HUNTINGTON -- Huntington will play host to the 2010 National Rural Intelligent Transportation Systems Conference this week, starting with a reception Sunday night at Heritage Farm Museum and Village.

The conference is expected to draw more than 250 transportation researchers, industry leaders, policy makers, students and other professionals from across the country. The purpose is to discuss and determine the future of rural intelligent transportation systems, which refers to efforts to add information and communications technology to transport infrastructure and vehicles in a way that is safer and reduces vehicle wear, fuel consumption and time.

The conference is being hosted by by the Rahall Transportation Institute, whose namesake, U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, is scheduled to serve as a keynote speaker during the opening session at 8:30 a.m. A welcome message will be delivered by West Virginia Sen. Bob Plymale, who serves at the director and chief executive officer of the Rahall Transportation Institute.

Peter Appel, the administrator for the United States Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Administration, also will speak during the morning session.

Marshall University President Stephen Kopp will speak during lunch at noon, followed by concurrent workshops on Advance Tools for Road Weather Management Programs and Multi-Agency Coordination and a panel presentation on Rural Safety Innovation Program.

On Tuesday, Aug. 3, there will be several workshops in the morning and afternoon, sandwiched by a 10:20 a.m. tour of the Cabell County 911 Center and CSX Locomotive Shop and a noon luncheon featuring Paul Mattox, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Transportation.

During the final day on Wednesday, Aug. 4, sessions will wrap up in the morning.

The conference will take place at the Pullman Plaza Hotel.

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