1973: When AASHO Became AASHTO

November 13, 1973

Nearly 59 years after being established, the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) achieved another major milestone when the organization officially renamed itself the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). This change, which reflected a broadened mission that would encompass different modes of transportation, specifically took place when the association’s Policy Committee approved the new name at the AASHO Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. 

“The new AASHTO organization will foster development, operation and maintenance of a nationwide transportation system,” noted the association’s American Highway & Transportation Monthly magazine in reporting on the change. “Members will consider ways of improving methods in advance planning, research, design, construction, maintenance and operation of a total national transportation system.” 

J.R. Coupal, Jr., director of highways for the Iowa State Highway Commission (now part of the Iowa Department of Transportation), served as the chair of the special committee that proposed the name change for the association. He likewise publicly highlighted the significance of the association’s expanded purpose and priorities. Coupal said in an interview at that time with the Iowa-based Fayette Leader, “It is imperative that future planning for states and the nation include the study and utilization of all modes of transportation.”

It was at the same annual meeting in Los Angeles that Thomas F. Airis, director of the District of Columbia’s Department of Highways and Traffic (the present-day District Department of Transportation), completed his term as the last president of AASHO. George H. Andrews, director of the Washington State Department of Highways (now part of the Washington State Department of Transportation), succeeded Airis and thereby became AASHTO’s first president. 

The new official logo for the association reflecting the name change was adopted early the following year. This logo replaced the one that had been in use since the early 1930s. The current AASHTO logo, which is pictured above, was adopted in 2005.

Image Credit: AASHTO

Additional information on the association’s annual meetings (including the one in 1973) is available at https://aashtojournal.transportation.org/the-106-year-history-of-aashtos-annual-meeting/