Leonard Ruback

Ruback, Leonard

Research Scientist

System Reliability Division - Gilchrist, Room 143
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
The Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
ph. (979) 862-4343 Ext. 24343 · fax (979) 845-9873
l-ruback@ttimail.tamu.edu

Short Biography

Mr. Ruback joined the Texas A&M Transportation Institute in 1995 as an Associate Research Scientist in the Rail Research Center / AAR Affiliated Laboratory. His research focus was on the engineering design and development of an intelligent grade crossing controller in conjunction with the Positive Train Separation Project then underway in the Pacific Northwest. The effort culminated in the issuance of patent number 6,179,252 entitled "Intelligent Rail Crossing Control System and Train Tracking System".

In 1998 Mr. Ruback joined the TransLink® Research Center and currently serves as the ITS Field Testbeds Manager with interests in communications, embedded control and intelligent vehicles. TransLink® research focuses on the application of advanced technologies and operating strategies for the next-generation of transportation management centers. Current research activities include the development of a prototype train monitoring system for traffic management, the design and deployment of an ITS corridor in College Station, TX for purposes of multi-modal transportation research, and research in the area of information conduits to motor vehicles and mobile individuals. Elements of train monitoring research are currently being deployed in two TxDOT districts. Mr. Ruback holds a Bachelor of Science (1985) and a Master of Engineering (1990) in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Prior experience was in the defense electronics sector with Honeywell/Sperry Flight Systems as an electrical engineer assisting in the design, development, and test of the ANVIS Display Symbology System (ADSS). The ADSS was an innovative extremely light weight helmet-mounted avionics instrument display system for use with night vision goggles. Duties included the design and construction of a helicopter avionics simulator, identifying interface requirements and circuitry improvements for adapting existing hardware from other programs into ADSS, performing considerable system-wide troubleshooting, and establishing test procedures for the evaluation and qualification of the ADSS system.

Education

  • M.Eng., Electrical Engineering, Texas A & M University, 1990.
  • B.S., Electrical Engineering, Texas A & M University, 1985.

Experience

  • Research Scientist, TransLink Research Program, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, September 2002 - Present.
  • Associate Research Scientist, TransLink® Research Center, Texas Transportation Institute, November 1995 - August 2002.

Selected Publications

E.G. Fernando, D.R. Middleton, T.B. Carlson, R.R. Longmire, E.D. Sepulveda, L. Ruback, T.J. Freeman, J.H. Oh. Deploying Weigh-In-Motion Installations on Asphalt Concrete Pavements. 0-5551-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2009.