Featured in Technology Today (Volume 39, Issue 4), a quarterly publication of the Louisiana Transportation Research Center.
If you’re reading this article, you’re a beneficiary of the work of LTRC’s talented and hard-working Publications Team. The team’s ways of creatively telling LTRC’s story, however, extend far beyond just this newsletter. From editing to design and videography to social media, team members Emily Wolfe, Chris Melton, Jenny Gilbert, Corey Mayeux, and Todd Blount work each day to connect the innovative research, technology transfer, and training activities happening at LTRC to the transportation community locally, nationally, and globally. Here are a few of the ways this team leverages these skills to make this vision a reality:
Editorial Services
In partnership with Technology Transfer Engineer Corey Mayeux, Manager of Technical Publications Todd Blount oversees the editorial and publishing process for all of LTRC’s research and training documents, including Project Capsules, Final Reports, Technical Summaries, and Training Manuals. This service enables the center’s researchers and trainers to share the results of their work with the broader transportation community in a clear and compelling way. Blount and Multimedia Manager Jenny Gilbert also ensure accessibility compliance for all LTRC publications.
Newsletters and Reports
The team also writes, designs, and publishes LTRC’s Annual Report, Annual Work Program, Technology Today newsletter, and LTAP’s Technology Exchange newsletter in both print and digital formats. These publications, distributed to a broad range of constituencies across Louisiana and beyond, highlight the innovative and excellent work happening at the center on a daily basis.
Graphic Design and Social MEdia
Gilbert designs and manages the content on primary LTRC and LTAP websites, as well as overseeing content creation and scheduling for each of the center’s social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube). Additionally, Gilbert, Blount, and Public Information Director Emily Wolfe manage all of the center’s email marketing efforts via Constant Contact. Gilbert shares her passion for this essential work: “As the web, social media, and graphic design manager, I ensure LTRC’s digital presence is functional, engaging, and reflective of our work and impact. From maintaining our website to creating visual content and sharing our work across platforms, I enjoy combining creativity, communication, and design to highlight the impactful research, training, and accomplishments we carry out here at LTRC.”
Photography, Videography, and Production
Multimedia Producer Chris Melton also provides a variety of multimedia production services to LTRC, LTAP, and Louisiana DOTD as a whole. These include event photography (e.g., Louisiana Transportation Conference, AASHTO special meetings, Maintenance ROADEO, etc.), filming and production for LTRC and DOTD video projects, and other special projects as needed. One of the team’s newest and most exciting innovations are Video Summaries of selected research projects.
Registration Management Oversight
Wolfe is also responsible for the creation and operation of LTRC’s Registration Management System (RMS), which processes registrations and payments for all of the center’s sponsored classes, workshops, conferences, etc. This management includes ongoing financial reporting, maintaining e-commerce compliance, and providing customer service for system users and administrators. Wolfe is excited for the opportunity she and her team have to serve such a broad range of individuals and groups through the diverse efforts described above. She explains:
“It is our team’s privilege to showcase the important work happening every day at LTRC. We provide in-house marketing and communications expertise in a variety of areas. From documenting formal research results and designing branding elements to publicizing trainings available to the transportation community and handling the logistics of our custom registration system, we strive to shine a light on the value LTRC brings to Louisiana.” - Emily Wolfe, Public Information Director
To stay up to date on the Publications Team’s latest work, visit the LTRC website at ltrc.lsu.edu and follow the center on Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.