W. N. Carey, Jr., Transportation Research Board Distinguished Service Award

The Award recognizes individuals who have provided exemplary leadership and distinguished service to the Transportation Research Board. The recipient should be someone whose sustained contributions and commitment have had a significant and lasting impact on the mission and activities of TRB over the course of their service.

Created in 1972, the Award was known as the Highway Research Board Distinguished Service Award until 1974 when it was renamed the Transportation Research Board Distinguished Service Award to correspond to the change in the Board's name. In January 1987, the Executive Committee renamed this award the W. N. Carey, Jr., Transportation Research Board Distinguished Service Award in honor of W. N. Carey, Jr., who served as the Board's director from 1967 until 1980.

Who Can Nominate

Any individual who is currently or has previously been active in the transportation research or research implementation fields.

Nomination Process

The nomination portal will open in early June. All nominations must be submitted no later than July 31. A single nomination may be jointly submitted and supported by multiple nominators; however, nominators must designate a corresponding nominator. All nominators must currently be, or have previously been, active in the transportation research or research implementation fields.

Nominators will be expected to summarize information about their candidate in each of the following areas: (1) relevant contributions and accomplishments; (2) record of service to the profession; and (3) scope of achievements and enduring influence.

Summary information for each of the three areas may not exceed 400 words, for a total of no more than 1,200 words per nomination. Nominators will have the option to upload their candidate’s bio or provide a link to an online version. Nominators may submit more than one candidate per nomination cycle, and the submission form allows candidates to be considered for more than one award. Current TRB staff are not eligible to receive this award.

Nominators will be notified once a decision has been made by the selection committee. The award recipient will be notified in October, with a formal announcement released later in the fall. The award is dated for the year in which the recipient is named and is presented at the Chair’s Plenary Session during the January TRB Annual Meeting.

Selection Committee

The Selection Committee will consist of the Chair and Vice Chair of the TRB Executive Committee, Chair and Vice Chair of the TRB Division Committee, and the Executive Director of TRB.

Former Recipients

2026 - Ram Pendyala
For over three decades of distinguished TRB service and leadership in transportation planning, travel behavior, and analysis methods.

2025 - Wayne Kittelson
For his almost 50 years of service to TRB and for his significant engagement in the highway capacity and quality of service field.

2024 - Chandra R. Bhat
For his more than 30 years of service to TRB and for his significant engagement in the transportation research management field.

2023 - John M. Mason, Jr.
For his more than 40 years of service to TRB and for his unwavering desire to create knowledge through research.

2022 - Neil Pedersen
For his more than 40 years of leadership service to TRB and for his integrity and continual pursuit of technical excellence.

2021 - Vincent Valdes
For his more than 20 years of service to TRB and steadfast support of TRB’s cooperative research and technical activities programs.

2020 - Martha Grabowski
For her more than 30 years of service to TRB and safety-critical systems research.

2019 - Frederick G. (Bud) Wright
For his consistent support for TRB and for research and innovation during his career.

2018 - Susan Hanson
For her outstanding service to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, TRB, and the broader transportation research community.

2017 - Michael F. Trentacoste
For his outstanding service to TRB and transportation research and his tireless advocacy for transportation safety.

2016 - H.G. (Gerry) Schwartz, Jr.
For his outstanding service to transportation research and instrumental direction to TRB’s second Strategic Highway Research Program.

2015 - Kirk T. Steudle
For his outstanding service to transportation research and to TRB as a national leader in the development of connected vehicle technology.

2014 - Katherine F. Turnbull
For her more than 35 years of service to TRB and her development and promotion of research-based solutions to local, regional, and national transportation challenges.

2013 - Harold R. Paul
For his role as a key contributor to the TRB's strong continuing partnership with the state departments of transportation.

2012 - John C. Horsley
For his outstanding leadership in supporting national transportation research programs and fostering the special relationship between TRB and state departments of transportation.

2011 - Adib K. Kanafani
For his outstanding leadership in TRB policy and strategic planning and significant contributions to its Executive Committee, subcommittees, and technical committees.

2010 - Debra L. (Deb) Miller
For her leadership in TRB policy and strategic planning and advocacy for research addressing long-term transportation challenges.

2009 - David L. Huft
For more than 20 years of dedicated TRB service and leadership in strengthening partnerships with state transportation agencies and advancing cooperative highway research.

2008 - Michael D. Meyer
For more than 30 years of distinguished TRB service, visionary leadership, and contributions across its programs and activities.

2007 - Alan E. Pisarski
For more than 30 years of distinguished TRB service, volunteer leadership, and advancing transportation data and information systems.

2006 - Anne Canby
For her visionary leadership in reorganizing TRB’s technical committees, broadening representation, and strengthening transportation research across modes.

2005 - Genevieve Giuliano
For her distinguished TRB leadership, intellectual rigor, and significant contributions to transportation policy research and strategic planning.

2004 - A. Ray Chamberlain
For his distinguished TRB leadership and significant contributions to highway safety, transportation technology, strategic research, and policy development.

2003 - E. Dean Carlson
For his distinguished TRB leadership, dedicated service, and significant contributions to strategic highway research and cooperative research programs.

2002 - Martin Wachs
For his decades of distinguished TRB service and leadership in transportation planning, congestion management, environmental policy, and mobility.

2001 - Lillian C. Borrone
For her pioneering TRB leadership, expanding representation, and significant contributions to freight, maritime transportation, and transportation research.

2000 - Sharon D. Banks
For her pioneering TRB leadership, formative contributions to transit research, inclusive approach, and mentorship of emerging transportation professionals.

1999 - William W. Millar
For his distinguished TRB leadership and instrumental role in establishing and advancing the Transit Cooperative Research Program.

1998 - C. Michael Walton
1997 - Charles E. Dougan
1996 - Louis J. Gambaccini
1995 - Lawrence D. Dahms
1994 - Thomas B. Deen
1993 - John Gray
1992 - Thomas D. Larson
1991 - Lester A. Hoel
1990 - Carlton C. Robinson
1989 - Francis B. Francois
1988 - Milton Pikarsky
1987 - Joseph M. Clapp
1986 - Lester P. Lamm
1985 - Darrell V Manning
1984 - Charley V. Wootan
1983 - Henrik E. Stafseth
1982 - Peter G. Koltnow
1981 - Philip R. Handler (posthumously)
1980 - Ronald W. Pulling
1979 - Robert N. Hunter
1978 - Roy C. Edgerton
1977 - William J. Harris, Jr.
1976 - Ernst Weber
1975 - Robert O. Swain
1974 - Jesse E. Buchanan
1973 - James C. Allen
1972 - Oscar T. Marzke