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Paul J. Carlson, Ph.D., P.E.

Paul J. Carlson, Ph.D., P.E.

Research Engineer
Division Head, TTI
Program Manager
Operations and Design Division - CE/TTI, Room 304C
Texas Transportation Institute
The Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
ph. (979) 847-9272 · fax (979) 845-6006
paul-carlson@tamu.edu
Homepage: http://ttiresearch.tamu.edu/p-carlson

Short Biography

Dr. Carlson is a Research Engineer at the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), a member of The Texas A&M University System. He is the Division Head of the Operations and Design Division, where he is responsible for leading a research program broadly focused on safety, design, and operations. He coordinates the state traffic safety and design research, promotes national research initiatives, facilitates sponsor interaction, and manages a number of research projects.

Dr. Carlson was recently selected by TTI to lead a new Traffic Control Materials Research Facility, to be located in TTI¿s new State Headquarters and Research Building that will open in November 2009. This facility will be used initially to test materials for traffic signs and pavement markings, but also has capabilities to measure vehicle headlamps, sign lighting and roadway lighting. The laboratory¿s equipment will measure the photometric properties of traffic control devices and lights to ensure safe travel for nighttime drivers.

Dr. Carlson's primary areas of interest are traffic engineering, highway safety, vision science, traffic control devices, geometric design, and human factors. Paul enjoys finding innovative solutions to solve transportation problems using advanced technologies. Paul has been a principal or co-principal investigator for numerous research studies dealing with topics such as traffic sign and pavement marking retroreflectivity, highway safety, nighttime driver visibility needs, centerline and edgeline rumble strips, traffic signal warrants, and operational effects of geometric design. Paul serves on many technical committees such as ASTM, TRB, NCUTCD, CIE, ITE, and others.

Paul holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Civil Engineering from The Texas A&M University, and a Master of Science degree and a Bachelor of Science degree, both in Civil Engineering, from The Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA). Paul is also a licensed Engineer in Texas (85402). Before joining TTI in 1995, Paul worked as a transportation researcher at the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute.

Professional Interests

Traffic engineering

Highway safety

Traffic control devices

Human factors

Visibility

Retroreflectivity

Education

Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2002.

M.S., Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 1995.

B.S., Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 1993.

Experience

Research Engineer, Operations and Design Division, Texas Transportation Institute, May 2007 - Present.

Division Head, Operations and Design Division, Texas Transportation Institute, October 2004 - Present.

Program Manager, Signs and Markings Program, Texas Transportation Institute, September 2002 - Present.

Graduate Faculty Member, Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, September 2006 - Present.

Associate Research Engineer, Signs and Markings Program, Texas Transportation Institute, May 2002 - April 2007.

Assistant Research Engineer, Traffic Operations Program, Texas Transportation Institute, September 1999 - April 2002.

Associate Transportation Researcher, System Implementation Program, Texas Transportation Institute, April 1999 - August 1999.

Assistant Research Scientist, System Implementation Program, Texas Transportation Institute, August 1995 - March 1999.

Research Assistant, Transportation Operations Program, Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, January 1995 - July 1995.

Graduate Assistant, Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, August 1993 - December 1994.

Research Technician, Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, May 1992 - March 1993.

Professional Registration

Professional Engineer in Texas, Registration No. 85402.

Affiliations

Transportation Research Board (TRB), Committee (AHD55) Signing and Marking Materials, Chairman, February 2004 - Present.

Transportation Research Board (TRB), Committee (AHD55) Signing and Marking Materials, Secretary and Member, February 2001 - February 2004.

Transportation Research Board (TRB), Visibility Committee (AND40), Member, September 2000 - Present.

Transportation Research Board (TRB), Motorcycles and Mopeds Committee (ANF30), Friend, January 2001 - Present.

Transportation Research Board (TRB), Traffic Control Devices Committee (AHB50), Friend, January 1996 - Present.

Transportation Research Board (TRB), Geometric Design committee (AFB10), Friend, January 1994 - Present.

Transportation Research Board (TRB), Operational Effects of Geometric Design (AHB65), Friend, January 1994 - Present.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), International Member, September 2001 - Present.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Highway Traffic Control Materials D04-38.01 - Task Group on Retroreflectivity Sheeting, Member, December 2001 - Present.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Highway Traffic Control Materials D04-38.09 - Task Group on Driver Needs, Member, December 2002 - Present.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Highway Traffic Control Materials D04-38.07 - Task Group on Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity, Chair, January 2005 - Present.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Color & Appearance E12.10 - Task Group on Retroreflection, Member, September 2002 - Present.

National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), Research Committee, Member, January 2001 - Present.

National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), Regulatory & Warning Signs Technical Committee, Member, March 2003 - Present.

National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), Regulatory & Warning Signs Technical Committee, Secretary, March 2003 - August 2005.

National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), Markings Technical Committee, Secretary and Member, April 2000 - February 2003.

American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), Signs Committee, Member, February 2005 - Present.

American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), Signs Committee, MUTCD-subcommittee, Member, February 2001 - Present.

International Commission on Illumination (CIE), United States National Committee (CIE/USA), Individual Member, July 2002 - Present.

International Commission on Illumination (CIE), Technical Committee 4-40 - Requirements for Retroreflective Traffic Signs, Chairman, July 2003 - Present.

International Commission on Illumination (CIE), Technical Committee 4-40 - Requirements for Retroreflective Traffic Signs, Corresponding Member, January 2001 - July 2003.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), January 1993 - Present.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Brazos Valley Chapter, Member, November 2000 - Present.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Traffic Engineering Council Committee, Member, January 1998 - Present.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Texas Section, Member, January 1996 - Present.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), PSU Student Chapter, President, May 1994 - December 1994.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), PSU Student Chapter, Vice President, May 1993 - May 1994.

Selected Publications

R.J. Benz, A.M. Pike, s. Kuchangi, R.Q. Brackett, P.J. Carlson. Mobile Retroreflectivity Best Practices Handbook. Product. 0-5656-P1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. July 2009.

Y. Zhang, J. Tong, P.J. Carlson, H.G. Hawkins, Jr., P.B. Keating. Development of Measures to Improve Field Performance of Retroreflective Raised Pavement Markers. Research Report. 0-5089-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2009.

J.D. Miles, P.J. Carlson, B.R. Ullman, N.D. Trout. Red Retroreflective Raised Pavement Markings: Driver Understanding of Their Purpose. Transportation Research Record: Journal of Transportation Research Board, Vol. 2056, 2008, pp. 34-42.

Y. Zhang, P.J. Carlson, H.G. Hawkins, Jr., S.D. Schrock. Raised Pavement Marker Improvements. PSR. 0-5089-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2007.

A.P. Voigt, D.W. Borchardt, P.J. Carlson, C.R. Stevens, S.P. Kuchangi. Advisory Speed Signing and Pavement Markings on Freeway-to-Freeway Connectors. PSR. 0-4813-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. December 2007.

J.A. Bonneson, M.P. Pratt, J.D. Miles, P.J. Carlson. Development of Guidelines for Establishing Effective Curve Advisory Speeds. Research Report. 0-5439-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. October 2007.

J.A. Bonneson, M.P. Pratt, J.D. Miles, P.J. Carlson. Horizontal Curve Signing Handbook. Research Report. 0-5439-P1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. October 2007.

P.J. Carlson, J.D. Miles, A.M. Pike, E. Park. Evaluation of Wet-Weather and Contrast Pavement Marking Applications: Final Report. Research Report. 0-5008-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. August 2007.

J.A. Bonneson, M.P. Pratt, J.D. Miles, P.J. Carlson. Identifying and Testing Effective Advisory Speed Setting Procedures. PSR. 0-5439-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. August 2007.

P.J. Carlson, J.D. Miles, A.M. Pike, E. Park, M.P. Pratt. Evaluation of Wet-Weather and Contrast Pavement Marking Applications. Research Report. 0-5008-S. 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.D. Miles, M.P. Pratt, P.J. Carlson. Evaluation of Erratic Maneuvers Associated with Installation of Rumble Strips. Transportation Research Record, No. 1973, 2006, pp. 73-79.

M.P. Pratt, J.D. Miles, P.J. Carlson. Evaluation of Operational Impacts on Installations of Centerline and Edge Line Rumble Strips. Transportation Research Record, No. 1973, 2006, pp. 80-89.

J.D. Miles, M.P. Pratt, P.J. Carlson. Daytime High-Speed Passing Maneuvers Observed on Rural Two-Lane, Two-Way Highway. Transportation Research Record, No. 1961, 2006, pp. 9-15.

P.J. Carlson, J.D. Miles. Driver Understanding of Red Reflective Raised Pavement Markers. FHWA-CFL/TD-06-008. Federal Highway Administration, Central Federal Lands Highway Division, Lakewood, CO. November 2006.

A.J. Holick, S.T. Chrysler, P.J. Carlson. Clearview Font on Negative Contrast Traffic Signs: Summary Report. PSR. 0-4984-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. May 2006.

A.J. Holick, S.T. Chrysler, E. Park, P.J. Carlson. Evaluation of the Clearview Font for Negative Contrast Traffic Signs. Technical Report. 0-4984-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2006.

M.D. Finley, J.D. Miles, P.J. Carlson. An Assessment of Various Pavement Marking Applications and Rumble Strip Designs. PSR. 0-4728-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. December 2005.

H.G. Hawkins, Jr., R. Garg, P.J. Carlson, A.J. Holick. Evaluation of Traffic Control Devices: Second Year Activities. Technical Report. 0-4701-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. October 2005.

M.D. Finley, J.D. Miles, P.J. Carlson. An Assessment of Various Rumble Strip Designs and Pavement Marking Applications for Crosswalks and Work Zones. Technical Report. 0-4728-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. October 2005.

P.J. Carlson, J.D. Miles, M.P. Pratt, A.M. Pike. Evaluation of Wet-Weather Pavement Markings: First Year Report. Technical Report. 0-5008-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. September 2005.

P.J. Carlson, J.D. Miles. Research Recommendations for Uniform Rumble Strip Applications in Texas. PSR. 0-4472-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. August 2005.

J.D. Miles, P.J. Carlson, M.P. Pratt, T.D. Thompson. Traffic Operational Impacts of Transverse, Centerline, and Edgeline Rumble Strips. Technical Report. 0-4472-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2005.

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