Kati’s mission is to make the journey as easy as possible for all road users, including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. After nine years of traffic analysis and design work, she’s discovered that her favorite part involves showing clients that even small solutions can have measurable and meaningful impacts on a community, like a signal timing or signing change. Kati’s involvement in resurfacing five miles of NJ 31 for the NJDOT, for example, taught her the value of studying an entire project area instead of just a roadway section, and that clear signage is imperative—the wrong message can greatly impact users.
Kati’s advice for future traffic engineers is insightful—as she describes, sometimes public perception is everything. Even if hard data tells you there’s no problem, but public opinion says there is, then there is. In that case, be prepared to examine all your options and think outside the box. Applying your knowledge creatively can potentially prevent big traffic problems!