Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

John A. Volpe Transportation Internship

Monica Gil
2000-2001 Internship Recipient

On May 23, 2000, then U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater announced Monica Gil, a doctoral student in industrial and organizational psychology at the University of Connecticut, as the first recipient of the John A. Volpe Transportation Internship. The Volpe Transportation Internship features major tuition assistance and paid work opportunities at the Volpe Center for selected outstanding graduate students in the engineering, scientific, and social science disciplines who have expressed an interest in working in the field of transportation.

Ms. Gil's research interests in the field of transportation include: intelligent transportation systems, hazard perception, speed choice, aggressive driving, risk taking, and age and gender differences in driving habits. Ms. Gil will be joining the staff of the Center's Operator Performance and Safety Analysis Division in July 2000 and will be working with Dr. Jordan Multer. Ms. Gil will participate in a research project that will study issues surrounding how drivers' expectations affect their decision-making upon entering a grade crossing intersection when a train is approaching.

Update-October 2001: Ms. Monica Gil recently accepted a permanent position as an Engineering Psychologist in the Operator Performance and Safety Analysis Division in October 2001. Ms. Gil will be continuing her doctorate studies in industrial and organizational psychology at the University of Connecticut as she continues her railroad grade crossing transportation research.