RSG is excited to share our current work and learn from others at the 93rd Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. We hope to see you throughout the meeting and invite you attend the presentations we are leading January 12 – 15th.

A paper written by RSG Consultant, Jeff Keller has been awarded first place overall in the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Data Competition. Jeff’s paper titled, “Using Random Forest Machine Learning to Predict Driver Behavior in a Dilemma Zone,” describes a means for applying the Random Forest machine learning method to vehicle operating environment data in order to identify drivers of behavior and to predict that behavior. These are desirable outcomes for policymakers who wish to recommend legislation regarding various distraction activities, such as texting or making phone calls, while driving. Automakers have also expressed interest in being able to predict, in real-time, events that may put the safety of vehicle occupants at risk. Jeff will present his findings on Sunday, January 12, at the annual TRB meeting in Washington, DC.

RSG is excited to announce that Michelle Lee has joined our Metropolitan DC office as a Senior Consultant. Michelle has sixteen years of experience in project management, database design, field team management, and all aspects of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She has been a certified GIS professional for over ten years, and has extensive experience with GIS technologies ranging from data conversions and transformations to computer-assisted mapping.

RSG is excited to announce that Michelle Lee has joined our Metropolitan DC office as a Senior Consultant. Michelle has sixteen years of experience in project management, database design, field team management, and all aspects of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She has been a certified GIS professional for over ten years, and has extensive experience with GIS technologies ranging from data conversions and transformations to computer-assisted mapping.

RSG Director, David Saladino, has been elected President of the New Hampshire Chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (NHITE). David has over fifteen years of experience in transportation planning, traffic engineering, transportations facility design, and traffic operations, and has been with RSG for more than a decade. David has been a member of NHITE since 2003, and has served as the editor of the NHITE newsletter and website for over five years. Prior to being elected NHITE president, David most recently served as the chapter’s vice president, and he has also served as secretary/treasurer. David also chairs the Town of Enfield’s Tax Increment Finance District Committee and serves on the Town of Enfield’s Planning Board. He currently serves as vice-chair of the Hartford Development Corporation Board.

RSG is excited to welcome Michael Heaney to our staff as a Senior Consultant. Michael has spent the last decade founding and directing the Center for Park Management within the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Michael’s work at the Center for Park Management focused on developing and providing implementation support for strategic business plans in national parks, as well as regional and national offices of the National Park Service. Prior to relocating to the USA, Michael did strategic business planning and product development for more than 10 years with Marks & Spencer, a major European retailer. Michael will be working out of his home office in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire.

RSG Senior Engineer and Market Street Gateway Project Manager, Dirk Grotenhuis, presented improvement ideas for the Market Street Gateway Project at a public input session in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Tuesday night. The input session, which drew over 50 residents and stakeholders, gave attendees the opportunity to review and comment on proposed improvements, including a “road diet,” new waterfront parks, landscaped medians, and new “pedestrian-scale” lighting. The project team hopes to have the public-engagement portion of the Market Street Gateway project complete by mid-January.

RSG Senior Consultant John Hinckley will be attending the Vermont Environmental Consortium’s (VEC) fall conference and trade show in Downtown Rutland, VT. The focus of this year’s event is Celebrating Entrepreneurship in Vermont’s Environmental & Energy Business Sectors. VEC expects their green energy conference, aimed at promoting job creation in the environmental sector, to draw more than 100 people from the environmental and renewable energy fields.

RSG Senior Consultant John Hinckley will be attending the Vermont Environmental Consortium’s (VEC) fall conference and trade show in Downtown Rutland, VT. The focus of this year’s event is Celebrating Entrepreneurship in Vermont’s Environmental & Energy Business Sectors. VEC expects their green energy conference, aimed at promoting job creation in the environmental sector, to draw more than 100 people from the environmental and renewable energy fields.

In light of the tragedy in the Philippines last week, RSG has donated $1,000 to the American Red Cross Typhoon Appeal. This donation continues RSG’s commitment to being a positive corporate citizen in the local and global communities, including supporting disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Sandy, and the earthquake in Haiti in recent years. For more information about disaster relief efforts in the Philippines or how to donate to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan, please visit the American Red Cross website.