Virginia Tech Transportation Institute: Educating Through Research

In this episode of Get a Load of This podcast, Cameron Pechia, and Thomas Comstock are joined by Matt Camden of VTTI  to discuss current behaviors and trends seen on the road today. Find out what VTTI has learned. It may surprise you. Episode Highlights: Matt explains that the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is a division of the University of Virginia Tech. They study everything related to tires hitting the road. (4:44) Cameron and Matt discuss traffic and any leading indicators that they believe are causing many of the road accidents. (8:05) Matt mentions that the great majority of individuals, whether driving a corporate vehicle or their own car, exceed the speed limit. (14:51) Matt explains that one of the things that VTTI concentrates on and assists fleets with better understanding is driver behavior. (18:54) Matt believes that driver assistance systems have the most potential to affect fleets. (20:19) According to Matt, what they've heard about the new warning technology indicates that many of the false activations and false warnings have been addressed, and they're working much better. (30:55) Matt mentions that VTTI is known for Naturalistic Driving Research, which involves putting cameras, sensors, and computer systems inside the trucks. (31:46) Matt explains that some autopilot related accidents are most likely the result of sensor malfunctions or sensors being covered up or unclean. It is also important to have drivers ready to take over if needed. (37:25) Matt encourages anybody with an idea or a need for a project to contact him on LinkedIn or contact other members of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute here. (44:41) Key Quotes: “Driver behavior is one thing that we definitely focus on and help fleets better understand when we're trying to help them.” - Matt Camden  “Everything we're hearing about these new technologies is that a lot of those false activations and false alerts have been addressed, and they're performing much better.” - Matt Camden  “What we're known for at VTTI, is what's called naturalistic driving research. And that is us, essentially, putting cameras, sensors, and computer systems inside the trucks.” - Matt Camden  Resources Mentioned: Matt Camden LinkedIn Virginia Tech Transportation Institute VTTI is always looking for participants in their studies. Contact Matt via LinkedIn or contact VTTI directly at https://www.vtti.vt.edu/contact/index.html Cameron Pechia Thomas Comstock Ryan Young Valley Trucking Insurance