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Former ITD engineer receives prestigious national award

Former ITD engineer James L. Pline, president of Pline Engineering, Inc. in Boise, was awarded the Theodore M. Matson Memorial Award at the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) 2004 annual meeting Aug. 1–4 in Lake Buena Vista, Florda.

The Idaho Transportation Board acknowledged Pline's achievements and the prestigious honor during its monthly meeting this week in Coeur d'Alene.

Pline’s continuing career spans almost 50 years and the sum of his contributions to the transportation profession is astounding. He has served as the editor of the Traffic Engineering Handbook, the Traffic Control Devices Handbook and the Traffic Safety Toolbox. Pline was an early proponent of developing a certification program to encourage practicing professionals to assess their comprehension of knowledge, skills and abilities. He worked for almost two decades to develop the criteria to earn a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer certification.

Pline has held elected offices at all levels of ITE, including serving as international president in 1989.

“Jim is an outstanding recipient for this award. Few transportation professionals have made an impact comparable to the contribution Jim has made toward the production of significant references and handbooks, professional development programs, personal mentoring and professional certification,” stated Steven Hofener, ITE international president.

The Theodore M. Matson Award has been awarded annually since 1957 and recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of traffic engineering. Each year, representatives from the following associations select the award recipient: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; American Road and Transportation Builders Association; Federal Highway Administration; Institute of Transportation Engineers, Intelligent Transportation Society of America; Theodore M. Matson and Associates; and Transportation Research Board.

For a complete listing of all award winners and photos from the ITE Annual Meeting and Exhibit, visit the ITE Web site at http://www.ite.org .

The Institute of Transportation Engineers is an international educational and scientific association of transportation professionals who are responsible for meeting mobility and safety needs.

Through its products and services, ITE promotes professional development of its members, supports and encourages education, stimulates research, develops public awareness programs and serves as a conduit for the exchange of professional education.

Founded in 1930, ITE serves as a gateway to knowledge and advancement through meetings, seminars and publications and through its network of more than 16,000 members working in more than 90 countries.