The Division of Vehicle, Driver, & System Safety applies cutting-edge scientific methods to design, develop, refine, and evaluate solutions to complex transportation challenges; focusing on applications to improve the safety and effectiveness of transportation systems for the broad range of users. We support the development and evaluation of advanced technologies and operations using our laboratories, numerical models, test-tracks, field studies and analysis toolchains. The applied nature of our work is intended to support original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), automotive suppliers, policy makers, and infrastructure owner operators in designing and improving the effectiveness of systems by quantifying performance benefits, resilience, unintended consequences, and potential misuse while also characterizing user acceptance, reliance, comprehension, and understanding of advanced vehicle and infrastructure systems.
- Adaptive Lighting
- VRU MAP
- ROAD TRIP
- Driver Adaptation to L2 Partially Automated Vehicle Technologies
- Impact of Automated Vehicle External Communication on Road User Behavior
- Teen Feedback Application
- Next Generation Luminaries Competition 2019 Outdoor
- Lighting for Pedestrians
- FHWA AMR BAA 2019: Implementing Adaptive Lighting by a State DOT
- Strategies to Reduce Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) Crashes
- Estimating the 2016 Lives Saved, Injuries Prevented, and Benefit-Cost Ratio for Two or More Infrastructure Categories
Zac Doerzaph
Division Director
Jon Antin
Vulnerable Road Users
Ron Gibbons
Infrastructure-based Safety Systems
Warren Hardy
Center for Injury Biomechanics
Charlie Klauer
Training Systems
Eddy Llaneras
Advanced Product Test & Evaluation
Luke Neurauter
Advanced Vehicle Systems & Interfaces
Loren Stowe
Dynamics, Electronics, & Perception Systems
- INNOVATION: This team strives to solve a broad set of challenges associated with integrating cutting-edge technologies into the vehicles of tomorrow. Researchers work cooperatively with their industry and governmental partners to solve complex transportation problems through technology advancement in the areas of crash warning/avoidance/mitigation, connected vehicles, driver-vehicle interfaces, crash causation, vehicle automation, roadway-based safety systems, and other areas.
- OUTREACH: Our division researchers have participated in a variety of outreach opportunities to inform the broader community about our research and findings. Specific to VRUs, researchers have participated in workshops and forums to inform stakeholders on driving-related issues and considerations . Researchers have also implemented several programs to educate teenage drivers and their parents on safe driving behaviors, including the Virginia Licensing Ceremony and the Parent-Teen Driving Agreement. They have also co-created www.kidsridesafe.org to educate parents on the various state rules regarding using child seats in rideshare vehicles.
- INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES: With significant contributions from VTTI, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine have published the first national guidelines for using light-emitting diode (LED) lamps to light U.S. roadways. VTTI conducted the research in partnership with the WSP engineering firm. Much of our industry-sponsored research contributes directly to the continued development of advanced vehicle technologies, but cannot be shared publicly due to the proprietary nature of this research.
- COLLABORATION: Safety Through Disruption (Safe-D) is a collaborative effort the USDOT funding over 90 research projects focused on four interconnected transformative technology themes including automated vehicles, connected vehicles, transportation as a service, and big data analytics. We intend to maximize the equitable safety benefits of these forthcoming disruptive technologies through applied research, education, and tech transfer. Projects feature strong collaborations with public and private sectors; ensuring actionable outcomes affecting the broad transportation ecosystem. Information on active or completed projects along with publications and reports can be found on the Safe-D website.
- WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: VTTI’s InternHub is an experiential learning program designed to give students the opportunity to work on professional industry projects while completing their undergraduate studies. Students benefit from hands-on experience with state-of-the-art technologies and work side by side with an industry partner to complete a sponsored project. InternHub’s two primary goals are to establish a talent pipeline for industry partners, and provide students with quality transportation industry experience prior to their graduation.
