Clamann named to new academic advisory council focused on automated vehicle education, discussions, policies

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (April 28, 2020) – Dr. Michael Clamann has been named to Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE)’s newly formed Academic Advisory Council, a panel of leading academicians who will help PAVE achieve its mission of “promoting fact-based public discussion about automated vehicles.”

“I am thrilled to join PAVE’s Academic Advisory Council and look forward to working with the organization to educate the public on AV technology,” said Dr. Clamann, HSRC’s Senior Human Factors Engineer. “Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, persons with disabilities, seniors, and children walking and biking to school, have different needs in their interactions with AV technology. This appointment will augment my work at HSRC to understand the travel behaviors of all users of transportation systems and assess how individuals influence the shared design of automated vehicles, built physical environments and local policies.”

Dr. Clamann applies an extensive background in engineering and psychology to research how technology can be improved by understanding human strengths and limitations. For more than 17 years, he has worked in industry and academia studying how people can effectively team with highly automated and autonomous systems in a variety of domains including transportation, aerospace, defense and telecommunications. Dr. Clamann is also a Science Policy Fellow with the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) and a member of the NC Department of Transportation’s Fully Autonomous Vehicle Committee.

“PAVE’s academic partners have expertise in broad subject areas – from engineering to public health – that are critical to building our transportation future,” said PAVE Executive Director Tara Andringa. “We are honored to be teaming with such an accomplished group of scholars whose guidance will help us to raise public understanding about AV technology and its potential benefits.”

The Academic Advisory Council will provide PAVE members with advice and recommendations on matters related to AV technology, including its societal effects, as well as assistance with polling, metrics and input on conducting public education campaigns. To learn more about PAVE and the Academic Advisory Council, including the other experts on the 22-member committee, visit: www.pavecampaign.org.