As Technologies Advance, HNTB Grows Intelligent Transportation Systems and Emerging Mobility Solutions Practice
Firm adds new talent and technology capabilities to continue serving transportation agencies preparing for autonomous and connected vehicle implementation
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – HNTB Corporation’s intelligent transportation systems and emerging mobility solutions practice continues to expand staff and technical expertise to meet transportation agencies’ growing needs across the country.
“With a realization that connected and automated vehicle technology is becoming more commonplace, transportation agencies are looking for assistance as they plan and implement these emerging opportunities to enhance mobility,” said Jim Barbaresso, HNTB national practice leader of ITS and emerging mobility solutions, senior vice president and HNTB Fellow. “Connected and autonomous vehicles will revolutionize transportation in the U.S. They will bring a host of benefits including improved mobility for the elderly and disabled, enhanced connections to transit, and most importantly, improved safety. In fact, as these technologies emerge and improve, they could help drive traffic fatalities to near zero.”
Jim Barbaresso, HNTB national practice leader of ITS and emerging mobility solutions, senior vice president and HNTB Fellow.
AV awareness rising
Approximately half of Americans are familiar with autonomous (self-driving) vehicles. As that awareness grows, acceptance of these emerging technologies also increases. As HNTB’s latest America THINKS national public opinion survey, Sharing the Road with Autonomous Vehicles – 2019 demonstrates, among the 52% of Americans surveyed who believe they are knowledgeable or familiar with autonomous vehicles, almost six in 10 (58%) believe they will be commonplace within the next 10 years.
“Transportation agencies realize their systems must be prepared for compatibility with emerging technology,” said Barbaresso. “HNTB’s experts are at the forefront of this industry and we are proud to serve our clients on a variety of projects and programs.”
Adding experience and expertise
As HNTB’s team of more than 250 ITS professionals grows across the country, recent senior-level, national new hires include:
- Beth Kigel, vice president, based in Miami, is responsible for assisting transportation agencies, cities and regions in developing smart and connected infrastructure solutions. Prior to joining HNTB, she served as president and CEO of Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce in Florida. Kigel serves on the ITS World Congress Board of Directors, and earned the 2018 Leadership and Innovation Award presented at the Florida Automated Vehicle Summit.
- Loreana Marciante, PMP, is emerging mobility solutions engineer, based in Bellevue, Washington. Marciante focuses on advanced technologies programs and is a key resource for HNTB in the electric vehicles solutions space. She supports Zero Emission Vehicle programs across the country and helps the firm strengthen partnerships with leading technology solution providers. Prior to joining HNTB, she was the sustainable transportation lead within the Paul G. Allen philanthropic portfolio.
Industry involvement
HNTB professionals are active in a number of industry associations focusing on transportation technology. Among them:
- John Barton, national DOT market sector leader and senior vice president, serves on ITS America’s Board of Directors and as co-chair of the organization’s Smart Infrastructure Task Force.
- Greg Krueger, vice president, serves as chairman of the Committee on Intelligent Transportation Systems of the Transportation Research Board.
- Kigel serves on the ITS World Congress Board of Directors; Freight Mobility Research Institute Advisory Board for Florida Atlantic University; chair of the Mobility Committee for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
- Barbaresso serves on the ITS World Congress Board of Directors and chaired the 2014 ITS World Congress in Detroit, and also is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers Subcommittee on Infrastructure Needs for Automated Driving Systems.
- Stephen Novosad, associate vice president, chairs the OmniAir Consortium, an organization charged with certification of connected vehicle devices to support national standards and interoperability.
- Steve Johnson, associate vice president, serves on working groups for the Society of Automotive Engineers and Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers, OmniAir’s DSRC Device Certification Council, University of South Florida CyberSecurity for C-Execs curriculum committee, and is a mentor for STEM’s annual Future Cities Competition.
- Steve Cyra, associate vice president, is active in the Institute of Transportation Engineers, serving in a number of national leadership capacities over the past three decades. He also is past president of ITS Wisconsin and was appointed to the Governor’s Steering Committee on Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Testing and Deployment.
- Rob Belarmino, PE, in HNTB’s Austin, Texas, office is also active in ITE and was co-chair of this year’s ITE International Annual Meeting held in Austin.
The firm’s thought leadership is regularly sought after by media. Barbaresso contributes his insights to Axios each month. He and his team work with a variety of mainstream and trade media outlets on topics including Smart Cities; development of advanced and active traffic management systems; big data; design and operation of transportation, toll and emergency management centers; truck platooning and parking; and the latest advancements in connected and automated transportation technologies.
HNTB has been involved in a growing number of projects related to the connected and automated vehicle initiatives across the country, including the Safety Pilot Connected Vehicle Model Deployment in Ann Arbor, Michigan; the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority Connected Vehicle Pilot; the SunTrax test facility for the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, located between Orlando and Tampa; the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and more. The firm was active in the 2016 Smart Cities initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation and subsequently is working with the City of Columbus, Ohio, winner of the 2015 Smart Cities Challenge.
About HNTB
HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure firm serving public and private owners and contractors. With 105 years of service in the United States, HNTB understands the life cycle of infrastructure and addresses clients’ most complex technical, financial and operational challenges. Professionals nationwide deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, and program and construction management. For more information, visit www.hntb.com, or follow HNTB on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
