Innovation at the U.S. DOT Volpe Center
Making our transportation system safer, stronger, and more resilient requires innovation.
The U.S. DOT Volpe Center aligns with the U.S. DOT’s strategic goals and innovation principles as we deliver on our mission to advance transportation innovation for the public good.
We continually anticipate and respond to global transportation challenges and emerging issues. We take a systems perspective and understand the larger context in which our work fits. We bring a cross organizational, multidisciplinary perspective to all our projects.
By promoting forward thinking, we encourage calculated risk taking, new methods to approach problems, and the adoption of transformative technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning.
Harnessing the Power of AI to Advance Transportation Innovation
Volpe plays a lead role in accelerating the federal use of artificial intelligence (AI) at U.S. DOT.
For more than a decade, we have recognized the enormous potential to harness AI to drive innovation and continuous improvement.
- We actively develop and test AI solutions, building a strong foundation of tools, pipelines, and real-world applications.
- With a proven Minimum Viable Product (MVP) AI application stack and mature cloud infrastructure, we are now well-positioned to scale AI capabilities to improve efficiency and streamline decision-making across U.S. DOT and deliver smarter and faster outcomes for our nation’s transportation system.
Innovation Laboratories at the U.S. DOT Volpe Center
Our building in Kendall Square (Cambridge, MA) features 26,000 usable square feet of state-of-the-art, accessible research lab space that allows our researchers to collaborate, test concepts in real-world simulations, and put research to work to advance transportation innovation for the public good.
Communities of Practice
Our vibrant Communities of Practice bring staff together across disciplines to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and explore best practices.
Key Features
- Led by passionate and intellectually curious staff from across Volpe
- Provide forums for collaboration, learning, and innovation
- Hold meetings, presentations, and technical tours
- Develop resources and trainings to upskill staff in the latest in advanced technologies
Communities
- Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure
- Electrification
- Emergency Management
- Facilitation
- Freight
- Geospatial and Data Visualization
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
- NextGen Aviation
- Public Land Management
- Safe and Complete Streets
- Surveys and Evaluations
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
- Video Development and Visual Design
Volpe Innovation Accelerator
VIA encourages smart risks by letting Volpe staff explore ideas beyond sponsor work. Many VIA projects now include AI, such as automated decision support tools, natural language processing for transportation regulations, and rapid prototyping of model driven systems that move from test to production in weeks.
In 2025, our Everyday Innovation program launched a full scale program that engaged over 120 staff and funded rapid “quick win” projects to improve processes and foster cross team collaboration. The initiative produced 15 projects that delivered immediate value. This modest investment became a force multiplier, accelerating process improvements, creating new capabilities, and strengthening our culture of innovation and collaboration.
In addition, we regularly coordinate Volpe-wide Innovation Office Hours and Innovation Roundtable events to create further opportunities for staff to practice innovative thinking and give one another input on ideas they want to advance.
Technology Transfer Outreach Program
This program helps share Volpe's research innovations with partners across federal agencies and industry. We coordinate with the U.S. DOT technology transfer representative across the modes for collaboration with their laboratories and sponsors—and with the larger technology transfer community to facilitate outreach and technical information dissemination and utilization.
We meet Stevenson Wydler Act requirements while actively contributing to the Federal Labs Consortium, an independent organization whose focus is on supporting technology transfer functions across federal agencies.