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The American Evaluation Association (AEA) recently named Federal Railroad Administration Senior Program Manager Michael Coplen the recipient of the Alva and Gunnar Myrdal Government Award.

The association is recognizing Coplen, who started his railroading career 30 years ago as a brakeman, for dedicating the past 20 years to finding ways to improve rail safety. He developed pilot projects that helped significantly reduce injuries, derailments and rule violations, and improve personal safety awareness, according to AEA, an international professional association of evaluators. In addition, the pilot projects were an essential component in developing the FRA’s risk reduction program.

Coplen’s “distinguished record of developing safety initiatives” has helped spur new national safety legislation, said FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo in a prepared statement, adding that he is the first U.S. Department of Transportation employee to receive the award.