Sarah O’Brien recognized as APBP’s Researcher of the Year

In August 2024, Sarah O’Brien, Senior Research Associate at HSRC and member of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center team, was named Researcher of the Year at the 2024 Association of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Professionals (APBP) Annual Conference in Detroit, MI. O’Brien was recognized for her contributions to innovative research in two key areas: accessibility for people who are blind or have low vision, and pedestrian and bicyclist data.

According to an ABPB announcement, the “selection committee was impressed by the number of colleagues who collaborated to support her nomination, noting ‘her colleagues and peers value her guidance, mentorship, and expertise in navigating research processes.'”

One of her projects, sponsored by the Transit Cooperative Research Program, aimed to establish consistency in tactile walking surface indicators for wayfinding and their guidelines for use in multimodal environments. She also recently led a project for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, applying the 20-Flags method to analyze design flags and crash patterns, assessing their effectiveness in predicting crash scenarios. Through her role at PBIC, O’Brien also provides invaluable technical assistance to State bicycle and pedestrian coordinators and other practitioners.

Congratulations to Sarah, and thanks for being a passionate researcher committed to the safety of all road users of all ages and abilities.