2016 Women in Transportation Seminar

8:30 AM

Welcoming Remarks
Myra Blanco (VTTI), Tara Reel (WTS@VT)

Keynote #1: Five Leadership Lessons - How You Learn From Crashes, Collapses and Chaos
Deborah A.P. Hersman (NSC)

9:30 AM

Session #1: Where We Are Now – Technology Implementation
Transportation is core to our society and culture, a reality that is expected to be the case well into the future. Since its inception, the transportation industry has been pushing the envelope of technological advancement. From Henry Ford’s Model T to autonomous vehicles, transportation experts are innovators. Experts in this session are on the leading edge of tech implementation and will discuss the current state of technology in transportation, how we achieved this level of implementation, and what the next steps are.

Moderator: Jane Lappin, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Toyota Research Institute

• Reates Curry, Technical Expert and Human Factors Specialist, Ford Motor Company
• Carol Tan, Highway Research Engineer, Federal Highway Administration
• Cathy McGhee, Associate Director for Safety, Operations, and Traffic Engineering, VDOT
• Jane Macfarlane, Head of Research, HERE

10:40 AM

Break - Stretch and Greet Exercise

10:50 AM

Session #2: How to Get There – Human Factors
Human factors is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system. Driver behavior is at the root of the majority of crashes, so human factors play a crucial role in designing efforts that enhance transportation safety and reduce crashes. This session will explore the human factors applications within the field of transportation; panelists are among the top experts in the domain of human factors and come from diverse educational backgrounds including psychology, engineering, biomechanics, and physiology.

Moderator: Lisandra Garay-Vega, Accident Investigator/Project Manager, National Transportation Safety Board

• Linda Angell, Human Factors and Safety Specialist, Touchstone Evaluations, Inc.
• Yi Glaser, Human-Machine Interface Engineer, General Motors
• Julie Kang, Research Psychologist, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Joanne Harbluk, Human Factors Specialist, Transport Canada

12:00 PM

Lunch

Introduction
Charlie Klauer (VTTI)

Keynote #2: Doing Great Things: Myths, Partial Truths, and What it Really Takes
Ann M. Brach (TRB)

1:15 PM

Break

1:30 PM

Speed Mentoring Exercise and Professional Poster Session
The Speed Mentoring Session will be a fun, fast-paced event, where attendees have the opportunity to participate in brief, directed, mentoring sessions with our keynote speakers, panelists, and industry professionals. Posters from VTTI researchers will be on display outside of the Drillfield Conference Room at this time.

2:20 PM

Break

2:30 PM

Session #3: Where We Are Heading – Technology & Policy Implications
This session will explore the research of future technologies and the implications to current policies. It addresses how industry leaders are making a strong impact in shaping transportation policy and influencing the future of the field. Discussions will include, but will not be limited to, human-digital interface design in automated and connected vehicles. Subject matter experts will discuss the nuances of governmental affairs for advanced technological systems and the pivotal roles effective policies and legislation play in making cutting-edge technology safe and accessible.

Moderator: Nicole Barranco, Director of State Government Relations, Volkswagen Group of America

• Ana Meuwissen, Director of Federal Government Affairs, Bosch
• Deborah Thompson, Technology Lead – Human Factors, Volvo Group North America
• Janet Brooking, Executive Director, Drive Smart Virginia
• Amy Klinkenberger, Testing & Regulatory Affairs, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America