Media Advisory: Get up to speed with self-driving cars

Note: The March 12 On the Record event on self-driving cars has been postponed. We hope to reschedule the event this spring. You will be notified once a new date has been selected.

Let’s say there is a road closure. Or a traffic stop. Or a work zone. Human drivers should know what to do, but would a self-driving car? In this discussion, Mike Mollenhauer from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) will explore roadway infrastructure and technologies that will be needed to help the D.C. metro area pave the way for the future of self-driving cars.

As one of the world’s most advanced testing facilities for transportation technology and safety research, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute is continually advancing transportation through innovation to save lives, save time, save money, and protect the environment. VTTI has pioneered significant change in public policies for driver, passenger, and pedestrian safety and is advancing the design of vehicles and infrastructure to increase safety and reduce environmental impacts.

What: On the Record with Virginia Tech: Get up to speed with self driving cars

Who: Mike Mollenhauer, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

When: Thursday, March 12 from 12 noon – 1 p.m. (doors open at 11:30 a.m.)

Where: Virginia Tech Research Center
900 North Glebe Road - 2nd Floor
Arlington, VA  22203

Boxed lunches will be provided.

RSVP by March 9 to Shannon Andrea in the Virginia Tech media relations office at 571-858-3262 or sandrea@vt.edu.

Mike Mollenhauer is the Director of the Center for Technology Implementation at VTTI. He oversees the center's aspects of business and product development, including management of product development teams, leading business and product roadmap development activity, project management for commercial and government contracts, as well as evaluating in-vehicle technologies and quantifying driver safety behaviors.

VTTI in the News:
Autonomous shuttles in Northern Virginia suburb show why the future of robot cars might be slow, Washington Post

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute awarded $15M for autonomous vehicle research, Technical.ly; WTOP; Virginia Business

Deadliest Year for Pedestrians and Cyclists in U.S. Since 1990, The New York Times

Driver-assist technology can contribute to distracted driving over time, TODAY Show