• Volpe Overview
  • How to Contact the Volpe Center
  • Employee Directory
  • Directions to Volpe
  • Mission
  • Why Volpe Is Unique
  • Volpe’s Team
  • Key Officials
    • Robert C. Johns
    • Anne D. Aylward
    • David S. Ishihara
    • Helen A. Blackman
    • Dr. Marc B. Mandler
    • Dr. Richard R. John
    • William Henrikson
    • Monica Conyngham
    • Ellen E. Bell
    • Dr. Rachel H. Winkeller
    • Gregg G. Fleming
    • Michael G. Dinning
    • Robert M. Dorer
    • Steven R. Lang
    • Dr. Stephen M. Popkin
    • Gary T. Ritter
    • Susan M. Connors
    • Mary E. Doherty
    • David S. Duncan
    • Eric Frykenberg
  • History and John A. Volpe
  • Volpe Organizational Chart

Key Officials

Robert C. Johns, Director
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
Cambridge, MA 02142
617/494-2222 | robert.johns@dot.gov

Robert C. Johns was named Director of the U.S. Department of Transportation's John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in September 2009.

The Volpe Center is a unique, fee-for-service, federal resource for developing and facilitating innovations in the nation's transportation system, with multidisciplinary expertise in all modes of transportation. The Center supports the U.S. DOT's modal administrations and offices, other federal agencies, state and local government, and other organizations in the development of innovative approaches for meeting transportation challenges. The Volpe Center has about 570 federal employees, 420 on-site contractor employees, and 450 on-going projects, and annually obligates about $280 million.

In his role as Volpe Center Director, Johns has expanded outreach programs to the Center's many sponsors, calling for their ideas on how the Volpe Center can best address the nation's transportation challenges. This has led to new sponsored research and innovation programs requested by the U.S. DOT modal administrations and other federal agencies. He also has initiated thought leadership events on emerging transportation issues and increased the dissemination and accessibility of the Volpe Center's research and innovation results. In addition, he has led strategic planning and organizational improvements to better position and align the Center for continued success.

Nationally, Johns is active in the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies. From 2008 to 2011, he chaired the TRB Technical Activities Council, consisting of eleven Group chairs who oversee the research and outreach activities of 200 technical committees that address all aspects of transportation. In honor of his leadership for TRB and for the National Research Council, Johns has been named a National Associate by the National Academies of Sciences. In addition, Johns has served on the Executive Committee of the Council of University Transportation Centers, as a Board member for the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, and in leadership positions for the Intelligent Transportation Society of America.

Prior to joining the Volpe Center, Johns served as Director of the Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) at the University of Minnesota from 2001 to 2009. Previously, he served as the Center's deputy director and associate director. Before joining the University in 1988, he held research and management positions with the Santa Fe Railway, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities. He earned a B.S. degree in Engineering Operations from Iowa State University and M.B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Iowa.

Bob and his wife, Linda, live in Boston and have one daughter, Anna.