Media Advisory

USDOT to Showcase Latest Intelligent Vehicle Technologies Designed to Prevent Traffic Crashes and Save Lives

On June 24 from 1-4 p.m. at the Federal Highway Administration’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, VA, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will host a demonstration of intelligent vehicle technologies, including an “intelligent intersection,” which are designed to prevent traffic crashes and save lives. Reporters will be able to ride in the latest intelligent vehicles and will experience the newest advancements in intelligent vehicle technologies.

The demonstration is a prelude to USDOT's National Intelligent Vehicle Initiative Meeting and Demonstration, which will take place June 25-26. During the meeting on June 25 in the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC, Assistant Secretary of Transportation and Policy Emil Frankel will be the moderator of a panel of senior USDOT officials who will discuss the benefits to be obtained from technologies that result from the intelligent vehicle initiative.

Technologies on display at the demonstration in McLean will include

· A system that helps drivers avoid crashes caused by traffic signal and stop sign violations;

· A road departure collision avoidance system featuring an car equipped with a system to prevent

run-off-the-road collisions;

· Heavy trucks with a rear-end collision warning system and lane departure warning systems; and

· Transit buses equipped with lane keeping assistance, rear-end collision avoidance, forward collision

warning and lane change collision warning systems.

WHAT: Demonstration and discussions of intelligent vehicle technologies

WHO: June 25 – Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Emil Frankel

Senior USDOT officials

WHEN: 1 p.m. June 24 – Intelligent vehicle technologies demonstration

9:15 a.m. June 25 – Intelligent Vehicle Initiative Meeting begins

WHERE: Demonstration – Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center,

6300 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA

Meetings – Register in the Polaris Foyer, Concourse Level, Ronald Reagan Building

in Washington, DC

Notes for Assignment Editors: Reporters planning to attend the June 24 demonstration should provide their names by Monday, June 23, to Nancy Singer at 202-366-0660/4650. Those attending must enter by the Colonial Farm Road entrance (off Georgetown Pike, Rt. 193) and must present photo identification to the guard. See Web site for directions: http://tfhrc.gov/about/tfprocedures.htm.

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