The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) proudly announces the appointment of Heather Brutz, NCCETC’s Clean Transportation Program Director, to the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) Standing Committee on Maintenance Fleet and Equipment.
“I’m thrilled to join the TRB’s Maintenance Fleet and Equipment Committee,” shared Brutz. “This opportunity aligns perfectly with NCCETC’s mission to advance clean transportation solutions.”
The TRB’s Standing Committee on Maintenance Fleet and Equipment focuses on the selection, repair, replacement and management of maintenance equipment, as well as the development of skilled craftspeople to support these efforts.
TRB, one of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s seven program units, is dedicated to fostering innovation and advancement in transportation through rigorous research. Within an unbiased and interdisciplinary framework, TRB facilitates the exchange of knowledge and insights on transportation policies and practices among researchers and practitioners.
Moreover, TRB plays a crucial role in disseminating research findings widely and advocating for their practical implementation. It promotes research initiatives and provides management services to ensure technical excellence, offering expert guidance on transportation policies and programs.
Each year, TRB’s diverse activities engage over 5,000 professionals, including engineers, scientists, and transportation experts from various sectors and academia. The TRB Annual Meeting is one of the world’s largest transportation gatherings, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and administrators for hundreds of sessions and workshops related to a wide range of topics and transportation modes.
Brutz joined the TRB’s 2024 Annual Meeting in January, lending her expertise as a moderator for the panel “Transition of Construction and Off-Road Vehicles to Alternative Fuels”. “Dr. Leila Hajibabai from NC State University invited me to coordinate this session based on my experience in planning the annual Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference,” Brutz said. “It was gratifying to be able to support discussions that drive forward sustainable solutions in transportation.”
The 104th annual meeting will be held in Washington, DC on January 5-9, 2025. More information can be found online here and the full 2025 program will be posted there in November.
At the annual meeting, Brutz connected with the standing committee’s Chair, Henry Canipe, who encouraged her to submit her name for consideration to join as a member. Brutz’s appointment is a three year commitment, spanning until 2027.
As a member of the standing committee on Maintenance Fleet and Equipment, Brutz will help organize educational events, make recommendations on research topics and actively participate in and support the committee’s activities.
“I’m really looking forward to learning from the other members of the committee and, at the same time, leverage the experience I have to support the committee’s efforts, so I think this will be a mutually beneficial relationship,” Brutz said.
With her wealth of expertise and dedication to the cause, Brutz is poised to make valuable contributions to the committee’s initiatives as she embarks on this three-year appointment.