FMCSA’s Deborah Freund Dies at Age 57

Deborah Freund, who for nearly two decades helped lead trucking safety initiatives at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, died of breast cancer on Aug. 28. She was 57.

Freund was a technical expert at the agency and served as a member of the Transportation Research Board freight transportation economics and regulation committee for more than a decade.

She was recognized as a leader in fatigue management systems, and her research was used to develop the agency’s hours-of-service rules. She also helped advance commercial vehicle engineering programs, new communication applications for truckers, and she led projects that tested the effects of longer-term recovery sleep.

Freund got her start as a transportation planner at the Council of State Governments in Kansas City. From there, she went on to work for the Federal Highway Administration at the Turner Fairbank Research Center in McLean, Va., before she started her tenure at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In 2003, the Society of Automotive Engineers recognized her contributions to the transportation industry by presenting her with the McFarland Award. She also was a fellow of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and a longtime member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

She earned her engineering degrees from Washington University in St. Louis.

At a speech last year, Freund spoke of efficient ways to navigate the labyrinth of federal transportation regulations, and she touched on safety concerns.

“Despite the best efforts of the people who design, manufacture, and operate vehicles, accidents do happen. Learning the causes of accidents is crucial to prevent them from reoccurring,” she said.

FMCSA’s Acting Administrator Scott Darling said, “Debbie was instrumental in advancing transportation safety through her expertise in motor carrier research and regulatory policy. She was a true professional, a wonderful colleague and a friend that we will all truly miss.”

Freund was married to Douglas White for 33 years. They lived in Dunn Loring, Virginia. A memorial service is scheduled for Sept. 14 at Murphy Funeral Home in Falls Church, Virginia.