FHWA Works: Employee Spotlight - Taylor Lochrane, Ph.D., P.E.

Full Name: Taylor Lochrane, Ph.D., P.E.
Title: Technical Manager
Division/Department: Office of Operation Research and Development
Location (City/State): McLean, VA

1. What is your current position and how long have you been in this role?
   I have been with FHWA more than 7 years as a Research Civil Engineer in the Office of Operation R&D located at Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC). I am currently serving as the Technical Manager for the Cooperative Automation Research Program, which focuses on how automated driving technology can help reduce traffic congestion and improve infrastructure efficiency.

2. What is your typical workday like?
   I start my day bright and early at 0630 a.m., which helps in avoiding the Washington D.C. morning commute. Being a researcher at THFRC is exciting place to work as there are so many activities going on in each of the 20 labs. Of course, we all have meetings to attend, but at TFHRC our work is tied to our laboratories which allows us to be engaged in the research and work closely with our staff, specifically in brainstorming new ideas and solutions to problems. My office management also provides flexibility for us to engage in opportunities to go meet and build relationships with our partners and stakeholders. As researchers, this allows us understand the issues and be in tune with cutting edge technology so we can be innovative and creative in our thinking. If you have not made a trip to TFHRC, I highly recommend you stop by for a visit if you’re traveling to the DC metro area.

3. What has been your biggest accomplishment over the last year?
   Besides all the technical R&D I lead, I would have to say one of my accomplishments of this last year was working with the iExchange Council to establish the new FHWA Innovation Lab. The iExchange initiative was supported by FHWA leadership to create a new collaborative environment to foster innovation to help solve problems and create innovative solutions. This lab was designed on the concept of supporting visual thinking, so every wall and piece of furniture has a writing surface. This space maintains an open-door policy and is open to all FHWA staff. However, reservations can be made to support bigger groups. I would say that this space was a success at TFHRC with more than 100 reservations this past year—not including all the researchers and staff who uses this space throughout the day.

4. Prior to working at FHWA, what was the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had?
   Before I came to FHWA, I was elected to serve the students of the University of Central Florida as their student body vice president in 2010. Serving the students of the second largest university in the county was an exciting opportunity. Working together with Mike Kilbride, student body president, and our cabinet, we accomplished numerous initiatives to better the student experience at UCF. One of our major accomplishments relating to transportation was establishing the KnightLynx public bus service in partnership with Lynx which is still in service today.

5. What are your hobbies in your spare time?
   Being a new dad—my son Cole just turned 10 months—the term “spare time” has a different meaning than it used to. Prior to my son’s birth and the winter season, my favorite thing to do was cycling. When I moved up to Washington D.C. from Florida, I began cycling as a form of exercise and a way to commute around town to learn my new city after work. Now that summer is here, I hope to find some time to get out on the open road.

6. What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned in your career to get you where you are today?
   I think some of the biggest lessons I learned started back when I was in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) in high school. NJRTOC focused on teamwork, leadership, community, and respect for those in positions of authority which are all qualities I continue to use in my career. Combining these qualities with my higher education gave me the tools I needed to be effective in my position. I would say that these qualities plus the working relationships I have with my colleagues—who have taught me so much—have led to where I am today.

7. Who do you admire in the transportation field and why?
   I would have to say my father Thomas Lochrane is the person I admire the most in the transportation field. My dad first served his country as civil engineer in US Army Corp of Engineers and then provided civil engineer services to his community in Florida—so I would say he dedicated his entire career to transportation. An entrepreneur, my father started his own company in 1979 and is a shining example of doing what you love and raising a family.

8. Complete this sentence: "People would be surprised if they knew..."
   ...that the first investment I made to my home in DC was the addition of solar panels, which last year produced over 6 megawatt-hours.