Peter Koonce: Academy of Distinguished Engineers - 2025

Division Manager; Signals, Streetlighting & Intelligent Transportation Systems | Portland Bureau of Transportation

Peter Koonce’s career in transportation engineering has been defined by innovation, collaboration, and a deep commitment to public service. With over 25 years of experience, he currently leads the Signals, Streetlighting, and Intelligent Transportation Systems Division at the Portland Bureau of Transportation, managing a team of more than 60 professionals and overseeing a $20 million annual budget.

Koonce’s leadership has transformed Portland’s transportation infrastructure. He directed the city’s LED streetlight retrofit—Portland’s largest ongoing energy efficiency initiative—saving over $2.4 million annually. His work integrates sustainability, equity, and multimodal safety, including pioneering nearside bicycle signals and advanced light rail preemption strategies for the Portland to Milwaukie Light Rail project.

“The effort reflected a forward-thinking approach to designing the urban place in a way that prioritizes connectivity for all users,” Koonce said.

Before joining PBOT, Koonce served as a principal engineer at Kittelson & Associates, where he led multimillion-dollar transit and signal system projects across North America. He is a sought-after expert in traffic signal operations and policy, serving on the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ International Board of Direction.

Koonce’s dedication to education and mentorship is equally impactful. As an adjunct professor at Portland State University, he taught transportation engineering applications. He regularly supports Oregon State University students through lectures, internships, and advisory roles and helped launch Oregon’s first civil engineering study abroad program focused on sustainable transportation in The Netherlands.

“One of my most meaningful contributions to the field has been adapting proven concepts from The Netherlands to the U.S. context, helping to reshape how we think about safety and multimodal mobility,” Koonce said.

Koonce says his time at OSU helped him build lifelong friendships and a deep appreciation for the importance of community—both of which continue to influence how he leads. 

“My education at OSU helped me grow an understanding of how to create more equitable and sustainable transportation systems, providing the building blocks for leadership roles in my career,” he said. “I continue to be inspired by the caliber of College of Engineering graduates and the incredible potential of today’s students walking through Kearney Hall.”