Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

In This Section

Highlights

HASS COE is actively engaged in a variety of research projects and activities that provide support and partnership to USDOT. Our primary focus is to review, assess, and validate the safety of highly automated systems, ensuring that these technologies meet rigorous safety standards. The...

Engage With Us

HASS COE partners throughout USDOT, academia, and industry:

USDOT Operating Administrations: We are dedicated to serving the various Operating Administrations within the USDOT. If you are part of an Operating Administration or a specific mode of transportation within USDOT, we...

What We Offer

HASS COE serves as a pivotal hub within the USDOT, concentrating expertise on automation to ensure the safety of highly automated systems. Our mission is to integrate all of the USDOT alongside government, academic, and industry partners to conduct essential research. This collaboration aims to...

Huafeng Yu, Ph.D.

Huafeng Yu, Ph.D. Senior Scientist, HASS COE huafeng.yu@dot.gov

Dr. Huafeng Yu is a Senior Scientist at the USDOT Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence (HASS COE) specializing in automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics. Previously,...

Ashley Nylen, PMP

Ashley Nylen, PMP Senior Strategist, HASS COE ashley.nylen@dot.gov

Ashley Nylen is a Senior Strategist for Surface Automation at the USDOT Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence (HASS COE), providing expertise in automated and emerging technology...

Daniel LeMaster, Ph.D.

Daniel LeMaster, Ph.D.Senior Scientist, HASS COEdaniel.lemaster@dot.gov

Dr. Daniel A. LeMaster is the Senior Scientist for Sensors and Perception at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence (HASS COE). Since joining the USDOT in...

Mubassira Khan, Ph.D.

Mubassira Khan, Ph.D. Senior Scientist, HASS COE mubassira.khan@dot.gov

Dr. Mubassira Khan is a Senior Scientist at the USDOT Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence (HASS COE) specializing in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and...

Jason JonMichael

Jason JonMichael Senior Strategist, HASS COE jason.jonmichael@dot.gov

Jason JonMichael is a Senior Strategist at the Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence (HASS COE). Previously, he served as an Assistant Director for the City of Austin, where he...