Robert E. Farris (–) was sworn in as Federal Highway Administrator on June 8, 1988, after serving as the FHWA's Deputy Federal Highway Administrator from August 1986. Before joining the FHWA, Farris was affiliated with the

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is a standards setting body which publishes specifications, test protocols, and guidelines that are used in highway design and construction throughout the United ...

, serving as Chairman of its Standing Committee on Aviation, and on the executive committee and Policy Board. Farris also was on the executive committee of the

Transportation Research Board The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is a division of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, formerly the National Research Council of the United States, which serves as an independent adviser to the President of the Uni ...

. In Tennessee, Farris served as Commissioner of the Department of Transportation from 1981 to 1985. He also was president of his own business, specializing in the marketing of competition swimwear. As administrator, Farris strengthened motor carrier regulations concerning the licensing and testing of truck and bus drivers. In addition, Farris initiated a series of studies to prepare the FHWA to meet the challenges of the future. In highway research and development, he established the design for an expanded program to address highway needs through the year 2020. Under the design, the FHWA would conduct research projects to solve problems in areas such as traffic congestion, highway safety, and environmental concerns.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Farris, Robert 1928 births 2013 deaths Administrators of the Federal Highway Administration American businesspeople Reagan administration personnel George H. W. Bush administration personnel