FREDERICTON (GNB) – University of New Brunswick (UNB) professor Eric Hildebrand is among those chosen for this year's Canadian Transportation Awards, administered by the Transportation Association of Canada.

The awards were presented during the association's annual national conference in Fredericton this week. Hildebrand received the 2012 Award of Academic Merit for his long-term contribution to the advancement of the academic field and to the development of future leaders in transportation.

"I am pleased and proud that Professor Hildebrand and the University of New Brunswick have received this national recognition," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams. "It is an indication of the expertise of our academic community and of transportation professionals in New Brunswick."

Hildebrand began his career as an assistant professor of civil engineering at UNB. In addition to his current teaching duties, he serves as director of graduate studies in civil engineering and co-ordinator of the university's transportation group. A recipient of several excellence in teaching awards, he has supervised more than 20 Masters and Ph.D. students in transportation engineering and has also delivered teaching courses internationally.

As a road safety expert, Hildebrand has participated in numerous road safety audits of major highway facilities in Canada and has conducted important funded research in support of improving safety for elderly drivers. He has also been featured in MacLean's Guide to Canadian Universities.

Other award recipients include Mary-Jane Gravelle, director of Accessible Transportation for the Canadian Transportation Agency in Ottawa, who received the 2012 Award of Achievement; Biljana Rajlic, vice-president at Hatch Mott MacDonald Canada, who received the 2012 Award of Excellence; and Gerry Forbes, president and chief engineer of Intus Road Safety Engineering Inc. in Burlington, Ont., who received the 2012 award for Transportation Person of the Year.

The Transportation Association of Canada is a not-for-profit, membership-based association which serves as a neutral forum for exchanging ideas, information and knowledge on technical guidelines and best practices in Canada's transportation and roadways sectors. The association also promotes the importance of transportation to Canada's economic and social well-being as well as safe, secure, efficient and environmentally and financially sustainable transportation services.


18-10-12