The Texas Transportation Researcher, or Researcher, is the flagship publication of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI). In its current form, the quarterly magazine is intended to
- promote interest and inquiry into TTI‘s research, technology transfer and education;
- encourage research implementation and application; and
- increase awareness of the diversity of TTI research, divisions, centers and urban laboratories.
While the look and style of writing have certainly evolved over the decades since the inaugural 1965 issue was published, the core goal has remained the same.
The newsletter’s founding editor Louis J. Horn, who served in that position for 20 years, described the original purpose in his parting 1985 issue: “This publication, full of usable information, has functioned as a window of happenings and breakthroughs in research. Through the years I have visualized our research in action with you of the readership putting its findings into the mainstream of progress with practical developments for our use and benefit.”
Susan Lancaster became the next editor in 1986. With an aggressive approach to disseminating the Institute’s research findings to possible sponsors, she worked with the Institute’s executive leadership — Dr. Charley Wootan and his team — to expand and maintain contact with hundreds of government entities and research organizations. The subscriber list grew to over 3,000 transportation industry professionals, including both technical and nontechnical readers. The Researcher received a major facelift in 1988, modernizing with articles written in a more journalistic style for a wider, lay audience.
When Kelly West took over as editor in 2003, it was with the guidance of a newly established editorial board headed first by the Institute’s fourth director, Dr. Herb Richardson, and then by his successor, Dr. Dennis Christiansen. This strategic leadership — with the contributions of a team of writers, editors, designers and photographers — has ensured that the publication continues to stay current in its design, distribution channels and writing style.
Having undergone four more major redesigns over the last 25 years, today’s Researcher is published as a four-color magazine in both print and electronic format (via TTI‘s website), and it goes out to approximately 4,500 readers across the United States and in 100 different countries around the globe. The Texas Transportation Researcher has received numerous awards for design and writing, and continues to help promote the Institute as a leader in transportation research. This success is largely due to the efforts, contributions and cooperation of the entire TTI research staff, who are always willing to share their research accomplishments and successes.
To begin receiving Researcher in either print or electronic form, go to tti.tamu.edu/publications/researcher/subscriptions/.
