Welcome back to the SafeTREC Spotlight Series where we highlight a SafeTREC team member and share their stories, work and interest in the transportation and safety research realm. In today's post, meet Adrienne Joseph, SafeTREC Research Administrator.
Adrienne Joseph was born and raised in Oakland and currently resides in Vallejo, CA. Adrienne has been an employee at UC Berkeley for 20 years, and has been working at SafeTREC for almost 13 years. She is a Research Administrator and a member of the SafeTREC Admin team. Adrienne sets up contracts for independent contractors and subs, reviews their invoices, and submits them for payment with PI approval; reviews and approves project-related travel for SafeTREC employees; reconciles monthly expenditures; and assists with processing quarterly claims to a major funder.
Since working at SafeTREC and in academia, what are some of the most interesting or surprising things you've learned about transportation safety?
Prior to SafeTREC, I had the presumption that traffic safety referred to vehicle collisions only. I learned that there are so many facets involved in traffic and road safety. There are other important contributing factors such as pedestrians, road type and conditions, vehicle operations and more. In one of my previous jobs at the UC Berkeley Police Department, I remember hearing the acronym ”SWITRS,” and then when I came to SafeTREC, learning that TIMS (Transportation Injury Mapping System) uses SWITRS (California Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System). A lot of the projects that SafeTREC works on are inter-connected with policy implementation and evaluation, city planning, engineering design, and socio-economic equity.
While growing up in Oakland, I relied on public transit including AC Transit and BART. As an Oakland native, I've witnessed the abrupt, yet subtle changes over the years. The traffic from Vallejo to Oakland, and all across the Bay Area is getting worse everyday.
What issues are you particularly interested or passionate about?
I care about making a difference in all areas of my life from home and my community to work. I think it’s incredibly important to lead by example and to leave your footprint for the next person who comes behind you or who looks to you as a role model whether it be my family, colleagues, or others.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy reading, listening to music, baking, sewing, and crafting. I love spending time with my family, and also enjoy traveling, and having dialogue about self-care, love, and faith.
This Spotlight interview was conducted in collaboration with UC Berkeley SafeTREC. The opinions and perspectives expressed are those of the interviewee and not necessarily those of SafeTREC.
