Richard McCubbin is the interim traffic engineer for the City and a civil engineer with the Public Works Department.
WHEN WILL HE OFFICIALLY BECOME TRAFFIC ENGINEER?
He’s not sure when he will be officially appointed as traffic engineer. “I’m just filling in. The previous traffic engineer resigned when he did not get reappointed, so I’m just here until there is an official appointment.”
WHAT WILL HIS PLANS BE AS TRAFFIC ENGINEER?
“We have business plans to implement ITS, that is Intelligent Transportation Systems.” ITS is a computerized system that helps traffic signals respond to current traffic conditions instead of being placed on timers. He says most traffic signals are controlled by previous trends in traffic conditions for a certain time of day. He hopes the ITS systems will clear some of Jacksonville’s gridlocked traffic in the mornings and evenings. “We also have plans to concentrate on 10 corridors in Jacksonville. I know one of them is Atlantic Boulevard.”
HOW DID HE BECOME INTERIM TRAFFIC ENGINEER?
“I applied when I saw an advertisement for the open position. Plus, I was the only professional engineer in traffic engineering.”
WHAT ARE HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT THE NEW POSITION?
“It’s a job I think I can do. It’s the next step of my career progress.”
HAS HE EVER LIVED OUTSIDE OF JACKSONVILLE?
After graduating from Bishop Kenny High School, McCubbin left Jacksonville in 1983 when he joined the Air Force. “I used it to pay for school.”
WHERE DID HE GO TO COLLEGE?
After leaving the Air Force as a staff sergeant, McCubbin went to the University of Oklahoma where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
WHAT DOES HE THINK ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THE 2004 SUGAR BOWL?
“I’m not too happy about who won the title.”
WHAT WAS HE DOING THE LAST TIME HE WENT TO CITY HALL?
There are many efforts taking place to make Jacksonville roads more visitor-friendly in time for the 2005 Super Bowl. McCubbin was at a meeting to discuss “way-finding” signs for downtown, which will make it easier for people to navigate through the City.
WHERE DOES HE LIVE?
Since McCubbin moved back to Jacksonville in 2000 he has resided on the Southside with his wife and two children. “I live about one mile from the house I grew up in.”
HOBBIES?
McCubbin enjoys sailing. He has a 17-foot Venture sailboat.
WHO IS HIS HERO?
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin. “A MIT engineer who’s a pilot and went to the moon? Come on!”
— by Tammy Taylor