LuAnn Theiss, P.E.

Theiss, LuAnn

Associate Research Engineer

Work Zone and DMS Program - TTI Headquarters and Research Building, Room 246
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
The Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
ph. (979) 845-9949 Ext. 59949 · fax (979) 845-6481
l-theiss@tamu.edu

Short Biography

Ms. Theiss is an Associate Research Engineer in the Operations and Design Division of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. As principal investigator, she is currently leading a study of warning lights on temporary traffic control devices for the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT). In addition, she recently completed a study of work zone merging taper lengths, also sponsored by the Florida DOT. She was a key researcher on projects investigating the use of longitudinal channelizing devices for Texas DOT, work zone intrusion countermeasures for CalTrans, work zone speed limit management for Texas DOT, and innovative methods of improving work zone safety for North Texas Tollway Authority. Several of these studies included human factors research specifically designed to describe driver interpretation of and reaction to various temporary traffic control elements.

Ms. Theiss also made significant contributions to ACRP's new wayfinding and signing guidelines for airport terminals and landside. Prior to rejoining TTI in 2004, Ms. Theiss gained valuable experience in a variety of roadway and airport design projects while employed by Kimley-Horn and Associates. As a consultant, she developed construction plans for various airport improvement projects, including airside components at Smith Reynolds Airport in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and taxiway extensions at Memphis International Airport. She also developed conceptual plans for proposed landside roadways for the O'Hare terminal expansion project.

Ms. Theiss received her B.S. and M.E degrees in civil engineering from Texas A&M University and is a registered professional engineer in the state of Texas. She is a member of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and is Past President of the Brazos Valley Section of the Texas District of ITE (TexITE). She received the TTI/Trinity Herbert H. Richardson Team Award for her contribution to the nationally recognized "Teens In the Driver Seat Program" in 2007. Ms. Theiss is also an FAA-licensed private pilot.

Education

  • M.Eng., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2004.
  • B.S., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1986.

Experience

  • Associate Research Engineer, Work Zone and DMS Program, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, October 2007 - Present.
  • Associate Research Engineer, Research and Implementation - Houston, Texas Transportation Institute, May 2007 - September 2007.
  • Assistant Research Engineer, Research and Implementation - Houston, Texas Transportation Institute, May 2005 - April 2007.
  • Associate Transportation Researcher, Research and Implementation - Houston, Texas Transportation Institute, April 2005 - May 2005.
  • Assistant Transportation Researcher, Research and Implementation - Houston, Texas Transportation Institute, February 2004 - April 2005.
  • Assistant Project Manager & Engineering Analyst, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., August 1998 - June 2002.
  • Graduate Assistant Research, Transportation Planning, Texas Transportation Institute, August 1997 - August 1998.
  • Graduate Assistant - Non-teaching, Civil Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, January 1997 - August 1997.
  • Graduate Assistant - Teaching, Civil Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, January 1987 - May 1987.

Professional Registration

Registered Professional Engineer in Texas, Registration No. 95917, 2005.

Affiliations

  • Member, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE).
  • Member, Chi Epsilon - The National Civil Engineering Honor Society.
  • Former Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Airport Operations and Capacity Technical Committee.

Honors & Awards

"Teens in the Driver Seat", Herbert H. Richardson TTI/Trinity Team Award, 2007.

Magna Cum Laude Graduate, Texas A&M University, 2004.

Outstanding Professional Development Award, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., 2001.

Selected Publications

L.D. Theiss, R.P. Bligh. Compare Trailer-Mounted Attenuators vs Truck-Mounted Attenuators Protection for Workers. 0-6707-S. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2012.

R.J. Benz, s. Kuchangi, A.A. Nelson, L.D. Theiss. Guidelines for the Effective Use of Flexible Pylons for Congestion Mitigation, Access Management, and Safety Improvement. 0-6643-S. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2012.

B.T. Kuhn, D.L. Jasek, J.L. Carson, L.D. Theiss, P. Songchitruksa, J. Perkins, Y. Yang, J. Mwakalonge. Asset Management Guidebook for Safety and Operations. 0-6390-P1. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. September 2012.

G. Pesti, K.O. Obeng-Boampong, P. Songchitruksa, L.D. Theiss. An Evaluation of the Performance of High-Impact Signs. 0-6120-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2011.

B.T. Kuhn, D.L. Jasek, J.L. Carson, L.D. Theiss, P. Songchitruksa, J. Perkins, Y. Yang, J. Mwakalonge. Research on Asset Management for Safety and Operations. 0-6390-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. November 2011.

G. Pesti, K.O. Obeng-Boampong, P. Songchitruksa, L.D. Theiss. Treatments to Reduce the Frequency of Freeway Exit Sign Hits. 0-6120-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. June 2011.

M.D. Finley, L.D. Theiss, N.D. Trout, J.D. Miles, A.A. Nelson. Studies to Determine the Effectiveness of Longitudinal Channelizing Devices in Work Zones. 0-6103-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. January 2011.

M.D. Finley, L.D. Theiss, N.D. Trout, J.D. Miles, A.A. Nelson. Evaluation of Longitudinal Channelizing Barricade Effectiveness. 0-6103-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2010.

L.D. Theiss, M.D. Finley, N.D. Trout. Devices to Implement Short-Term Speed Limits in Texas Work Zones. Transportation Research Record. 2169. Journal of Transportation Research Board, TRB, Washington, DC. 2010.

L. Theiss, M.D. Finley, G.L. Ullman. Merging Taper Lengths for Short Duration Lane Closures. Report 476990. Florida Department of Transportation. December 2009.

M.D. Finley, L.D. Theiss, N.D. Trout, G.L. Ullman. Improving Regulatory Speed Limit Management in Texas Work Zones. PSR. 0-5561-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2008.

M.D. Finley, L.D. Theiss, N.D. Trout, G.L. Ullman. Studies to Improve the Management of Regulatory Speed Limits in Texas Work Zones. 0-5561-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. December 2008.

M.D. Finley, L.D. Theiss, N.D. Trout, G.L. Ullman. 0-5561: Improving Regulatory Speed Limit Management in Texas Work Zones. 0-5561-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. November 2008.

D.W. Fenno, R.J. Benz, M.J. Vickich, L. Theiss, S.E. Ranft. Improved Quantification of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Delay Savings: Summary Report. PSR. 0-4740-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. January 2006.

D.W. Fenno, R.J. Benz, M.J. Vickich, L. Theiss. Quantification of Incident and Non-Incident Travel Time Savings for Barrier-Separated High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes in Houston, Texas. Technical Report. 0-4740-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2005.

L. Copeland, et.al.. I-85/I-95/Route 460 Interchange Study (Unpublished). Kimley-Horn and Associates. November 2000.

L. Copeland. User's Manual for QUEWZ-98. Research Report. 1745-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 1999.

J.S. Noel, L. Copeland, D.F. Staas, G.B. Dresser. Delivering Weather Data to Texas Pilots and Other Users. Research Report. 0-1799-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 1999.

D.B. Fambro, D.A. Noyce, A.H. Frieslaar, L. Copeland. Enhanced Traffic Control Devices and Railroad Operations for Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings: Third-Year Activities. Research Report. 1469-3. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. July 1997.