John R. Ellis
Senior Transportation Engineer, Regina Webster & Associates
Professional Engineer (P.E.)

John R. Ellis, P.E., brings a diverse background of engineering project management to his position. Mr. Ellis serves as a staff engineer and project manager for ongoing and new projects. Mr. Ellis is currently directing RWA staff on a project that will achieve Open Road Tolling for Plaza 51 (I-88 at York Road) operated by the Illinois Tollway. The work includes sign design of both large overhead truss signs and smaller ground mounted signs, barrier warranty analysis and design, and landscape design. Mr. Ellis has also been project manager for the McCormick Place Expansion Traffic Management Plan along with intersection design studies and signal plans associated with the expansion. Mr. Ellis is also project manager forthe reconstruction of traffic signals on 76th Street from Pulaski to Kostner in Chicago, as part of a new street construction program.

Prior to joining RWA, Mr. Ellis served as Transportation Engineer and Manager with TranSmart Technologies, a consulting firm involved in traffic engineering and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). He was involved in business development and project management for the Midwest region. Project assignments included Statewide Traffic and ITS Standards Development for Wisconsin DOT, I-90/94 ITS Earmark Evaluation for Wisconsin DOT, a Commercial Vehicle Operations/Advanced Travel Information System evaluation for Minnesota DOT, and coordination assistance for the Gary–Chicago–Milwaukee (GCM) Corridor Commercial Vehicle Work Group.

Mr. Ellis previously served as Assistant Chief Engineer for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) Bureau of Traffic where he managed traffic engineering projects, and led development of the City of Chicago’s ITS program. Representing the City of Chicago, Mr. Ellis participated in the early formation of key transportation and deployment planning. Initiatives included the GCM initial program plan and updates, the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) Strategic Early Deployment Plan (SEDP), the Tier I, II, and III Regional ITS Architecture workshops, and the RTA Regional Transit ITS Plan and Transit Traffic Signal Priority Plan development. In addition, Chicago’s ITS initiatives included the Chicago ITS Strategic Plan, the Chicago Traffic Management Center Phase I design study, the Cicero Avenue Smart Corridor Phase I and Phase II projects, Lakefront Highway Advisory Radio (1650 AM), surveillance cameras and a pilot Dynamic Message Sign (DMS) on Lake Shore Drive, and a Transit-Traffic Signal Feasibility Study for a segment of Western Avenue. Mr. Ellis’ CDOT traffic engineering experience included projects involving traffic signals, traffic safety, crash data program enhancement, bicycle program development, traffic signs, and pavement markings.

With over 26 years experience in the region, Mr. Ellis’ overall engineering work experience includes public and private sector work in environmental and water resource fields. Mr. Ellis holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota, a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University, and a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from Northwestern University. He currently serves as the Activities director for the Illinois Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

Regina Webster & Associates is licensed in the State of Illinois, and services projects located in the greater Chicago area and throughout the state.