Lexy Tracy ’17: Making a Difference in Transportation Design

What have you been up to since your time at OES?

I graduated from OES in 2017 and went to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, where I obtained my BS in civil engineering. After graduating in 2021, I relocated to Philadelphia, PA, and began my career at Kimley-Horn as a civil engineering analyst on the transportation planning and traffic operations team. Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of transportation projects not only within Philadelphia but also throughout Pennsylvania, as well as in Delaware, New York, Virginia, Ohio, and New Jersey. These experiences have allowed me to broaden my technical skill set while working on projects that have a meaningful impact on communities.

Working in transportation has been incredibly rewarding because it allows me to address critical issues such as accessibility, equity, safety, and sustainability—factors that directly influence communities. I’ve had the chance to engage in various aspects of transportation engineering, including traffic analysis, traffic signal and intersection design, transportation master-planning, safety projects and crash analysis, parking studies, pedestrian studies, curbside management, and special event mobility planning. Each project has deepened my passion for enhancing transportation systems that serve both present and future generations, making cities more connected, efficient, and safer for everyone.

Aside from work, I have spent my time travelling all over the US and internationally, training for and running the Philadelphia Marathon, attending many concerts and sports events, and becoming a Philadelphia Eagles fan!

What does it mean to be a civil analyst?

In order to be considered a civil engineer, you must have your Professional Engineers (PE) license, which requires four years of work experience. Every company has a different way to describe engineers who have not yet gotten their license—in my case, I am a civil engineering analyst. This means I work with a team of other analysts and engineers to complete projects, and the final product is approved by a PE.

Recently you were named the chair of Young Professionals in Transportation Philadelphia. Can you tell us more about that and why it is important to you?

Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT) is an international organization for transportation professionals to network, build connections, and learn from each other. Serving on the board has been one of the best decisions I have made in my professional and personal career. I have had the chance to meet inspiring and passionate people through YPT, and I have gotten the opportunity to help grow the chapter in Philadelphia.

Through workshops, panels, and social events, our members have been able to refine their technical abilities, expand their leadership skills, and navigate the continuously changing field of transportation engineering.

The evolution of our field starts with young professionals in the industry, and building a network as a young professional is important. 

OES Upper School students just wrapped up the Science Expo. What are your memories from participating in it?

I was a “lifer” at OES and loved participating in the Science Expo every year. I remember spending many hours in our science lab after school with my peers. The science fairs were foundational in building my interest in math and science, and I even had the opportunity to perform undergraduate research at Lehigh University. I worked on a project titled Life Extension of Fatigue-Damaged Highway, Rail, and Transit Bridges, which was published by USDOT.

Do you still keep in touch with classmates from OES?

Yes! Although Philadelphia isn’t where most of my classmates ended up, I still keep in touch with some of them and am able to visit friends who live in other cities. I have taken the Amtrak to NYC countless times to visit friends. It has been very exciting to see where everyone has ended up and what they are doing with their lives, and it is always fun to be able to give friends a tour of Philadelphia!

If you could take a class at OES over again, what would it be?

Ceramics! I loved throwing on the wheel and haven't had the opportunity to do any pottery since graduating from OES.