2016 Women in Transportation Seminar
The Future of Transportation
General Schedule
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
3:40 PM
Closing Remarks
Charlie Klauer (VTTI)
Thank you to our mentors!

Linda Angell
President and Principal Scientist Touchstone Evaluations, Inc.

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

Ann Brach
Technical Activities Division Director, Transportation Research Board

Janet Brooking
Executive Director, DRIVE SMART Virginia

Reates Curry
Technical Expert, Ford Motor Company

Lisandra Garay-Vega
Chief, Vehicle Dynamics Division, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards, NHTSA

Yi Glaser
Human-Machine Interface Engineer, General Motors

Joanne Harbluk
Human Factors Specialist, Transport Canada

Deborah Hersman
President and CEO, National Safety Council

Julie Kang
Highway Accident Investigation, Project Manager, NTSB

Amy Klinkenberger
Testing & Regulatory Affairs, Mercedes-Benz R&D NA

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

Jane Macfarlane
Chief Research Officer, HERE

Cathy McGhee
Director, Virginia Transportation Research Council / VDOT

Ana Meuwissen
Director of Federal Government Affairs, Robert Bosch LLC

Carol Tan
Safety Management Team Leader, FHWA Office of Safety, R&D

Deborah Thompson
Technology Lead - Human Factors, Volvo Group North America