2021 Minnesota TZD Webinar Series: Crash and Learn—An Inside Look at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

About the Webinar

In this webinar, David Harkey provided an overview of the vehicle research and evaluation work being done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI) in the areas of crashworthiness/occupant protection, collision avoidance/driver assistance, and the role of technology in a safe system. Specifically, Harkey traced the evolution of improved vehicle crashworthiness from the mid-1990s to present day and shared IIHS plans for improvements in occupant protection.

The presentation also highlighted ongoing evaluations of advanced driving-assistance systems (such as front and rear crash prevention and lane keeping) for passenger vehicles and commercial trucks and shared the latest results on the effectiveness of Level 2 automation. Finally, Harkey addressed the role of technology in a safe systems approach to save lives and prevent harm on our roadways.

Webinar Recording & Materials

Speakers

Moderator

Brian Sorenson, Minnesota TZD Program Co-Chair and State Traffic Engineer, Office of Traffic Engineering, Minnesota Department of Transportation

Opening Remarks & Welcome

Margaret Anderson Kelliher has been the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation since January 2019. Prior to her appointment to MnDOT’s top leadership role, she served as president of the Minnesota High Tech Association from 2011-18. Much of Anderson Kelliher’s career has been dedicated to public service, including 12 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives where she served on the Transportation Policy and Transportation Finance committees, and she was elected to two terms as the Speaker of the Minnesota House. As House Speaker, Anderson Kelliher oversaw the successful passage of the 2008 Transportation and Transit Funding package that invested new and dedicated funds into Minnesota’s bridges, roads and transit system. At the time of passage, the legislation was a groundbreaking investment in the multimodal transportation and transit system in Minnesota and nationally. Anderson Kelliher grew up on a family farm near Mankato, Minnesota. She graduated from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with a master’s in public affairs mid-career and from Gustavus Adolphus College with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She is married with two young adult children and lives in Minneapolis.

Presenter

David Harkey is president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI), whose mission is to reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research, evaluation, and education. Before taking the helm at IIHS-HLDI in 2018, Dr. Harkey led the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center for 11 years. There, he directed numerous projects to improve roadway design and operations for all road users, develop tools and strategies for enhanced safety analysis, improve safety data for researchers and decision makers, and develop training materials for safety professionals. He has led major research programs and projects for the Federal Highway Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and other public agencies throughout his career and published numerous technical reports and peer-reviewed articles on road safety. Dr. Harkey received a doctorate in civil engineering from North Carolina State University and a master's degree and bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the Transportation Research Board and the Institute for Transportation Engineers.

Credit

Attendees are eligible for 1.0 POST credit, 1.25 Professional Development Hours (PDHs), and 1.25 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits.

PDH form (PDF)
CLE credit form (PDF)
POST Proof of Completion form (PDF)
This form does not need to be submitted; it is for your records only.
POST Affidavit of Attendance (DOC)
Please submit this form to tzd@umn.edu by March 31, 2022, to receive credit if you watched the webinar live or recorded. If the webinar was viewed with a group, please include all individuals' information. If you choose to fill in the form by hand, please print clearly.

More Information

For more information about the webinar, please contact Linda Dolan at ldolan@umn.edu.