Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood (far right) tours the Volpe Center Human Factors Lab. Accompanying him are (from left to right): Kim Cardosi, Mary Stearns, Danielle Eon, and Steve Popkin of the Volpe Center; and Jill Zuckman. (Photo courtesy of Linda Haas Photography)

Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood toured the Volpe Center in Cambridge, Mass., on August 17, accompanied by Peter Appel, head of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). Throughout the morning, Secretary LaHood engaged with staff regarding the Volpe Center's expertise in performing cutting-edge research and deploying beneficial technology in the areas of railroad and transit safety, livable communities, global maritime domain awareness, distracted driving, NextGen, and air traffic flow management. He also hosted a town hall meeting with Volpe Center and DOT regional staff. Congressman Michael Capuano attended the town hall meeting and reiterated his interest in promoting the Volpe Center's role as a leader in innovative transportation.