Gary Young

Research Specialist IV

Education

• Sc.D., Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1973

Short Biography

Mr. Young is a member of the Utility Engineering Program at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.  He has international experience and reputation in the areas of utility engineering, utility investigations, and application of geophysics to numerous types of problems.  Mr. Young’s professional endeavors include research and applications of geophysical methods and technologies in mining, oil and gas, geothermal exploration, and environmental engineering including surface, airborne, seaborne and borehole techniques.  In the last several years Mr. Young’s activities have been aimed at research and applications of both technology and business practices in utility engineering. 

Professional activities for Mr. Young have included participation with the Transportation Research Board (TRB) committees and sub-committees on utilities, emerging technologies and geophysics.  He has worked with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) committee on right-of-way and utilities.  He is also a member of the Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers.  Mr. Young is a long-time member of the Society of Exploration Geophysics where for the last several years he has also been a member of the Near Surface Geophysics Group.  He also has memberships in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and American Institute of Professional Geologists.  Mr. Young holds a professional license in geophysics from the state of Texas. 

Mr. Young’s research interests are in improving business and technical processes for all aspects of handling utilities on transportation projects.  In the past he was the leader of a privately funded effort to develop and apply multiple sensor geophysical platforms for utility investigations and in mapping and 3D modeling of the results.  He was the Principal Investigator in the TRB Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP2) R01B project on researching new ideas and further developing ideas for multiple sensor platforms for utility mapping. These projects included investigating and developing new science and engineering in the areas of ground penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic (EM) surveying, acoustic (seismic) technology and software techniques to process, fuse and interpret the measurement data obtained.  He has also worked on capturing the environmental sustainability benefits of proper handling of utility issues on highway projects. He holds two patents on technology and applications in utility engineering.