Professional Biography
Gary Pence is a Senior Managing Traffic Engineer at YA Group and a licensed Professional Traffic Engineer in the State of California with 37 years of experience in the traffic engineering industry. Gary has held positions spanning traffic operations, traffic signal design, traffic signal operations, project management, and construction engineering, bringing a comprehensive and well-rounded foundation to his forensic practice at YA Group.
Gary has extensive experience evaluating and implementing traffic signal timing and phasing, and assessing traffic control measures including stop signs, crosswalks, traffic signals, flashing beacons, roundabouts, warning signs, electronic speed signs, and school zone traffic control. Prior to joining YA Group, he served as a Traffic Engineer for the City of San Diego, where he designed and managed signing, striping, and pavement marking projects, traffic calming initiatives, new traffic signals, and on-street parking improvements. He also provided forensic engineering and litigation support for the City of San Diego Attorney’s Office, including writing reports and declarations and providing testimony at depositions and trial. His construction engineering experience includes inspecting and managing the construction of public works projects such as traffic signals, street lighting, roadway infrastructure, and paving, as well as designing, approving, and inspecting Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) plans for construction zones and emergency operations.
Gary earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, and began his career in the traffic engineering industry in 1989. His comprehensive experience across traffic engineering disciplines positions him to provide forensic analysis across a wide range of project types.
Credentials & Certifications
- PE
Professional Experience
- Senior Managing Traffic Engineer | YA Group | 2026 - 2026
- Senior Traffic Engineer | City of San Diego | 1989 - 2026
Practices & Skillsets
- Traffic Signal Warrant Investigation
- Sight Distance Visibility
- Traffic Signal Design
- Signing and Striping
- Highway Design
- Construction Zone Safety
Publications and Presentations
- Uncontrolled Crosswalk Evaluations Using CP 200-07 (Presentation)
- All-Way Stop Evaluations Using CP 200-08 (Presentation)
- Sight Distance Evaluations Using the Highway Design Manual (Presentation)
- Traffic Accident Analysis for Traffic Operations (Presentation)
- AB 413 Training (Presentation)
- AB 43 Training (Presentation)
- Vegetation Encroachments (Presentation)
- California Speed Laws (Presentation)
- Red Curb for Visibility (Presentation)
- Traffic Calming Design (Presentation)
Education
- Bachelor of Science (BS), Civil Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1989
Training Courses
- Project Management Academy, City of San Diego
- Construction Management Academy, City of San Diego
- Fundamentals of Traffic Engineering, City of San Diego
- Fiber Optic Design for Traffic Signals, City of San Diego
Affiliations
- ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers)
Professional Licenses
- Professional Traffic Engineer - California - License #TR 1937