Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty honored with 2014 NACTO Excellence in Leadership Award

San Francisco — The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) celebrated the vision and accomplishments of Malcolm Dougherty, Director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), awarding him the 2014 Excellence in Leadership Award for his support of a flexible approach to urban street design in the nation’s most populous state.

NACTO President and SFMTA Director Ed Reiskin presented Dougherty with the award at the opening reception of the NACTO Designing Cities Conference.

Dougherty has positioned Caltrans as a national leader on street design, updating its Highway Design Manual in 2012 to facilitate the design of complete streets and, in April 2014, endorsing the NACTO Urban Street Design Guide and Urban Bikeway Design Guide. Caltrans’ endorsement allows cities and towns in California to use the Guides both for designing local streets and in planning city streets that coincide with the state highway system.

“NACTO is proud to honor Malcolm Dougherty for his inclusive, city-friendly approach to streets,” said Director Reiskin. “Under his direction, Caltrans is swiftly becoming a model of how states can help make city streets into great places.”

“Malcolm Dougherty has moved California to the forefront of the nation, paving the way for both Caltrans and the nearly 500 cities in California to design streets that serve everyone.  We’re seeing more and more cities and states following his lead.” said Janette Sadik-Khan, NACTO Chair.

“I very much appreciate the recognition from NACTO acknowledging Caltrans’ efforts this past year to give appropriate consideration to all modes of travel when we implement transportation solutions,” Dougherty said. “Caltrans’ endorsement of these innovative street design options is an important part of modernizing our approach to improving transportation for all Californians.”