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DC-area drivers with advanced-tech cars sought for paid study

Northern Virginia and D.C.-area drivers with cars equipped with advanced driving technologies are wanted for a transportation research study. Participants will be paid at least $50 a month, with a maximum compensation of $1,250.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute is behind the research project.

“We are looking for cars that have advanced technologies, in particular those technologies that provide lane-keeping assistance of adaptive cruise control,” said Miguel Perez, director of the Center for Data Reduction and Analysis Support at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

The researchers said drivers who participate in the research project, which is expected to last about 18 months, don’t need to do anything beyond drive.

“All they’re doing is really driving their own vehicle. We’ll put some additional instrumentation in the car that collects some information on the vehicle behavior, vehicle kinematics and some video information as well,” Perez said. “We’re really trying to understand how often people are using the systems and what conditions they use them in.”

The research aims to improve future versions of the systems.

Interested drivers should contact the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute at 540-231-1583 or email ADASStudy@vtti.vt.edu.

Kennedy Center renews call for Trump-backed shutdown after part of a ceiling collapses

WASHINGTON (AP) — A chunk of ceiling fell inside a main hallway of the Kennedy Center, according to a spokesperson who said the damage underscores the need to shut down the historic arts venue for renovations sought by President Donald Trump. No one was injured when a piece of the ceiling inside the Kennedy Center's grand foyer collapsed Friday evening, said Roma Daravi, the center's vice president for public relations. Photos provided by the center showed a large hole in the high ceiling and debris littering the red carpet in part of the hallway that connects the Kennedy Center's three main performance auditoriums. The damage occurred during stormy weather in Washington. The Kennedy Center's Trump-aligned board is fighting in court to move forward with plans to add Trump's name to the building's facade and to close the center for two years as it undergoes $250 million in renovations.
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