Year: 2015

RSG Senior Consultant, Steve Gayle, appointed to the NCHRP Project Panel: Project 20-102(01), Identification of State and Local Policy and Planning Actions that Could Facilitate Implementation of Connected Vehicle and Autonomous Vehicle Systems.

Steve will join a diverse group of experts who will develop the scope of work and review the ongoing research over the next year, ultimately approving the final product of this project. As the title suggests, this is one of a series of projects that will assist state and local governments in understanding more about the coming reality of autonomous (self-driving) vehicles.

RSG Senior Consultant Michelle Lee was recently named to the Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Geography Alumni Advisory Board. Last week, Michelle traveled out to East Lansing, Michigan to volunteer on the board and at the annual MSU Geography Career & Internship Event.

The board is responsible for developing relationships between alumni, faculty, and students, developing fresh perspectives to address department issues and opportunities, and mentoring both graduate and undergraduate geography students.

RSG Senior Consultant, Jeffrey Dumont, and Director, Stephane Hess, co-authored the article “Individual Level Models vs. Sample Level Models: Contrasts and Mutual Benefit,” which was published in the latest issue of Transportmetrica A: Transport Science. In the article, Jeff, Stephane, and co-author Marek Giergiczny assessed the use of individual level estimates in transport applications. In particular, they explored a new technique for modeling that draws on the relative benefits of multiple modeling types for a more realistic, efficient result.

Three RSGers have helped found a Burlington chapter of the Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT). YPT Burlington is Vermont’s only organization providing professional development, fellowship, and networking opportunities to aspiring and current transportation professionals alike. The organization aims to help Burlington become a better place to start and sustain a career in all transportation-related fields. RSGers Nikhil Sikka, Tristan Cherry, and Ben Cummins join three other transportation professionals as the Board of Directors for this new chapter.

We are honored to have had such a presence at this year’s Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting. Over the last four days, 16 RSGers have led 14 presentations and moderated two committee meetings.

The TRB Annual Meeting program covers all transportation modes, with sessions and workshops addressing topics of interest to all attendees—policy makers, administrators, practitioners, researchers, and representatives of government, industry, and academic institutions. The information-packed program was expected to attract 12,000 transportation professionals from around the world to Washington, DC.

RSG’s Steve Lawson is co-author of a paper recently published in The George Wright Forum. The article, titled “Principles of Sustainable Transportation in the National Parks,” highlights 21 principals to guide sustainable transportation management in national parks and public lands.

The front page of the Valley News featured a story on the development of sidewalks in Quechee, Vermont. RSG’s Dave Saladino and Grace Wu are quoted throughout the article as they have been working with the Town of Hartford to identify projects designed to make Quechee a safer and more welcoming place for pedestrians and cyclists.

The “On-Road Bicycle Plan” was recently featured on the local TV news in Vermont. RSG is currently working on this project with VTrans to determine where to focus limited resources towards bicycle improvements and allow better integration into Agency projects.