#TRBAM 2014

And thus another Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting (and trip to Washington, DC) comes to a close.

The events related to the meeting were a blast. It was wonderful to catch up with old friends and existing colleagues, as well as find new ones from all corners of the globe. Once at the meeting, I learned that next year there will be a major venue change, so I made sure to take in all of the fond memories of the Wardman Park Marriott (I never had much going on at the Shoreham or Hilton). I also got a lot of mileage out of the #TRBPM Twitter hashtag, the analog to #TRBAM.

It also goes without saying that the research and technical content were outstanding. I’m not sure how well it is understood that all of the programming is compiled by volunteer committees, but it is not a small feat. As a fellow at the Transportation Research Board in 2009 I became intimately familiar with the “sausage making” that is planning and compiling the annual meeting and it is truly incredible. But I think it’s worth it to celebrate the accomplishments of an industry that affects every single person on this planet so intimately.

What I most appreciated was the opportunity to candidly talk to transportation professionals at all stages in their careers, working for all kinds of companies and organizations and are experts in any mode you choose to name. Given this is likely to be my last TRBAM as a student, this was the information I needed more than anything in a session this time around.

And congratulations to the parents of the three TRBabies born this year!

See everyone next year!