ASCE has honored Kara M. Kockelman, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, with the 2020 Stephen D. Bechtel Jr. Energy Award for significant contributions to fields related to energy consumption by the transportation system, through extensive research on how electric, hybrid and autonomous vehicles impact energy consumption and how an inclusive energy perspective can better fit within the broader urban environment.
Kockelman is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering. Her primary focus is on transportation systems. Her research, publications and other contributions clearly demonstrate her extensive academic and research contributions to the energy aspects of mobility and technology and the numerous contributions she has made to the integration of energy and transportation.
One of the most significant contributions is her collaboration with students, both undergraduate and graduate. A review of her published papers and reports provides evidence of the priority she has given to the engagement of her students in her research and technical studies. She has addressed many aspects resulting from or surrounding the integration of energy topics and contemporary issues of mobility. Given the importance of this huge global, societal issue, she has been instrumental in motivating intellectual interest to support the topic of workforce development needs in this area, and the requirements necessary to address these trends and future issues as well as points of conflict that have developed.
Kockelman has coauthored numerous technical papers and research reports with her students and colleagues, and has delivered or shared numerous presentations at international and national conferences. Many of her former students have sought employment in positions with government agencies, academic institutions and private firms where their coursework and research are pertinent to these energy concerns and points of conflict.
The Stephen D. Bechtel Jr. Energy Award was established to recognize outstanding achievements in the energy field by a civil engineer.Â
