Volpe Center Highlights
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Published and Presented
Recognizing that technological innovation will be a major force shaping the transportation system of the 21st century, the Volpe Center hosted the Secretary of Transportation's "Spirit of Innovation in Transportation Conference" on June 24 and 25. The conference was attended by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater, Deputy Secretary Mortimer Downey, Research and Special Programs Administrator Kelley Coyner, White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, U.S. Secretary of Commerce William Daley, over 30 senior-level panelists and moderators, and nearly 400 attendees from industry, government, and academia. The conference brought together leaders from the technology and transportation communities to consider integrated strategies to stimulate continuing technological innovation in transportation, and also addressed issues critical to achieving innovation, such as ensuring a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting or exceeding our national transportation goals. Opportunities for translating projected advances in cybertechnology, material sciences and nanotechnology were examined, and the application of alternative fuels to new transportation-related products and services was highlighted. U.S. DOT is now at work re-evaluating some of the ideas presented at the conference, including new research and education concepts, and the Transportation Strategic Planning and Analysis Division at the Volpe Center is compiling the conference proceedings. In addition, Mrs. John A. Volpe participated in the re-dedication of the Operations Research Center and in a reception honoring her husband, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Governor of Massachusetts John Volpe.