Improving national road safety through research, technology deployment, and mentoring, advancing data‑driven solutions for safer communities
Inducted 2026
Hillary Isebrands earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in 1997. She entered the industry as a roadway designer and project manager. After several years in practice as a consultant, she returned to Iowa State to continue her education, completing her master’s degree in 2004. She conducted transportation research at Intrans/CTRE and co-taught graduate transportation courses. After finishing her doctoral coursework in 2007, she moved to Colorado with her family and completed her Ph.D. from there in 2011.
For nearly three decades, Isebrands has worked to improve road safety around the world. At the Federal Highway Administration, she has served as a leader for the Resource Center, Safety and Design Technical Service Team and now leads the Safety Design & Operations Team as an Acting Team Leader, additionally serving as the Intersection and Rural and Local Road Program Manager. Her commitment to implementing proven safety strategies has helped local agencies in more than 10 states develop data‑driven safety roadway safety plans. She also established the Local Road Safety Plans DIY website, which guides communities in creating safety plans tailored to their needs. In addition, Isebrands has led efforts to create and implement statewide roundabout programs in California, Ohio and Texas.
For rural communities, Isebrands oversees the National Center for Excellence for Rural Road Safety, providing resources for rural road owners. She led the center in developing and teaching a Rural Road Safety Champion certificate program and has advanced the Safe System Approach in rural areas, fostering collaboration between engineers and emergency responders to save lives.
Isebrands has been an active contributor to the field, publishing 13 peer‑reviewed articles, four book chapters, co‑authoring 11 research reports, and presenting at professional conferences. She also lends her expertise to committees within the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and the Transportation Research Board, helping strengthen the connection between research and practice. She maintains close ties to Iowa State, mentoring young engineers through the WiSE program and guest lecturing.
Through her leadership, research, and mentorship, Isebrands has directly reduced fatalities and injuries, shaped national design guidance and engineering practice, and supported the next generation of engineers.