Robert C. Hampshire

Title: Driving Safer Roads for All: V2X Connectivity and the National Roadway Safety Strategy

Abstract: As technological advancements accelerate, the convergence of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication and the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) is revolutionizing transportation safety. In this keynote, Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Science Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation, will explore how V2X technologies are transforming road safety by enhancing vehicle connectivity and protecting vulnerable road users (VRUs).

Dr. Hampshire will outline the U.S. DOT’s comprehensive V2X strategy, focusing on its role in supporting NRSS goals to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries. By leveraging real-time communication between vehicles, infrastructure, pedestrians, and cyclists, this strategy aims to create a more responsive and interconnected transportation ecosystem. He will also discuss the critical role of V2X in addressing the unique safety needs of VRUs, emphasizing the importance of deploying scalable, secure, and interoperable solutions.

Attendees will gain insight into USDOT’s vision for a safer, smarter transportation network and the roadmap for integrating cutting-edge connectivity solutions to support a more secure, accessible, and resilient future for all road users.

Bio: Dr. Robert C. Hampshire serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Science Officer. Hampshire was previously an associate professor at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. He was also a research associate professor in both the U-M Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and Michigan Institute for Data Science (MIDAS), and an affiliated faculty member in the Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering (IOE).

His unique blend of engineering systems research with public policy has made him a leader in not only transportation research, but also on the disparate impact of policy decisions in transportation systems. This has led to important strides in our understanding of transportation equity. His research applies operations research, data science, and systems approaches to analyze novel transportation systems such as smart parking, connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles, ride-hailing, bike sharing, car sharing, as well as, pedestrian and bicyclist safety. His research focuses on environmental impacts, equity, and access to opportunities. His work has been cited widely, and covered by major press outlets. He has worked extensively with both public and private sector partners worldwide. He has also been a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University and a visiting professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Hampshire received a PhD in operations research and financial engineering from Princeton University.