Transportation scholar Joseph Kott dies

Joseph Kott, a Stanford lecturer of transportation planning, died at his home in Oakland, California, on Feb. He was 71. Kott joined Stanford in 2004 as a lecturer in the Urban Studies program, where he taught a course every two years on planning sustainable urban and regional transportation. "Joe will be remembered at Stanford as a devoted teacher and mentor, an engaging colleague, and a kind soul," said Michael Kahan, co-director of the Urban Studies program. "He shared his passion for sustainable transportation with scores and scores of Stanford students." Transportation planner, academic Prior to joining Stanford, Kott served as the chief transportation officer for the City of Palo Alto, a position he held from 1999 to 2005. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at Stanford, Kott worked for private planning firms and public agencies in the Bay Area where he managed plans for dealing with transportation demand. "Joe was a fierce advocate for sustainable transportation alternatives, both in the classroom and in the policy realm, deeply devoted to promoting bicycling, walking and mass transit in our cities," Kahan said.