Principal Technical Advisor for Technology Innovation and Policy  

Tom Schaffnit is principal technical advisor for technology innovation and policy at the U.S. DOT Volpe Center. He is an internationally recognized expert in communications technologies and has more than 30 years of widely ranging related experience, from project management of major research projects and development of technical standards, to bringing new wireless telematics services to market. 

Schaffnit previously worked with automobile original equipment manufacturers on cooperative vehicle-to-vehicle safety applications and technologies for more than 12 years. He served as president of the Vehicle Infrastructure Integration Consortium, a consortium of 10 major automobile manufacturers. Schaffnit also worked with the Vehicle Safety Communications 5G consortium on developing a prototype security system for connected vehicles. In addition, he provided policy and technical support to the Association of Global Automakers. 

In his role as principal technical advisor, Schaffnit maintains an ongoing understanding of emerging wireless technology trends and developments and the implications for spectrum and cybersecurity considerations, through participation in, and analysis of related outputs of, international standards and specifications organizations. This includes membership and active participation in official U.S. delegations to international standards meetings to promote and support U.S. positions. 

He uses this emerging wireless technology knowledge, along with accumulated experience, to provide technical guidance and potential implications for strategic planning with wider U.S. DOT decision makers for policy initiatives as well as responses to policy opportunities and threats related to spectrum issues and opportunities. This includes active participation in the preparation of strategic briefing materials for senior U.S. DOT leadership in the areas of wireless technologies and spectrum. 

Schaffnit’s current focus is on performing a major strategic role in planning, organizing, and helping to manage laboratory and field tests of emerging wireless equipment and systems, particularly V2X safety systems, including data analyses, for evaluation of system performance, as well as for potential harmful interference to safety-related systems. These activities include, for example, technical interactions with FCC, NTIA, and industry organizations. 

He has an engineering education and background, complemented by an MBA degree and senior management experience. Schaffnit mentors and supports other U.S. DOT Volpe Center participants in national and international standards activities related to ongoing, as well as anticipated, wireless technologies programs and projects. This includes suggesting potential new contributions and initiatives for consideration for future U.S. inputs to international standards developments. Further, he facilitates productive, sustained relationships with sponsors of related U.S. DOT Volpe Center projects.