Talking TWM: A Q&A With Our Transportation Group

TWM Contributor: Sheila Kimlinger, PE, SE
Vice President & Director of Transportation Services

The Road Ahead: Driving Innovative Solutions in Transportation Infrastructure

Every few months, we sit down with one of our engineering or surveying discipline leaders to get an inside look at what it’s like to work at TWM and how we provide Exceptional Service. Nothing Less.

This month, we’re highlighting Sheila Kimlinger, PE, SE and our transportation group of engineers who focus on designing transportation systems involving traffic, roadways, trail and pedestrian bridges, bike/shared-use paths, sidewalks, and pavement management. From preliminary design through construction, TWM’s well-rounded team understands how to help our clients find the best alignment between effectiveness, efficiency, and economy.

Sheila, how did you get where you are today?
Slow and steady! I was an unlikely candidate – a shy female from a small farming community, but I was driven, and good at math and science. I started at the University of IL and obtained both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I have worked for three different consultants, and one industry company (ADM). While I have both a PE license and an SE license, I eventually focused more on transportation than structural engineering. I am a consultant at heart! I enjoy delivering projects to our clients. I was lucky enough to land at TWM nearly 18 years ago when my husband was transferred to the area, and I’ve been here ever since!

What are the biggest challenges facing the civil engineering industry?
Right now it is labor! In the past, the main challenge was lack of funding sources for projects, but now funding isn’t the biggest issue. Most of the states we work in have passed their own gas tax increases, and the federal government has also boosted its funding as well. In the post-COVID world, the issue seems to be lack of workers at all levels – from agencies trying to manage their programs, to consultants doing the design, to contractors who build projects, and even with manufacturers/suppliers of materials.

What size communities do you serve?
Our transportation group enjoys the variety of clients we serve. Our smallest customers are townships and villages that don’t have their own engineering staff. Often, TWM serves as engineer either officially or unofficially, reviewing submittals, and assisting with planning and grant writing. These smaller communities have limited financial resources, so we try and find cost-effective solutions without compromising the safety or longevity of the roadway. We have been serving many of these communities for 10 or more years – we know their staff as well as the stakeholders in the community and we regularly engage them to ensure our roadway designs reflect the unique character and priorities of each client.

Our bigger clients include various larger counties and municipalities. These clients often have their own engineering departments, can provide their own grant writing and planning, and often rely on us more for engineering-specific projects.

TWM also provides pavement management to our larger clients, helping them objectively discern their roadway conditions and plan for a 5- or even 10-year maintenance plan that optimizes their financial investment. Some smaller clients also use pavement management to help plan out their roadway projects into the future, ensuring continuity between administrations and funding years.

What about DOTs – do you work with those also?
Yes, at the other end of the spectrum are our large state Departments of Transportation clients. They oversee expansive networks of highways, interstates, and bridges. DOTs use consulting engineers as an extension of their staff. We have completed very complex and interesting projects like new interchanges on the interstate system, large bridge replacements, and traffic modeling. We have also done smaller assignments like culvert designs and patch and overlay projects, depending on what is needed. TWM regularly works with both the Missouri DOT and the Illinois DOT.

How do you navigate complex regulations and funding requirements?
Almost every transportation project has some type of additional funding attached to it. Whether it’s a statewide program, federal gas tax funds, or local sales tax, there are always rules and regulations accompanying these funds. At TWM, we pride ourselves on our deep understanding of these regulations, including environmental permitting processes and compliance standards. By integrating this knowledge into every phase of our projects, we ensure that our designs meet technical specifications while upholding environmental stewardship and community needs. This approach serves to minimize project delays and risks while enhancing the positive impact of our work on the communities we serve, promoting sustainable and responsible infrastructure development.

How do you and your team approach the planning and design of a new roadway or trail project?
Approaching a new transportation project involves a structured process that ensures alignment with funding criteria and client expectations. Each project follows the “map” of the funding criteria. Most start with preliminary or conceptual design phases, which require client approval to proceed. Once approved, the focus shifts and we dig into detailed design, ensuring we meet all regulatory code and environmental permit requirements. Community engagement is crucial; often public meetings are held to present the design to the community and gather input. This feedback helps to refine the design plans before finalizing details and preparing specifications for the bidding process. Nearly all publicly funded projects are competitively bid to secure the most cost-effective solutions for taxpayers.

What are some innovative or sustainable transportation solutions to consider when designing/implementing projects?
The transportation industry plays a crucial role in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing traffic congestion. Strategies such as traffic analysis, optimized signal timing, and dedicated turn lanes are key tools in this effort. In heavily traveled corridors, ITS (intelligent traffic systems) can dynamically manage traffic flow, optimizing efficient movement in real-time. In addition, integrating bike and pedestrian accommodations that link residential and commercial spaces with popular destinations like restaurants and shopping centers provides communities with viable alternatives to car travel for short trips. Promoting green transportation not only reduces emissions but also encourages more active lifestyles among residents.

What motivates your group to provide the best services for your clients?
We have a seasoned, skilled team who take pride in applying our expertise to deliver roadway designs that not only comply with technical specifications and regulations but also enhance the quality of life for the communities where we serve and reside. Every project that’s delivered brings a smoother road, a better optimized traffic signal, ADA-compliant sidewalks, or bike trail connectivity in the community. These are all things our friends and neighbors use every day. And if we do our job right, these things will be here serving us all for many, many years!

What’s the future outlook of the industry?
Right now, there are several key factors shaping the evolving landscape of transportation engineering, including electric vehicles, smart and green technologies, urbanization, and environmental change. As we continue to navigate these innovations and challenges, one thing remains constant: our dedication to delivering excellence and innovation to every project we undertake.

The evolution of computer programs is also becoming more sophisticated and integral to our design process and is pivotal in bridging gaps caused by personnel shortages. Machines may automate tasks, but the human touch is irreplaceable in crafting practical, constructible solutions. Looking ahead, we at TWM are poised to leverage our expertise and passion for consulting to shape a future where sustainable, well-designed transportation networks continue to serve generations to come.

About TWM’s Transportation Group
TWM has a skilled team who provide a full range of design and construction observation services, bringing our clients established relationships with reviewing agencies such as the DOT, DNR / NRC, and USACE. We have designed dozens of miles of state highways and local roadways in the past five years. We have also completed traffic studies, held public meetings, negotiated purchase of land, and acquired necessary permits. TWM has designed several roundabouts, thousands of curb ramps, and the first diverging diamond interchange in IL.

Our typical transportation engineering projects include: