Program – 2020 Traffic Safety Conference — Center for Transportation Safety

Updated July 7, 2020

Wednesday, June 10, 2020
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.	Letting Data Steer You to Safety This workshop teaches a framework for data-driven safety analysis (DDSA). The target audience includes transportation professionals from TxDOT and other agencies who want to use crash and safety data to identify safety issues. Participants will learn a step-by-step process for: (1) identifying and describing crash problems, (2) identifying geographic locations with the potential for safety improvement through network screening, (3) prioritizing safety improvement projects, and (4) integrating safety into the project development process. This workshop focuses on a “hands on” demonstration of how the data-driven safety analysis process using a user-friendly spreadsheet tool and training guide. All participants will receive free access to the spreadsheet tool and user guide. Presenter: Robert Wunderlich, Director, Center for Transportation Safety, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.	Innovations in Traffic Safety for Rural Texas Rural communities throughout Texas have more than their share of traffic fatalities and injuries. This interactive workshop will engage practitioners who want to save lives in rural communities. We will highlight highway safety communication strategies, law enforcement techniques and traffic safety programs that work in rural Texas and beyond.
1:30 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.	Opening, Welcome, Why Rural Traffic Safety Matters to Texans Becky Walker, Regional Program Manager, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
1:35 p.m. – 2:05 p.m.	Nanda Srinivasan, Associate Administrator, Research and Development, NHTSA
2:05 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.	Panel #1 Introductions Thomas Kiker, Regional Program Manager, NHTSA Region 6
2:10 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.	“Saving Lives on Rural Roads: Challenges and Surprises?” Surprising data about rural crashes and capabilities in smaller communities and remote communities. Rural Truck Project – Amber Trueblood, DrPH, MPH, Assistant Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation Institute National Park Service Transportation Safety Program – Adam Kelsey, Traffic Safety Coalition Program Manager, National Park Service
2:45 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.	Break
2:50 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.	Panel #2 Introductions Brian Jones, Deputy Administrator, NHTSA Region 6
3:00 p.m. – 3:35 p.m.	“Reaching Rural Texans: What Works, What Doesn’t and Why?” Better World – Maryellen Pado, Senior Director-Research, Better World, Anheuser-Busch Who is TMS and How We Connect with our Audience – Jason Wonderly, Vice President of Sales, Texas Motor Speedway Social Media Strategies to Engage a Rural Audience – Jill McAninch, Communications Specialist, Schatz Strategy Group
3:35 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.	Break
3:40 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.	Panel #3 Introductions Marcus Wilner, Deputy Division Administrator, FHWA
3:45 p.m. – 4:25 p.m.	“Rural Traffic Safety Program Successes: Every Life Saved Matters” Features several lesser-known successful strategies that have worked in Texas, and other States (e.g., Iowa social media successes at State and County Fairs) Passenger Safety – Bev Kellner, Program Manager, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Watch UR BAC Project – Bobbi Brooks, Program Manager, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service TBD – R. Allen Beadel, Supervisor Manager, Network Planning AT&T Technology Operations; “It Can Wait” and other programs to reach a rural audience
4:25 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.	Closing Remarks Maggi Gunnels, Regional Administrator, NHTSA Region 6
Thursday, June 11, 2020
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Opening Welcome Session Robert Wunderlich, Director, Center for Transportation Safety, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Keynote Speaker: Honorable Jennifer Homendy, National Transportation Safety Board
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.	Break Take a walk, get a cup of coffee, respond to a few emails then join us for the morning breakout sessions.
10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.	Breakout Sessions Energy Sector Traffic Safety Speakers from diverse backgrounds will provide an overview of the traffic safety issues impacting the energy sector. Presenters: Kyla Retzer, MPH, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) John Speed, Odessa District Engineer, Texas Department of Transportation Debra Richmond, Permian Strategic Partnership Safe System 1 – Introduction and Application to Intersection Design and Operation The Safe System approach differs from conventional safety practice through a more aggressive use of vehicle or roadway design and operational changes rather than relying primarily on behavioral changes – and by fully integrating the needs of all users. The session will begin with the principles of safe systems and a framework for integrating safe systems principles into road design and operations.The session will then address how a safe system approach can be applied to the design and operation of intersections. Presenters: Robert Wunderlich, Director, Center for Transportation Safety, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Jeff Shaw, Intersections Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration Safer Cars Save Lives Automated vehicles, vehicle safety technologies and vehicle recall efforts can reduce traffic fatalities and save lives. This breakout session presents important safety trends and data and will highlight key vehicle safety topics. We will discuss what states and highway safety partners can do now to ensure safer cars and drivers on Texas roads today. Moderator: Thomas Kiker, Regional Program Manager, NHTSA Region 6 Presenters: Tim Johnson, Director, Vehicle Research and Test Center, NHTSA Dr. Stephen Ridella, Director, Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA JoJo Heselmeyer, Service Director, Compliance and Enforcement Service, Texas Department of Public Safety
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Break Sorry we can’t provide you with a virtual meal, but we can provide you with enough time to grab some lunch and stretch your legs before the afternoon breakout sessions start.
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Breakout Sessions Data Science for Traffic Safety Advances in data collection and analysis are paving the way for the development of new ways to collect data from non-traditional sources to support traffic safety. This session presents examples of data science innovations that are being applied to improve traffic safety including National Performance Management Research Data Set (NPMRDS) data. Presenters: Michael Pack, Director, CATT Laboratory, University of Maryland Srinivas Geedipally, Associate Research Engineer, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Michael Martin, Assistant Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Safe System 2 – Proven Countermeasures and Speed Management – Applications in Speed Management The session builds on the introduction session and will cover speed management in the application of safe systems principles. Designing for speed management, recent research findings, and the City of Austin’s updated speed management program will be featured. Participants are encouraged to attend the Safe System 1 session. Presenters: Stephen Ratke, Safety and Traffic Operations Specialist, Federal Highway Administration Joel Meyer, Transportation Planner, City of Austin Kay Fitzpatrick, Senior Research Engineer, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Safety Service Patrols This session reviews how law enforcement officers can provide protections for everyone to get home safely. Presenters: Eric Hemphill, Director of Traffic & Incident Management, North Texas Tollway Authority John Nevares, Assistant Director of Transportation Operations – Austin District, Texas Department of Transportation
Friday, June 12, 2020
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Opening Session Robert Wunderlich, Director, Center for Transportation Safety, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Keynote Speaker: Commissioner Laura Ryan, Texas Transportation Commission
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.	Break Just enough time to make a quick phone call and refill your coffee before the morning sessions begin.
10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.	Breakout Sessions Distracted Driving Distracted driving continues to rank among the most challenging issues in traffic safety. This session addresses the impact of the distract driving policies on in-vehicle cell phone use and injury outcomes along with employer perspectives. Presenters: Alva Ferdinand, DrPH, JD, Texas A&M University School of Public Health Lisa Robinson, Senior Program Manager, National Safety Council Katie Womack, Senior Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Emerging Technology for Traffic Safety Technological advances are allowing for traffic safety needs to be addressed in new and diverse ways. Join us in this session to learn about how telemedicine is improving 9-1-1 response, how connected work zones reduce crashes, and how sensors can help to stop alcohol impaired driving. Presenters: Sharon Rose RN, Next Generation 9-1-1 Telemedicine,Texas Tech University Health Science Center Robert Brydia, Senior Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Jerry Ullman, Senior Research Engineer, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Troy Walden, Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety at Intersections Intersections are hazardous for pedestrians and bicyclists since they often require interactions of motor vehicles. This session presents three projects that have successfully addressed this issue within the context of connected or smart intersections, university populations, and game day operations. Presenters: Srini Sunkari, Research Engineer, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Katie Turnbull, Executive Associate Director, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Madison Metsker-Galarza, Program Manager, Texas A&M University Transportation Services Troy Rother, City Traffic Engineer, City of College Station
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Break You’re on your own for lunch again today. Enjoy your meal and time away from your screen before you join us for the last sessions of the conference.
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Breakout Sessions Employer Best Practices Traffic safety is a huge issue among a wide array of employers. Employers provide the keys to their successful traffic safety programs. Panel: 2020 Our Driving Concern: Texas Employer Traffic Safety Award Winners Berry Bairrington, Safety Coordinator, City of Waco Phil Baxter, DOT Manager, ProFrac Mike Bewley, Occupational Safety Manager – Public Works, City of Austin Melinda Denton, Senior Manager, HSE Support Services, Pioneer Natural Resources Robert Warren, Risk Manager, Human Resources, City of Arlington Let’s Pivot: Basic Data Analysis Using Microsoft Excel This session will provide the basics on using Microsoft Excel (e.g., spreadsheets, pivot tables) to conduct simple analyses of different data sources including U.S. Census Data. Presenters: Marcie Perez, Assistant Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Amber Trueblood, Assistant Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Law Enforcement Training on Pedestrian & Bicycle Laws Training workshop about laws affecting the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. Attendees will get a detailed look at the Texas Transportation Code covering pedestrians and bicyclists, a review of right-of-way laws, different bicycle and pedestrians crash scenarios, and the importance of enforcement. The content is geared towards law enforcement; however, non-law enforcement are also welcome to attend. Presenters: Neal Johnson, Associate Transportation Researcher, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Jon Graber, Assistant Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation Institute Joan Hudson, Research Engineer, Texas A&M Transportation Institute

NOTE: Due to complications associated with COVID-19, we are not able to provide opportunities to earn TCOLE credits online.