Noreen McDonald

Noreen McDonald is a Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Social Science and Global Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of City and Regional Planning. Her research focuses on transportation planning, particularly the intersection of infrastructure, technology, and public health. She leads projects addressing urban freight systems, road safety, and healthcare mobility challenges.

Key affiliations include the Carolina Transportation Program and the Center for Urban and Regional Studies. Current research initiatives involve optimizing non-emergency medical transport, analyzing parcel delivery impacts, and rethinking traffic impact assessments. She has published extensively on youth travel patterns, school siting policies, and the effects of emerging mobility services on vulnerable populations.

Her work bridges academic research and policy application, with a focus on equity and sustainability. She is actively involved in shaping interdisciplinary programs and global partnerships within the university's social sciences division.