Get to Know Drew, One of Carpenter Marty Transportation’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Experts!

Drew Laurent has been with the Carpenter Marty Transportation team for more than five years. He began his career as an intern, and we happily hired him on full-time after he graduated from The Ohio State University. Drew has a Bachelor of Science degree in City & Regional Planning. He is experienced with many aspects of bicycle and pedestrian mobility, from setting up traffic cameras and conducting manual counts, to safety analysis, feasibility studies, roundabout layouts with pedestrian crossings, market research and economic studies, site plan review, and public speaking.

Inspiration to pursue a planning degree

Drew was originally interested in computer science, but he hated his first programming course. He loved the idea of being an engineer and designing infrastructure that people use every day; however, he became more fascinated with the evaluation and research of how people get where they need to go. Drew discovered the importance of transportation and city planning for every person. Every single decision made, big or small, has an impact on the public. Proper planning leads to more beneficial engineering and communities with lasting value.

Drew is an advocate of the “build up, not out” philosophy for urban areas. Drew helps communities identify transportation issues in high-density areas and works to help them provide solutions to meet their goals.  Some of these solutions include promoting alternatives to motorized transportation. Walking, biking, and other forms of non-vehicular transportation, also known as active transportation, can benefit participants, neighborhoods, and drivers in multiple ways. These include social, environmental, and health aspects, as well as less traffic congestion, air pollution, and parking demands. Community leaders can support active transportation by planning, building, and maintaining public facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Drew’s tips for those aspiring to improve their bicycle and pedestrian facilities:

• Plan, plan, plan! It is never too early to talk about bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• Engage community and/or city offices with desires and needs for multimodal transportation.
• Incorporate bicycle/pedestrian standards and codes into a Master Plan.
• Update the Master Plan every 10 years.
• Plan adequate right-of-way space for bicycle and pedestrian transportation facilities.

Best part of working at Carpenter Marty Transportation

“The best part about working for CM is my colleagues. I love the people I work with. I also like the opportunities for growth I have been offered throughout my career at CM. I have always had new opportunities to learn and expand my value.”

What makes the traffic and planning team at Carpenter Marty Transportation so great?

“The traffic group has a diverse background in construction, engineering, and planning. They understand project development from the initial stages to the finished product. The team also has a lot of experience working with different types of clients, including ODOT, counties, municipalities, townships, and private developers. Their experience has led to a vast understanding of the challenges and timelines clients face, and therefore they have insight into their needs and preferences.”

Hobbies and things of interest

Drew loves hockey. Not only is he an avid supporter of the Columbus Blue Jackets (CBJ), but he also gets out on the ice to play in adult leagues year-round. Drew started playing hockey when he was eight years old and says he loves the game more each day. Luckily, his wife is also an avid fan. They even had their engagement pictures taken on the CBJ ice at Nationwide Arena! Besides hockey, Drew loves to ride his motorcycle through curvy, hilly roads, and he loves to cook. His newest endeavor is smoking ribs and pork tenderloin. It is no surprise that Drew has won the Carpenter Marty Transportation Annual Chili Cookoff, twice!