COG Transportation Planner Jon Schermann did not always plan to work in the transportation field. For the first 12 years of his career, he worked as an industrial engineer at a firm that manufactured construction and mining equipment.

“I enjoyed being able to see the tangible products resulting from the work I did, but at a certain point I wanted a new career where my efforts would have an impact on more people,” said Schermann.

So, he pursued a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in urban planning and policy and then worked as a consultant in transportation planning for ten years. In 2014, he came to work at COG, where he applies his technical skills and expertise to make an impact on the metropolitan Washington region’s transportation system.

Here are a few highlights from his recent work:

He provides the Transportation Planning Board with the information they need to improve roadway safety

Every year, the Transportation Planning Board (TPB) sets data-driven targets required by the federal government to measure the safety of the region’s highway system, including the number of injuries and fatalities of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Schermann works with the Transportation Safety Subcommittee and the TPB Technical Committee to develop and apply the methodology for setting and analyzing the targets.

This year, the board wanted to better understand the increase in traffic-related fatalities in recent years and what could be done to reduce that number. Schermann reached out to safety officials with the Departments of Transportation in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia to present to the board about their efforts to reduce crashes and improve roadway safety.

Additionally, Schermann is managing a study to be released in early 2020 to identify factors that contribute to crashes, such as impaired driving and speeding as well as the locations and times of crashes. By looking at these factors, planners like Schermann will be able to provide recommendations to officials to help reduce the number of fatal crashes.

“I think it is great that local officials are putting a greater emphasis on traffic safety,” said Schermann. “The Transportation Planning Board is focused on making improvements to safety in the region.”  

He authored the region’s plan for understanding and addressing freight issues

From planes to trains to trucks, freight plays an important role in the region’s economy. Each year hundreds of millions tons of freight valued in the billions of dollars are delivered via—and move through—the region’s roadways, railways, and airports, according to the National Capital Region Freight Plan.

In developing the region’s freight plan, Schermann examines patterns of freight in the region, what drives freight demand, and how to prepare for the growth of freight. In the next edition of the plan, Schermann will look at the impact of emerging issues have on freight deliveries, such as the continuing rise of e-commerce and the competition for curbside space.

“There is limited curbside space, especially in urban areas, and a lot of demand,” said Schermann.

To help address these issues, Schermann and the Freight Subcommittee are planning a symposium to be held before the end of June 2020. The symposium will share best practices and information on how to manage curbside freight deliveries, along with other needs for curbside space, such as parking, rideshare pick-ups and drop-offs, and bicycle lanes.

“In addition to being able to make an impact on the future of transportation in the region, I also enjoy working at COG because of the people. Everyone is willing to help others even if it is outside of their job description. I think it is that commitment by everyone to making an impact, that I enjoy most,” said Schermann.”