We are pleased that Beverly Wagner has joined our transportation engineering team. Beverly joined Wells + Associates after serving as a transportation planner for the Fairfax County Department of Transportation and working in transportation planning and traffic operations at a major engineering and planning firm.
Welcome to Wells + Associates, Beverly!
Q: You worked at the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. What can you tell us about that experience?
A: My experience at FCDOT gave me valuable insight into Fairfax County code and how local transportation policies are implemented, especially through my work on the on-street parking program. It has helped me understand the process of bringing items before the Board of Supervisors and strengthened my familiarity with different land uses, which now helps me better anticipate county requirements and support developer clients more effectively.
Q: What attracted you to work in the field of transportation and traffic engineering?
A: What attracted me to transportation and traffic engineering is the ability to make communities more connected, accessible, and safer for everyone. I also love that the field blends analytical thinking with creative problem-solving, allowing me to use data to develop thoughtful solutions that positively impact how people move through their everyday lives.
Q: Prior to FCDOT, you worked at another firm as a Transportation Planning and Traffic Operations Analyst. What experiences did you have in this role?
A: I focused on traffic modeling and forecasting for arterials and freeway systems. While I regularly assisted with Traffic Impact Analyses (TIAs), the core of my experience focused on large-scale projects, specifically Interchange Access Reports (IARs). I contributed to geometric and operational solutions, using data visualization to demonstrate operational impacts. This experience has helped me become a well-rounded analyst.
Q: Do you have any particular thoughts on how the development and management of parking has been changing?
A: I feel like as transit networks grow and neighborhoods become more walkable, the need for massive off-street parking lots is naturally shrinking. A prime example of this shift is the Virginia Assembly’s recent approval of House Bill 888, which tackles outdated off-street parking minimums. Instead of building excess parking, the industry is moving toward smarter shared spaces and proactive transportation alternatives. Ultimately, the focus is shifting from storing cars to prioritizing how people move, allowing us to repurpose valuable urban space for more vibrant communities.
Q: Have your travels abroad given you any insights about the nature of and role of transportation infrastructure in society?
A: Traveling to Japan completely shifted my perspective on regional connectivity after experiencing the Shinkansen (bullet train). Unlike the US, where long-distance travel is heavily reliant on highways and aviation, Japan revolutionized regional transit by building a completely dedicated, grade-separated rail network entirely separate from freight traffic. Witnessing a high-speed system that safely moves millions of passengers with unparalleled frequency and less than a minute of average annual delay showed me the true power of dedicated infrastructure. It completely redefined my understanding of how reliable, high-capacity transit can seamlessly integrate entire megaregions and drive economic growth.
Q: Your degree is in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering. Do any experiences as an engineering student stand out to you having been in the workforce for a few years?
A: My time participating in the Concrete Canoe competition stands out the most. While my classes gave me a rock-solid technical foundation (no pun intended), Concrete Canoe was my very first taste of a complete, real-world project lifecycle. It required managing budgets, meeting strict project deadlines, and collaboration across teams. Experiencing firsthand how challenges faced and team dynamics impact the final deliverable, taught me the task lead skills that I use every single day in my career now.