Virginia Tech Giving Day 2026

Saving lives, one milestone at a time. 

So many pivotal moments of our lives happen on the go. In many ways, the journey of our lives is literally made possible by safe, reliable transportation.  

Every day, the researchers at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) work to make every journey safer and more efficient for everyone. Our goal: reduce the almost 40,000 fatalities on U.S. roads every year [source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)].  

As a world-leading research institute, VTTI develops innovative ways to reduce crashes, improve mobility, and safely implement new technologies such as automated and connected vehicles. VTTI also partners with government and industry leaders, providing the expertise to make data-driven decisions that influence public policy and vehicle manufacturing.  

Help us Move our World Forward  

VTTI’s Move Our World Forward Initiative provides resilient and sustainable project funding for our unique programs. Donations on Virginia Tech ‘s Giving Day will directly support initiatives that help save lives and shape the future of transportation, including:

• Expanding teen driver safety training nationwide. Our Sharing the Road with Trucks driver education program combines expert-led safety curriculum and hands-on training to prevent collisions between passenger vehicles and large trucks. VTTI has provided training to over 96,000 drivers across 542 high school demonstrations and 80 community events across 20 states. With your help, we can expand this critical safety training to all 50 states.
• Advancing research to reduce driver distraction. Driver distraction is a major contributing factor to motor vehicle crashes, causing over 300,000 crashes in 2023, according to NHTSA. VTTI is developing solutions to prevent distracted-driving-related crashes and improve driver behavior through education and outreach.
• Protecting vulnerable road users: pedestrians and cyclists. We’re working to make roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists through infrastructure improvements, policy advocacy, and innovative research.  

Every contribution moves us closer to a world where getting from point A to point B is safer for everyone. Together, we can create a future where mobility serves us all.