Rod E. Turochy, Ph.D., P.E.
James M. Hunnicutt Professor of Traffic Engineering
Associate Director for Outreach, Auburn University Transportation Research Institute
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Auburn University
Educational Background
Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Virginia, 2001.
M.S., Civil Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1997.
B.S., Civil Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991.
Professional Background
Prior to joining the faculty at Auburn University in January 2002, Dr. Turochy was a Research Scientist at the Virginia Transportation Research Council for about two years, leading research and technical assistance efforts in transportation planning, policy, and traffic operations and safety.
Prior to pursuing graduate studies, he worked for the Virginia Department of Transportation for about four years as a Transportation Engineer Trainee and then a Transportation Engineer, leading the Traffic Engineering Project Safety Section of VDOT's Salem District.
Dr. Turochy has been licensed as a Professional Engineer in Alabama since 2003 and in Virginia since 1999.
Research Interests
Dr. Turochy's current research interests are in traffic operations, road safety in general, and particularly for pedestrians. He has also conducted research in work zone safety, freeway management, and other areas of traffic engineering.
From October 2018 through October 2022, Dr. Turochy served as Director of the Alabama Transportation Assistance Program. ATAP houses the Alabama LTAP Center and related programs.
Current projects include "Step Up Alabama", a USDOT RAISE planning grant focused on improving pedestrian facilities in historically underserved communities in Alabama's Black Belt region, "Analysis of the Safety and Mobility Benefits of Queue Warning Systems in Alabama Work Zones" for the Alabama Department of Transportation, and "Improving Work Zone Mobility through Planning, Design and
Operations" for the STRIDE Regional University Transportation Center.
Teaching Awards
In 2017, Dr. Turochy was selected to receive the James M. Robbins National Excellence in Teaching Award from Chi Epsilon, the National Civil Engineering Honor Society. He was the recipient of the Auburn Alumni Association's Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award in 2014. Previously, he was named Outstanding Faculty in Civil Engineering in 2007, received the Excellence in Teaching Award for the Southern District of Chi Epsilon in 2007, and the William F. Walker Award for Teaching Excellence from the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University in 2008.
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