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Leslie E. Olson

Leslie E. Olson

Associate Research Scientist
Multimodal Freight Transportation - Gilchrist, Room 337
Texas Transportation Institute
The Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843
ph. (979) 862-2846 · fax (979) 862-2708
l-olson@tamu.edu

Short Biography

Mr. Olson has worked in the transportation industry for over twenty years and has extensive experience in the operations; marketing and sales; research and development; propulsion and engine systems; and emissions control technologies for pipelines and railroads. Mr. Olson has a Bachelors of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers.

From 1981 to 1987 he was Director of New Transportation Projects for Northern Natural Gas Company and was responsible for developing and implementing field tests of using natural gas as a railroad locomotive operating fuel. He was also responsible for developing feasible pipeline transportation projects in the southwestern region of Texas to enhance utilization of contract gas supply.

Between 1987 and 1995 he was the Director of Energy Research and Development for Burlington Northern Railroad. He was responsible for the successful development and deployment of the first high horsepower railroad locomotives to operate in revenue service using natural gas as the principal fuel.

From 1996 to 1998 he was the principal of Strategic Development Consulting, offering technical feasibility studies and innovative business strategies for expanding markets in the former Soviet Union and the international railroad community.

He was recruited to the Texas Transportation Institute, an internationally recognized transportation research institute, by Dr. Stephen Roop, Director of Rail Research, to develop national and international business in railroad research. Currently he is working on rail and pipeline projects such as, the Federal Freight Pipeline, and FRA Crew Resource Management.

Professional Interests

Natural gas

Environmental impacts

Natural gas pipelines

Education

B.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Nebraska, 1974.

A.S., Engineering, Platte County Community College, 1973.

Experience

Associate Research Scientist, Multimodal Freight Transportation, Texas Transportation Institute, June 1997 - Present.

Director, Energy, Corporate Applied Technology, Burlington Northern Corportation, 1987 - 1996.

Director, Transportation Fuels Projects - Marketing, Northern Natural Gas Co./Enron, 1981 - 1987.

Manager, Industrial Relations, Kansas Light & Power Company, 1979 - 1980.

Consulting

Strategic Development Consulting, 1996 - May 1997.

Affiliations

Member, Institute of Industrial Engineers.

Selected Publications

D.H. Bierling, L.E. Olson. Portable Pumps for Flood Management: Market Survey Report. Available from US Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Administration, System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders Program. Under contract with BAE Systems for SPAWAR SYSTEMS, Charleston, SC. July 2008.

R. Kafalenos, K.J. Leonard, D.M. Beagan, V.R. Burkett, B.D. Keim, A. Meyers, D.T. Hunt, R.C. Hyman, M.K. Maynard, B. Fritsche, R.H. Henk, E.J. Seymour, L.E. Olson, J.R. Potter, M.J. Savonis. What are the Implications of Climate Change and Variability for Gulf Coast Transportation?. Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure: Gulf Coast Study, Phase I. U.S. Climate Change Science Program, Washington, DC. March 2008, pp. 4-1-4F-28.

D.H. Bierling, L.E. Olson. Portable and Mobile Pumps for Flood Management: Tech Note. Available from US Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Administration, System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders Program. Under contract with BAE Systems for SPAWAR SYSTEMS, Charleston, SC. January 2008.

C.A. Morgan, J.E. Warner, C.E. Roco, G.C. Anderson, L.E. Olson, S.S. Roop. Rail Relocation Projects in the U.S.: Case Studies and Lessons for Texas Rail Planning. Research Report. 0-5322-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2007.

C.E. Roco, L.E. Olson, L.P. Chady. The TxDOT Public-Private Feasibility Analysis Model: Project Summary Report. PSR. 5-4565-01-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2007.

C.E. Roco, L.E. Olson, L.P. Chady. The TxDOT Public-Private Feasibility Analysis Model: Project Summary Report (Implementation Project FHWA/TX-05-4565-01). Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2005.

C.E. Roco, L.E. Olson, L.P. Chady. User Manual for the TxDOT Public-Private Feasibility Analysis Model (Implementation Project FHWA/TX-05-4565-01). Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2005.

S.S. Roop, C.E. Roco, C.A. Morgan, L.E. Olson, J.E. Warner, D. Kang. Project Summary Report on the Technical and Economic Feasibility of a Freight Pipeline System in Texas. PSR. 9-1519-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2005.

S.S. Roop, C.A. Morgan, J.E. Warner, C.E. Roco, L.E. Olson. Technical Memorandum: Benefits of Public Investment in Freight Rail Infrastructure. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2005.

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