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tors. My 1985 dissertation was the first on-road safety evaluation of a moving-map navigation system and focused on issues of distraction and attention. After graduation, I got a teaching job at the University of Idaho. I was able to continue performing automotive research while at Idaho, winning contracts from auto companies and, eventually, the federal government. We conducted the first on-road evaluation of a for ward collision warning system during this time, spon sored again by General Motors. After nearly six years, I moved to the University of Iowa to lead the safety research efforts for the National Advanced Driving Simulator. Our team grew to include a group of brilliant students we were able to recruit along the way. After a few years at Iowa, the job of director of VTTI opened, and it gave me the opportunity to come back home to Virginia Tech. I have now been back for almost 18 years, and VTTI has grown from about 15 faculty, staff, and students to become the second largest university level transportation institute in the U.S. with more than 350 employees. The students and colleagues I worked with along the way made a significant contribution to this growth, and we have all now been together for many years. That list includes my former students Dr. Jon Hankey (25 years), Dr. Rich Hanowski (22 years), Dr. Mike Mollen hauer (20 years), Dr. Myra Blanco (15 years), Dr. Char lie Klauer (14 years), Dr. Shane McLaughlin (13 years),

and Dr. Zac Doerzaph (12 years) as well as colleagues Mr. Andy Petersen (20 years) and Dr. Jon Antin (inter mittently for 30 years). Each now serves as a center director or group leader at VTTI, and they have all been willing to take this ride with me. In turn, each has been instrumental in fostering the next generation of trans portation researchers by recruiting students who share our passion for public well-being. The impact of VTTI has been unprecedented on many levels, from effecting change in state and national laws to enhancing public awareness of important driving is sues. Not only have we grown as a research communi ty, we are growing our surrounding area. We have cre ated more jobs in this county than any other private or public entity. The opening of the National Tire Research Center in Alton, Va., will answer the call for not only an advanced tire testing facility but the need to create jobs in the Southern Virginia region. Essentially, we have the capacity to not only increase safety on national roadways but to serve as an economic developer. For all of these reasons, and more, it has been my priv ilege to serve as director of VTTI. We have much more to accomplish and new niches to carve in the transpor tation industry, but we will forever remain dedicated to our most central mission: saving lives.

photo by LoganWallace

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