Richard Hillestad

Biography

Richard Hillestad has been involved in analyzing complex real-world environments, modeling them, and developing solutions.

In the area of health care, Hillestad recently completed a major study to estimate the cost and quality benefits of widespread adoption of health care information technology and to suggest policies that will enhance the likelihood of realizing those benefits; and he is leading a study to provide an objective assessment of alternative approaches to identifying patients while maintaining privacy and the security of electronic medical records.

In the area of transportation, Hillestad directed and completed a comprehensive policy analysis of multimodal options for freight transport in the Netherlands; the study evaluated the effectiveness of some 125 policy options for mitigating air pollution, noise, safety, and congestion impacts associated with freight movement by road, rail, and waterway while also considering the cost and economic impacts. He also directed a study of risk management and risk mitigation associated with the growth of Schiphol (Amsterdam Airport)—a study that led to important changes in the way aviation safety is managed at Schiphol and in the Netherlands. Prior to joining RAND, Hillestad developed route optimization and scheduling models for rapid transit systems.

Hillestad earned his M.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and his Ph.D. in engineering and applied science from the University of California, Los Angeles.