On May 6, 2008, M-CASTL held its first annual Transportation Research and Education Conference at the University of Michigan (U-M) Union in Ann Arbor. The Conference brought together a diverse group of researchers and professionals with an interest in safety and mobility. An opening welcome and introductions were delivered by M-CASTL director, Dr. David Eby [slides], and UMTRI director Dr. Peter Sweatman.

Two keynote speakers were featured at the Conference: Dr. Bruce Simons-Morton [slides] of the National Institute for Child Health and Development, and Dr. Jacqui Smith [slides], Co-Investigator of the Health and Retirement Study at the U-M Institute for Social Research. The conference covered several topics related to both young and older drivers. The morning session focused mainly on young drivers, with educational panels entitled:

Young driver distraction and drowsiness
Moderator: Daniel Keating (U-M Center for Human Growth and Development)
Panelists: Todd Arnedt [slides] (U-M Psychiatry), C. Raymond Bingham [slides] (UMTRI), Gary Bubar [slides] (AAA Michigan), and Jennifer Zakrajsek (UMTRI)

Technology to improve driving for young and older drivers
Moderator: Frank Cardimen (Transportation Improvement Association, Oakland County)
Panelists: Paul A. Green [slides] (UMTRI), Ralph Robinson [slides] (UMTRI), James Sayer [slides] (UMTRI), and Bruce Simons-Morton.

These two panels were followed by a networking lunch. In the afternoon session, issues most relevant to older drivers were discussed in two panels entitled:

Driving and dementia
Moderator: Jeffrey Halter (U-M Geriatric Medicine)
Panelists: Stephen Aronson (U-M Psychiatry), David Eby [slides], Bruno Giordani [slides] (U-M Psychiatry), and J. Scott Roberts (U-M Public Health)

Transitioning from driving to non-driving options
Moderator: Frank Ascione (U-M Pharmacy)
Panelists: Cathleen Connell (U-M Public Health), Lidia Kostyniuk [slides] (UMTRI), Jonathan Levine (U-M Urban and Regional Planning Program), and Joseph Pellerito [slides] (Wayne State University).

All of these panels highlighted the theme of M-CASTL: safety and mobility throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on young people and older adults. Given the diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise of the panelists, the Conference provided a unique opportunity for professionals in industry, academia, and the traffic safety community to meet and discuss the latest research and ideas within these important areas. The Conference brought together professionals in transportation safety, engineering, social work, psychology, sociology, public health, urban planning, medicine, pharmacology, gerontology, occupational therapy, childhood development, and many other areas.

The 2008 Conference was sponsored in part by: