Dennis Christiansen, agency director of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), was awarded the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Theodore M. Matson Award on August 15 during the ITE Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California.
“Dr. Christiansen has worked tirelessly for more than four decades to further research in the areas of traffic operations, transportation and transit planning, and traffic engineering,” said ITE Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey F. Paniati. “He exemplifies what the Theodore M. Matson award stands for, namely outstanding contributions in the field of traffic engineering.”
Christiansen became a pioneer in high-occupancy vehicle lane development as part of his research in traffic operations and transportation planning. He has served as international president of ITE, the Council of University Transportation Centers, and the Research and Education Division of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. He is a member of the ITS America Board and was selected as a Regents Fellow, the highest honor bestowed by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
“ITE is proud that Dr. Christiansen has been a member of ITE since 1972 and became an honorary member in 2010. I and the other members of the awards committee extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Christiansen for his dedication and leadership in the transportation field,” Paniati said.
Theodore M. Matson was a founder of ITE and the director of the Bureau of Highway Traffic at Yale University. He is known for his contributions to traffic engineering and training. The Matson Award has been given annually since 1957.