Year: 2025
RSG is proud to announce that several of our colleagues have been appointed to serve on committees for the Transportation Research Board (TRB), a key forum for advancing transportation research and fostering collaboration.
Jay Evans has been appointed to the Standing Committee on Travel Behavior and Choices (AEP12), Jeremy Wilhelm to the Standing Committee on Travel Data and Methods (AED17), Mario Scott to the Standing Committee on Transportation, Economic Development and Land Use (AEP16), and Matthew Hui to the Standing Committee on Transit System Planning (AP012).
TRB committees are powered by dedicated volunteers who help shape the future of transportation through research, data, and policy guidance. These appointments recognize the expertise, dedication, and leadership that Jay, Jeremy, Mario, and Matthew bring to the field.
Learn more about TRB and its Standing Committees here.
A recent article in The Press Democrat (subscription required) highlighted how RSG’s work with the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) is helping the region update its understanding of commuting behaviors following the pandemic. The study used advanced data analytics and survey methods to quantify the region’s shifting travel patterns, confirming that remote work, rising living costs, and new mobility preferences have dramatically reshaped how and when people commute in Napa County.
The 2024 Napa Valley Travel Behavior Study Update, commissioned by NVTA and led by RSG, revealed a 12% decline in inter-county commute trips compared to prior years, reflecting fewer residents, fewer local jobs, and more people working from home. Released in 2025, the findings highlight a simultaneous 10% rise in pass-through drivers, or travelers moving through Napa County without stopping. This shift suggests the county is increasingly functioning as a corridor rather than a destination.
“This study gives NVTA a clear, data-backed understanding of how travel in the region has changed, and it provides a roadmap for how to respond,” said Kevin Johnson, RSG's project manager for this work. “It’s a great example of how cutting-edge tools and approaches grounded in mobility data analytics can produce high-value insights that shape long-term planning.”
The findings delivered by RSG have provided NVTA with rich, location-based data that validated anecdotal observations and uncovered trends that would have been costly or difficult to detect using traditional methods. These insights enable NVTA to make more informed transportation investments, improve service delivery, and enhance residents’ quality of life.
A new research article in the Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board highlights work by RSG’s Justin Curtis, Mark Fowler, and Eric Kapner, in collaboration with Aniss Bahreinian from the California Energy Commission. The study draws on qualitative focus group data collected in 2016 and 2024 from both residential and commercial light-duty vehicle owners.
The research found that familiarity alone does not drive adoption of alternative fuel and autonomous vehicle technologies. Instead, adoption is more likely when consumers perceive these technologies as useful and easy to use, and when adequate infrastructure is in place to support them.
“Understanding how people actually perceive and engage with emerging vehicle technologies is essential,” said RSG's Justin Curtis. “This research shows that successful adoption depends less on awareness and more on whether people see real value, ease of use, and have the infrastructure to support new technologies.”
This research advances the study of technology adoption and underscores the value of qualitative market research in understanding consumer behavior and informing future transportation policy.
A newly released report from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) documents RSG’s work to improve access to intercity bus data nationwide. Published as NCHRP Research Report 1150, Implementation of the National Intercity Bus Atlas details our team's work to develop the first publicly available, interactive map of intercity bus services in the United States.
RSG led the project, working with industry stakeholders and government agencies to expand carrier participation, onboard data in the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) format, and create user guides and technical tools to support ongoing maintenance and use of the atlas.
“Too often, intercity bus service is an invisible mode. We know it is essential for mobility, especially in rural and underserved areas, but it is often overlooked in data systems,” said RSG's Jay Evans, who served as the project's principal investigator. “This research report supports changing that. It shows how thoughtful engagement, technical innovation, and public-private collaboration can illuminate gaps, connect communities, and support smarter transportation planning.”
NCHRP Research Report 1150 also outlines a roadmap for sustaining and expanding the atlas, ensuring it remains a vital tool for planners, policymakers, and transit providers nationwide.
RSG Principal Ken Kaliski, PE, INCE Bd. Cert., recently coauthored an article published in Nature Energy (subscription required) that examines how local sound ordinances impact the potential for wind energy development across the United States.
The article, titled “The impact of sound ordinances on the land-based wind technical potential of the United States,” stems from research conducted in partnership with the US Department of Energy. Ken and the research team developed a methodology to assess wind turbine sound profiles nationwide and translate sound-related policies into spatial siting criteria. Their findings reveal that existing sound ordinances reduce wind energy capacity by 8% compared to a baseline scenario. A hypothetical nationwide 45 dBA limit would cut capacity by 29%, with disproportionate impacts on the highest-quality, lowest-cost wind resources.
“This study highlights how data and analytics can bring clarity to complex energy planning challenges,” said Ken. “By quantifying the trade-offs between policy and energy potential, we give decision makers the insights they need to shape smarter, more sustainable strategies.”
To learn more about RSG’s noise control engineering work, click here.
RSG is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has selected Charlie Phippen as the company’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Charlie officially stepped into the role on March 17, 2025, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience across professional services, research, and financial services.
Charlie has a proven track record of driving growth, modernizing operations, and leading organizations through strategic transformations. Most recently, he served as CEO of Water Tower Research, where he led the company through a period of significant revenue expansion, operational streamlining, and organizational development. His background also includes leadership roles at Coalition Greenwich, S&P, and Goldman Sachs, where he specialized in strategy, corporate development, and data-driven decision-making.
“RSG has built a strong reputation for delivering trusted research and analytics that help clients navigate complex decisions with confidence,” said Charlie. “As CEO, I’m excited to build on this legacy by driving innovation—leveraging new technologies, expanding our capabilities, and ensuring that we continue to deliver insights that create real value for our clients. The future of data-driven decision-making is evolving rapidly, and RSG is well-positioned to lead the way.”
Charlie’s appointment follows a thorough national search. His expertise in strategic planning, corporate growth, and operational excellence positioned him as the ideal leader to guide RSG through our next phase of innovation and client service.
With deep expertise in data-driven insights, research methodologies, and technology applications, Charlie is committed to expanding RSG’s capabilities and strengthening our position as a leader in collecting, analyzing, and modeling data. His leadership will help RSG continue to deliver on its promise to clients looking to navigate complex mobility, environmental, and economic challenges with clarity.