Innovations in Road Safety

A Forum hosted by James L. Oberstar

With Sen. Amy Klobuchar and

FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez

Road fatalities and serious injuries in the United States are not only tragedies for the families and friends of the victims but also a significant economic cost - both to our nation's health care system and in lost productivity.  In recent years, technology and policy innovations have helped to reduce traffic fatalities, and they have the potential to further reduce road deaths in the future.

Former Congressman James L. Oberstar, chair of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from 2007 to 2011, will host a forum with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez to discuss innovations in road safety.  The event will also highlight U.S. state initiatives, including the Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program, and what they are doing to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

2:30 PM  Registration

3:00 PM  Innovations in Road Safety - A Forum hosted by James L. Oberstar

Welcome:  Dr. Eric Schwartz, Dean, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota; and Laurie McGinnis, Director, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota.

Host and Moderator:  James L. Oberstar

Opening Remarks:  Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator, Minnesota

Keynote Speaker:  Victor Mendez, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

Innovations in Road Safety Panel:

Tom Sorel, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Transportation

David Brand, Chair, National Association of County Engineers (NACE), Roadway Safety Committee

Dr. Tom Horan, Research Director, Center for Excellence in Rural Safety, University of Minnesota

Dr. Max Donath, Director, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Institute, University of Minnesota

Participant Discussion

5:00 PM  Adjourn

Reception with light refreshments to follow.

Please park in the Washington Avenue Ramp, accessed from Union Street SE.  For more information on hotel parking and road closures related to Central Corridor LRT construction, please see the following links:

Directions and Parking for University Hotel Minneapolis

Central Corridor LRT East Bank & Stadium Village Summer 2012 Road Closure Overview

Sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the Center for Transportation Studies of the University of Minnesota with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The Hubert H. Humphrey School of the University of Minnesota is hospitable to a diversity of opinions and aspirations.  The Humphrey School does not itself take positions on issues of public policy.