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Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Stocker Center
Athens, OH 45701

Deborah McAvoy

Deborah McAvoy
Associate Professor Civil Engineering
Stocker Center 220
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment
mcavoy@ohio.edu
740.593.1468

Deb McAvoy joined Ohio University in 2007. She received her Ph.D. from Wayne State University after working as a civil engineering consultant for 11 years. While pursuing her doctorate, McAvoy worked as the lead research engineer for the Wayne State University Transportation Research Group. McAvoy's research interest is in highway safety, traffic engineering, traffic signal system optimization and progression, roadway design and human factors engineering. She has worked on projects for the Ohio Department of Transportation, Michigan Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the United States Department of Justice, 3M, and other industry clients. As a part of these studies, she has conducted technical analyses for signal timing, congestion, crash, gap studies and has substantial experience in corridor progression and work zone safety analyses. She is a registered professional engineer in the states of Michigan and Ohio and certified as a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer through the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

Research Interests: highway safety, traffic engineering, traffic signal system optimization and progression, roadway design and human factors engineering

All Degrees Earned: Ph.D., Transportation Engineering, Wayne State University, 2007; M.S., Civil Engineering, Wayne State University, 2004; B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Detroit, 1994

Journal Article, Academic Journal (8)

  • Egilmez, G., Park, Y., McAvoy, D., Kucukvar, M. (2014). Integrating Self-Organizing Maps into Road Safety Benchmarking to Provide Improvement Paths:DEA-Based Kohonen Network Approach. Expert Systems with Applications.
  • Egilmez, G., McAvoy, D., Kucukvar, M. (2014). Benchmarking Crash Severity of the US States: A DEA-Based Malmquist Productivity Index Approach. International Journal of Transport Economics.
  • Egilmez, G., Kucukvar, M., McAvoy, D. (2014). An Automated Neural Network Model for Predicting US Road Fatalities. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence.
  • El-Dabaja, S., McAvoy, D. (2014). Application of the Highway Safety Manual Predictive Method: A Before/After Case Study of Ohio State Route 682 in The Plains, OH. Washington DC: Transportation Research Record.
  • Egilmez, G., Park, Y., McAvoy, D. (2014). Integrating Self-Organizing Maps into Road Safety Benchmarking to Provide Improvement Paths:DEA-Based Kohonen Network Approach. Washington DC: Transportation Research Record.
  • Finley, M., Jenkins, J., McAvoy, D. (2014). Motorists' Speed Response to Non-Variable and Variable Work Zone Speed LImits and Other Work Zone Conditions. Washington DC: Transportation Research Record.
  • McAvoy, D. (2012). Data Envelopment Analysis for Roadway Safety. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice.
  • McAvoy, D., Duffy, S., Whiting, H. (2011). Simulator Study of Precipitating Factors for Work Zone Crashes. Washington D.C.: Transportation Research Record; 2258: 32-39.

Journal Article, Professional Journal (7)

  • McAvoy, D. (2013). Benchmarking road safety of U.S. states: A DEA-based Malmquist productivity index approach. Psychology Press; http://psychologyprogress.com/benchmarking-road-safety-of-u-s-states-a-dea-based-malmquist-productivity-index-approach/.
  • McAvoy, D., Egilmez, G. (2013). Benchmarking Road Safety of US States: A DEA Based Malquist Productivity Index Approach. 1 January 2013. Accident Analysis and Prevention; 53: 55-64.
  • Schattler, K., McAvoy, D., Crist, M., Glauber, C. (2011). Impact of Signal Mounting Configurations on Red-Light Running at Urban Signalized Intersections. 2. Washington D.C.: ITE Journal/Institute of Transportation Engineers; 81: 22-30.
  • McAvoy, D., Duffy, S., Harry, W. (2011). Simulator Study of Precipitatign Factors for Work Zone Crashes. TBD. Washington D.C.: Transportation Research Record/Transportation Research Board of the National Academies.
  • McAvoy, D., Schattler, K., Datta, T. (2007). Driving Simulator Validation for Nighttime Construction Work Zone Devices. 2015. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Record 2015; 55-63.
  • Schattler, K., Wakin, J., Datta, T., McAvoy, D. (2007). Evaluation of Pedestrian and Driver Behavior at Countdown Pedestrian Signals. 2002. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Record 2002, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies; 98-106.
  • Schattler, K., Pellerito, J., McAvoy, D., Datta, T. (2006). Assessing Driver Distractions from Cell Phone Use While Driving: Simulator-Based Study. 1980. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Record Volume 1980; Safety and Human Performance; 87-94.

Conference Proceeding (21)

  • El-Dabaja, S., McAvoy, D. (2015). Application of the Highway Safety Manual Predictive Method: A Before/After Case Study of Ohio State Route 682 in The Plains, OH. Washington DC: Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
  • Egilmez, G., Park, Y., McAvoy, D. (2015). Integrating Self-Organizing Maps into Road Safety Benchmarking to Provide Improvement Paths:DEA-Based Kohonen Network Approach. Washington DC: Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
  • Finley, M., Jenkins, J., McAvoy, D. (2015). Motorists' Speed Response to Non-Variable and Variable Work Zone Speed LImits and Other Work Zone Conditions. Washington DC: Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
  • Celikbilek, C., McAvoy, D. (2014). Efficiency Assessment of Urban Transportation Systems: A DEA Approach. ISERC 2015 Annual Conference and Expo.
  • Celikbilek, C., McAvoy, D. (2014). Transportation Optimization for the State of Ohio's Inland Waterway System. ISERC 2015 Annual Conference and Expo.
  • McAvoy, D. (2013). All Weather Paint Field Evaluation. Washington DC: Institute of Transportation Engineers/ Technical Conference.
  • McAvoy, D. (2013). Benchmarking Road Safety of US States: A Frontier Approach. Washington DC: Transportation Researh Board/92nd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
  • McAvoy, D., Duffy, S., Harry, W. (2011). Simulator Study of Precipitating Factors for Work Zone Crashes. Washington D.C.: Compendium of Technical Papers of the 90th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
  • McAvoy, D. (2010). A Repeated Exposure Experiment to Improve Knowledge Retention . Louisville, Kentucky: Compendium of Technical Papers of the 2010 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition.
  • Dutta, U., McAvoy, D. (2010). Comparative Performacne Evaluation of SCATS and Pre-timed Control Systems. Arlington, Virginia: 2010 Annual Forum Conference Proceedings for the Journal of the Transportation Research Forum.
  • Savolainen, P., McAvoy, D., Datta, T., Reddy, V. (2009). Evaluation of a Motorist Awareness System. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD.
  • McAvoy, D., Datta, T., Savolainen, P., Reddy, V. (2009). Evaluation of Temporary Removable Rumble Strips for Speed Reduction. Washington, D.C.: Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD.
  • Fuquan, P., Jian, L., Qiajun, Z., McAvoy, D. (2008). Safety Based Signalized Intersection Level of Service. Beijing, China: Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Transportation and Development Innovative Practices.
  • Schattler, K., Christ, M., McAvoy, D., Glauber, C. (2008). Evaluation of Signal Mounting Configurations at Urban Signalized Intersections in Michigan and Illinois. Washington, D.C.: Compendium of Technical Papers of the 87th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
  • McAvoy, D., Schattler, K., Datta, T. (2007). Driving Simulator Validation for Nighttime Construction Work Zone Devices. Washington, D.C.: Compendium of Technical Papers of the 86th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
  • Schattler, K., Wakin, J., Datta, T., McAvoy, D. (2007). Evaluation of Pedestrian and Driver Behavior at Countdown Pedestrian Signals. Washington, D.C.: Compendium of Technical Papers of the 86th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
  • McAvoy, D., Schattler, K., Datta, T. (2006). A Study of the Effectiveness of Steady Burn Warning Lights on Drums in Construction Work Zones. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Compendium of the Institute of Transportation Engineers 2006 Annual Meeting and Exhibit.
  • Schattler, K., Pellerito, J., McAvoy, D., Datta, T. (2006). Assessing Driver Distractions from Cell Phone Use While Driving: Simulator-Based Study. Washington, D.C.: Compendium of Technical Papers of the 85th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
  • McAvoy, D., Schattler, K., Datta, T. (2006). Effectiveness of Steady Burn Warning Lights on Drums in Construction Work Zones. Washington, D.C.: Compendium of Technical Papers of the 85th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
  • Schattler, K., McAvoy, D., Datta, T. (2005). A Test and Validation of Traffic Performance Characteristics of a Traffic Signal System. Las Vegas, Nevada: published in the Compendium of Technical Papers of the Institute of Transportation Engineers 2005 Technical Conference and Exhibit.
  • Datta, T., Schattler, K., McAvoy, D., Chowdhury, F. (2005). Intersection Design to Maximize Flow and Safety. Las Vegas, Nevada: Compendium of Technical Papers of the Institute of Transportation Engineers 2005 Technical Conference and Exhibit.

Published Book Review (2)

  • El-Dabaja, S., Naik, B., McAvoy, D., Campbell, J. (2021). Cars are “Talking” and Their Drivers are “Listening”. Advances in Human Aspects of Transportation; 270: 196-205.
  • El-Dabaja, S., McAvoy, D., Naik, B. (2020). Alert! Automated Vehicle (AV) System Failure – Drivers’ Reactions to a Sudden, Total Automation Disengagement. Advances in Human Aspects of Transportation; 1212: 49-55.

Research Report (7)

  • Naik, B., Khoury, I., McAvoy, D., Horn, A., Matlack, G., Sinha, G., Gassaway, O. Effects of Tree Canopy on Pavement Condition, Safety and Maintenance. Phase 2.
  • Naik, B., Matlack, G., Khoury, I., Sinha, G., McAvoy, D. (2019). Effects of Tree Canopy on Pavement Condition, Safety, and Maintenance. Phase 1. Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Department of Transportation.
  • Jenkins, J., McAvoy, D. (2014). Evaluation of Traffic Flow Analysis and Road User Cost Tools Applied to Work Zones. Columbus, OH: Ohio Department of Transportation.
  • Datta, T., Gates, T., McAvoy, D. (2014). A Guide to Short-Term, Short-Duration and Mobile Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control . Washington DC: United States Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration.
  • McAvoy, D., Datta, T., Gates, T. (2014). A Guide to Urban Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control . Washington DC: United States Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration.
  • McAvoy, D., Theberge, R. (2014). Comparison and Testing of Various Noise Wall Materials. Columbus, OH: Ohio Department of Transportation.
  • F, M., Jenkins, J., McAvoy, D. (2014). Evaluation of Ohio Work Zone Speed Zones Process. Columbus, OH: Ohio Department of Transportation.

Technical Report (5)

  • Hopkins, C., Johnson, J., Kuchta, S., McAvoy, D., Popescu, V., Porter, S., Roosenburg, W., Sisson, G., Sperry, B., Trainer, M., Wiley, R. (2018). Effectiveness of Wildlife Mitigation Treatments along the Nelsonville Bypass. Columbus, OH: Ohio Department of Transportation.
  • Cunningham, C., McAvoy, D. (2011). Evaluation of All-Weather Paint for Work Zone Pavement Markings in North Carolina and Ohio. 150.
  • McAvoy, D. (2011). Work Zone Speed Reduction Utilizing Dynamic Speed Signs. Ohio Transportation Consortium; 30.
  • McAvoy, D. (2011). Evaluation of Transverse Rumple Strips. Cleveland State University Transportation Center; 25.
  • McAvoy, D., Busam, S., Fry, P. (2011). Evaluation of Color, Message and Placement of Billboards for Work Zone Safety Campaigns. Cleveland State University Transportation Center; 51.