Event Spotlight Series: Young Voices, Big Impact: Ben Kurian and the Road to Vision Zero
Missed the Tech Summit? Our Event Spotlight Series captures the people, ideas, and insights that defined the conversation. IBTTA members can access full session recordings and materials —a members-only benefit designed to keep you informed, inspired, and connected.
Every now and then, a student comes along with a vision and a voice that makes you stop and listen. That’s exactly what happened when we watched The Road to Vision Zero, a short documentary by 9th grade student Ben Kurian from Olentangy Liberty High School in Powell, Ohio—and one of this year’s first-place winners in C-SPAN’s StudentCam competition.
Ben’s film isn’t just a school project. It’s a call to action. With clarity, insight, and creativity well beyond his years, Ben explores how artificial intelligence can transform road safety—from smarter car systems and driver alerts to dynamic speed limits that adapt to congestion in real time. His message: technology can help us get to zero traffic deaths, but only if we use it thoughtfully.
The film struck a chord not only with the judges at C-SPAN, but also with industry leaders. We were proud to feature Ben’s documentary at IBTTA’s recent Technology Summit in Dallas, where it sparked real conversations about the future of transportation and the role of young people in shaping it. Hear Ben's remarks from Dallas.
And let’s be clear—this is more than just a feel-good story. It’s a vital reminder that youth voices matter in the road safety movement. Drivers under 20 have the highest crash rate of any age group. According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for U.S. teens. If we want safer roads, we can’t just talk about young people—we have to bring them into the conversation.
Ben’s work beautifully echoes the spirit of IBTTA’s Be Safe Together campaign, which emphasizes that the little things—putting down your phone, checking your speed, wearing your seatbelt—add up to saving lives. His film shows that small actions, combined with smart innovations, can have a big impact.
Want to be part of this movement? Save the date for IBTTA’s 2nd Annual Global Road Safety Week, happening June 23–27. It’s a chance for tolling professionals, policymakers, advocates, and yes—students—to come together around one common goal: making our roads safer for everyone.