ROBERT JOHNS 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: rjohns003@gmail.com
Website: http://robertjohns-author.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-johns-826877106/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobertJohnsAuthor/

EDUCATION

Master of Arts, English, University of Iowa, 1976
Master of Business Administration, University of Iowa, 1973
Bachelor of Science, Engineering Operations, Iowa State University, 1971

POSITIONS

St. Paul, Minnesota
               Author of Fiction, 2019 – Present

University of Minnesota, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Minneapolis, MN
               Senior Fellow, 2016 - 2019

U.S. Department of Transportation, Cambridge, MA
               Director, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, 2009 – 2016

University of Minnesota, Center for Transportation Studies, Minneapolis, MN
               Director, 2001 - 2009
               Deputy Director, 1996 - 2001
               Associate Director,1990 - 1996
               Coordinator for Research, 1988 - 1990
   
Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities Area, St. Paul, MN
               Manager, Regional Data Center, 1985 - 1988

Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul, MN
               Director, Methods and Data Systems, 1982 - 1985
               Director, Planning Methods, 1980 - 1982
               Manager, Methods Analysis, 1978 - 1980

Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway. Chicago, IL
               Assistant Market Manager, Market Manager, Food Products, 1976 - 1978
   
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City, IA
                    Programmer Analyst, Systems Analyst, 1973 - 1976

AWARDS AND HONORS

Robert C. Johns Research Partnership Award established by the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies, awarded annually for impacts by an interdisciplinary research team, 2018

USDOT Secretary’s Partnering for Excellence Award for leadership in developing Secretary Anthony Foxx’s 30-year outlook on transportation, 2015

Distinguished Federal Executive of the Year award by the Greater Boston Federal Executive Board, 2015

USDOT Secretary’s Partnering for Excellence Award by f Secretary Ray LaHood or leadership in developing the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s Strategic Plan, 2012 

University of Minnesota’s Richard P. Braun Distinguished Service Award, for outstanding leadership in research and innovation, 2012

Designated the honorary title of National Associate of the Council of the National Academy of Sciences to recognize extraordinary service on committees of the National Research Council, 2008

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Fiction
Johns, R.C. 2024. The Fighters: A Trilogy. River Grove Books of The Greenleaf Book Group, Austin, Texas. 312 pages

Johns, R.C. 2023. O’Brien’s Broken Play. River Grove Books of the Greenleaf Book Group, Austin Texas. 392 pages

Journal Articles:
Jette, A. and R.C. Johns. 2016. Signals from the Crowd: Strategic Management and Learning through Crowdsourcing. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board 2568, 9-16

Segev, E., J. Chen, B. English, and R.C. Johns. 2014. The Impacts of Participatory Strategic Planning on Advancing Innovation at the Volpe Center. Transportation Research Record 2420, 45-54

Johns, R.C. 2003.Transportation Research Contributions to Society by University Transportation Centers.  IATTS Review Vol. 27, No. 4, International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences, 268-277

Johns, R.C.  1992. Towards a Balanced Transportation Research Program.  Transportation Research Record 1305, 377-384

Research Reports and Proceedings:
Johns, R.C., G. Baas, and T. Helms. 2007. Project Delivery Work Force Management Review. NCHRP 20-07, Task 205, Transportation Research Board

Johns, R.C. and S. Lockwood. 2001. Summary of Eight Scanning Studies: Managing Change in State DOTs. NCHRP 20-24 (14), Transportation Research Board

Cavanaugh, P. and R.C. Johns. 2007. Politics and Freeways: U.S. Cases of Social Conflict and Institutional Adaptation. Proceedings of the Historical Symposium of the 23rd World Road Congress. Paris, France

Johns, R.C. July 17, 2008. Saving Lives on Our Nation’s Highways: Traffic Safety Performance Measures. Written testimony and presentation to Full Committee Hearing, U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

SELECTED INVITED PRESENTATIONS

Johns, R.C. “Public Agency Coordination: Transforming the USDOT Volpe Center into a Vibrant Mixed-Use Development.” The Public-Private Partnership Government Conference, Washington, DC (December 3, 2019)

Johns, R.C. “Framing U.S. Surface Transportation Research for the Future—Reactions to and Implications of TRB Policy Committee Recommendations.” Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. Washington, DC (January 13, 2014)

Johns, R.C. “Keynote: Realizing the Vision of Connected Transportation.” The IEEE Vehicular Networking Conference, Boston, MA.  (December 16, 2013) 

Johns, R.C. “Actions for Federal Agencies to Improve Collaboration in University-Agency Partnerships.”  The Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting. Washington, DC. (January 10, 2012)

Johns, R.C. “Livable Communities:  The Critical Role of Performance Measures from Concept to Implementation.”  The Conference on Performance Measures for Transportation and Livable Communities. Texas Transportation Institute, Texas A&M University. Austin, TX. (September 7, 2011)

MAJOR RESEARCH PROGRAMS 

Johns, R.C.  Strategic adviser to the Computer Science and Engineering Department for a three-year National Science Foundation grant on Smart and Connected Communities and to the Humphrey School’s Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy Area for a four-year National Science Foundation grant on Sustainable Healthy Cities. (2016 – 2019)

Johns, R.C. CTS director. “Study on the Role of Well-Designed Transportation Projects in Enhancing Communities.” American Institute of Architects. CTS coordinated research by faculty in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Regional Planning, Geography, and Landscape Architecture to carry out this interdisciplinary study. (2006-2008)

Johns, R.C.  CTS director. “Access to Destinations Study.” Minnesota Department of Transportation, Hennepin County, and the McKnight Foundation. CTS coordinated research by faculty in Civil Engineering, Regional Planning, and Mechanical Engineering to carry out this interdisciplinary study. (2004-2009)

Johns, R.C. CTS director. “Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute.” USDOT University Transportation Center’s six-year program established by TEA-21 federal legislation. CTS managed a competitive process to provide research funding to faculty. (2003-2009) 

Johns, R.C. CTS director. “Transportation and Regional Growth Study.” Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota Local Road Research Board, and Metropolitan Council. CTS coordinated research by faculty in Civil Engineering, Geography, Economics, and Urban and Regional Affairs for this interdisciplinary study. (1997-2003)

TEACHING - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Humphrey School graduate course: PA 5137-001 Project Management in the Public Arena, 2017-2019

Humphrey School graduate course: PA 5920-001 Project Management, 2016

Civil Engineering undergraduate course: CE 5703 Project Management,1992-1998

Civil Engineering: Guest Lecturer for transportation planning and engineering courses, 1990-2009

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND OUTREACH

Transportation Research Board of the National Academies:
•    Technical Activities Council Chair, oversight of 200 TRB committees, 2008 - 2011
•    Committee for Strategic Highway Research Report to Congress, 2007 - 2008)
•    Task Force on TRB Committee Reorganization, 2003 - 2004
•    Steering Committee for Requirements for Spatial Information Infrastructure, 2001 - 2003
•    Steering Committee for Sixth International Conference on Low Volume Roads, 1992 – 1995

Other Participation:
•    Council of University Transportation Centers Executive Committee, 2007 - 2009
•    Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of America Benefits Committee, 1991 - 199
•    Urban and Regional Information Systems Association Transportation Group. 1990 - 1993