Safety Management and Human Factors
About Us
The U.S. DOT Volpe Center’s Safety Management and Human Factors Center improves transportation safety by developing and applying innovative safety management and human factors processes and principles to our sponsors’ research and demonstration projects.
We collaborate with our sponsors, which include FAA, FMCSA, NHTSA, and other U.S. DOT modes in addition to DOD and others, to advance research and improve business practices, by identifying, developing, and communicating state-of-the-art practices in safety management and human performance.
Our team includes IT and computer scientists, program analysts, business operations analysts, transportation industry analysts, human factors engineering psychologists, operations research analysts, and engineers among other disciplines.
We develop and apply cutting-edge approaches to safety management (including safety assurance, hazard analysis, safety culture, communication, and regulation support) and safety data to extend utility and enable transparency.
We pioneer ways to improve the interactions between humans, transportation systems, and current and emerging technologies that enhance transportation safety, security, and productivity.
Our Impact
Our Priorities
The results of our work equip transportation decision-makers at all levels of government and industry with the information and tools necessary to:
- Determine how best to allocate resources to mitigate risks in the transportation system
- Efficiently and effectively conduct safety oversight and enforcement
- Improve the overall safety of transportation, reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage
- Design transportation systems to reduce the likelihood and minimize the consequences of human error
Our Portfolio
We partner with key administration officials and other federal career leaders, adding value through technical excellence, innovation, and a commitment to public service. Learn more about our sponsors.
Meet Our Team
Our Organization
Our Technical Center is organized into six divisions—each specializing in a different facet and mode of safety management and human factors.
- Safety Information Systems
- Aviation Safety Management Systems
- Transportation Human Factors
- Safety Program Design and Management
- Safety Analysis and Advancement
- Surface Transportation Systems Safety
Our Leadership
Tracy Lennertz, PhD
Acting Technical Center Director for Safety Management and Human Factors
Tracy Lennertz, PhD is acting director of the U.S. DOT Volpe Center's Safety Management and Human Factors Technical Center. She was previously co-chief of the Transportation Human Factors Division. Lennertz has been as the U.S. DOT Volpe Center since 2010, leading and conducting applied human factors research in transportation, including a multi-year portfolio examining the complexities of pilot-controller communications.