Friday, March 27, 2009, 2 PM
Olsson Hall 120

The Federal Role in Surface Transportation Research, Technology & Education

Jack D. Jernigan, Ph.D.

Abstract

Surface Transportation Research, Technology & Education (RT&E) is highly decentralized in the United States.  RT&E activities are conducted in and sponsored by every state, many municipalities and universities, the private sector, and the Federal government.  This presentation will outline the various parts of surface transportation RT&E, but will focus on the Federal role.  In addition to providing a broad perspective on RT&E, current ongoing research will be highlighted in the areas of: 1) highway safety, 2) highway operations, 3) bridge & structures, 4) pavements, 5) environment, 6) planning, and 7) exploratory advanced research.

Biography

Dr. Jack Jernigan is the Team Director for the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) Research &Technology (R&T) Program Development & Partnership Team at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, Virginia.  Jack's Team has responsibility for 1) legislative and budget issues related to FHWA's R&T program, 2) fostering partnerships within the R&T community nationally and internationally, and 3) fostering innovation delivery for R&T products.  Jack also oversees FHWA's involvement in the Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP 2), and he is actively involved in planning for the implementation of SHRP 2 products. Before joining FHWA in 2002, Jack worked for more than 15 years as a highway safety researcher at the Virginia Transportation Research Council in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Jack specialized in working on legislative issues and program evaluation studies.  Jack currently serves as the Secretary to the Transportation Research Board's (TRB's) Committee on Safety Management, and he is active in TRB's Committee on Technology Transfer.  Jack is a triple Hoo...he has a BA, MA, and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Virginia.

The Civil Engineering seminar series is open to the University community.
Civil Engineering undergraduate students are especially invited to attend.