Goodin Represents TRB at Capitol Hill AV/CV Roundtable
On June 22, Ginger Goodin, director of TTI’s Transportation Policy Research Center, helped lead a broad discussion of policy issues that will help shape the federal government’s role in the development of automated and connected vehicles (AV/CVs). Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) hosted the event in Washington, D.C. Goodin represented the Transportation Research Board (TRB), offering the panel what Congressman Lipinski described as an objective and balanced perspective that helped to bring together the various viewpoints being discussed.
The roundtable’s participants focused on identifying relevant policy issues and working toward collaborative solutions. Specific discussion topics included technology deployment, research and development, infrastructure requirements, regulatory matters, and cybersecurity.
Little Presents ASCE Turner Lecture
Dallas Little, Senior Research Fellow at TTI, presented the Francis C. Turner Lecture at the 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) International Conference on Transportation and Development. The conference was held in Houston, Texas, June 26–29. Little’s lecture was entitled Two Practical Applications of Chemo-Mechanics to Extend the Life of Our Asphalt Pavement Infrastructure. Giving the lecture is part of the Turner Award.
“To receive this award, named after such a giant in transportation, is a tremendous honor,” Little says. “This was indeed a highlight in my career. Turner was known worldwide for his contributions — and he was an Aggie.”
Little has dedicated much of his career to extending the life of our roadways. He was the first named Senior Research Fellow at TTI and is a Texas A&M University Regents Professor. He also holds the E.B. Snead Endowed Chair in Civil Engineering. Like Turner, Little has received numerous awards during his career and is a Distinguished Member of ASCE.
Christiansen Honored with ITE Matson Award
TTI Director Dennis Christiansen was awarded the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Theodore M. Matson Award on August 15 during the ITE Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California.
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.
“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.”
Fitzpatrick Receives Award Named for TTI Director Christiansen
Kay Fitzpatrick, senior research engineer and manager of TTI’s Roadway Design Program, accepted the inaugural Dennis Christiansen Award for Excellence in Managed Lane Applied Research bestowed by the Transportation Research Board (TRB). Fitzpatrick received the award at the 15th International Conference on Managed Lanes in Miami, Florida, held May 4–6. She led the recently completed National Cooperative Highway Research Program Project 15-49, Guidelines for Implementing Managed Lanes.
The award is named for current TTI Director Dennis Christiansen, a pioneer of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane research who successfully petitioned TRB to create an HOV committee in 1987, which later evolved into the managed lanes committee.
“It’s pure coincidence that a TTI researcher is the first winner of the Dennis Christiansen Award,” says Chuck Fuhs, co-chair of the TRB Managed Lanes Committee. “Dennis Christiansen has been involved in managed lanes since its beginnings in the 1970s, and that’s why naming an award after him was so logical — and probably overdue.”
“This award stands out for me because it is named for the current director of TTI,” notes Fitzpatrick. “It shows a continuity in TTI’s leadership in this topic area. Dennis was a key player in the HOV arena when research first started, and TTI researchers continue to be key players in advancing the professional knowledge on this topic.”
NRC Selects Zmud for Lifetime National Associate Honor
The National Research Council (NRC) has selected TTI Senior Research Scientist Johanna Zmud as a member of its 2016 Class of National Associates for her voluntary “extraordinary service” to the Transportation Research Board (TRB). “National Associate” is an honorary, lifetime title bestowed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
Zmud is the director of TTI’s Washington, D.C., office and has 30 years of transportation research and consulting experience. She’s internationally known for her work related to mobility analysis, technology applications for travel-data collection, emerging data management issues and the impacts of new technologies on travel demand. Zmud has served on numerous TRB committees and groups over the past 20 years, including as chair for the Travel Survey Committee, the Data and Information Section, and the Policy and Organization Group.
“This is a tremendous honor from TRB and totally unexpected,” Zmud says. “I’ve been involved with TRB because of the opportunities to contribute my expertise, to learn, and to network with transportation researchers around the globe.”
Kruse Named to Maritime Transportation System Advisory Committee
Director of TTI’s Center for Ports and Waterways Jim Kruse has been appointed to the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee (MTSNAC). Kruse’s two-year term is effective July 1, 2016. MTSNAC members provide advice and recommendations to the U.S. secretary of transportation on all matters related to the nation’s marine transportation system.
“This appointment is certainly a highlight of my career, and I feel honored to serve with the other committee members,” Kruse says. “Among the priorities we’ll tackle over the next two years is the expansion of the Marine Transportation System for freight and passengers and identifying ways to reduce congestion and increase mobility throughout the domestic transportation system.”
Brewer Named Eno Fellow
The Eno Center for Transportation has selected TTI Associate Researcher Marcus Brewer as an Eno Fellow. The designation highlights the top transportation graduates in the country. As part of the honor, Brewer attended the 2016 Eno Future Leaders Development Conference in Washington, D.C., designed for students in transportation-related fields. Following the conference, Brewer was among 20 students named Eno Fellows.
“Being selected to attend this conference and receive the Eno Fellow designation is a great honor,” Brewer says. “It’s a privilege to be associated not only with current elite graduate students, but so many past Eno Fellows from Texas A&M and TTI.”
