The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida is proud to announce that Executive Director Dr. Fred L. Mannering has been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Engineering (NAE) as a member of the Class of 2026. Election to the NAE is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer, recognizing individuals who have made outstanding and lasting contributions to the field.
The NAE announced its 2026 class on February 10, 2026, noting 130 newly elected members and highlighting the significance of their achievements in advancing engineering research, practice, and education.
Dr. Mannering was honored specifically “for contributions to transportation engineering data science and innovations in highway safety analytics,” a recognition reflecting decades of influential research that has shaped national and international approaches to roadway safety, econometric modeling, crash analysis, and transportation systems performance.
As Executive Director of CUTR and a professor in USF’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dr. Mannering has been at the forefront of developing statistical and econometric methods that are now foundational tools in transportation engineering. His scholarship and leadership have advanced CUTR’s mission of producing impactful, data-driven research that informs safer, smarter, and more resilient transportation systems.
Throughout his career, Dr. Mannering has received numerous awards for his contributions to transportation engineering and education, and he has been widely recognized as a global leader in transportation data analysis.
The NAE election process is highly selective, with members chosen by their peers for pioneering work that exemplifies engineering excellence and societal impact. New members will be formally inducted during the NAE Annual Meeting in the fall of 2026.
CUTR and the University of South Florida extend their warmest congratulations to Dr. Mannering for this remarkable achievement and for his continuing leadership in advancing the future of transportation research.
