PennDOT secretary named to Transportation Research Board committee

Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Leslie S. Richards was recently named vice chairwoman of the 2019 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Executive Committee, the senior policy body of TRB.

The committee is an advisory group to the Governing Board of the National Research Council and provides oversight of TRB’s activities. The committee offers oral and written reports on ongoing and proposed TRB projects at each Governing Board meeting, and projects are approved, rejected, or accepted after modification.

The Governing Board can assign additional duties.

“I am honored and excited to be named to this prestigious national position,” Richards said. “My goal is to bring the lessons learned in my role as a Pennsylvania transportation executive and advocate to enhance the important mission of the TRB.”

The committee has 25 members appointed by the National Research Council chairman. Members represent transportation modes, private and public sectors, government, academia, and other relevant industries.

Members serve three-year terms and can be reappointed. Richards’ term became effective Wednesday.

TRB, a program unit of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, held its 98th annual meeting this week in Washington, D.C.

More than 13,000 people attended, and more than 5,000 presentations in more than 800 sessions and workshops were held.