Photo of Eric Donnell

Eric Donnell

Associate Dean of Research
Professor

Affiliation(s):

  • Engineering Dean's Office
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering

102C Hammond Building

etd104@psu.edu

814-863-8458

Personal or Departmental Website

Research Areas:

Transportation Engineering

Interest Areas:

Highway and street design, highway safety, roadside design and management, speed management.

 
 

 

Education

  • BS, Civil Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 1996
  • ME, Civil (Transportation) Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 1998
  • Ph D, Civil (Transportation) Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 2003

Publications

Book Reviews

  • Eric T Donnell, 2013, Review of Fundamentals of Road Design by Wolfgang Kuhn, American Society of Civil Engineers, pp. 1146-1147

Journal Articles

  • A. Sengupta, Vikash Varun Gayah and Eric T Donnell, 2021, "Examining the impacts of crash data aggregation on SPF estimation.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 160, pp. 1-15
  • V. V. Gayah and Eric T Donnell, 2021, "Estimating Safety Performance Functions for Two-lane Rural Roads using an Alternative Functional Form for Traffic Volume.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 157, pp. 1-9
  • K. Wu, J. Aguero-Valverde and Eric T Donnell, 2021, "A Multivariate Random Parameter Crash Frequency Model for Exploring the Associations between Shoulder Rumble Strips on Different Crash Types.", Journal of Safety and Security, 13, (2), pp. pp. 158-179.
  • K. Wu, J. Aguero-Valverde and Eric T Donnell, 2021, "A Multivariate Random Parameter Crash Frequency Model for Exploring the Associations between Shoulder Rumble Strips on Different Crash Types.", Journal of Safety and Security, 13, (2), pp. 158-179
  • J. Wood and Eric T Donnell, 2020, "Empirical Bayes Before-after Safety Evaluation of Horizontal Curve Pavement Marking Warnings on Two-lane Rural Highways.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 146, pp. 6 pp.
  • L. Li and Eric T Donnell, 2020, "Incorporating Bayesian Methods into the Propensity Score Matching Framework: A No Treatment Effect Analysis.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 145, pp. 11 pp.
  • H. Tang, Vikash Varun Gayah and Eric T Donnell, 2020, "Crash modification factors for adaptive traffic signal control: An Empirical Bayes before-after study.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 144, pp. 8 pp.
  • S. C. Himes and Eric T Donnell, 2020, "Safety Effects of Geometric Design Criteria: Horizontal Curve Reliability Index.", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2674, (9), pp. pp. 627-636.
  • Houjun Tang and Eric T Donnell, 2019, "Application of a Model-based Recursive Partitioning Algorithm to Predict Crash Frequency.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 132, pp. 9 pp.
  • H. Tang, V. G. Gayah and Eric T Donnell, 2019, "Evaluating the Predictive Power of an SPF for Two-lane Rural Roads with Random Parameters on Out-of-Sample Observations.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 132, pp. 11 pp.
  • K. Wu, J. Aguero-Valverde and Eric T Donnell, 2019, "A Multivariate Random Parameter Crash Frequency Model for Exploring the Associations between Shoulder Rumble Strips on Different Crash Types.", Journal of Safety and Security, pp. 22 pp.
  • D. Cook, D. W. Harwood, I. Potts, Eric T Donnell and B. Hamadeh, 2019, "Reliability Analysis for Roadway Curves with Horizontal Sightline Obstructions.", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2673, (8), pp. 611-622
  • K. M. Kersavage, J. D. Bullough, N. P. Skinner, P. M. Garvey, Eric T Donnell and M. S. Rea, 2019, "Driver Behavior in Response to Flashing Lights.", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, pp. pp. 1-6
  • S. C. Himes, R. J. Porter, I. Hamilton and Eric T Donnell, 2019, "Safety Evaluation of Geometric Design Criteria: Horizontal Curve Radius and Side Friction Demand on Rural, Two-Lane Highways", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, pp. pp. 516-525.
  • I. Hamilton, S. Himes, R. J. Porter and Eric T Donnell, 2019, "Safety Evaluation of Horizontal Alignment Design Consistency on Rural Two-Lane Highways.", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, pp. pp. 628-636.
  • V. G. Gayah, Eric T Donnell, Zhengyao Lu and Lingyu Li, 2018, "Safety and Operational Effects of Speed Limits Set Lower than Engineering Recommendations.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, pp. 43-52
  • J. P. Gooch, V. G. Gayah and Eric T Donnell, 2018, "Estimation of Safety Performance on Horizontal Curves of Two-lane, Two-way Rural Highways.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 120, pp. 28-37
  • K. M. Kersavage, N. P. Skinner, J. D. Bullough, P. M. Garvey, Eric T Donnell and M. S. Rea, 2018, "Determination of Optimal Intensities and Periods for Flashing Yellow Warning Beacons Using Field Experiments.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 119, pp. 23-28
  • C. Lyon, B. N. Persaud and Eric T Donnell, 2018, "Safety Effects of the SafetyEdge Treatment on Two-lane Rural Highways", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2672, pp. 1-8
  • V. G. Gayah, L. Li and Eric T Donnell, 2017, "Development of Regionalized Safety Performance Functions for Two-lane Rural Roads in Pennsylvania.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 108, pp. pp. 343-353
  • J. S. Wood and Eric T Donnell, 2017, "Causal Inference Framework for Generalizable Safety Effect Estimates.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 104, pp. pp. 74-87
  • J. S. Wood and Eric T Donnell, 2017, "Stopping Sight Distance and Available Sight Distance: A New Model and Comparison Using Reliability Theory.", Transportation Research Record, Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2638, pp. pp. 1-9
  • L. Li, S. I. Guler and Eric T Donnell, 2017, "Pavement Friction Degradation based on Pennsylvania Field Test Data.", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2639, pp. pp. 11-19
  • J. S. Wood, Eric T Donnell and C. J. Fariss, 2016, "A Method to Account for and Estimate Underreporting in Crash Frequency Research.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 95, pp. 57-66
  • J. S. Wood and Eric T Donnell, 2016, "Safety Evaluation of Continuous Green T Intersections: A Propensity Scores-Genetic Matching-Potential Outcomes Approach.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 93, pp. 1-13
  • J. P. Gooch, V. G. Gayah and Eric T Donnell, 2016, "Estimating the Safety Effects of Horizontal Curves on Pennsylvania Two-Lane Rural Roads.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 92, pp. 71-81
  • J. Aguero-Valverde, K. F. Wu and Eric T Donnell, 2016, "A Multivariate Spatial Crash Frequency Model for Identifying Sites with Promise based on Crash Types.", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 87, pp. 8-16
  • Eric T Donnell, J. S. Wood, S. C. Himes and D. J. Torbic, 2016, "Use of Friction in Horizontal Curve Design: A Margin of Safety Assessment", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, (2588), pp. 61-70
  • J. S. Wood, J. P. Gooch and Eric T Donnell, 2015, "Estimating the Safety Effects of Lane Widths on Urban Streets in Nebraska Using the Propensity Scores-Potential Outcomes Framework", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 82, pp. 180-191
  • C. M. Morris and Eric T Donnell, 2014, "Passenger Car and Truck Operating Speed Models on Multi-lane Highways with Steep Grades", Journal of Transportation Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers, 140, (11), pp. 10
  • L. Sasidharan and Eric T Donnell, 2014, "Propensity Scores-Potential Outcomes Framework to Incorporate Severity Probabilities in the Highway Safety Manual Crash Prediction Algorithm", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 71, pp. 183-193
  • K. F. Wu, Eric T Donnell and J. Aguero-Valverde, 2014, "Relating Crash Frequency and Severity: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Shoulder Rumble Strips on Reducing Fatal and Major Injury Crashes", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 67, pp. 86-95
  • J. S. Wood and Eric T Donnell, 2014, "Stopping Sight Distance and Horizontal Sightline Offsets at Horizontal Curves", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2436, pp. 43-50
  • D. J. Torbic, Eric T Donnell, S. N. Brennan, A. Brown, M. K. O'Laughlin and K. M. Bauer, 2014, "Superelevation Design for Sharp Horizontal Curves on Steep Grades", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2436, pp. 81-91
  • K. F. Wu, Eric T Donnell, S. C. Himes and L. Sasidharan, 2013, "Exploring the Association between Traffic Safety and Geometric Design Consistency Based on Vehicle Speed Metrics", Journal of Transportation Engineering, 139, (7), pp. 738-748
  • S. C. Himes, Eric T Donnell and R. J. Porter, 2013, "Posted Speed Limit: To Include or Not Include in Speed Prediction Models?", Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 52, (6), pp. 23-33
  • J. D. Bullough, Eric T Donnell and M. Rea, 2013, "To Illuminate or Not to Illuminate: Roadway Lighting as it Affects Traffic Safety", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 53, (4), pp. 65-77
  • L. Sasidharan and Eric T Donnell, 2013, "Application of Propensity Scores and Potential Outcomes to Estimate Effectiveness of Traffic Safety Countermeasures: Exploratory Analysis using Intersection Lighting Data", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 50, pp. 539-553
  • R. J. Porter, Eric T Donnell and J. M. Mason, 2012, "Geometric Design, Speed, and Safety", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2309, pp. 39-47
  • W. Hu and Eric T Donnell, 2011, "Severity Models of Cross-median and Rollover Crashes on Rural Highways in Pennsylvania", Journal of Safety Research, 42, (5), pp. 375-382
  • I. U. Cruzado and Eric T Donnell, 2011, "Models of Vehicle Operating Speeds along Two-lane Rural Highway Transition Zones: Panel and Multilevel Modeling Approaches", Transportation Letters: The International Journal of Transportation Research, 3, (4), pp. 265-278
  • F. Gross and Eric T Donnell, 2011, "Case Control and Cross-sectional Methods for Estimating Crash Modification Factors: Comparisons from Roadway Lighting and Lane and Shoulder Width Safety Effect Studies", Journal of Safety Research, 42, (2), pp. 117-129
  • V. Karwa and Eric T Donnell, 2011, "Predicting Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity Degradation Using Artificial Neural Networks: An Exploratory Analysis", Journal of Transportation Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers, 137, (2), pp. 91-103
  • S. C. Himes, Eric T Donnell and R. J. Porter, 2011, "Some New Insights on Design Consistency Evaluations for Two-lane Highways", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, (2262), pp. 31-41
  • V. Karwa, A. B. Slavkovic and Eric T Donnell, 2011, "Causal Inference in Transportation Safety Studies: Comparison of the Potential Outcomes and Causal Diagrams", Annals of Applied Statistics, 5, (2B), pp. 1428-1455
  • Eric T Donnell, R. J. Porter and V. N. Shankar, 2010, "Framework for Assessing the Safety Effects of Roadway Lighting", Safety Science, 48, (10), pp. 1436-1444
  • W. Hu and Eric T Donnell, 2010, "Median Barrier Crash Severity: Some New Insights", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 42, (6), pp. 1697-1704
  • J. S. Stine, B. C. Hamblin, S. N. Brennan and Eric T Donnell, 2010, "Analyzing the Influence of Median Cross-section Design Using Vehicle Dynamics Simulations", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 42, (6), pp. 1769-1777
  • W. Hu and Eric T Donnell, 2010, "Models of Acceleration and Deceleration Rates on a Complex Two-lane Rural Highway: Results from a Nighttime Driving Experiment", Transportation Research Part F, 13, (6), pp. 397-408
  • S. C. Himes and Eric T Donnell, 2010, "Speed Prediction Models for Multi-lane Highways: A Simultaneous Equations Approach", Journal of Transportation Engineering, 136, (10), pp. 855-862
  • I. U. Cruzado and Eric T Donnell, 2010, "Factors Affecting Driver Speed Choice along Two-Lane Rural Highway Transition Zones", Journal of Transportation Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers, 136, (8), pp. 755-764
  • D. J. Torbic, J. M. Hutton, C. D. Bokenkroger, K. M. Bauer, Eric T Donnell, B. Persaud and C. Lyon, 2010, "Guidance on the Design and Application of Rumble Strips", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2149, Washington, DC, pp. 59-69
  • Eric T Donnell, B. P. Stodart, F. Gross and K. S. Opiela, 2009, "Appraisal of the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model's Accident Prediction and Design Consistency Modules: Case Studies from Pennsylvania", Journal of Transportation Engineering, 135, (2), pp. 62-72
  • Eric T Donnell, V. Karwa and S. Sathyanaraynan, 2009, "Analysis of Effects of Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity on Traffic Crash Frequency on Highways in North Carolina: Application of Artificial Neural Networks and Generalized Estimating Equations", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2103, pp. 50-60
  • I. U. Cruzado and Eric T Donnell, 2009, "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Dynamic Speed Display Signs in Transition Zones of Two-Lane Rural Highways in Pennsylvania", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2122, pp. 1-8
  • Eric T Donnell, S. C. Himes, K. M. Mahoney and R. J. Porter, 2009, "Understanding Speed Concepts: Key Definitions and Case Study Examples", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2120, pp. 3-11
  • Eric T Donnell, G. R. Chehab, X. Tang and D. Schall, 2009, "Exploratory Analysis of Accelerated Wear Testing to Evaluate Performance of Pavement Markings", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2107, pp. 76-84
  • L. Sasidharan, V. Karwa and Eric T Donnell, 2009, "Use of Pavement Marking Degradation Models to Develop a Pavement Marking Management System", Public Works Policy and Management, 14, (2), pp. 148-173
  • Eric T Donnell, H. J. Sommer, P. M. Garvey, S. C. Himes and D. J. Torbic, 2009, "Statistical Model of In-vehicle Noise Generated by Highway Rumble Strips", International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration, 5, (4), pp. 308-328
  • B. P. Stodart and Eric T Donnell, 2008, "Speed and Lateral Vehicle Position Models from a Controlled Nighttime Driving Experiment", Journal of Transportation Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers, 134, (11), pp. 443-449
  • T. G. Kim, Eric T Donnell and D. Lee, 2008, "Use of Cultural Consensus Analysis to Evaluate Expert Feedback of Median Safety", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 40, (4), pp. 1458-1467
  • S. Sathyanarayanan, V. N. Shankar and Eric T Donnell, 2008, "A Weibull Analysis of Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity Inspection Data", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2055, pp. 63-70
  • D. Lee and Eric T Donnell, 2007, "Analysis of Nighttime Driver Behavior and Pavement Marking Effectiveness Using Fuzzy Inference System", Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 21, (3), pp. 200-210
  • M. T. Pietrucha, Eric T Donnell, P. Lertworawanich and L. Elefteriadou, 2006, "Effects of Traffic Characteristics and Mounting Location on the Visibility of On-Premise Commercial Signs", Journal of Transportation Engineering, 132, (11), pp. 862-871
  • Eric T Donnell and J. M. Mason, 2006, "Predicting the Frequency of Median Barrier Crashes on Pennsylvania Interstates", Accident Analysis and Prevention, 38, (3), pp. 590-599
  • D. Lee, M. T. Pietrucha and Eric T Donnell, 2006, "Incorporation of Transportation Experts Opinions of Median Safety Using Hierarchical Fuzzy Inference System", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, pp. 34-43
  • Eric T Donnell and J. M. Mason, 2006, "Methodology to Develop Median Barrier Warrant Criteria", Journal of Transportation Engineering, 132, (4), pp. 269-281
  • Eric T Donnell and J. M. Mason, 2005, "Predicting the Severity of Median-related Crashes in Pennsylvania using Logistic Regression", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1897, pp. 55-64
  • R. J. Porter, Eric T Donnell and K. M. Mahoney, 2004, "Evaluation of Effects of Centerline Rumble Strips on Lateral Vehicle Placement and Speed", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1862, pp. 10-16
  • Eric T Donnell, D. W. Harwood, K. M. Bauer, J. M. Mason and M. T. Pietrucha, 2002, "Cross-median Collisions on Pennsylvania Interstates and Expressways", Transportation Research Record, Transportation Research Record 1784, National Research Council, Transportation Research Board, pp. 91-99
  • Eric T Donnell, Y. Ni, M. Adolini and L. Elefteriadou, 2001, "Speed Prediction Models for Trucks on Two-lane Rural Highways", Transportation Research Record, Transportation Research Record 1751, pp. 44-55
  • Eric T Donnell, M. L. Patten and J. M. Mason, 1999, "Evaluating a Roadside Assistance Program: The Penn-Lincoln Parkway Service Patrol", Transportation Research Record, Transportation Research Record 1683, pp. 143-149
  • D. Cook, D. W. Harwood, I. Potts, Eric T Donnell and B. Hamadeh, , "Reliability Analysis for Roadway Curves with Horizontal Sightline Obstructions.", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, pp. 20 pp.

Magazines/Trade Publications

  • Eric T Donnell, K. Kersavage and A. Zineddin, 2018, "Self-Enforcing Roadways.", Public Roads, 82, (3), pp. pp. 4-8
  • J. D. Bullough, Eric T Donnell and M. S. Rea, 2013, "Roadway intersections, lighting and safety", International Municipal Signal Association Journal, 51, (5), pp. 32-35, 60

Other

  • W. Carry, Eric T Donnell, Z. Rado, M. Hartman and S. Scalici, 2012, "Red Bus Lane Treatment Evaluation", pp. 31
  • Eric T Donnell, S. C. Himes and J. M. Mason, 2008, "Highway Safety Manual: Policy Issues"
  • Eric T Donnell, J. M. Mason and Jr., 2007, "Context-Sensitive Design for Highways and Streets", pp. 305-330
  • Eric T Donnell, K. M. Mahoney and J. M. Mason, 2003, "Design Exceptions and Context-Sensitive Design", pp. 8
  • Eric T Donnell, K. M. Mahoney and J. M. Mason, 2002, "Relationship between Design Speed, Operations Speed, and Posted Speed Limits", pp. 13
  • K. M. Mahoney, Eric T Donnell and J. M. Mason, 2002, "Context-sensitive Design: A Challenge for Engineers"
  • Eric T Donnell, M. A. Adolini, D. J. Torbic, J. M. Mason and L. Elefteriadou, 2001, "Truck Safety Considerations for Geometric Design and Traffic Operations", pp. 16
  • Eric T Donnell, D. W. Harwood, K. Bauer and J. M. Mason, 2001, "Analysis of Highway Median Safety in Pennsylvania", pp. 12

Research Projects

Honors and Awards

Service

Service to Penn State:

Service to External Organizations: