The U.S. Department of Transportation held its first Road Safety Innovation Expo in Washington Friday, featuring more than 40 exhibitors displaying technology aimed at reducing risks on America’s roads
Exhibits at the expo included virtual reality headsets, blood transfusion demonstrations and hazard material detection dogs – just a few of the many interactive tables and displays all focused on safety.
Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster said each booth serves a purpose.
“[We’re] highlighting some of the greatest and newest and cutting edge and current technologies we have on our road network to support safety,” he said.
The Federal Highway Administration organized the expo to brainstorm and showcase ways to stay safe on the road. McMaster said an exhibit that stood out to him showed technology to help drivers stay alert after dark.
“Solar powered lane markings, we have lighted cones that are connected,” McMaster said, the cones blinking in sequence.
Other exhibits focused on protecting pedestrians crossing roadways and reimagining car seats to be more durable in a crash.
At the entrance, a traveling work zone memorial greeted guests at the expo, honoring the thousands of workers lost on American roads.
McMaster said the memorial serves as a reminder of the risks involved in driving, and the heart of why the expo is necessary.
“On our roadways every year, more than 36,000 people have been killed,” McMaster said.
McMaster said that figure represents a steady improvement over the years, but added, “The only acceptable number is zero.”
McMaster said things like crash test dummies and computer screens broadcasting the latest AI technology at the expo represent both existing lifesaving technologies and those still in development.
However, he said drivers shouldn’t wait around for the tech to be implemented as the greatest
“We are promoting a ton of new infrastructure, but we need <a href="https://myappsplus.com/roku-labs-lets-you-try-experimental-apps-before-everyone-else/” title=”Roku Labs lets you try experimental apps before everyone else”>everyone to play a part in making sure that people can go from point A to point B safely and return back home,” McMaster said.
Copyright 2026 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
