Items of Interest 2008
Items of Interest was renamed New and Noteworthy in December 2008
December | November | October | September | August | July | June | May | April | March | February | January
December
Remembering John A. Volpe on the Anniversary of His 100th Birthday
December 8, 2008, is the anniversary of John A. Volpe's 100th birthday.
John Volpe was a distinguished businessman, civic leader, Federal administrator, ambassador, and public servant, who gave of himself so that others might benefit. During his third term as Governor of Massachusetts, he joined President Richard M. Nixon's Cabinet on January 20, 1969, as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). In 1970, Secretary Volpe's vision and initiative established U.S. DOT's Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, an innovative, Federal, fee-for-service transportation and logistics organization later renamed to honor Secretary Volpe and his many contributions to improving transportation safety, capacity, and efficiency. In a September 1990 rededication ceremony, the Transportation Systems Center was renamed in honor of Secretary Volpe.
(Added 12/10/08)
November
Advanced Wireless Communication for the Transportation Sector Summary Report
On May 22, 2008, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) convened a roundtable on "Advanced Wireless Communication for the Transportation Sector." Leading experts from the private and public sectors, academia, research and advocacy communities gathered to present and discuss their ideas on enabling internet and wireless technologies to allow vehicle-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, and infrastructure-to-system manager communications. These technologies may help drivers to avoid crashes and improve situational awareness, including dynamic rerouting and improvements in signal timing and synchronization based on real time and evolving traffic and weather conditions. The group also discussed advanced communications technologies including electronic tolling and fare collection for all modes of transportation, and developing mobility devices for remote monitoring of bridges, roads, rails, and other critical infrastructure. View the paper: Advanced Wireless Communication for the Transportation Sector (MS Word, 332KB) | HTML version.
(Added 11/18/08)
October
SafeTrip-21
"Gearing Up for SafeTrip-21," has been published in the September/October 2008 edition of the Federal Highway Administration's Public Roads magazine. The article, authored by Volpe Center staff, discusses technology solutions for improving transportation safety and reducing congestion. It can be found at: http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/08sep/02.htm. A short video on SafeTrip-21: Download (MOV, 6.32MB)
NOTE: You need Apple Quicktime installed to view this video.
(Added 10/21/08)
September
Mr. Gregg Fleming presents the paper "Trends in Global Noise and Exhaust Emissions from Commercial Aviation for 2000 through 2025"
Mr. Gregg Fleming participated in the 25th International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences, held in Anchorage, Alaska from September 14-19. He presented the paper "Trends in Global Noise and Exhaust Emissions from Commercial Aviation for 2000 through 2025". His co-authors include members of the Volpe Center’s Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division, EUROCONTROL, Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) and contractors. Using a variety of modeling techniques, the paper provided authoritative estimates of the industry’s growth in emissions fuel burn and noise.
(Added 09/22/08)
Volpe Center Develops Environmental Competency Navigator for FHWA
Environmental Competency Navigator, a tool that will help environmental professionals to determine the competency recommendations for their positions — showing results generated for a Planner.
In support of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Project Development and Human Environment, a Volpe Center team has developed and implemented the Environmental Competency Navigator, a tool that will help environmental professionals to determine the competency recommendations for their positions. As part of the Environmental Competency Building (ECB) Program this provides a central source of information for transportation and environmental professionals to develop and maintain competencies (technical knowledge and skills) required for their work.
Policies such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Clean Water Act (Section 404) seek to ensure that consideration of environmental factors is built into the transportation planning and project development processes. At the same time, transportation projects in the modern era often present unique environmental and regulatory challenges that are difficult for even experienced practitioners to fully grasp and comply with. Transportation professionals, as well as specialists or consultants employed in the environmental analysis and review of transportation projects, are expected to possess a depth and breadth of knowledge of many discrete topics existing in the nexus of both transportation and environmental fields.
In collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Project Development and Environmental Review and the Environmental Competency Building Steering Committee (comprised of members of federal and state transportation and environmental agencies and private sector firms), the Volpe Center team identified a suite of environmental competencies and developed a framework for tailoring sets of competencies to job positions. The team also gathered a comprehensive collection of resources including webinars, guidance documents, and information on courses and networking events. With this information, the Volpe Center team developed the Environmental Competency Navigator.
The Environmental Competency Navigator debuted in June 2008, and the Volpe Center team has received positive feedback from initial users who have attested to the usefulness and originality of the online tool. The Volpe Center team may incorporate additional interactive elements to the Competency Navigator in future phases of the project, such as "wiki" capability and Web 2.0 technologies. These enhancements were suggested by enthusiastic early users of the Competency Navigator, demonstrating the high level of buy-in from policymakers and field professionals alike.
The Volpe Center team was led by Ms. Sharon Chan Edmiston of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division. Other team members include Ms. Cassandra Allwell of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division and Ms. Gina Filosa of Cambridge Systematics.
(Added 09/15/08)
DOT/RITA/Volpe Center - Winner of the Prestigious 2008 "Innovations in American Government Award"
Congratulations!!!! With the Washington, D.C., skyline in the background, the RITA/Volpe Center Global Maritime Domain Awareness team pauses with representatives from Harvard University’s Ash Institute for a picture with their 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards plaque. From left to right: McCharles Craven, Kam Chin, Tony Saich, Director of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation; David Phinney, Stephen Goldsmith, Director of the Innovations in American Government Awards; Henry Wychorski, Brendon Providence, and Rodney Cook. The award ceremony was held in Washington on September 9, 2008. (Photo provided courtesy of and with permission from the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.)
On September 9, 2008, the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School announced the Global Maritime Domain Awareness Program as a winner of the 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards for its efforts in enhancing levels of safety and economic stability on the global seas. Developed by the Volpe Center of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, the program provides an unprecedented level of visibility into transit and port activity. The movements of more than 10,000 vessels from over 50 nations are tracked and updated in real-time. The program was honored at the Innovations in American Government Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on the evening of September 9th, and will receive $100,000 towards dissemination and replication across the country.
For more information on this year’s recipients of the Ash Institute’s 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards, go to http://ashinsttest.org.ezdeal.no/innovations#631, and http://ashinstitute.harvard.edu/corporat...award_winners_announced.
(Added 09/10/08)
Volpe Center Hosts Workshop on the Safety of Next-Generation Plastic and Composite Intensive Vehicles (PCIV)
On August 4, the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) hosted a workshop entitled "The Safety Characterization of Future Plastic and Composites Intensive Vehicles (PCIV)". The purpose of this workshop for subject matter experts was to obtain and integrate inputs on priority research needs for the characterization and quantification of safety benefits of advanced plastics and composite materials for the next generation of lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicles. The workshop prospectus, agenda, and presenters and background information are posted at http://www.volpe.dot.gov/safety/pciv/index.html. About 20 speakers presented and moderated focused discussions on key issues. Acting Volpe Center Director Dr. Ned Keeler and Mr. Stephen Summers, Chief of the NHTSA Safety and Restraints Research Division welcomed the participants and Volpe Center project staff, (Dr. Aviva Brecher of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division and Dr. John Brewer of the Advanced Safety Technology Division) presented the PCIV Safety Roadmap and described continuing research.
For the past three years (FY 2006-2008) the Volpe Center has supported the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) by performing research in this area. This research project responds to Congressional guidance for NHTSA research and to global and national pressures to improve the energy efficiency of vehicles and preserve the environment, with equal or better safety and affordability. Federal and industry initiatives have proposed and adopted multiple strategies and innovative technologies towards more sustainable energy. One of these strategies is to explore the potential safety benefits of using plastics and composites in the emerging lighter weight, more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.
The Center is now refining a 2020 PCIV Safety Roadmap. Approximately 50 leading experts on automotive safety and advanced materials representing government, industry, academia, and standards developing organizations attended the workshop, which was sponsored by the NHTSA. The attendees contributed to refining a near-term vehicle safety research roadmap that will facilitate safety-centered PCIV design and deployment by 2020.
In earlier research, the Volpe Center has evaluated and summarized the knowledge base on automotive light-weighting materials crash safety, and identified related national and international research as high-leverage partnership opportunities. In 2007 the Center published an initial report "A Safety Roadmap for Future Plastics and Composites Intensive Vehicles (PCIV)" posted at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NRD/Multimedia/Crashworthiness/4680PCIV_SafetyRoadmap-Nov2007.pdf. The report described the approach, activities, and results of an evaluation of potential safety benefits of PCIVs, to enable their deployment by 2020, and identified PCIV crash safety research priorities. The report built on and extended earlier technology integration roadmaps developed by the American Plastics Council (APC), now the American Chemistry Council- Plastics Division (ACC-PD).
(Added 09/03/08)
August
Volpe Center Presents an Overview of Intelligent Weather Information Systems at European Conference
Mr. Michael Rossetti and Dr. Thomas Seliga of the Volpe Center's Advanced Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance Technologies Division presented a paper at the Lakeside Conference on Safety and Mobility, which took place July 9-11 in Klagenfurt, Austria. The conference provided a showcase for intelligent weather information technology and a platform for information exchange. The Volpe Center presentation, "Informatics and Transportation Applications of Weather Technology," provided an overview of transportation weather informatics initiatives taking place in the United States as well as related concepts based on numerical weather-forecasting products and weather radar surveillance. These initiatives are designed to gather weather information, to assess and understand the impact of weather on transportation, and to share weather information in a useful way for surface transportation professionals and travelers. The presentation included a broad definition of weather informatics as the combination of detection, processing, interpretation, formatting, distribution and use of weather information in real time in support of surface transportation operations and management. It also described ways to cost-effectively harness the vast amount of weather and traffic data that are and will be produced by weather sensors, vehicles, roadside equipment, traffic detection systems, and other transportation-related systems and turn these data into useful information that will help drive transportation-related services.
The Volpe Center is actively involved in addressing the challenges and opportunities in the field of weather informatics and is supporting several initiatives. For more information on this work, please contact Mr. Michael Rossetti at Michael.Rossetti@dot.gov or Dr. Thomas Seliga at Thomas.Seliga@dot.gov.
(Added 08/25/08)
Computational Intelligence and Real-World Problems
The use of computational intelligence to solve real-world problems has been growing. Dr. Seamus McGovern of the Terminal and Surface Systems Division is making significant contributions to this field and is publishing his work in internationally recognized publications. He and Dr. Surenda M. Gupta of Northeastern University recently coauthored a chapter, “Deterministic Search Algorithm for Sequencing and Scheduling Problems,” in the technical volume “Meta-heuristics for Scheduling in Industrial and Manufacturing Applications” (Studies in Computational Intelligence, Volume 128). Metaheuristics are mathematical techniques that can be used to solve complex scheduling problems. This paper examines the possibility of using metaheuristic techniques to solve scheduling problems in the field of environmentally conscious manufacturing. Specifically, when factories must disassemble and recycle their post-consumer products, metaheuristics are used to determine a feasible sequence of activities necessary, minimize the number of workers on the line, equalize the time level-of-effort of each, remove environmentally hazardous and high-demand parts early on, and schedule the removal of parts with similar removal directions adjacently.
This work contributes to a wider goal in the manufacturing industry. More and more manufacturers are acting to recycle and remanufacture their post-consumer products due to new and more rigid environmental legislation, increased public awareness, and extended manufacturer responsibility. A crucial first step is disassembly. Disassembly is defined as the methodical extraction of valuable parts, subassemblies, and materials from discarded products through a series of operations. Research into metaheuristic techniques for disassembly will help manufacturers reach their objectives.
The technical volume is comprised of peer-reviewed papers on metaheuristic approaches for scheduling problems arising in logistical, industrial, and manufacturing applications. This text was written for engineers, scientists, and academicians engaged in metaheuristic, computational intelligence, and scheduling research, however these techniques have broad application in many areas that affect the general public. The volume was edited by professors Fatos Xhafa of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain, and Ajith Abraham of the Norwegian University of Technology, Trondheim, Norway, and was published in August 2008, by Springer-Verlag London Limited, London, United Kingdom.
The series Studies in Computational Intelligence (SCI) publishes new developments and advances in the various areas of computational intelligence quickly and with a high quality. The intent is to cover the theory, applications, and design methods of computational intelligence, as embedded in the fields of engineering, computer science, physics, and life science as well as the methodologies behind them.
(Added 08/25/08)
FRA Final Report on Safety Concerns at Private Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
There are more than ninety thousand private highway-rail grade crossings in the U.S., at which over 400 incidents and 30 fatalities occur annually. The safety concerns related to private crossings have prompted the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to review the safety guidelines for private crossings nationwide. It has been determined that, nationally, guidelines are largely undefined or inconsistently recognized.
The Volpe Center, in support of the FRA, has completed the first-ever comprehensive report detailing the challenges associated with the nearly 87,000 private highway-rail grade crossings that are not subject to the same federal safety standards as public crossings. In June 2008, the results of this work were published in a final report, titled Private Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Research and Inquiry. The report details a year-long private highway-rail grade crossing safety inquiry and proposes possible courses of action to improve safety at the Nation's private crossings. The report was coauthored by Ms. Anya Carroll, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Surface Transportation Programs; Mr. Steven Peck of the Rail and Transit Systems Division; and Ms. Miriam Kloeppel of the FRA Office of Safety.
The report is available at: http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/safety/privatexingsafetyresearchinquiry_061008.pdf
(Added 08/14/08)
Volpe Center Expert Is Keynote Speaker at International Conference on Hydrogen Fuel Technology for Trains
The Fourth International Hydrail Conference was held in Valencia, Spain, on June 9. The conference brings together the world's leading experts in the development of hydrogen fuel technology for railways. At the annual conference, these experts assess state-of-the-art technologies and global R&D activities. The 2008 conference showcased projects that apply hydrogen and fuel cell technology to railways and examined scenarios for integrating these technologies into existing transport systems and other factors related to the energy supplies of railways.
Mr. Greg Ayres of the Advanced Safety Technology Division was this year's keynote speaker at the conference. In his presentation, entitled "The Role of Hydrogen in U.S. Transit's Future," he described the Volpe Center's work in helping the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) develop an Electric Drive Strategic Plan (EDSP) with a focus on both bus and rail technologies.
He explained that the role of hydrogen in U.S. public transportation is critical because of the recognized need to reduce petroleum consumption as well as emissions from trains and buses. Some fuel cell-powered public buses are already operating in U.S. cities, and the National Fuel Cell Bus Program (a partnership between U.S. Department of Transportation and industry) aims to increase their numbers. He also explained that, since rails in many U.S. cities do not include electric power lines, hydrogen fuel cell rail vehicles could bring electric drive train service to many Americans at a lower total cost than rail electrification.
The U.S. Electric Drive Strategic Plan for transit systems will closely examine the potential for hydrogen-powered streetcar, light rail, monorail, and commuter rail technology development and in-service demonstration and deployment. When completed in late 2008, the Plan will propose new electric drive research activities for 2010 and beyond.
(Added 08/14/08)
Center Experts Support FTA in Transit Electric-Drive Research
In support of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)'s Office of Mobility Innovation the Volpe Center is working with the FTA and its partners to develop the Electric Drive Strategic Plan (EDSP). This plan presents a portfolio of research activities to help advance the bus and rail transit industry and deploy clean electric-drive technologies in the Nation's transit fleet. This Plan will help the Nation's transit industry achieve significant improvements in efficiency, criteria emissions, noise, and cost through electrified bus and rail vehicle and component research, development, and demonstration. It will help inform the new Administration on these topics and set an agenda for the next Congressional transportation reauthorization bill.
In early June, Mr. Greg Ayres of Advanced Safety Technology Division attended the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Rail Conference in San Francisco, California, and presented an update on the strategic plan. In addition, he and Dr. Jeffrey Bryan of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division facilitated a meeting of the EDSP rail steering group, a stakeholder group that is helping FTA develop the EDSP.
(Added 08/05/08)
Vehicle Safety Improvement Final Report
In support of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mr. Marco daSilva of the Advanced Safety Technology Division recently completed a final report, "Analysis of Event Data Recorder Data for Vehicle Safety Improvement" (DOT-VNTSC-NHTSA-08-01; DOT-HS 810 935). The report contains a comprehensive engineering analysis of Event Data Recorder (EDR) data supplied by NHTSA to assess its accuracy and usefulness in crash reconstruction and improvement of vehicle safety systems. This is part of the Volpe Center's continuing work providing technical support to NHTSA in crash avoidance and crashworthiness research.
Event Data Recorders (sometimes known as Crash Data Recorders) collect data from motor vehicle crashes such as whether a seatbelt was fastened at the time of impact and how fast the car was going a few seconds before the crash. This information can be used for vehicle safety research purposes.
The Volpe Center report presents an analysis of this data to evaluate its usefulness for the scientific community. The analyses focused on EDR file format and potential improvements, assessment of crash types where EDR data exists, review of EDR data for accuracy and completeness, EDR data comparisons with existing crash data, review of pre-crash, crash, and post-crash data for usefulness in better understanding the crash reconstruction, identification of error sources, and determination of methods by which researchers could use the EDR data to improve their crash case information.
The results of the engineering analysis show that EDR data can objectively report real-world crash data and therefore be a powerful investigative and research tool, by providing very useful information to crash reconstructionists and vehicle safety researchers.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NRD/Multimedia/PDFs/EDR/Research/810935.pdf
(Added 08/05/08)
July
Supporting China's Growing Air Traffic Management Needs
Air Traffic Flow Management Team (ATFM) in Beijing, China during ATFM Final Program Review meeting. Dr. Nelson Keeler and Mr. Norman Rosenberg represented the Volpe Center.
In June 2008, Volpe Center representatives took part in a final program review of the Chinese Air Traffic Flow Management program in Beijing, China. The Center is part of the U.S. China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) team which included individuals from Civil Aviation Administration of China/Air Traffic Management Bureau, Metron, FAA, MITRE, Boeing, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). Dr. Nelson H. Keeler, Director, of the Volpe Center's Office of Aviation Programs, serves as the senior U.S. government representative on the team.
ATFM is an important part of the Chinese Aviation authority's response to the fast growing demand for air travel and air cargo shipments. The Volpe Center's participation in this program review is part of an on-going relationship with Chinese colleagues who have previously visited the Volpe Center to learn about best practices for air traffic management and about ETMS.
The Volpe Center is responsible for the development and daily operation of FAA's Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS), the primary system used to support the agency's mission to track, predict, and plan air traffic flow; to analyze effects of ground delays; and to evaluate alternative routing strategies. ETMS integrates weather and flight data from multiple sources and presents it in a graphical format, allowing FAA to anticipate and balance air traffic flow across the national airspace.
ETMS initially focused on North American air travel, but is expanding into the international arena, both because FAA needs an interface with international aircraft arriving in the U.S. and in response to the growing needs of emerging markets and developing economies.
(Added 07/28/08)
Volpe Center joins FAA Team as Finalist for Prestigious Operations Research Award
Michael Brennan, Metron Aviation; Rick Oiesen, Volpe Center; Midori Tanino, team leader, FAA; and Ved Sud, FAA receiving awards as finalists in the Franz Edelman Operations research Award.
Every year, the Franz Edelman competition recognizes outstanding examples of operations research (O.R.)-based projects that have transformed companies, entire industries, and people's lives. O.R. uses advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions and is a disciplined way by which management can improve organizational performance in a wide variety of situations, in nearly any type of organization in the public or private sector.
In support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Volpe Center participated on a joint team to develop and deploy a tool- Airspace Flow Programs (AFPs)-that gives the FAA the ability to control activity in congested airspace by issuing ground delays customized for each individual flight. An AFP insures that the number of flights traversing an element of airspace is kept to acceptable levels. This tool is particularly crucial in assisting the FAA's effort to manage bad weather, which reduces airspace capacity, so that overall disruption to air traffic is kept at a minimum.
This year, the FAA's team was selected as a finalist for the prestigious Franz Edelman Award. Other finalists included teams from: the Environmental Protection Agency; the Norwegian team of StatOil/Hydro and Gassco; the city of Stockholm, Sweden; Xerox, and the Netherlands Railways. The Netherlands Railway team won this years' award for the application of operations research and analytics to rescheduling a heavily used commuter rail system. Although the FAA's new tool was not the overall winning entry, nevertheless, the Volpe Center values this recognition in the international arena for its role in this cutting edge work.
(Added 07/24/08)
Presenting Research on the Ionosphere and Navigation at International Conference
Macroscopic view of the ionosphere. The ionosphere is the uppermost part of the atmosphere, which is ionized by solar radiation. The characteristics of the ionosphere are important for navigation and Volpe Center researchers are examining how changes in the ionosphere can affect navigation systems
Dr. Andrew Hansen of the Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division presented three papers at a seminar called Ionosphere and its Impact on the GNSS Systems held in Santiago, Chile, April 14-16, 2008. The purpose of the seminar was to describe and discuss the characteristics of the ionosphere at various latitudes and its effect on air navigation. The seminar was sponsored by The International Civil Aviation Organization's Caribbean and South American Regional Director-Navigation. The Volpe Center's work in this area supports the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Organization.
The ionosphere plays an important role in communication and navigation systems and Dr. Hansen's work focuses on identifying, modeling and quantifying ionospheric structures and disturbances. He also presents recommendations for research areas that could detect and mitigate potential impacts to the GNSS system caused by ionospheric disturbances. Dr. Hansen gave the following presentations:
- The Ionosphere and GNSS Augmentation Systems Development and Extension of GBAS Ionospheric Error Threat Models
- Observing the Ionosphere Remotely GNSS Network Observation of Ionospheric Structure and Disturbances
- Calibration of Ionospheric Observations from GNSS Reference Networks Ionospheric Observation Reference Network Noise and Bias Calibration Techniques
(Added 07/18/08)
FRA Workshop on Trespass on Railroad Right of Ways
On April 1-2, Volpe Center staff facilitated and took part in the first workshop for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in collaboration with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Right of Way Fatality and Trespasser Reduction. The overall goal of the workshop is to share practices and explore new strategies that the rail industry could pursue utilizing the Hazard Analysis process to reduce the number of right of way fatalities and trespasser incidents. One hundred twenty (120) rail safety professionals from the United States, Canada, and Singapore attended and presented on industry leading practices and on the effective use of the hazard management process for identification, resolution, and measurement of the success of trespasser mitigation strategies. Three Volpe Center staff members had key roles in the success of the workshop:
- Mr. Robert Adduci of the Rail and Transit Systems Division, designed, facilitated discussions and served as the Master of Ceremonies for the workshop. Mr. Adduci was also the primary Program Manager and organizer for the event, coordinating with FRA, Caltrain, and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the logistics of the workshop.
- Ms. Suzanne Horton of the Rail and Transit Systems Division presented on the FRA sponsored Public Education and Enforcement Research Study (PEERS). The PEERS project involved developing, implementing and testing a core highway-rail grade crossing safety program based on education and enforcement in the State of Illinois, which could be easily adaptable to numerous communities. As part of the project the Volpe Center monitored and evaluated highway-rail intersections in Illinois communities using video data.
- Mr. Marco daSilva of the Advanced Safety Technology Division presented on the FRA sponsored Trespass Deterrent Demonstration Project. The Volpe Center), under the direction of FRA, conducted a 3-year demonstration of an automated prototype railroad infrastructure security system on a railroad, using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology system.
Mr. Fred Mottley of the Rail and Transit Systems Division and Ms. Anya A. Carroll, Acting Deputy Director of the Office of Surface Transportation Programs also aided in the planning and participated in the workshop.
(Added 07/21/08)
Volpe Center Expert Contributes to Book on Computational Intelligence
Dr. Seamus M. McGovern of the Terminal and Surface Systems Division co-authored a chapter in the "Multi-Objective Optimization in Computational Intelligence: Theory and Practice" published by IGI Global, Hershey, Pennsylvania in March 2008. Multi-objective optimization is a fast-developing field in computational intelligence research where the objective is to optimize two or more conflicting objectives. There are a number of competitive multi-objective optimization techniques with an increasingly large number of real-world applications that can provide decision makers with more options in choosing the best solutions. Dr. McGovern and Dr. Surendra M. Gupta (Northeastern University) authored the chapter "Lexicographic Goal Programming and Assessment Tools for a Combinatorial Production Problem" in which they demonstrate an application of lexicographic goal programming to a newly defined, computationally complex, reverse logistics problem which they had previously formulated. The IGI Global text was edited by Profs. Lam Thu Bui and Sameer Alam.
(Added 07/21/08)
Integrated Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (ICNS) Conference Participation
This year’s ICNS conference, held in Bethesda, Maryland, May 5-7, 2008, promoted the transformation of the nation’s air traffic management system into the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The conference theme, Information Takes Flight, reflects the central importance to NextGen of information availability. The conference provided up-to-date status of NextGen activities and discussion of the state of the art in technical developments.
Volpe Center experts made significant contributions to this conference as reflected in the following papers presented:
Prototype ADS-B System in the Midwest: Description and Lessons Learned by Mr. Timothy Hall, and Mr. Allen Mackey both of the Advanced Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) Technologies Division, Office of Aviation Programs, and Mr. Bobby Nichols and Mr. John Marksteiner of the Federal Aviation Administration.
This paper describes the data collection processes, data conversion methods, programming techniques, and systems engineering aspects of the successful fielding of the Midwest prototype Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) System. In support of this task, the FAA’s Surveillance and Broadcast Services (SBS) Program Office asked the Volpe Center to install five prototype 1090 MHz ADS-B ground stations in the Midwest and collect surveillance data from these sites. The ADS-B data are fused with radar and other flight data at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center. The results are sent to United Parcel Service’s Global Operations Center at Louisville, Kentucky for inclusion into the Airline Based En-Route Sequencing and Spacing (ABESS) application. The ABESS enables airlines to adjust the spacing of arrival aircraft at en-route merge fixes by up-linking speed advisories during the en-route phase of flight.
Tower Information Display System (TIDS): Human-in-the-Loop Simulation and Evaluation by Dr. Daniel J. Hannon, Dr. Jonathan T. Lee, Dr. Thomas B. Sheridan, and Ms. Caroline Donohue all of the Office of Aviation Programs.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is developing the Tower Information Display System (TIDS) with the support of the Volpe Center. TIDS is currently a Research and Development initiative. TIDS eliminates dependence on out-the-window (OTW) visual observations. Instead, it consolidates information from multiple current sources, and provides additional air traffic flow information to the tower controllers. This paper describes a human-in-the-loop simulation and evaluation of the TIDS that was conducted in August 2007. Human-in-the-loop simulation is an interactive physical simulation that includes human operators. The goal was to determine whether radar-like traffic surveillance displays could be used to control airport traffic. Test scenarios were developed to allow for comparison of the performance of TIDS against the OTW viewing environment - two based on visual flight rules (VFR) and two based on instrument flight rules (IFR). The results showed comparable operational efficiency between the TIDS and OTW conditions in VFR Day scenarios. Efficiency was reduced for the OTW night condition while TIDS efficiency was not. Similarly, efficiency for the OTW condition during IFR operations (when visibility was most restrictive) was reduced, in comparison to TIDS. Ratings by controllers showed a strong preference for the use of TIDS. A discussion of the results is provided along with consideration of the limitations of the study and possible future development.
- Tower Information Display System (TIDS): the System Architecture by Ms. Sharon Woods of CSC and Mr. Michael Francis of EG&G (both Center contractors) and Dr. Jonathan T. Lee of the Advanced Surveillance and Communications Division.
This paper describes the hardware and software architecture of the Tower Information Display System (TIDS). TIDS was designed and built to provide a large screen display of current terminal traffic and a touch-screen display that implements an electronic flight strip operation. The system integrates the information from all data sources, provides real-time value-added processing and gives air traffic controllers the information necessary for safe and efficient airport operations. All data sources are processed and displayed in real-time. The system also allows for multiple real-time displays whose views are individually configurable to the appropriate controller functions needed.
This paper also explores the designs of future versions of TIDS that are in development following the feasibility study. These TIDS systems integrate new data sources, such as Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) CAT11 data, which provide aircraft track data derived from multilateration and primary radar. They also provide Air Traffic Control Towers with a NextGen extensible design for data distribution for the myriad of data sources of terminal information. The real-time processing capability will also allow for implementation and display of decision-support algorithms.
(Added 07/02/08)
June
Research on Vehicle Compatibility Presented at Society of Automotive Engineers Congress
On April 16, Dr. John Brewer, Acting Chief of the Advanced Safety Technology Division presented a paper entitled "Preliminary Evaluation Methodology in Front-Front Vehicle Compatibility" to the 2008 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress in Detroit, Michigan. (Paper Number 2008-01-0814) The paper was co-authored by Dr. David L. Smith of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In any two-vehicle crash, the injury outcome is a function of both crash-specific and occupant-specific parameters. Vehicle compatibility describes the structural aspects of the crash partners and influences the risk of injury when two vehicles collide head on. When a small vehicle collides with a large vehicle, there is generally a higher risk of injury to the occupants of the smaller vehicle. This paper focuses on a preliminary methodology that was used to evaluate potential benefits in making vehicle-specific changes to improve the compatibility of light vehicles across the fleet. In particular, the effect on injury rates of matching vehicle frontal stiffness was estimated. The front-front crash data for belted drivers in the lighter vehicles in the crash from ten years of National Automotive Sampling System/Crashworthiness Data System (NASS/CDS) were examined. The results of this study indicate the need for developing a more robust and in-depth benefits methodology that can account for mass ratio, driver age, crash velocity, belted status, and other metrics leading to injury and fatality reduction. Improving estimates of these effects will enhance confidence in benefit computations. The general method will be modified and enhanced in further work at the Volpe Center and at NHTSA.
(Added 06/27/08)
Public Roads Article on FHWA Planning and Environmental Linkages Process
The March/April 2008 issue of Public Roads magazine includes an article titled PEL A Path to Streamlining and Stewardship authored by Ms. Gina Barberio and Ms. Rachael Barolsky of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division, and Mr. Michael Culp and Mr. Robert Ritter of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
This article describes some of the factors that contribute to delays in transportation project development and describes a new approach, know as Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL), which is being introduced by FHWA to streamline decisionmaking and lead to better consideration of environmental factors earlier in transportation planning. PEL emphasizes the linking of planning and NEPA activities - specifically, solidifying the connection between systems-level planning and project-level decisionmaking. The purpose of PEL is to coordinate statewide and metropolitan transportation planning with the NEPA process to streamline project delivery and improve planning- and project-level decisionmaking. PEL encourages agencies to improve coordination across agencies, and encourages agencies to adopt an integrated approach, which addresses environmental goals while considering quality of life. The article describes a project in Michigan where the PEL process was successfully applied. It also provides specific guidance for change management, data analysis tools, examples of process improvements, lessons learned, and provides suggestions for additional resources.
The full article can be read at http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/08mar/01.htm
(Added 06/16/08)
Peer Reviewed Journal articles on Noise and Emission Measurements and Modeling
Mr. Gregg G. Fleming and Mr. Christopher Roof of Volpe Center's Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division contributed to two recent peer reviewed journal articles describing work to which the Volpe Center staff contributed.
Herndon, Scott C., Jayne, John T., Lobo, Prem, Onasch, Timothy B., Fleming, Gregg, Hagen, Donald E., Whitefield, Philip D., Miake-Lye, Richard C., Commercial Aircraft Engine Emissions Characterization of in-Use Aircraft at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport published in Environmental Science and Technology 2008, 42, 1877-1883 View Document (PDF 4.7MB)
A number of recent studies have focused on understanding the role of aviation emissions on urban air quality through the use of improved measurements at airports and modeling the impact of emissions on surrounding regions. This paper describes measurements conducted at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport near Atlanta, Georgia using two mobile laboratories located downwind of active runways. The approach uses analysis of wind advected plumes from in-use commercial aircraft. A goal of the effort is to measure aircraft-associated emissions following the initial dilution and atmospheric processing of the plume. This work is significant due to the examination of takeoff plumes; the majority of the sampled plumes during this measurement effort were emitted from engines engaging in takeoff activity. This work also uses real-time particulate measurement data and sees significant differences between the particulate emission characteristics between different engine models. The research used the Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System (EDMS) is a computer modeling tool which estimates aviation emissions based on activity and fleet composition. Though the model draws on a variety of information sources, the ICAO engine emissions databank is the principal source for aviation emissions data. EDMS can be used for either whole airport emission inventory development or predictions of perturbations in mixing ratios due to airport related emissions.
Rickley, Edward J., Fleming, Gregg G., and Roof, Christopher J. Simplified procedure for computing the absorption of sound by the atmosphere, published in Noise Control Engineering J.55(6), 2007 Nov-Dec View Document (PDF 596KB)
In support of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Office of Environment and Energy (AEE the Volpe Center, Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division, has completed a study of a proposed new method, referred to as the Volpe method, to modernize the requirements for calculating the absorption of sound by the atmosphere. The study was conducted under the auspices of the SAE International Aircraft Noise Committee (A-21) Atmospheric Absorption Project Working Team. This journal article presents the results of the study, along with an introduction to the topic of atmospheric absorption, as it relates to aircraft noise certification.
(Added 06/09/08)
Volpe Center Experts Receive Federal Railroad Administration Team Award
FRA staff and Volpe Center team members receive Team Award. Pictured here from left to right: Jo Strang, FRA Associate Administrator for Safety; Eloy Martinez, FRA team member; Brenda Moscoso, FRA team member; Stephanie Markos, Volpe Center team member; Anna Winkle, FRA team member; Dan Alpert, FRA team member; Ullah Kifayat, FRA team member; and Joe Boardman, FRA Administrator
On March 19, Ms. Stephanie Markos of the Rail and Transit Systems Division and Mr. John Pollard of the Human Factors Division received a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Team Award for "exemplary teamwork, outstanding dedication, and achievement in advancing the safety of railroad passengers and employees by supporting and contributing to the enhancement of industry standards." These industry safety standards are published by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), to supplement existing FRA regulations, and include Emergency Lighting, Emergency Signage, and Low Location Exit Path Marking. Ms. Markos and Mr. Pollard have provided extensive technical expertise and support to FRA during the development of the original 1998 and 1999 FRA regulations related to passenger rail car emergency systems and their enhancement as published by FRA on February 1, 2008. Ms. Markos and Mr. Pollard have provided extensive technical expertise to the original APTA standards, their later updates, and during the most recent revision process which was completed in October, 2008. The FRA plans to issue a rulemaking proposal to incorporate the three APTA emergency systems standards into passenger rail equipment regulations early in 2009. Ms. Markos, who is the FRA Emergency Preparedness Research Project Leader, attended the Ceremony.
(Added 06/05/08)
May
Volpe Center Hosts Transit System Safety Training
The Volpe Center has a long history of involvement in improving the safety of public transit systems. Currently Center staff is actively involved in supporting the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) by providing training for legislatively-mandated programs. On May 5-9, staff from the Rail and Transit Systems Division in partnership with the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) hosted a week long Transit Rail System Safety Course at the Volpe Center. This course provided an explanation of State Safety Oversight Rule 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 659, and compliance with its requirements and implementation relative to existing systems, new starts and expansions of service. In 49 CFR Part 659, the FTA requires each State to designate an oversight agency to conduct safety and security oversight of it rail transit systems within there respective states. The course included an in-depth study of hazards analysis and its implication throughout the system life cycle, from planning and design, through construction and implementation of revenue service, to system disposal. System safety in the acquisition and operations, bids, and specifications, safety certification program, certifiable items list, security, and emergency response were discussed. The training correlates the System Safety Program Plan elements into performing and proactively using the results of an internal safety audit program, investigating accidents and unacceptable hazardous conditions, developing corrective action plans, hazard resolution, and tracking for effectiveness. Mr. Robert Adduci, of the Rail and Transit Systems Division, along with two TSI Senior Associate Staff, as the instruction team, completed a revision to this course and presented the new version last January in Atlanta, Georgia. A total of thirty participants, took part in the course offered at the Volpe Center. Participants included transit safety professionals, and Transportation Security Administration Rail Inspectors.
(Added 05/26/08)
Volpe Center Experts Provide Global Positioning System (GPS) Assessment at International Conference
In support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Organization (ATO), Dr. Jim Carroll of the Volpe Center's Advanced Surveillance and Communications Division presented a paper to the European Group of Institutes of Navigation, European Navigation Conference- Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) held in Toulouse, France on April 23 - 25, 2008. The paper, titled Results from a the Global Positioning System (GPS) Timing Criticality Assessment, provided the European and International Positioning, Timing, and Navigation community with an update on issues related to providing a backup timing capability for the Global Positioning System, when it is used as the primary time and frequency source in critical security and civilian applications.
The paper, which was co-authored by Mr. John Kraemer of the Advanced Surveillance and Communications Division, includes a discussion of how several important time and frequency applications are strongly dependent on GPS and how those applications are impacted by a disruption or blockage of the GPS signal, and how backup time and frequency sources could mitigate the disruption and enable continued operation.
The Volpe Center is working with the FAA ATO to demonstrate the value of having an enhanced version of Long Range Navigation Model C (Loran-C) as a backup system to GPS when the GPS signal is not usable. GPS is vulnerable to disruptions caused by radio-frequency interference (RFI), while Loran is considerably less vulnerable. The Volpe Center also has been analyzing how users of GPS time and frequency (T/F) services can mitigate the impact of a disruption of the GPS services by using appropriate T/F systems or procedures, including Loran, as a backup
The workshop was attended by representatives from International Civil Aviation Organization, aviation officials from African countries, Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated SITA (formerly Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques), European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment and World Bank.
(Added 05/26/08)
Volpe Center Experts Contribute to Conference on Weather
The 88th American Meteorological Society's Annual Meeting took place in New Orleans, Louisiana earlier this year. The AMS Meeting addresses topics specific to weather, climate, and the science of applying meteorological knowledge to societal concerns. The AMS Annual Meeting hosts several other meteorological conferences, and Volpe Center technical experts from Advanced Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) Technologies Division presented their papers at several meetings. Their papers are listed and summarized below:
Atmospheric Turbulence Effects on Near-Ground Wake Vortex Demise by Mr. Hadi Wassaf, Mr. Amir Tabrizi, Mr. Frank Wang and Ms. Melanie Soares presented as part of the
13th Conference on Aviation, Range and Aerospace Meteorology.
The paper highlights the latest analysis results based on field measurements of wake vortex and ambience turbulence data from Houston, Texas on how atmospheric turbulence impact the decay as well as breakup of departure vortices generated near the ground. These results are to support the overall relative risk assessment of the Wake Turbulence Mitigation for Departures concept underway at the George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport in Houston, Texas as well as advancing the understanding of weather impact on wake turbulence demise near the ground.
This paper can be downloaded from: http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/133925.pdf
Statistical Characteristics of the Wind Dependence of Snow and Freezing Fog Events at Several Major Airports for Improving Runway Visual Range (RVR) Performance by Dr. Thomas A. Seliga, Mr. David A. Hazen of Titan/System Resources Corporation, and Mr. Stephen Burnley of the Federal Aviation Administration, presented at the 13th Conference on Aviation, Range and Aerospace Meteorology.
The paper highlights the effects of snowfall and high winds that force snow or ice into the protected RVR sensor head shields, affecting RVR sensor performance. Results of the study indicate that the occurrence of such effects could be reduced by orienting the sensors in directions least susceptible to effects of wind-blown snow and freezing rain.
This paper can be downloaded from http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/134135.pdf
Evaluation of the Two Foot-Lambert (FL) Dawn and Dusk Thresholds for Runaway Visual Range (RVR) Airport Applications by Dr. Thomas A. Seliga, Mr. David A. Hazen of Titan/System Resources Corporation, and Mr. Stephen Burnley of the Federal Aviation Administration presented as part of the 13th Conference on Aviation, Range and Aerospace Meteorology.
This paper details the Ambient Light Sensor data that were taken from the New Generation Runway Visual Range system at the Otis Weather Test Facility on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. An analysis was conducted to probe the discontinuity in RVR values reported when the background luminance passes through the 2-ft-Lambert threshold used by the RVR system to determine nighttime conditions.
The Volpe Center utilizes the Otis Weather Test Facility in support of Federal Aviation Administration (RVR) Program that includes testing, design, development and research into sensors and systems, focusing on weather-related phenomena.
This paper can be downloaded from: http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/134123.pdf
U.S. Highway Crashes in Adverse Road Weather Conditions by Mr. Michael Rossetti, Mr. Paul A. Pisano, of the Federal Highway Administration, and Ms. Lynette C. Goodwin, of Mitretek Systems, Inc., presented at the 24th Conference on International Interactive Information and Processing Systems for Meteorology, Oceanography and Hydrology.
This paper can be downloaded from http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/133554.pdf
Impacts of Weather and Climate on Commercial Motor Vehicles by Mr. Michael Rosssetti and Mr. Michael Johnsen of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, presented at the 20th Conference on Climate Variability and Change.
This paper can be downloaded from http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/134596.pdf
The above two papers describe the Volpe Center's support of the Federal Highway Administration's and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's use of weather technologies, weather analysis of surface transportation, and study of the implications of climate change. Adverse weather presents many challenges to surface transportation, and can seriously degrade performance and safety at various scales within the national intermodal network. The Volpe Center supports and helps to coordinate the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) activities related to surface transportation weather, addressing the problems inherent in the day-to-day operational effects of the weather on transportation. The Volpe Center is developing an improved DOT understanding of how weather and climate information is used by the freight industry.
(Added 05/08/08)
April
Volpe Center Engineer Receives Federal 100 Award
Mr. Robert E. Suda, Volpe Center Acting Director, with Mr. Henry Wychorski, a Volpe Center engineer and program manager, who received the prestigious Federal 100 Award at the 19th annual Federal 100 Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., March 24, 2008
Henry Wychorski, a senior electrical engineer and project manager in the Marine Systems Division, has been selected to receive a prestigious Federal 100 Award. The award was given to him for leading the team that developed and demonstrated the Maritime Security and Safety Information System (MSSIS), which tracks the movement of international maritime traffic in real time in the territorial waters of more than 30 countries. This year’s awardees were selected because they are “agents of change,” and Henry Wychorski’s leadership and innovative contribution to maritime traffic monitoring has made a significant difference to both maritime security and traffic management.
The Federal 100 Awards recognize individuals from government, industry, and academia who significantly influenced how the federal government buys, uses, or manages information technology. Awardees are selected because they are the people who drive change, who help make government smarter and more efficient. Federal 100 candidates are nominated by readers of the Federal Computer Weekly, and an independent panel of judges selects winning entries from government and industry.
Henry is project manager and senior technical lead for the MSSIS; the technology is based on using Global Position System data to develop advanced navigation and tracking systems. MSSIS provides Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) information through an unclassified, multinational, freely shared network. MSSIS uses Automatic Identification System (AIS) data that is broadcast from commercial vessels for tracking the movement of commercial ships in the territorial waters of the member countries.
The Volpe Center, working with the Commander of the US Navy Europe, developed a low-cost network that is capable of collecting and sharing real-time AIS data with multiple users through an internet-based, password-protected system. The network provides clients with real-time MDA.
Henry worked very closely with senior naval officers and science advisors in the US Navy, US Coast Guard, and NATO countries to make this system operational in 2007. Developing a global system of any kind is time consuming and expensive. He was able to use existing technology to build a low-cost, easily deployable, expandable system that provides unprecedented information on international commercial vessel movements. He traveled internationally to meet with customers, and recently went to South America to expand the system in the southern hemisphere.
(Added 04/15/08)
Volpe Center Employee Serves in Afghanistan
Bob Hoaglund with a Red Sox fan(!) and friend with candies from Longfellow's Wayside Inn, Sudbury, MA in mud hut village outside Kabul
Robert Hoaglund, of the Infrastructure Protection and Operations Division, is serving in Afghanistan following a recall to active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army. Since September, 2007 Bob has been working for the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF). CJSOTF’s mission is to conduct special operations to defeat the Taliban insurgency, and enhance the country's security as well as work within the Combined Security Transition Command's (2-star General Command) role to develop structural, organizational, institutional, and management reforms of Afghan National Security Forces enhancing long term stability and security for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (IRoA).
Bob has been working with numerous countries conventional and special operations forces as well as US contractors partnered with the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP). His duties range from training the Afghan Commando’s (elite infantry) to working with the US Embassy in various support functions relating to infrastructure improvement, security, and distribution and material management programs for the IRoA. Most programs involve management of Department's of State and Defense monies totaling in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
He has valued the rich experiences this service has offered him, especially when interacting with the Afghan people, both in the local populace, and the Army. On one mission in Herat (near Iranian border) the villagers were experiencing unprecedented sub-freezing temperatures with no heat or electricity, so the US Special Forces (CJSOTF) provided humanitarian assistance by distributing blankets, winter clothing for children, and high caloric foods. Bob found it rewarding to hand out the commodities and help people (including children) survive in desperate situations.
Bob should be back at Volpe in July after redeploying from Afghanistan to Fort Bragg, NC, and then spending time with his children and family following military service.
(Added 04/08/08)
March
Passenger Train Emergency Systems
Federal Railroad Administration Issues Revised Regulations
FRA passenger train emergency regulations are designed to ensure that passenger railroads plan for possible emergencies in order to minimize the potential consequences. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently issued revised regulations (49 CFR, Part 238) for passenger train emergency systems. The Volpe Center has provided critical technical support to the FRA during the process of developing and building consensus for these revised regulations. Ms. Stephanie Markos of the Rail and Transit Systems Division and Mr. John Pollard of the Human Factors Division have provided FRA with information to related to human factors, as well as engineering considerations.
The Center provided critical technical assistance to the FRA Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) Passenger Safety Working Group and Emergency Preparedness Task Force, which developed and approved the basis for the revised regulations. This consensus-based task force consists of a variety of stakeholders, including Amtrak and commuter railroad management, labor organizations, rail car manufacturers, other vendors, and other interested parties, such as the National Transportation Safety Board.
Passenger rail cars will now be required to have updated public address and intercom systems, as well as additional emergency window exits, rescue access windows, and emergency roof access locations. The improvements are part of a continual effort by the FRA to improve the safety of passenger rail travel and are the result of extensive applied research by the Center, with the goal of enhancing passenger safety.
The FRA plans to issue another proposed rulemaking later this year which will incorporate American Public Transportation Association (APTA) passenger rail equipment safety standards (PRESS) for emergency lighting, emergency signs, and low-location exit path marking, which were first published in 1999 and were recently revised during the FRA RSAC process. Ms. Markos and Mr. Pollard assisted the FRA Emergency Preparedness Task Force in ensuring that the APTA standards reflect the current state of the art, are technically and economically feasible, and are enforceable.
(Added 03/03/08)
February
Warning System for Road Departure Crashes – Volpe Center Evaluation Final Report
11 identical Nissan Altimas that were outfitted with the Road Departure Crash Warning System and used to conduct the Field Operational Test
Over 1.2 million road-departure crashes occur each year in the United States. Because these crashes often involve collisions with fixed objects or rollovers, they may be particularly severe and statistics show that they account for a high percentage of fatal crashes. The Volpe Center, in support of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has completed an independent evaluation of a Road Departure Crash Warning System (RDCW), which warns drivers when they are in danger of departing the road, drifting out of their lane or are about to enter a curve at an unsafe speed. The goal of the independent evaluation was to determine the safety benefits and driver acceptance of this crash-avoidance system.
The Road Departure Crash Warning System display on the left side of the dashboard shows device availability and alert status.
A field operational test of the system, conducted by the University of Michigan, collected data from 78 participants who drove over 80,000 miles. The publication of a final report on this work culminates a more than five-year effort where the Center has worked with NHTSA’s Office of Human Vehicle Performance Research. The report - a comprehensive analysis based on Field Operational Test data that evaluates performance, driver acceptance, and safety benefits - concludes the RDCW shows positive results in each of these areas despite some performance issues.
The final report, Evaluation of a Road-Departure Crash Warning System (DOT HS 810 854, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington D.C.,) is authored by Dr. Bruce H. Wilson, Dr. Mary D. Stearns, Mr. Jonathan Koopmann all of the Advanced Safety Technology Division, and Dr. David Yang, formerly of the Volpe Center.
(Added 02/21/08)
New Developments in Wake Vortices and Atmospheric Turbulence - Conference paper
Aircraft wake vortices, pairs of mini horizontal cyclones trailing from the wings and caused by aircraft motion, have been responsible for a number of aviation accidents. The goal of the wake vortex program research, which is cosponsored by FAA and NASA, is to increase airport arrival and departure rates by reducing operating restrictions aimed at mitigating hazards posed by aircraft wakes without increasing the risk of an incident or accident. Current research has shown that it is also possible to increase safety while gaining capacity in certain operations.
Volpe Center researchers recently delivered a paper entitled “Atmospheric Turbulence Effects on Near-Ground Wake Vortex Demise” at the American Meteorological Society’s 13th Conference on Aviation, Range and Aerospace Meteorology in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 21-24. The paper, co-authored by Hadi Wassaf, Amir Tabrizi, Frank Wang and Melanie Soares of the Volpe Center’s Advanced Surveillance and Communications Division, highlights the latest analysis results based on field measurements of wake vortex and ambience turbulence data from Houston, Texas on how atmospheric turbulence impacts the decay as well as breakup of departure vortices generated near the ground.
These results advance the understanding of weather impact on wake turbulence demise near the ground. They also support the overall relative risk assessment of the Wake Turbulence Mitigation for Departures (WTMD) concept and program. This is a new procedure, based on an algorithm developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, that monitors wind conditions and permits reduced spacing between departures when the wind is blowing wakes away from runways.
(Added 02/08/08)
January
Volpe Center contributes to the Transportation Research Board’s 2008 Annual Meeting
The Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) 2008 annual meeting drew more than 10,500 transportation professionals from around the world to Washington, DC. The spotlight theme for 2008 was Partnerships for Progress in Transportation. The Volpe Center was well represented in this diverse group of researchers, academics, administrators, and others from government and industry.
Volpe Center staff participated in over 25 sessions or workshops, and delivered papers, presentations and poster sessions. Volpe Center participants covered a broad range of topics, including railroad track structures, behavior-based safety research, tank car safety, road pricing, urban partnerships, freight movement, transportation planning and transit security.
As part of the Research and Innovative Technologies Administration (RITA), the Volpe Center developed and staffed part of the RITA exhibit featuring Volpe Center’s work, the University Transportation Centers (UTC), and the US DOT Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) exhibit.
A DVD of the papers given at this conference - TRB 87th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers (2008, Accession number 01084478) - may be purchased from:
Transportation Research Board Business Office
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 USA
(Added 01/30/08)
Volpe Center has a New Acting Director
Mr. Robert Suda, Volpe Center’s new Acting Director
In January 2008, Mr. Robert Suda is assuming the post of Acting Director of the Volpe Center, to oversee the operations and management of all the Center’s programs. “Bob Suda has the background and experience necessary to help the Volpe Center excel as an internationally recognized center of transportation innovation,” said Research and Innovative Technology Administration Administrator Paul Brubaker; “Bob will ensure that the organization has the necessary support processes and is aligned to focus attention on national transportation priorities, such as using technology and innovation to achieve measurable improvements in safety and system performance.”
Bob Suda has had a distinguished Federal career that spans nearly 30 years. He has held key positions at GSA in both the regional and headquarters offices. He has served as Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Information technology Solutions at GSA and as the Chief Financial Officer of the Federal Technology Service (FTS). He managed the government-wide SmartBUY program providing software licensing through enterprise agreements. He served as GSA’s Director of Finance and the agency’s first Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Before coming to the Volpe Center, Bob was the Associate Chief Information Officer for Integration and Operations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bob served as the past chair of the Executive Leadership Conference. He also serves as an advisory committee member for the Government Information Technology Executive Council.
The Center is fortunate to have Bob as its new leader. He understands the role of public service and its importance. He believes that making a difference in the transportation enterprise requires the collaborative effort of government and industry and the Volpe Center is uniquely positioned to contribute innovative solutions transportation challenges. Bob’s extensive information technology background is particularly important to the Center’s contribution to developing intelligent systems, such as vehicle infrastructure integration, which aims to link vehicles with roads through sensor technology.
(Added 01/25/08)
Volpe Center Annual Awards
Volpe Center Awards were presented at the Thirty-Seventh Annual Awards Ceremony that took place on December 19, 2007. Several Volpe Center individuals and teams were recipients of prestigious USDOT Secretarial Awards and others received awards from other DOT administrations as well as other federal agencies and entities. Thirty eight employees and teams received Director’s Recognition Awards. Their accomplishments are described in the Volpe Center Awards Program Booklet (PDF, 1.0 MB)
(Added 01/25/08)
Volpe Center Accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2007
The Volpe Center is pleased to announce the publication of Points of Pride FY 2007. This annual compilation of accomplishments illustrates the Volpe Center’s vital role as a unique Federal resource within the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration. These accomplishments demonstrate the many different ways that the Volpe Center supports the U.S. DOT and the broader transportation community in achieving their goals. Each Point of Pride is aligned with DOT’s national transportation objectives of safety, reduced congestion, global connectivity, environmental stewardship, and security, preparedness and response, or the Federal government’s principle management objective of achieving organizational excellence. The Center is committed to helping its clients achieve these goals through safer, simpler, and smarter transportation solutions.
The report is available at:
http://www.volpe.dot.gov/infosrc/pop.html
For more information on any of the projects described in this document, please contact Lynn C. Murray at (617) 494-2224 MurrayL@volpe.dot.gov.
(Added 01/18/08)
Volpe Center Research Helps Build the Next-Generation Vehicle
Over the past two years, NHTSA and the American Plastics Council (currently the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council) - as directed by Congress - have identified opportunities and challenges for enhancing the safety of future fuel-efficient and light-weight Plastics and Composites Intensive Vehicles (PCIVs). NHTSA tasked the Volpe Center to assess the current state of knowledge and identify key safety research needs for the development and commercial deployment of PCIVs by 2020. Future light-weight, plastics-rich, and fuel efficient vehicles must be designed to comply with, meet or exceed applicable NHTSA crash-safety standards. This study is especially timely in view of national priorities for increasing CAFE standards, to help achieve energy independence and environmental sustainability goals.
Dr. Aviva Brecher (of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division), with assistance from Dr. John Brewer and Mr. Samuel Toma (of the Advanced Safety Technology Division) and industry collaborators, reviewed and summarized relevant literature and standards, interviewed leading subject matter experts, developed a PCIV 2020 safety vision, and identified the near-term, midterm, and long-term research needs and priorities.
Recently, NHTSA and Volpe Center published a final report on this work entitled A Safety Roadmap for Future Plastics and Composites Intensive Vehicles (DOT-VNTSC-NHTSA-07-02; DOT HS 810 863). The study identifies strategic goals and research needs to realize the potential safety benefits of PCIVs, and to enable their deployment by 2020. The study also outlines follow-on research and milestones to measure progress towards PCIV design, development and technology integration.
Continued Congressional interest and NHTSA funding allows the Volpe Center to undertake follow-on research in FY 2008 that will broaden, deepen, and implement key near-term PCIV Safety Roadmap priorities, consistent with NHTSA’s integrated safety strategy and in support of national fuel economy goals.
(Added 01/10/08)
