Dr. James R. Sayer is a distinguished researcher in the field of advanced safety systems, specializing in connected vehicle technology, driver distraction, driver vision, and pedestrian conspicuity. He is currently the Director of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), where he conducts basic and translational research utilized by vehicle manufacturers and government agencies to establish policies and regulations related to vehicle safety technology and driver behavior. Prior to his current position, Dr. Sayer served on UMTRI's Human Factors Group as Head, Associate Research Scientist, and Assistant Research Scientist, holding leadership roles in several DOT-sponsored research programs. He is a Ph.D. graduate of Virginia Tech and an alumnus of University of Michigan, where he studied Industrial and Systems Engineering and Biopsychology. Dr. Sayer's professional experience also includes internships at Eastman Kodak Company and General Motors Corporation. He has published numerous research papers and serves as a reviewer for several leading transportation and psychology journals.