In January 2022, the United States Department of Transportation launched its National Roadway Safety Strategy, which outlines the Department’s comprehensive plan to significantly reduce severe injuries and fatalities on the nation’s roadways, highways, and streets. This represents the initial step towards achieving the ambitious, long-term goal of attaining zero roadway fatalities. This presentation will delve into how the United States Department of Transportation is influencing transportation system safety by developing short-term, low-cost roadway enhancements, creating innovative infrastructure designs, and leveraging new speed management strategies and countermeasures. Additionally, Mr. Cronin will discuss how the Department of Transportation is pioneering long-term solutions in technology innovation, including leveraging vehicle-to-everything communications to facilitate interoperable connectivity, influencing the future of autonomous driving with Cooperative Driving Automation, and developing tools to advance research and adoption of these technologies. All efforts are aimed at reaching the ultimate goal of zero roadway fatalities, and how you can actively engage in shaping the future of transportation.
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About the speaker: Brian Cronin is the Acting Director of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office. Prior to this role, Brian served as Director, Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for 5 years, and two years as the Director Office of Operations Research and Development. In his most recent role, he provided executive leadership and guidance for improving and advancing transportation safety and operations-related technologies and innovations through research, development, and testing. Brian is providing executive leadership in FHWA’s involvement in the Intersection Safety Challenge, development of a Vulnerable Road User Research Plan Report to Congress, and establishing a new Center of Excellence for New Mobility and Automated Vehicles. Brian guided the development of the Cooperative Driving Automation research program and V2X research efforts.

Prior to his appointment into the SES, Brian served for 11 years in the ITS JPO, with the last 8 years as the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Research Team Leader. In this position, he provided strategic leadership and direction in the development of ITS solutions to improve transportation mobility, safety, and the environment. Brian provided technical leadership for the development of the connected vehicle research program and the Secretary’s Smart City Challenge.

Prior to joining FHWA in 2003, Brian served as the Advanced Public Transportation Systems Team Leader with the Federal Transit Administration where he oversaw research and deployment of transit-related ITS technologies to improve transit operations. Brian holds a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. Brian is also a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Maryland.

Brian recently celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary to his wife Lisa LaCourse, and has two girls, Lucy and Julia. Brian enjoys camping, kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking, and golf.