toXcel Staff Spotlight: Supporting Transportation Research at TRB 2026 

As the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting approaches this January 11 to 15, 2026, toXcel is proud to highlight the many staff members who are actively contributing to the advancement of transportation research through their service on TRB standing and technical committees. TRB committees play a critical role in shaping research priorities, fostering innovation, and guiding best practices across the transportation industry. toXcel staff bring expertise spanning human factors, safety, equity, resilience, workforce development, and emerging technologies, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to improving transportation systems for all users.

Below are spotlights on several toXcel team members who shared insights into their committee involvement and the impact of their work.

John Shutko – Standing Committee on Maritime Risk, Safety and Human Factors

John serves on the Standing Committee on Maritime Risk, Safety and Human Factors, which focuses on research related to human factors in marine safety across deep sea, inland waterway, harbor, and offshore operations.

This committee represents a new domain for John, and he is excited to both learn and contribute. He plans to apply his background in automotive human factors to help guide committee discussions and research directions related to maritime human factors and safety.

Katrina King – Standing Committee on Women and Families

Katrina is a member of the TRB Standing Committee on Women and Families, which focuses on the transportation needs of women and families and how they access transportation systems safely and effectively.

She is passionate about elevating the experiences of populations that have historically been overlooked in transportation research. Drawing from her expertise in pupil transportation, Katrina looks forward to contributing insights on safe, equitable, and reliable transportation to and from school, recognizing its critical role in student learning outcomes and broader community benefits.

Kase Poling – Standing Committee on Transportation System Resilience and Security (ACF18)

Kase serves on the Standing Committee on Transportation System Resilience and Security, where he collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to strengthen transportation systems against natural hazards and cyber threats.

His work includes contributing to research on infrastructure recovery, response strategies, and community preparedness. Kase brings firsthand experience with flooding impacts and challenges facing rural communities, helping guide research that supports preparedness, mitigation, and recovery nationwide. This year, he also served as a paper review coordinator, reviewing approximately two dozen submissions.

Marta Perez – Standing Technical Committee on Workforce and Information and Knowledge Strategies

Marta serves on the Standing Technical Committee on Workforce and Information and Knowledge Strategies, which focuses on short range strategies that strengthen workforce development and improve how transportation organizations create, share, and retain knowledge.

She is excited about working on practical ideas that organizations can implement within the next one to five years, particularly around modernizing training and improving knowledge management. Marta’s work at toXcel in human factors transportation safety aligns closely with the committee’s emphasis on workforce support and effective information sharing.

Katie Wheeler – Standing Technical Committee on Mobility of Older Persons and Individuals with Disabilities (AQC13)

Katie is a member of the Standing Technical Committee on Mobility of Older Persons and Individuals with Disabilities. The committee focuses on ensuring transportation system access for individuals with disabilities and older adults, in alignment with federal, state, and local requirements.

She looks forward to applying her expertise in aging and vulnerable road users while collaborating with other experts to address the transportation needs of communities with special mobility considerations.

Aaron Benson – Standing Committee on Human Factors

Aaron serves on the Standing Committee on Human Factors, which examines how people interact with transportation systems, including vehicles, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.

He values the opportunity to stay connected to current research while helping shape future research directions. Aaron brings a broad perspective from his work with a wide range of federal clients, contributing insights across many aspects of the transportation system through committee discussions and paper reviews.

Austin Svancara – Standing Committee on Vehicle User Learning and Competency (ACD17)

Austin is a member of the Standing Committee on Vehicle User Learning and Competency, which focuses on education, training, and licensing of drivers, riders, and operators across the lifespan, including high risk groups.

With training rooted in developmental psychology, Austin is excited to apply his expertise to research that supports safer mobility for road users of all ages, particularly young and older drivers, while learning from fellow committee members.

Katie Belt – Standing Technical Committee on Traffic Control Devices and Work Zone Management

Katie serves on the Standing Technical Committee on Traffic Control Devices and Work Zone Management. She is excited to collaborate with leading experts to identify research needs and advance innovation in traffic control devices and work zones, especially as emerging technologies continue to shape roadway environments.

Her work at toXcel closely aligns with the committee’s goals and includes supporting MUTCD rulemaking, assessing pavement marking effectiveness, evaluating symbol sign comprehension and legibility, providing technical assistance to state agencies, and contributing to research on LED applications in traffic control devices.

Additional toXcel Staff Serving on TRB Committees

In addition to those highlighted above, the following toXcel staff members also serve on TRB committees and contribute their expertise to advancing transportation research:

• Douglas Cobb

• Joy Davis

• Bryan Katz

Looking Ahead to TRB 2026

toXcel’s strong presence across TRB committees reflects the firm’s dedication to advancing research, collaboration, and innovation throughout the transportation industry. As TRB 2026 approaches, we are proud of our staff’s leadership and engagement and look forward to the knowledge sharing and connections that continue to strengthen the transportation community.

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