Paul J. Carlson, Ph.D., P.E.

Carlson, Paul

Senior Research Engineer
Division Head, TTI
Program Manager

Operations and Design Division - TTI Headquarters and Research Building, Room 240
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
ph. (979) 847-9272 Ext. 79272 · fax (979) 845-6006
paul-carlson@tamu.edu

Short Biography

Dr. Carlson is a Research Engineer at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), a member of The Texas A&M University System. He is the Division Head of the Operations and Design Division, where he is responsible for leading a research program broadly focused on safety, design, and operations. He coordinates the state traffic safety and design research, promotes national research initiatives, facilitates sponsor interaction, and manages a number of research projects.

Dr. Carlson leads TTI's Visibility Research Laboratory located in TTI's new State Headquarters and Research Building (opened in 2009). This facility has been used to test new materials for traffic signs and pavement markings. TTI has also used the facility to develop and test their mobile luminance measurement system. The laboratory's equipment will measure the photometric properties of traffic control devices and lights to ensure safe travel for nighttime drivers.

Dr. Carlson's primary areas of interest are traffic engineering, highway safety, vision science, traffic control devices, geometric design, and human factors. Paul enjoys finding innovative solutions to solve transportation problems using advanced technologies. Paul has been a principal or co-principal investigator for numerous research studies dealing with topics such as traffic sign and pavement marking retroreflectivity, highway safety, nighttime driver visibility needs, centerline and edgeline rumble strips, traffic signal warrants, and operational effects of geometric design. Paul serves on many technical committees such as ASTM, TRB, NCUTCD, CIE, ITE, and others.

Paul holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Civil Engineering from The Texas A&M University, and a Master of Science degree and a Bachelor of Science degree, both in Civil Engineering, from The Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA). Paul is also a licensed Engineer in Texas (85402). Before joining TTI in 1995, Paul worked as a transportation researcher at the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute.

Education

  • Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2002.
  • M.S., Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 1995.
  • B.S., Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 1993.

Experience

  • Senior Research Engineer, Operations and Design Division, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, September 2013 - Present.
  • Division Head, Operations and Design Division, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, September 2004 - Present.
  • Program Manager, Signs and Markings Program, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, September 2002 - Present.
  • Graduate Faculty Member, Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, September 2006 - Present.
  • Research Engineer, Operations and Design Division, Texas Transportation Institute, May 2007 - August 2013.
  • Associate Research Engineer, Signs and Markings Program, Texas Transportation Institute, May 2002 - April 2007.
  • Assistant Research Engineer, Traffic Operations Program, Texas Transportation Institute, September 1999 - April 2002.
  • Associate Transportation Researcher, System Implementation Program, Texas Transportation Institute, April 1999 - August 1999.
  • Assistant Research Scientist, System Implementation Program, Texas Transportation Institute, August 1995 - March 1999.
  • Research Assistant, Transportation Operations Program, Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, January 1995 - July 1995.
  • Graduate Assistant, Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, August 1993 - December 1994.
  • Research Technician, Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, May 1992 - March 1993.

Professional Registration

Professional Engineer in Texas, Registration No. 85402.

Affiliations

  • Transportation Research Board (TRB), Committee (AHD55) Signing and Marking Materials, Member, February 2001 - Present.
  • Transportation Research Board (TRB), Committee (AHD55) Signing and Marking Materials, Chair, February 2004 - March 2009.
  • Transportation Research Board (TRB), Visibility Committee (AND40), Member, September 2000 - Present.
  • Transportation Research Board (TRB), Motorcycles and Mopeds Committee (ANF30), Friend, January 2001 - Present.
  • Transportation Research Board (TRB), Traffic Control Devices Committee (AHB50), Friend, January 1996 - Present.
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), International Member, September 2001 - Present.
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Highway Traffic Control Materials D04-38.01 - Task Group on Retroreflectivity Sheeting, Member, December 2001 - Present.
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Highway Traffic Control Materials D04-38.09 - Task Group on Driver Needs, Member, December 2002 - Present.
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Highway Traffic Control Materials D04-38.07 - Task Group on Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity, Chair, January 2005 - Present.
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Color & Appearance E12.10 - Task Group on Retroreflection, Member, September 2002 - Present.
  • National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), Research Committee, Member, January 2001 - Present.
  • National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), Regulatory & Warning Signs Technical Committee, Member, March 2003 - Present.
  • National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), Regulatory & Warning Signs Technical Committee, Secretary, March 2003 - August 2005.
  • National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), Markings Technical Committee, Secretary and Member, April 2000 - February 2003.
  • American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), Signs Committee, Member, February 2005 - Present.
  • American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), Signs Committee, MUTCD-subcommittee, Member, February 2001 - Present.
  • International Commission on Illumination (CIE), United States National Committee (CIE/USA), Individual Member, July 2002 - Present.
  • International Commission on Illumination (CIE), Technical Committee 4-40 - Requirements for Retroreflective Traffic Signs, Chairman, July 2003 - Present.
  • International Commission on Illumination (CIE), Technical Committee 4-40 - Requirements for Retroreflective Traffic Signs, Corresponding Member, January 2001 - July 2003.
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), January 1993 - Present.
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Brazos Valley Chapter, Member, November 2000 - Present.
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Traffic Engineering Council Committee, Member, January 1998 - Present.
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Texas Section, Member, January 1996 - Present.
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), PSU Student Chapter, President, May 1994 - December 1994.
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), PSU Student Chapter, Vice President, May 1993 - May 1994.

Selected Publications

O. Smadi, N. Hawkins, B. Aldemir-Bektas, P.J. Carlson, A.M. Pike, C. Davies. Predicting the Initial Retroreflectivity of Pavement Markings from Glass Bead Quality. NCHRP Report. 743. Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC. 2013.

J.D. Miles, H. Ge, P.J. Carlson, Y. Zhang. Prototype Mobile Luminance Measurement System and Level of Service for Evaluating Rural High-Speed Nighttime Delineation. 0-6647-1. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. September 2013.

P.J. Carlson, A.M. Pike, J.D. Miles, B.R. Ullman, D.W. Borchardt. Evaluation of Traffic Control Devices, Year 4. 9-1001-3. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. August 2013.

N. Jackson, G.R. Jackson, P.J. Carlson, F. Ye. Use of High Intensity Reflective Sheeting in lieu of External Lighting of Overhead Roadway Signs. 600541-1. Florida Department of Transportation, Tallahassee, FL. June 2013.

P.J. Carlson, J.D. Miles, H. Ge, Y. Zhang. Developing Luminance-Based Mobile Highway Delineation Equipment and Level of Service Guidelines for Safe Nighttime High-Speed Travel. PSR. 0-6647-S. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. May 2013.

J.D. Miles, H. Ge, P.J. Carlson, Y. Zhang. Mobile Luminance Data Collection System User Manual. 0-6647-P2. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2013.

P.J. Carlson, L.L. Higgins, J.M. Re. Development of a Statewide Sign Maintenance Program. 0-6408-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2012.

J.M. Perandones, D. Ortiz, B. Toothill, A. Mansilla, P.J. Carlson, F. Ye. Advantages of Dynamic Inspection Devices in the Maintenance of Nighttime Signs Visibility. 600471-1. August 2012.

B.K. Brimley, P.J. Carlson. Using High Friction Surface Treatments to Improve Safety at Horizontal Curves. 600471-2. July 2012.

P.J. Carlson, E. Park, D. Kang. An Investigation of Longitudinal Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity and Safety. 477680-3. July 2012.

P.J. Carlson, A.M. Pike. Evaluation of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) in North America. 600181-1. May 2012.

P.J. Carlson, L.L. Higgins, J.M. Re. Research and Recommendations for a Statewide Sign Retroreflectivity Maintenance Program. 0-6408-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2012.

P.J. Carlson. Increased Understanding of Driver Visibility Requirements. 476850-1. April 2012.

P.J. Carlson, J.A. Wagner. An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Wider Edge Line Pavement Markings. 600491-1. March 2012.

P.J. Carlson, A.M. Pike, J.D. Miles, B.R. Ullman, D.W. Borchardt. Evaluation of Traffic Control Devices, Year 3. 9-1001-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2012.

P.J. Carlson, J.A. Wagner. An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Wider Edge Line Pavement Markings. TTI-2012-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2012.

Y. Zhang, H. Ge, A.M. Pike, P.J. Carlson. Development of Field Performance Evaluation Tools and Program for Pavement Marking Materials. 0-5548-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2011.

J.M. Re, P.J. Carlson. Revised Draft Final Report. 478580-2. December 2011.

P.J. Carlson, E. Park, A.M. Pike, R.J. Porter, J.D. Miles, O. Smadi, N.M. Hawkins, B.O. Boulanger, S. Chalmers, F. Darmiento, A. Burde, B.T. Kuhn, W.D. Ealding. Pavement Marking Demonstration Projects: State of Alaska and State of Tennessee. 475980-9. December 2011.

P.J. Carlson. Evaluation of Sign Retroreflectivity Measurements from the Advanced Mobile Asset Collection (AMAC) System. 406801-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. October 2011.

P.J. Carlson. Guidelines for Nighttime Visibility of Overhead Guide Signs. 478690-1. October 2011.

B. Boulanger, A. Desai, P.J. Carlson. Heavy Metal Content and Leaching Potential of Recycled Glass Beads Used in Pavement Markings. 406261-1. April 2011.

B. Boulanger, A. Desai, P.J. Carlson. Heavy Metal Content and Leaching Potential of Recycled Glass Beads Used in Pavement Markings. TTI-2011-2. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. April 2011.

P.J. Carlson, A.M. Pike, J.D. Miles, B.R. Ullman, R. Stevens, D.W. Borchardt. Evaluation of Traffic Control Devices, Year 2. 9-1001-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2011.

R.B. Gibbons, C. Edwards, A.W. Owen, P.J. Carlson, R. Bhagavathula. Development and Calibration of an Active Vision Model to Explore Relationships between Nighttime Driving Behavior and Roadway Visibility Features. 477410-4. March 2011.

Y. Zhang, H. Ge, A.M. Pike, P.J. Carlson. Development of Field Performance Evaluation Tools and Program for Pavement Marking Materials: Technical Report. 0-5548-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. March 2011.

P.J. Carlson. Nighttime Visibility of In-Service Pavement Markings, Pavement Markers, and Guardrail Delineation in Alaska (with and without continuous lighting). 478270-2. February 2011.

P.J. Carlson, J.D. Miles, R.M. Eurek, J.M. Re, E. Park. Benefits of Wider Longitudinal Markings. 0-5862-S. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. 2010.

P.J. Carlson, R.P. Bligh, A.M. Pike, J.D. Miles, W.L. Menges, S.C. Paulus. On-Going Evaluation of Traffic Control Devices. 0-6384-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. September 2010.

P.J. Carlson, J.D. Miles, E. Park, S.E. Hammond, S.T. Chrysler, J.E. Clark. Development of a Model Performance-Based Sign Sheeting Specification Based on the Evaluation of Nighttime Traffic Signs Using Legibility and Eye-Tracker Data. Research Report. 0-5235-1-VOL1. Vol. 1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. September 2010.

J.D. Miles, P.J. Carlson, R.M. Eurek, J.M. Re, E. Park. Evaluation of Potential Benefits of Wider and Brighter Edge Line Pavement Markings. 0-5862-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. July 2010.

R.J. Benz, A.M. Pike, s. Kuchangi, R.Q. Brackett, P.J. Carlson. Mobile Retroreflectivity Best Practices Handbook. Product. 0-5656-P1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. July 2009.

Y. Zhang, J. Tong, P.J. Carlson, H.G. Hawkins, Jr., P.B. Keating. Development of Measures to Improve Field Performance of Retroreflective Raised Pavement Markers. Research Report. 0-5089-1. Texas Transportation Institute, College Station, TX. February 2009.