Erin D. Kissner

Senior Associate Scientist

Erin has a master’s degree in Psychology with concentrations in Human Factors and Applied Cognition. She brings 15 years of experience in human factors and transportation research design, analysis, and evaluation supporting the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Department of Transportation agencies. Erin has broad experience in planning, developing, analyzing and reporting experimental research studies. Much of her research experience has been focused on evaluations of traffic control devices (TCDs) including the evaluation of motorist comprehension of various highway signs and various safety-related behaviors in response to TCDs. She has led or supported several research studies carried out under the Traffic Control Devices Pooled Fund Study (TCD PFS) for which the results have been considered for implementation in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Erin is a member of the Regulatory and Warning Signs Technical Committee for the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD). Erin is also involved in school transportation research with experience on projects evaluating safety both inside the bus (e.g., evaluating the use of seat belts on school buses) and outside the bus (e.g., evaluating methods for reducing the illegal passing of stopped school buses).

Q&A

What is your dream vacation?

Scotland!

What was your dream job as a child?

As a young child I wanted to be a professional soccer player. As a young adult I wanted to own a dog kennel (and would still love to!)What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?

Hiking with my husband and kids, followed by lunch and a cold beer.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

I love coffee ice cream, which is funny considering that I don’t drink coffee!

Who or what inspires you in your career?

My dad instilled in me the importance of having good work ethic and being teachable and adaptable in all things. He taught me that this, and being a team player, is far more important than what you know; skills and knowledge can be more easily taught than work ethic. His career in the Navy was also my initial inspiration for seeking an education in Human Factors.