-6481
k-fitzpatrick@tamu.edu

Short Biography

Dr. Kay Fitzpatrick is a Research Engineer with the Texas Transportation Institute. She has led or been involved in several research projects on geometric design, traffic operations, and traffic safety. Her bachelor and master degrees from Texas A&M University and her doctor of philosophy degree is from Pennsylvania State University. She is a member of the TRB Operational Effects of Geometrics Committee and is a friend to the TRB committee on Geometric Design. She was co-chair of the TRB committee that planned the 2nd Urban Street Symposium which occurred in July 2003 and is co-chair for the 2007 Urban Street Symposium. She is Vice-Chair of the Institute of Transportation Engineers' Coordinating Council, which oversees the operations of twelve specialty councils. She was one of the editors for the ITE Traffic Control Devices Handbook with responsibility for the chapters on pedestrians, bicyclists, and schools. These professional activities enable her to maintain important contacts with researchers and municipality respresentatives working on relevant projects.

Dr. Fitzpatrick is currently leading the TCRP/NCHRP project on Improving Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Roadway Crossings. The project is to recommend selected engineering treatments to improve safety for pedestrians and to recommend modifications to the MUTCD pedestrian traffic signal warrant. She was the principal investigator on the FHWA study that developed a speed profile model used in the design consistency module of the Interactive Highway Safety Design model. Dr. Fitzpatrick was one of the lead researchers on the NCHRP project on stopping sight distance. She was responsible for studies on driver eye height, accident causation, and design and operating speeds at limited sight distance vertical curves. She recently finished a TxDOT project that developed an Urban Intersection Design Guide.

Dr. Fitzpatrick is currently involved in several safety-related projects for the Texas Department of Transportation. She recently completed a project that examined the relationship between surface width and crashes. She is investigating the usability of the rural two-lane highway draft prototype chapter being developed for consideration for the Highway Safety Manual. In the "Low Cost Safety Improvements for Rural Highways" project, she investigated the effectiveness of low-cost countermeasures for crashes. She led the team tht developed the NCHRP "Accident Mitigation Guide for Congested Rural Two-Lane Highways." As part of the NCHRP project on median design at intersections, Dr. Fitzpatrick conducted detailed evaluations of accidents at 40 intersections. The review was to provide insight into the patterns of accidents related to particular geometric design and traffic control features or particular types of operational congestion.

Professional Interests

Transportation engineering

Geometric design

Operations research

Traffic safety

Education

Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 1989.

M.S., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1984.

B.S., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1983.

Experience

Senior Research Engineer, Roadway Design Program, Texas Transportation Institute, September 2007 - Present.

Program Manager, Roadway Design Program, Texas Transportation Institute, September 2002 - Present.

Research Engineer, Roadway Design Program, Texas Transportation Institute, September 2001 - August 2007.

Associate Research Engineer, Traffic Analysis and Design Program, Texas Transportation Institute, January 1995 - August 2001.

Program Manager, Traffic Analysis and Design Program, Texas Transportation Institute, March 1997 - February 2000.

Assistant Research Engineer, Transport Operations Program, Texas Transportation Institute, December 1989 - December 1994.

Instructor in Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, August 1986 - December 1989.

Research Assistant, Transportation Operations Program, Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, August 1986 - December 1989.

Civil Engineer, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., August 1984 - August 1986.

Graduate Research Assistant, Texas Transportation Institute, June 1983 - August 1984.

Computer Programmer, Civil Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, 1982 - May 1983.

Professional Registration

Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, Registration No. 037330-E, 1988.

Registered Professional Engineer in Texas, Registration No. 86762, 2000.

Affiliations

Member, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Traffic Engineering Council Executive Committee, January 2002 - January 2005.

Chair, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Task Force on Volunteer Management, October 2000 - January 2002.

Chair, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Traffic Engineering Council, January 1998 - December 2001.

Member, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), TENC Committee 97-12, Survey of Speed Zoning Practices, December 1997 - December 2001.

Coordinator, Texas A&M University, Summer Enrichment Experience in Engineering Program, Civil Engineering Hands-On Activity, June 1996 - 1998.

Vice Chair, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Traffic Engineering Council, 1995 - December 1997.

TTI Representative, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Research Management Committee 4 (Roadway Planning and Design) Technical Advisory Panel, 1995 - 1999.

Mentor, Expanding Your Horizon Seminar, 1993 - 1998.

Member, Transportation Research Board (TRB), Committee A3A08, Operational Effects of Geometric Design, August 1993 - Present.

Member, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Committee 4S-4, Statistical Evaluation in Traffic Safety Studies, December 1992 - 1999.

Friend, Transportation Research Board (TRB), Committee A2A02, Geometric Design, January 1988 - Present.

Member, Tau Beta Pi, 1983.

Member, Chi Epsilon - The National Civil Engineering Honor Society, 1982.

Member, Alpha Lambda Delta, 1980.

Honors/Awards

Coordinating Council Award, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), 2001.

Certificate of Recongnition for Outstanding Service as Traffic Engineering Council Chair, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), 2000.

1998 Outstanding Paper in the Field of Geometric Design, Transportation Research Board Committee A2A02, 1999, for the paper, Driver Eye and Vehicle Heights for Use in Geometric Design.

1997 Best of Session Award for the Sight Distance Symposium for the paper "New Stopping Sight Distance Model for Use in Highway Geometric Design", Transportation Research Board Committee A2A02, 1997.

Trinity Researcher Award, Texas Transportation Institute, 1995.

Fred Burggraf Award, Transportation Research Board (TRB), 1995, for the paper, Motorists' Comprehension of Exit Lane Drop Signs and Markings.

Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Service as Department 4 Chair of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Council, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), 1994.

Technical Council Award for ITE 5B-28 Technical Committee Report "Geometric Design and Operational Considerations for Trucks", Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), 1992.

Best of Session Paper Award, American Society of Civil Engineers, Texas Section, 1991, for the paper, Mobility Impacts from Improvements to an Arterial Street.

1990 Oustanding Paper of Merit, Transportation Research Board (TRB), 1990, for the paper, Field Observations of Truck Operational Characteristics Related to Intersection Sight Distance.

1989 Outstanding Paper of Merit, Transportation Research Board (TRB), 1990, for the paper, Intersection Sight Distance Requirements for Large Trucks.

Best of Section Award for Timber Truck Traffic, Student Paper Competition, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), 1984.

Eno Foundation Scholar, Texas A&M University, 1983.

Academic Courses Taught

Engineering Economy and Professional Practice. Pennsylvania State University.

Geometric Design. Pennsylvania State University.

Introduction to Transportation Engineering. Pennsylvania State University.

Traffic Operations. Pennsylvania State University.

Selected Publications

K. Fitzpatrick. 60-Minute Hands-on Training Module. 0-5470-P1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2009.

K. Fitzpatrick, R.J. Porter, G. Pesti, C. Chu, E. Park, T.Q. Le. Guidelines for Ramp Terminal Spacing for Freeways. 0-5860-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2009.

J.A. Bonneson, K. Fitzpatrick, D. Lord, K.H. Zimmerman. Incorporating Safety into the Highway Design Process: Summary Report. PSR. 0-4703-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. October 2009.

B.S. Bochner, L.L. Higgins, W.E. Frawley, R. Cheu, K. Fitzpatrick, E.N. Hard, R.R. Longmire, D.R. Middleton, C. Morgan, A.J. Wimsatt. Guidance on Mitigating Impacts of Large Distribution Centers on Texas Highways. PSR. 0-5335-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. October 2009.

K. Fitzpatrick, E. Park. C2002086.7-1. 475860-1. May 2009.

K. Fitzpatrick, M.A. Brewer, K.O. Obeng-Boampong, E. Park, N.D. Trout. Speeds in School Zones. 0-5470-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2009.

S.T. Chrysler, A.A. Nelson, K. Fitzpatrick. Driver Comprehension of Signing and Markings for Toll Facilities. Research Report. 0-5446-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2008.

B.R. Ullman, M.A. Brewer, K. Fitzpatrick, G.L. Ullman. Investigating Pedestrian Components in Temporary Traffic Control. Research Report. 0-5237-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. January 2008.

K. Fitzpatrick, M.A. Brewer, B.R. Ullman, G.L. Ullman. Checklist for Accommodating Pedestrians in Temporary Traffic Control Areas. Research Report. 0-5237-P1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2007.

B.R. Ullman, M.A. Brewer, K. Fitzpatrick, G.L. Ullman. Development of Guidelines for Handling Pedestrians in Temporary Traffic Control Areas. PSR. 0-5237-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. October 2007.

S.T. Chrysler, A.A. Nelson, K. Fitzpatrick. Preliminary Guidelines for Signing on Toll Facilities. Research Report. 0-5446-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2007.

K. Fitzpatrick, M.A. Brewer, E. Park. Intermediate Access to Buffer-Separated Managed Lanes. Research Report. 0-5547-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2007.

K. Fitzpatrick, K.H. Zimmerman, R.P. Bligh, S.T. Chrysler, B.C. Blaschke. Criteria for High Design Speed Facilities. Research Report. 0-5544-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2007.

J.A. Bonneson, D. Lord, K.H. Zimmerman, K. Fitzpatrick, M.P. Pratt. Development of Tools for Evaluating the Safety Implications of Highway Design Decisions. Technical Report. 0-4703-4. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2007.

K. Fitzpatrick, S.M. Turner, M.A. Brewer, P.J. Carlson, N. Lalani, B.R. Ullman, N.D. Trout, E. Park, D. Lord, J.A. Whitacre. Improving Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Crossings. NCHRP Report. 562. Transportation Research Board. 2006.

J.A. Bonneson, K.H. Zimmerman, Kay Fitzpatrick. Interim Roadway Safety Design Workbook. Product. 0-4703-P4. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2006.

K. Fitzpatrick, W.H. Schneider, E. Park. Summary of Comparison of Crashes on Rural Two-Lane and Four-Lane Highways in Texas. PSR. 0-4618-S. Texas Transportation Institute, Houston, TX. February 2006.

J.A. Bonneson, K.H. Zimmerman, K. Fitzpatrick. Submitted as 0-4703-P1, fulfilling this deliverable.. Technical Report. 0-4703-3. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. November 2005.

J.A. Bonneson, K.H. Zimmerman, K. Fitzpatrick. Roadway Safety Design Synthesis. Product. 0-4703-P1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. November 2005.

B.T. Kuhn, V.D. Goodin, A.J. Ballard, M.A. Brewer, R.E. Brydia, J.L. Carson, S.T. Chrysler, T.S. Collier, K. Fitzpatrick, D.L. Jasek, C.M. Dusza, G.L. Ullman. Managed Lanes Handbook. Technical Report. 0-4160-24. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. October 2005.

B.T. Kuhn, V.D. Goodin, A.J. Ballard, M.A. Brewer, R.E. Brydia, J.L. Carson, S.T. Chrysler, T.S. Collier, W.L. Eisele, D.W. Fenno, K. Fitzpatrick, G.L. Ullman, S.P. Venglar. Findings from Texas: Five Years of Research on Managed Lanes. Technical Report. 0-4160-25. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. September 2005.

K. Fitzpatrick, W.H. Schneider, E. Park. Comparisons of Crashes on Rural Two-Lane and Four-Lane Highways in Texas. Technical Report. 0-4618-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. September 2005.

K. Fitzpatrick, M.A. Brewer. Summary of Treatments for Crashes on Rural Two-Lane Highways in Texas. PSR. 0-4048-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. August 2005.

K. Fitzpatrick, M.D. Wooldridge, J.D. Blaschke. Texas Urban Intersection Design Guide Now Available. PSR. 0-4365-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2005.

K. Fitzpatrick, A.H. Parham, M.A. Brewer. Handbook Details Crash Treatments for Rural Highways. Project Status Report. 0-4048-4. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2005.

K. Fitzpatrick, M.D. Wooldridge, J.D. Blaschke. Urban Intersection Design Guide: Volume 1- Guidelines. Product. 0-4365-P2 (V1). Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2005.

K. Fitzpatrick, M.D. Wooldridge, J.D. Blaschke. Urban Intersection Design Guide: Volume 2 - Applications. Product. 0-4365-P2 (V2). Vol. 2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2005.

J.A. Bonneson, K. Fitzpatrick, M.D. Wooldridge, D. Lord. A Plan for Incorporating Safety into the Highway Design Process. Project Status Report. 0-4703-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. January 2005.

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