Institute Publications, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI)
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- VTTI Annual Report, 2021 Fiscal Year(Virginia Tech, 2021)Learn more about VTTI's accomplishments during fiscal year 2021.
- Estimating Crash Consequences for Occupantless Automated VehiclesWitcher, Christina; Henry, Scott; McClafferty, Julie A.; Custer, Kenneth; Sullivan, Kaye; Sudweeks, Jeremy D.; Perez, Miguel A. (Virgina Tech Transportation Institute, 2021-02)Occupantless vehicles (OVs) are a proposed application of automated vehicle technology that would deliver goods from merchants to consumers with neither a driver nor passengers onboard. The purpose of this research was to understand and estimate how the increased presence of OVs in the United States fleet may influence crash risk and associated injuries and fatalities. The approach used to estimate potential modifications in crash risk consequences was a counterfactual simulation, where real-world observations were modified as if alternate events had occurred. This analysis leveraged several U.S. national crash databases, along with the Second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) Naturalistic Driving Study (NDS) dataset. The analysis required the derivation of parameters that could be used to modify existing crash estimates as OVs enter the fleet in greater numbers. The team estimated benefit parameters pertaining to (1) the crashes that could be ultimately avoided altogether based on the OV’s smaller size, (2) benefits that could be obtained from the improved crashworthiness characteristics of the OV, and (3) benefits due to the lack of occupants in the OV. Results showed that of the 58,852 fatalities in the national databases examined, a full-scale market penetration of OVs was estimated to reduce fatalities by 34,284, a reduction of 58.2%. Most of this reduction (83%) would come from the lack of occupants in the OVs. Similarly, of the 6,615,117 injured persons in the national databases examined, a full-scale penetration of OVs was estimated to reduce injured persons by 4,088,935, a reduction of 61.8%. As was observed for fatalities, most of this reduction (72.1%) would come from the lack of occupants in the OVs. The results of this investigation, however, should not be taken as definitive benefit estimates. There are important assumptions inherent in the parameters that were used, and some of these assumptions may not be immediately realized. Rather, the results are meant to support critical thinking into how innovative technologies such as OVs may offer benefits that transcend the typical approaches used in vehicle safety, including passive and active safety measures.
- VTTI Annual Report, 2020 Fiscal Year(Virginia Tech, 2020)Learn more about VTTI's accomplishments during fiscal year 2020.
- VTTI Annual Report, 2019 Fiscal Year(Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), 2019)Learn more about VTTI's accomplishments during fiscal year 2019.
- VTTI 25(Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2013)This booklet, published in 2013, commemorated 25 years of research at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI).
- National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence Annual Report, January - December 2012(Virginia Tech, 2012)This annual report documents the center's research and positive impact on transportation safety in 2012.
- National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence Annual Report, January-December 2011(Virginia Tech, 2011)This annual report documents the center's research and positive impact on transportation safety in 2011.
- National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence Annual Report, January - December 2010(Virginia Tech, 2010)This annual report documents the center's research and positive impact on transportation safety in 2010.
- Transportation Research Today, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2014(Virginia Tech, 2014)NSTSCE’s second quarterly newsletter puts the spotlight on commercial drivers and gives an inside look at a health and wellness program.
- Transportation Research Today, Vol. 1, No. 4, 2014(Virginia Tech, 2014)NSTSCE’s fourth quarterly newsletter puts the spotlight on medication use in commercial vehicle drivers.
- Transportation Research Today, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2014(Virginia Tech, 2014)NSTSCE’s first quarterly newsletter puts the spotlight on older drivers and the transportation challenges and mobility issues they face maintaining an active lifestyle.
- Transportation Research Today, Vol. 1, No. 3., 2014(Virginia Tech, 2014)NSTSCE’s third quarterly newsletter puts the spotlight on motorcycle safety.
- National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence Annual Report, January - December 2013(Virginia Tech, 2013-12)This annual report documents the center's research and positive impact on transportation safety in 2013.
- VTTI Annual Report 2018(Virginia Tech, 2018)The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) conducts research to save lives, save time, save money, and protect the environment. Researchers and students from multiple fields are continuously developing the techniques and technologies to solve transportation challenges from vehicular, driver, infrastructure, and environmental perspectives. As one of seven premier research institutes created by Virginia Tech to answer national challenges, VTTI has effected 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.
- VTTI 2013 Annual Report(Virginia Tech, 2013)The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) conducts research to save lives, save time, save money, and protect the environment. Researchers and students from multiple fields are continuously developing the techniques and technologies to solve transportation challenges from vehicular, driver, infrastructure, and environmental perspectives. As one of seven premier research institutes created by Virginia Tech to answer national challenges, VTTI has effected 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.
- VTTI 2017 Annual Report(Virginia Tech, 2017)The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) conducts research to save lives, save time, save money, and protect the environment. Researchers and students from multiple fields are continuously developing the techniques and technologies to solve transportation challenges from vehicular, driver, infrastructure, and environmental perspectives. As one of seven premier research institutes created by Virginia Tech to answer national challenges, VTTI has effected 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.
- VTTI 2015 Annual Report(Virginia Tech, 2015)The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) conducts research to save lives, save time, save money, and protect the environment. Researchers and students from multiple fields are continuously developing the techniques and technologies to solve transportation challenges from vehicular, driver, infrastructure, and environmental perspectives. As one of seven premier research institutes created by Virginia Tech to answer national challenges, VTTI has effected 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.
- VTTI 2016 Annual Report(Virginia Tech, 2016)The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) conducts research to save lives, save time, save money, and protect the environment. Researchers and students from multiple fields are continuously developing the techniques and technologies to solve transportation challenges from vehicular, driver, infrastructure, and environmental perspectives. As one of seven premier research institutes created by Virginia Tech to answer national challenges, VTTI has effected 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.
- VTTI 2014 Annual Report(Virginia Tech, 2014)The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) conducts research to save lives, save time, save money, and protect the environment. Researchers and students from multiple fields are continuously developing the techniques and technologies to solve transportation challenges from vehicular, driver, infrastructure, and environmental perspectives. As one of seven premier research institutes created by Virginia Tech to answer national challenges, VTTI has effected 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.
- VTTI 2011 Annual Report(Virginia Tech, 2011)The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) saves lives, saves money, and saves time in the transportation field by developing and using state-of-the-art tools, techniques, and technologies to solve transportation challenges.