Charles William Koch devoted his professional career to transportation improvements. Much of his professional work was in the area of railroad operations and highway traffic engineering. He conducted traffic surveys, developed traffic plans, and evaluated project alternatives for a number of improvements in US cities. He also specialized in bus and railroad operations and modernization, as well as rapid transit planning.

During World War II he worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers in France, Germany, and the Philippines. He also spent five years working on traffic control, highway relocation, and transportation planning in Basel, Switzerland.

In his will, Mr. Koch made a bequest to the Eno Transportation Foundation, with the purpose of increasing knowledge and developing better ways to address transportation issues. The Charles William Koch Award recognizes exceptional academic achievement and leadership qualities evidenced by a student specializing in transportation operations.