Connected Vehicle Infrastructure University Transportation Center
CVI-UTC research was an integral part of Blacksburg Community Day. An onsite texting and driving simulator allowed participants to measure the difference in their reaction time while texting and driving. Other activities included VIN etching, Dunk-a-Cop, K-9 demonstrations, a donut eating contest, and car seat installation. Certified child passenger safety technicians were on hand to inspect child safety seats, check for recalls and defects, and provide advice on many child passenger safety issues.
This event was hosted by the Virginia Tech Police Department (VTPD) on October 5, 2014.
CVI-UTC presented connected vehicle research to over 1,000 Northern Virginia high school students at the 10th Annual VDOT Transportation Career Fair in Manassas, VA. The event was held on October 2, 2014 and featured corporate displays, demonstrations, hands-on participation, contests, giveaways, scholarship opportunities, and provided students the chance to learn about the many careers associated with transportation, construction, engineering, technology and the environment.
CVI-UTC researchers answered questions and discussed connected vehicle systems with hundreds of inquisitive students who stopped by the booth to check out the research vehicle and learn more about transportation technology.
CVI-UTC researchers hosted the National Pavement Evaluation Conference from September 15-18, 2014 in Blacksburg, VA. This conference covered topics such as texture and friction measurement, tire-pavement noise, ground penetrating radar (GPR), video distress rating and structural testing. Professionals backgrounds of the attendees varied widely, including end-users, operators, researchers, construction and design engineers, and manufacturers who have an interest in the equipment, methods, and use of non-destructive pavement evaluation, as well as consultants, contractors, and construction equipment developers who are in the business of meeting performance requirements for traveled surfaces (such as smoothness). After the meeting, equipment owners and manufactures were invited to participate at an equipment comparison rodeo that was conducted at the Virginia Smart Road in Blacksburg, Virginia.
The mission statement of the Connected Vehicle/Infrastructure University Transportation Center (CVI-UTC) is to conduct research that will advance surface transportation through the application of innovative research and using connected-vehicle and infrastructure technologies to improve safety, state of good repair, economic competitiveness, livable communities, and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Thomas A. Dingus serves as the director for the CVI-UTC, as well as the director of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) and the National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence (NSTSCE). Prior to joining Virginia Tech, Dr. Dingus was founding director of the National Center for Transportation Technology at the University of Idaho and was an associate director of the Center for Computer-Aided Design at the University of Iowa. Dr. Dingus has more than 220 technical publications and has managed approximately $300 million in research funding to date ($130 million as principal investigator).
