Media Advisory: 2026 Vision Zero Fleet Safety Forum to Focus on Policies, Vehicle Design and Practices That Improve Safety Across Public and Private Fleets
MEDIA ADVISORY for October 22, 2026
NYC Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn, IIHS President David Harkey and national and global leaders from the public and private sectors to join October 22 Forum at Queens Theatre
NEW YORK, NY – Together for Safer Roads (TSR), in partnership with the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), will host the 2026 Vision Zero Fleet Safety Forum on Thursday, October 22, at Queens Theatre.
The annual Forum will bring together hundreds of leading stakeholders from public and private sector fleets, government, safety technology companies, policy and research organizations, and the road safety community for main-stage discussions, interactive workshops and hands-on demonstrations focused on improving fleet and road safety.
New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn will be a featured speaker, with opening remarks from NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Yume Kitasei, TSR Executive Director Peter Goldwasser and NYC Chief Fleet Officer Keith Kerman. Main-stage sessions will examine how government policy and procurement can advance fleet safety, how private-sector fleets can move proven safety practices toward wider adoption, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s expanding role in commercial vehicle safety research. Afternoon workshops will explore truck cab design and tire safety.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
“The Policies and Levers that Move Public Fleets towards Vision Zero”
Public fleets – from emergency vehicles and sanitation trucks to school and transit buses, sedans and pickups – operate at a scale that can significantly reshape road safety outcomes. The panel will examine how procurement, local laws, executive orders and innovative regulations can move safety technologies from small pilots to wider trials and full implementation, and how to overcome obstacles often faced when scaling these systemic changes.
Moderator: Laura Kavanagh, former New York City Fire Commissioner
Panelists: Matt Berlin, NYCSBUS; Asim Rehman, NYC Business Integrity Commission; Ali Brodeur, U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center; Steven Hoffner, NYC Department of Sanitation.
“Advancing Fleet Safety: IIHS’s Expanding Role in Commercial Vehicle Safety Research”
IIHS President David Harkey and Together for Safer Roads Executive Director Peter Goldwasser will discuss IIHS’s expansion into commercial vehicle safety and opportunities to improve the safety of trucks and other fleet vehicles through research, testing, technology and vehicle design.
“Scaling Private-Sector Fleet Safety: From Proven Practices to Industry-Wide Adoption”
Choosing safer vehicle types and designs and implementing proven safety technologies, training and practices can help fleets prevent crashes and protect lives. The panel will explore what enables fleet-wide implementation across diverse industries and how purchasing decisions, contracting standards, public policies and shared evidence can influence wider adoption across the commercial fleet sector.
Moderator: Zach Miller, Trucking Association of New York
Panelists: Tim Goodman, Amazon; Sal Mastriani, Interstate Waste Services; Jaclyn Youngblood, Massachusetts Department of Transportation; Michael Fowles, City Harvest.
Afternoon Workshops
“Designing a Cab for All: Reimagining the Truck Cab for Today’s Workforce” will explore TSR’s new Cab for All initiative, barriers and opportunities in truck cab design, and how fleets, manufacturers and safety experts can work together to turn innovative ideas into standard practice. Participants include Sam Waitt, U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center; Malissa Gibson, Loadmaster; Eikar Lai, NYC Department of Sanitation; and Danielle Barrett, Autoliv.
“The Critical Role of Tires in Vehicle Safety: A Facilitated Workshop with Together for Safer Roads” will bring public and private fleet perspectives to a discussion of tire maintenance, tools and initial lessons from implementing AI-enabled inspection practices. The workshop will be facilitated by Kate Fillin-Yeh and feature a video contribution from Stuart Lovatt and Mike Bourne of TyreSafe.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
7:30 AM – Registration, Breakfast and Networking
8:45 AM – Opening Program
9:05 AM – Featured Speaker: Mike Flynn, Commissioner, NYC Department of Transportation
9:25 AM – Keith Kerman, Deputy Commissioner and NYC Chief Fleet Officer, DCAS
9:45 AM – City Awards for Safest Drivers
9:55 AM – Public Fleets Panel
10:55 AM – Fireside Chat with David Harkey, IIHS
11:25 AM – Private-Sector Fleet Safety Panel
12:25 PM – Lunch and Outdoor Activations
1:45 PM – Afternoon Workshops
4:00 PM – Forum Concludes
EVENT DETAILS
WHAT: 2026 Vision Zero Fleet Safety Forum
WHEN: Thursday, October 22, 2026, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM
WHERE: Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Avenue South, Queens, NY 11368
The Forum is free and includes breakfast, a networking lunch and hands-on demonstrations of new vehicle designs and safety technologies.
Registration: https://visionzero2026.rsvpify.com/
MEDIA: To arrange an interview or press registration, contact Judy Klym at judy@agletstrategies.com or 203-921-9039.
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About Together for Safer Roads
Together for Safer Roads (TSR) is a global NGO committed to saving lives and preventing serious injuries by strengthening fleet safety worldwide. Through cross-sector collaboration with public and private fleets, safety technology companies, and policy and research leaders, TSR aligns institutions with the scale and influence needed to drive coordinated action and lasting improvements in road safety.
Learn more at www.togetherforsaferroads.org.
About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services
The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:
- Recruiting, hiring, and training city employees.
- Managing 56 public buildings.
- Acquiring, selling, and leasing city property.
- Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for city agencies.
- Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
- Leading the city’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.
Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas