Purdue Road School

In January 1913, W. K. Hatt, head of the School of Civil Engineering issued a call for a Civil Engineering Conference to cover the needs of county surveyors and city engineers. Roads and streets were heavily involved. A similar conference was held in 1914 at which a resolution was passed which called for a provision in the laws of Indiana that there be a yearly School of Good Roads. In 1915 the name of the Civil Engineering Conference was changed to the Purdue Road School. In 2015 the name was changed to the Purdue Road School Transportation Conference and Expo to reflect the diverse transportation modes represented in the program.

The Purdue Road School consistently attracts thousands of Indiana local and state officials, consultants, and suppliers each year. An all-time record of 3,015 attendees was set in 2019! Important updates on pertinent transportation innovations and issues, as well as sessions on topics of general interest, are provided during the annual conference.