AASHTO Journal - AASHTO Makes A.I.I., USRN Committee Appointments

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials named a new chair and vice chair for Steering Committee for the AASHTO Innovation Initiative – known as A.I.I. – and appointed a new member of its Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering, known as USRN.

AASHTO appointed Shante Hastings, deputy secretary and chief engineer for the Delaware Department of Transportation, to a two-year term as chair of the A.I.I. steering committee.

During her 20-plus year career with the Delaware DOT, Hastings served as a project manager, assistant maintenance engineer, chief of performance management, deputy director of transportation solutions, and director of policy and performance before her promotion to chief engineer in June 2019 and additional promotion to deputy secretary in January.

Hastings graduated from the University of Delaware in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. She also serves as the Delaware DOT secretary’s designee on national policy issues and as the agency’s liaison with the Federal Highway Administration.

Alongside Hastings, AASHTO named Dara Wheeler – chief of research, innovation, and system information for the California Department of Transportation – to a two-year term as vice chair of A.I.I. steering committee.

A nearly 22-year veteran of Caltrans, Wheeler manages a staff of 150 engineers, planners, environmental researchers, and administrative personnel with an annual budget of nearly $70 million. Her division’s role within Caltrans is to meet the agency’s research needs to face the new challenges and opportunities in the transportation arena.

Wheeler is a graduate of San Diego State University with a degree in political science.

Finally, AASHTO appointed Dwane Kailey – highways and engineering administrator for the Montana Department of Transportation – to a four-year term as a Region 4 member of USRN, which is part of AASHTO’s Council on Highways and Streets.

The USRN advises the Council on Highways and Streets on actions to take regarding proposed revisions, additions, or deletions on the U.S. Numbered and Interstate Systems and is also in charge of implementing the U.S. Bicycle Route Numbering System.