Description:

Northwestern University Transportation Center presents:

"Forgiving Roads" 

Michael G. Dreznes
Executive Vice-President
International Road Federation (IRF)

ABSTRACT:

"Forgiving Roads" is a presentation that focuses on methods to identify and treat dangerous roadside hazards. Mike Dreznes, Executive Vice President of the International Road Federation, has made presentations on the concept of "Forgiving Roads" in over fifty countries around the world. Dreznes uses the presentation to explain the significance of the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide and NCHRP 350/MASH. He emphasizes the need for highway engineers to act responsibly and to understand today's technology in order to use products correctly, to make highways safer around the world and to meet the challenge of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.

SPEAKER BIO:

Michael G. Dreznes was hired by Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. in 1986 to create their International Department in Chicago, IL. He ultimately became the Vice President of Corporate Communications for Quixote Corporation, the parent company of Energy Absorption Systems, Inc., as well as eight other road safety companies. Dreznes also spent four years as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Barrier Systems Inc., a global leader in roadside safety products and solutions, featuring the innovative Quickchange Moveable Barrier being used around the world to safely mitigate traffic congestion. In 2012, Dreznes accepted his current position as the Executive Vice President of the International Road Federation, a global organization whose mission is to expand the use of roads worldwide, to improve roads and promote safer roads through technology transfer.

Dreznes grew up on the south side of Chicago, IL. He graduated from Loyola University in Chicago and received his MBA in Marketing from DePaul University. He and his wife of forty years, Margaret, live in downtown Chicago. They have three grown children and nine grandchildren.

Dreznes is Co-Chairman of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) AFB20 (2) Roadside Safety Sub-Committee on International Research Activities, a member of the PIARC Road Safety Technical Committee 3.2 Design and Operation of Safer Road Infrastructure, Co-Chairman of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) Pillar 2: Safer Roads and Mobility Project Group, and a member of TASK FORCE 13 Committee on Work Zone Safety.