Volpe Center Highlights
Safety
Focus |
Safety |
Mobility |
Human and Natural Environment |
Economic Growth and Trade |
National Security |
Published and Presented
Promote public health and safety by working toward the elimination of transportation-related deaths, injuries, and property damage.
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Center Hosts International Aviation Safety Conference (FAA)
The Volpe Center hosted an international conference on aviation safety on October 22-24, 1996 for the FAA's Office of System Safety. "Global Analysis and Information Network (GAIN) Moving the Aviation Industry Towards 'Zero Accidents'" provided valuable analysis and stimulated discussion about ways to further the development of an information network to facilitate the collection, analysis, and dissemination of aviation safety data. By enhancing the ability to identify risks and develop corrective interventions, the world's government safety regulators and aviation industry will be able to use safety resources more efficiently and proactively, to their mutual benefit. The conference featured several senior FAA officials, including Administrator David Hinson, who was the keynote speaker at an evening session on October 23rd.
Working to Enhance Safety at Grade Crossings (FRA)
The Volpe Center is supporting FRA efforts to improve safety at railroad-highway grade crossings through the Highway Rail Grade Crossing Safety Research program. This work includes identification of safety research needs and the assessment of auxiliary alerting devices on locomotives, visibility-enhancing reflectors on rolling stock, and wayside horn warning systems. In support of FRA, three members of the Volpe Center staff recently participated in the Fourth International Symposium on Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Research and Safety, in Knoxville, TN. Mr. John Hitz, Chief of the Center's Accident Prevention Division, presented a paper that discussed the addition of this new service into the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) National Program Plan and Architecture. Mr. Hitz also led a discussion to identify new research needs by representatives of railroads; state, local, and international government agencies; academia; and other stakeholders. Ms. Debra Williams, also of the Accident Prevention Division, presented a paper featuring the results of research on the use of external auxiliary lights on locomotives and of retroreflective material on freight cars to increase their deductibility by motorists. And, Dr. Jordan Multer, of the Operator Performance and Safety Analysis Division, presented a paper describing the results of a field study evaluating the relative effectiveness of an experimental wayside-mounted horn as compared to a train-mounted horn.
Vehicle Occupant Modeling for Improved Crash Protection (NHTSA)
The Volpe Center supports NHTSA crashworthiness research by occupant modeling. Mr. Lawrence Simeone, of the Vehicle Crashworthiness Division, recently completed and delivered a report to NHTSA that documents a computer simulation study of a statistically average adult male driver during a 35 mph full frontal automobile crash. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of reducing the aggressivity of the driver's side air bag by reducing the gas flow rate of the air bag inflator. NHTSA is investigating automobile crashes in which air bags have injured occupants in part because there is concern that children and small-statured occupants can incur serious injury by the inflating air bag if they are not properly positioned and restrained by seat belts. Mr. Simeone's study does reveal that the injury potential of the driver is reduced by reducing air bag inflator gas flow rate.
