National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence Projects

To use a synergistic approach across research focus areas to maximize resources (e.g., safety devices and techniques) for improved roadway safety.

The NSTSCE at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) was established by the Federal Transportation Act of 2005. NSTSCE uses a synergistic approach across four research focus areas to maximize resources. These research focus areas comprise safety devices and techniques that enhance driver performance; evaluations of the built roadway environment and infrastructure-based safety systems; safe mobility for vulnerable road users; and driver impairment. NSTSCE has formed a steering committee comprising stakeholder organizations that share its vision for improving road-user safety locally and nationally. Steering committee members represent the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), General Motors Corporation (GM), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research (VCTIR), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Traveler’s Insurance, and VTTI.

The NSTSCE steering committee meets biannually to review surface transportation safety research needs. FMCSA will provide input into the commercial vehicle operations study that will help further its safety mission. A prioritized list of potential projects and a multi-year strategic plan are presented to the steering committee. The plan strives to coordinate NSTSCE research activities with those of FHWA and other Federal research programs. The steering committee reviews and approves the strategic plan. Once the plan is approved, NSTSCE/VTTI will ensure that the work plan is developed and that research is conducted. NSTSCE/VTTI will provide the steering committee with updates, project status, and outreach.

The vision of NSTSCE is to make a significant impact on surface transportation safety and to leverage partner and sponsor relationships to disseminate results.

Published reports available at VTTI’s Web site:
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VTTI/.

FY 2014: $200,000
FY 2016: $200,000

Active—Contract awarded.

Dr. Martin Walker serves on the NSTSCE steering committee. For more information, contact Dr. Walker at (202) 385-2364 or martin.r.walker@dot.gov.

VTTI