Haslam Professor to Help Inform U.S. Transportation Policy

November 8, 2022

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) Executive Committee recently selected Yemisi “Yem” Bolumole as a member of its Committee on Impacts of Alternative Compensation Methods on Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Retention and Safety Performance. Her first meeting with the committee will be Wednesday, November 9.

Through her work with the committee, Bolumole, Ryder Professor in Supply Chain Management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business, will help research and formulate hypotheses on issues the committee is exploring related to the current shortage of over-the-road drivers. The committee will issue a final report with conclusions and recommendations that may ultimately be used by Congress to consider changes to the nation’s transportation policies.

TRB is one of seven program units of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which serves as the collective scientific national academy of the United States. These units provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation’s leaders and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve the nation to address transportation issues that affect us every day,” Bolumole said.

The committee will help identify what, if any, relationships exist between compensation methods and driver retention and safety behaviors that may yield potential solutions to the U.S. truck driver shortage.

“What we develop will aid in resolving adverse conditions in the transportation industry, which in turn will have a positive overall impact on driver safety and retention nationally,” Bolumole added.

John Bell, head of Haslam’s Department of Supply Chain Management, said Bolumole’s selection is a boon to the committee.

“Yemisi’s experience analyzing complex transportation challenges will strengthen the committee’s transportation industry knowledge base,” Bell said. “We are proud that she is receiving this recognition.”

Bolumole previously served as the director of the transportation and logistics program in the Coggin College of Business at the University of North Florida. A sought-after expert in third-party logistics and transportation policy, she has served as an advisory panel member for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority/Florida Department of Transportation Regional Transportation Agency Study. She is an editorial review board member for the Transportation Journal.

About the Transportation Research Board

As part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) provides leadership in transportation improvements and innovation through trusted, timely, impartial and evidence-based information exchange, research and advice regarding all modes of transportation. Established in 1920, TRB works with more than 7,000 engineers, scientists and other transportation experts from the public and private sectors and academia each year. These professionals contribute their expertise in the public interest by participating on TRB committees, panels and task forces.

CONTACT:

Scott McNutt, business writer/publicist, rmcnutt4@utk.edu