Past Events
To read news and see videos from our past speakers, click on an event below. You can use the filters to find events that are of greatest interest to you.
U.S. Initiatives to Reduce Transportation-Related Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Gregg Fleming delivered a talk at Volpe titled “U.S. Initiatives to Reduce Transportation-Related Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions."
Educating the Next Generation
MIT professor Ian A. Waitz shared insights on how education is changing. He provided examples outlining how students are now leading the way and how their expectations about education have changed.
Discoveries in D.C. and Delft: Reflections on the Future of Transportation Research and Education
Professor Robert Bertini from Portland State University spoke on September 18, 2013, during a Volpe speaker series event, offering insights from his time with the Dutch at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and his two years at U.S. DOT.
New Paradigms for Federal Transportation Programs During a Time of Scarce Resources
The nation's on-going fiscal challenges and persistent budget deficits have led to stagnating levels of federal surface transportation spending and new questions about federal policies and values. All this is occurring as transportation facilities age, deteriorate, and, in urban areas, suffer continuing conditions of congestion and unreliability. What policy reforms emerged from MAP-21, and what are likely to be future federal policy trends, in light of these circumstances?
Questions, Questions, and More Questions: Measuring the Impact of Advanced Transportation Technologies on Traveler Behavior
Measuring the impact of advanced transportation technologies on traveler behavior leads to many questions. Jane Lappin, senior social scientist at Volpe, presented "Questions, Questions, and More Questions: Measuring the Impact of Advanced Transportation Technologies on Traveler Behavior" on Wednesday, June 19, during a recent Volpe event.
Measuring Walkability: The Health Question
Does the design of a neighborhood affect the level of a person's physical activity? Do people who live in more compact areas get more physical activity than those who live in sprawling neighborhoods? Ann Forsyth, professor of urban planning and director of the Masters in Urban Planning program at Harvard University, addressed these questions during her talk "Measuring Walkability: The Health Question."
Considering Transportation as a Complex Sociotechnical System
Dr. Joseph M. Sussman, JR East Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Engineering Systems Division at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, presented “Considering Transportation as a Complex Sociotechnical System” during a Volpe speaker series event.
Advancing Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention
Marco P. daSilva, senior general engineer and program manager at Volpe, presented "Advancing Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention" on April 9, 2013.
Using Automated Data Collection Systems to Improve Public Transport Performance: Applications at Transport for London
Dr. Nigel H.M. Wilson, civil and environmental engineering professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, presented "Using Automated Data Collection Systems to Improve Public Transport Performance: Applications at Transport for London" on March 6, 2013.
Lessons Learned from Sandy, Irene, and Katrina: Restoring Normalcy to the Transportation System through Effective Emergency Response
Terrence (Terry) M. Sheehan, community planner and emergency transportation expert in Volpe's Center for Transportation Logistics and Security, presented "Lessons Learned from Sandy, Irene and Katrina: Restoring Normalcy to the Transportation System through Effective Emergency Response" on February 28, 2013. Sheehan is a U.S. DOT Regional Transportation Representative and the lead Federal Emergency Support Function-One Official for New England, New York, and New Jersey.