Danny R. Middleton, Ph.D., P.E.

Middleton, Dan

Research Engineer

System Reliability Division - Gilchrist, Room 142
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
The Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
ph. (979) 845-7196 Ext. 57196 · fax (979) 845-9873
d-middleton@tamu.edu

Short Biography

Dr. Middleton has become a recognized leader in research involving both vehicle detection and the operational impacts of commercial vehicles since joining TTI in 1983. A significant portion of this research involved the use of microprocessor-based systems, including the testing of state-of-the-art sensors of various types for monitoring vehicular characteristics or for monitoring traffic on existing roadways. Dr. Middleton's research involving vehicle detection (or detection plus commercial vehicles) includes the following studies: "Evaluation of Vehicle Detection Systems," "Initial Evaluation of Selected Detectors to Replace Inductive Loops on Freeways," "Evaluation of the Existing Technologies for Vehicle Detection and Establishment of Communication Data Requirements," and "Evaluation of TxDOT Detector Placement for High-Speed Approaches to Signalized Intersections." He led another study funded through the Texas A&M ITS Research Center of Excellence evaluating the use of weigh-in-motion sensors and vehicle identification systems to assist in the enforcement of commercial vehicles.

A few of Dr. Middleton's commercial vehicle projects are: "Truck Accommodation Design Guidance" (a study currently underway sponsored by TxDOT), "Improve Isolated Traffic Signal Controller Operations," (funded through the Texas A&M University's Research Center of Excellence (RCE)), "S.R. 60 Truck Lane Feasibility Study" (sponsored by the Southern California Association of Governments), "Evaluate and Develop an Improved System for Collecting and Reporting Traffic Loads to Better Meet the Needs of Bridge and Pavement Engineers" (TxDOT), "Development of a Texas Strategic Plan for Commercial Vehicle Operations," (TxDOT), "Assess the Feasibility of a Standardized Electronic Diagnostic Device for Maintenance and Inspection of Commercial Motor Vehicles" (Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)), and "Determination of Truck Accident Countermeasures on Urban Freeways" (FHWA).

Dr. Middleton's educational background includes degrees from the University of Tennessee and Texas A&M University. Work experience prior to TTI includes four years as a Traffic Engineer in Greenville, South Carolina and three years in roadway design with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Education

  • Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1994.
  • M.S., Civil Engineering, The University of Tennessee, 1979.
  • B.S., Civil Engineering, The University of Tennessee, 1970.

Experience

  • Research Engineer, System Monitoring Program, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, September 2005 - Present.
  • Program Manager, System Monitoring Program, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, March 1999 - Present.
  • Associate Research Engineer, System Monitoring Program, Texas Transportation Institute, June 1994 - August 2005.
  • Assistant Research Engineer, Transportation Systems, Texas Transportation Institute, August 1983 - May 1994.
  • County Traffic Engineer, Greenville County Planning Commission, 1979 - January 1983.
  • Road Design Engineer, Region IV, Tennessee Department of Transportation, 1974 - January 1977.

Professional Registration

Registered Professional Engineer in Texas, Registration No. 60764.

Affiliations

  • Secretary, Transportation Research Board (TRB), Motor Vehicle Size and Weight Committee.
  • Member, Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE).
  • Member, Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America).
  • Member, Society of Automotive Engineers.
  • Member, NCRP Panel, Development of Design and Operational Characteristics for the Current National Heavy Truck Fleet and International Heavy Truck Traffic.
  • Member, Transportation Research Board (TRB).
  • Member, Intelligent Transportation Systems-Texas.

Selected Publications

D.R. Middleton, Y. Li, J.T. Le. Accommodating Oversize & Overweight Loads. PSR. 0-6404-S. Texas Department of Transportation, TX. 2012.

D.R. Middleton, Y. Li, J.T. Le. Accommodating Oversize and Overweight Loads: Instructor and Student Guide. 0-6404-P2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. August 2012.

D.R. Middleton. Statewide Map Showing Recommended OS/OW Route Networks for Most Common OS/OW Load Groups. 0-6404-P1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. July 2012.

D.R. Middleton, Y. Li, J.T. Le, N.A. Koncz. Accommodating Oversize and Overweight Loads: Technical Report. 0-6404-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. July 2012.

D.R. Middleton, R. Rajbhandari, R.E. Brydia, P. Songchitruksa, E. Kraus, S. Hernandez, K. Cheu, V. Iragavarapu, S.M. Turner. Synthesis of TxDOT Uses of Real-Time Commercial Traffic Data. 0-6659-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. January 2012.

D.R. Middleton, R. Rajbhandari, R.E. Brydia, P. Songchitruksa, E. Kraus, S. Hernandez, K. Cheu, V. Iragavarapu, S.M. Turner. TxDOT Uses of Real-Time Commercial Traffic Data: Opportunity Matrix. 0-6659-P1. Texas Transportation Institute, Houston, TX. January 2012.

D.R. Middleton, R. Rajbhandari, R.E. Brydia, P. Songchitruksa, V. Iragavarapu, E. Kraus, S.M. Turner, S. Hernandez, K. Cheu. Synthesis of TxDOT Uses of Real-Time Commercial Traffic Routing Data. 0-6659-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2011.

D.R. Middleton, G. Pesti, P. Songchitruksa, R.E. Brydia, K.N. Balke, G.L. Ullman. Use of Intelligent Transportation Systems in Rural Work Zones. 0-6427-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. December 2011.

E.J. Seymour, N.A. Chaudhary, D.R. Middleton, R.E. Brydia, K.M. Miller. White Paper: State of ITS Industry and Assessment of Project Types. 0-6672-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. November 2011.

D.R. Middleton, J.A. Bonneson, R.R. Longmire, H.A. Charara. Intersection Video Detection Field Handbook: An Update. 0-6030-P3. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. December 2010.

D.R. Middleton, R.R. Longmire, H.A. Charara, D. Bullock, J.A. Bonneson. Improving Stop Line Detection Using Video Imaging Detectors. 0-6030-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. November 2010.

D.R. Middleton, R.R. Longmire, H.A. Charara, D. Bullock. Proposed Test Protocol for Video Imaging Detection at Intersection Stop Lines. 0-6030-P2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. August 2010.

D.R. Middleton, R.R. Longmire, H.A. Charara. Video Library for Video Imaging Detection at Intersection Stop Lines. 0-6030-P1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2010.

D.R. Middleton, R.R. Longmire, H.A. Charara, J.A. Bonneson. Field Evaluation of Detection-Control System. 477260-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2010.

D.R. Middleton, R.R. Longmire, D. Bullock. Guidelines for Best Use of Video Detection for Stop Bar Presence Detection. 0-6030-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2010.

D.R. Middleton, J.C. Villa. Review of Mexican Experience with Large Commercial Motor Vehicles. 476680-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. January 2010.

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.

D.R. Middleton, H.A. Charara, R.R. Longmire. Alternative Vehicle Detection Technologies for Traffic Signal Systems: Technical Report. 0-5845-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2009.

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.

D.R. Middleton, E. Park, R.R. Longmire, H.A. Charara. Improvements to Video Imaging Detection for Dilemma Zone Protection. 0-5774-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2009.