Home > About CTS > CTS Awards > John S. Adams Award for Excellence in Transportation Research and Education

CTS Awards

John S. Adams Award for Excellence in Transportation Research and Education

Purpose

The John S. Adams Award for Excellence in Transportation Research and Education is given to University of Minnesota graduate students demonstrating outstanding academic achievement in policy and planning fields. Up to two students will be honored each year (one master’s and one doctoral candidate). The award is named in honor of Professor Emeritus John S. Adams, a significant contributor to transportation-related research, education, and outreach activities and a long-time supporter of CTS.

2011 Recipients

David Coyle and Pavithra Parthasarathi

Two students received the 2011 John S. Adams Award.

David Coyle is a master’s candidate in the Department of Applied Economics. His thesis, “Minnesota Highways: Revenue Source or Revenue Sink,” explores the potential of mileage-based user fees. Coyle’s advisor, Associate Professor Gerard McCullough, was unable to attend the ceremony. In his place, Lee Munnich of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs said a few words. “David is very good at working with many masters,” he said, noting how Coyle worked with him, McCullough, and other researchers in their studies of fuel taxes and mileage fees.

Pavithra Parthasarathi is a doctoral candidate in civil engineering. Her research has focused on developing statistical and econometric models to understand travel behavior and network growth. Her advisor, David Levinson, said Parthasarathi has “done extremely well” and was “an excellent student.”

Past Recipients