Laura Higgins

TTI Associate Research Scientist
Associate Research Scientist

Education

• M.S., Industrial Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1993
• B.S., Bioengineering, Texas A&M University, 1991

Short Biography

Laura Higgins is an Associate Research Scientist in the Center for Transportation Safety, Human Factors Program. Her work has included developing guidelines for the design of transit passenger information services, for the development of transit safety and emergency plans, and for regional coordination of transit services. Safety-related research includes an assessment of Texas drivers' perceptions of risk and night-time visibility testing of roadway signs and markings. Ms. Higgins has experience in developing questions and scripts for surveys and interviews and in conducting surveys and test procedures involving drivers, transit riders, and pedestrians. In 2004 she participated in TTI's safety evaluation of the Houston METRORail light rail line, helping to formulate recommendations for improving the safety of METRORail through changes to traffic controls and rail operations. She subsequently participated in a follow-up study on traffic safety devices along the METRORail line.

Ms. Higgins has also conducted research in transportation planning and in air quality policy, including the TxDOT project 'Smart Growth, Texas Style,' which documented ways in which states and state DOTs can influence development to benefit state and local interests; technical support to the TxDOT/TCEQ Air Quality Policy Steering Committee; and technical support to the Drive Clean Across Texas air quality public outreach campaign.

Ms. Higgins holds a B.S. in Bioengineering and an M.S. in Industrial Engineering/Human Factors, both from Texas A&M University.