A primary mission of the Safety21 UTC is research, development and deployment.
Combing data, communications and responsible analytics will provide measurable benefits for cities and better informed and empowered citizens.
Safety21 will leverage connected and automated vehicle technologies, smart city technologies like adaptive traffic signals, real-time traveler information services, preventive maintenance techniques, predictive analytics and alternative modes of transportation like bicycles to improve the safety of people in the 21st century equitably and sustainably.
Thrust Areas
Research on Automated and Connected Vehicles
As various levels of automation are already beginning to be commercialized and deployed on our roads, our research targets innovations in technology and policy to enable communities to benefit from the opportunities while mitigating the risks.
Smart Physical and Digital Infrastructure
Data is everywhere. While transportation agencies have information and advanced planning tools today, they often only serve one siloed purpose. To reform the aging and inadequate transportation infrastructure, we can utilize multi modal public and private data and creating a richer, more complete picture of what’s happening on the ground will help transportation agencies improve operations, reduce costs and better serve their communities.
Transformation
By applying breakthrough technologies, there is an expected transformational impact of our technology and policy research, which will benefit local, state, regional and federal transportation managers, mobility advocacy organizations, new and traditional transportation companies, public officials and the general public to have increased knowledge and understanding.
Equity Ensuring Communities Have Equal Access to Safety Technologies
Researching methods to ensure autonomous, connected, electric and shared vehicles (ACES) are designed and deployed in a manner that will put people first, not the technology.
Climate and Sustainability by Evaluating Energy Use and Emissions
Our dynamic transportation network modeling efforts support our goal of reducing transportation emissions with scenario planning and recommendations for modal shift.
Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness
Creating partnerships with business and labor to ensure domestic companies and US workers can compete in the global market will allow us to develop resiliency improvement plans with support of our electric vehicle research.
