FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2016
Contact: Darrel Berry, Marketing Communications Manager
Hanson Professional Services Inc.
(217) 747-9291
dberry@hanson-inc.com
McDonald appointed to panel examining designated lanes for connected or driverless vehicles
OAK BROOK, Ill. — David R. McDonald Jr., P.E., PTOE, Ph.D., a vice president and the chief roadway engineer at Hanson Professional Services Inc., has been appointed to a panel by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) that is researching the merits of highway lanes designated for the use of vehicles that are automated — also known as driverless — or connected.
The research panel under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, which is administered by the TRB, is called Dedicating Lanes for Priority or Exclusive Use by Connected Vehicles and Automated Vehicles. McDonald, who works at Hanson’s Chicago regional office, has served on several TRB committees and panels. Under this panel, he and nine other members are developing the scope of work, selecting the research team, overseeing the research that will assess the advantages and disadvantages of dedicating highway lanes for automated and connected vehicles and reviewing the final report with research findings. Automated cars use sensors for navigation, and connected cars can wirelessly communicate with other vehicles or roadway infrastructure.
The research will build upon work underway by the Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership — a group of automakers that have partnered with the government to research, develop and test vehicle-to-vehicle technology — on cooperative, adaptive cruise control. The research also will identify laws and regulations that constrain the ability to dedicate lanes for such vehicles. One goal of this research is to provide useful information as quickly as possible to design engineers while these technologies are developing.
McDonald joined the firm in 2002 and leads Hanson’s roadway technical discipline group, for which he focuses on strengthening the company’s technical services. He provides engineering design services and guidance on various roadway projects, with an emphasis on those with complex highway geometrics. He also presents lectures on engineering topics at local universities.
Hanson is a national, employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering, planning and allied services. The Chicago regional office is located at 815 Commerce Drive, Suite 200, Oak Brook, IL 60523. The office may be reached by phone at (630) 990-3800.
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