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Profile: Dr. Kakan Dey

About

Dr. Kakan Dey is an assistant professor at West Virginia University. His primary research interests include intelligent transportation systems, connected and automated vehicle technology, and traffic safety and operations. Dr. Dey’s most recent research publications focused on- Perceptions of pedestrians and bicyclists on AVs, Factors affecting AV-involved crashes in California, Shared mobility system modeling, and First-mile and last-mile connectivity issues.

PAVE: How does your work align with the mission of PAVE to educate the public on AV technology and its promise?
In a National Science Foundation funded project, we are investigating how students could collaborate with multidisciplinary stakeholders in developing AV systems in West Virginia. We learned that effective communication skills are critical in educating diverse stakeholders and the public without any background on AV technology. So, my research on effective collaboration and communication with stakeholders without engineering background can help PAVE to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.  

PAVE: What challenges do you see in improving public education about automated vehicles? How can we best address those challenges?
Based on my recent research works, exposure to AV technology helps the public get familiar with AV technology and understand how to share roads with AVs. In this context, I think more pilot deployments will accelerate societal acceptance and improve public trust.

About the Academic Advisory Council: PAVE’s academic partners help to guide PAVE on its mission of promoting fact-based public discussion about automated vehicles. Council members serve in a strictly advisory capacity, providing PAVE and its members with opinions and recommendations related to AV technology and its societal effects.