C. Michael Walton Speaks at Kent Lecture about "Tomorrow's Transportation"

The U.S. is facing a national transportation dilemma in system performance and funding, which will lead to dramatic changes in government policy. The next national transportation authorization is considered the most critical since 1956, the year the interstate highway system and the trust fund were founded. This bill will chart the path for transportation in the 21st century. With the current state of the U.S. infrastructure receiving "failing grades," new options for funding, such as the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax, must be explored.

These timely topics were the focus of discussion when the transportation group welcomed Dr. C. Michael Walton as its distinguished speaker for the Paul Fraser Kent Lecture on Thursday, April 9, 2009. A reception followed his talk, and the family of Paul Fraser Kent joined the audience as special guests.

Dr. Walton is Professor of Civil Engineering and holds the Ernest H. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin (UT). In addition, he holds a joint academic appointment in the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. For more than 35 years he has pursued a career in transport policy and engineering analysis. He is a past chair and member of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Executive Committee. As the National Research Council chair of the TRB Division he serves as an ex-officio member of the Governing Board of the NRC. Recently he was elected chairman of the Texas Department of Transportation's "2030 Committee." The committee, comprised of experts in business and transportation, is overseeing a comprehensive update of Texas transportation needs through the year 2030 Urban Land Institute. In addition to numerous other academic and professional awards and honors, including membership in the National Academy of Engineering, Dr. Walton currently has a research or consulting relationship with approximately 30 states, giving him a unique perspective on the nation's transportation challenges and vision.

The Paul F. Kent Distinguished Lecture, initiated in 2007, honors outstanding leadership in the field of transportation engineering. Paul Kent was a 1920 graduate of the University of Illinois in Civil Engineering. As a highway contractor and a materials supplier, he owned and operated two Champaign-based companies, General Paving and Builders Supply. Throughout his professional career he expressed his highest regard and great esteem for the education in civil engineering he received at the University of Illinois.

Mr. Kent dedicated himself to civic service in Illinois and surrounding states. He was the founder and president of the University of Illinois Civil Engineering Alumni Association, and was the recipient of the U of I Loyalty Award and the Civil Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award. Mr. Kent held memberships in the Chi Epsilon National Civil Engineering Honorary Fraternity and the University of Illinois Presidents Club, Foundation and Athletic Council. The Kent Distinguished Lectures are sponsored by the Paul F. Kent Memorial Fund, established in 1977 to support education in Transportation Engineering.

Photos: (top) Dr. Walton speaking; (below top)transportation faculty pose with Dr. Walton and the Kent family; (below middle) Amanda Bordelon and Professor Buttlar talk with Paul Fraser Kent's daughter Mary; (bottom) transportation faculty enjoy dinner with Dr. Walton