ASA member Rolf R. Schmitt, deputy director of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, recently received the 2024 Robert E. Skinner Jr. Distinguished Transportation Research Management Award for his four-decade career advancing transportation statistics. Schmitt played a pivotal role in launching BTS, ensuring robust data on freight and passenger transportation is available for research, planning, and policymaking.
A key moment in his career came in 1989 when he was part of the US Department of Transportation National Transportation Policy Working Group, in which he emphasized the importance of reliable transportation data. Under his leadership, BTS introduced innovative tools, expanded data availability, and created the National Transportation Library, providing public access to critical resources. Schmitt also established the North American Transportation Statistical Interchange, enhancing collaboration between the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Throughout his career, Schmitt has worked closely with federal agencies, led numerous Transportation Research Board committees, and promoted the use of statistics to improve transportation policies and outcomes. The award was presented on January 8, during the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
Visit the National Academies website for more information.
Leave a Reply