Meet Kenedee Ludwar: Profile of a TAC Volunteer

This article is part of a series profiling some of TAC’s volunteers. Learn more about TAC’s volunteer structure, the role of volunteers and the benefits of volunteering.

Introducing Kenedee Ludwar – a TAC volunteer who works at the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. We interviewed Kenedee about her experience as a TAC Volunteer and working in the transportation sector.

TAC: Tell us about yourself!

KL: I grew up in a small community in Saskatchewan before making my way out to Vancouver to study Applied Science at the University of British Columbia. While I was studying, I took an opportunity to work for a municipal government and then in the private sector. This experience led to my newly-discovered passion for the public service and to make a difference within my community. This is why when I was given the opportunity to join the Engineer In Training (EIT) program at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in BC, I jumped at the chance and never looked back. As part of this program, I was able to experience various areas of engineering, from operations to planning to policy throughout the province. My final rotation as an EIT was in the traffic engineering section and I was hooked. I am a self-proclaimed “traffic signal” nerd and still love to observe how people behave at intersections.

Throughout my career, I have worked as a Traffic Operation Engineer and a Manager of Traffic Operations and Highway Design. Currently, I am the Director of Transportation Systems and Road Safety Engineering and I absolutely love what I do, every day. 

Away from work, I love to spend time camping and hanging out at the lake with my husband, Shawn, and two children, Alex (6) and Mathias (9).

FUN KENEDEE FACT:

As a family, we love to travel and explore BC. To keep long car rides interesting, we play a road sign guessing game. My kids have started identifying warning signs by their numbers. I’m grooming them early for a possible career in transportation.

TAC: What led you to a career in the transportation sector?

KL: Quite a few years before I started my current role as Director of Transportation Systems and Road Safety Engineering, I was studying applied science at UBC. I was planning on becoming a structural engineer, however, after taking a third-year transportation engineering course, I was inspired to look at a career in the transportation field. I was intrigued by the uniqueness of the field where you also have to consider human elements, which can sometimes be unpredictable.

TAC: What professional achievement are you most proud of? 

KL: I am extremely proud to work in an environment where, and with people who, are always looking at and considering ways to advance our transportation network and safety initiatives. It is a truly exciting time to be in the transportation industry as technology and how people get around is constantly changing. Most recently, I was involved in the latest Variable Speed Limit System project that not only slows traffic down for weather conditions but will reduce speed in advance of congestion.

TAC: Tell us about your history as a TAC volunteer.

KL: My first experience with TAC was as a volunteer at the Vancouver conference in 2009 where I was fortunate to act as a room host and have the opportunity to listen in on many sessions filled with industry and academic experts. In 2016, I really became involved in TAC when our Executive Director of Engineering Services, Ed Miska, handed the reins over to me as the BC rep on the Traffic Operations and Management Committee. In that time, I have participated in volunteer and pool-funded projects, including the current update to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCDC), and was honored to be the Vice-Chair, now Chair, of the new Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Taskforce.

TAC: How has volunteering with TAC helped you?

KL: The best part of being involved in TAC is the opportunity to build relationships with others from around the country. Whenever I face a challenge in my work, I know I have a network of friends and colleagues I can turn to for help and support. TAC has offered me an amazing network to be a part of.

TAC: Tell us about a challenge that you would like to help solve.  

KL: Technology is constantly changing, and it is having a huge impact on the transportation industry. I want to help find ways to cost-effectively integrate new technology to further improve the safety of our roads for all users.

TAC: What advice would you give someone just starting out in the transportation sector?

KL: TThis may be cliché, because it is, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. My advice for anyone starting out in any career, including transportation, is to find something you are passionate about. It will never feel like work if you are doing something you love.