Volpe Center | Information Resources | Highlights

Information Resources

Volpe Center Highlights

Safety

Promote public health and safety by working toward the elimination of transportation-related deaths, injuries, and property damage.

Safe Transport of Fuel From Dismantled Russian Missiles (DOD)

The Volpe Center is providing technical support to the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) in final design reviews of the Committee for Defense Industries of the Russian Federation (CDIRF) conducted for flat bed, fuel, and oxidizer-type tank container railcars. Mr. Ross Gill, of the Center's Infrastructure Systems and Technology Division, recently returned from France and Russia after 18 days with DNA representatives negotiating with railcar contractors Arbel Fauvet Rail and Energomachexport to finalize the designs of both types of equipment in order to allow the contractors to proceed with construction of their first-article products. These tanks and railcars are expected to be available for functional and structural test demonstrations as early as mid-November 1994. Meetings were held in Moscow with the CDIRF to present final designs and clarify all electrical and mechanical interfaces with the Russian fueling stations. Final acceptance of designs concluded on October 7, 1994 and the manufacturing companies in France and Russia were given authority to proceed. These DNA contracts represent $48 million in aid to Russia from the United States to support the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty and START I Treaty. The equipment, 214 oxidizers and 326 fuel containers, with 100 railcars that will carry two containers each, will allow removal of the hazardous liquid fuels and oxidizers from selected missiles placed throughout the Russian territory. Options to increase quantities of equipment may be exercised to support similar requirements in Ukraine. The Volpe Center is expected to provide continued technical support to DNA until all tank containers and railcars are in place and operating in Russia and other former Soviet states where required.

Damage Stability of Passenger Vessels (USCG)

Various vessel damage stability regulations have been implemented to ensure that ships can adequately resist overturning forces and right themselves in specified flooding conditions. Recently, the international Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) agreement was amended to upgrade a damage stability standard dating back more than 30 years. The Coast Guard responded with a rulemaking to similarly upgrade the Code of Federal Regulations. The new rules add requirements to counter overturning forces due to wind loading, lifeboat launching and passenger crowding, in the full range of defined damaged conditions. In support of this Coast Guard rulemaking effort, the Volpe Center's Environmental Engineering Division recently completed a damage stability study of specific categories of domestic passenger vessels. The study found that the great majority of modern designs for these vessels were able to meet the new requirements and it identified necessary modifications to bring about compliance in the others. The results of the study were documented in a final report titled Passenger Vessel Damage Stability Study for 1990 SOLAS Amendments and recently submitted to the Coast Guard. In addition to completing the study, the Volpe Center's Michael Dyer worked with the Coast Guard at a public meeting to explain the probable impact of the new rule. The Coast Guard will issue the final rule after receiving further comment from the public.

Enhancing Safety Through Aviation Human Factors Research (FAA)

A new prototype format for instrument approach plates published by the government has been under development and evaluation by the Volpe Center's Operator Performance and Safety Analysis Division human factors engineers for several years. Approach plates are charts of detailed information needed by pilots for landing on specific runways. Key features of the prototypes have been reviewed and endorsed by cartographic professionals and pilots. Controlled laboratory studies have shown that the prototypes provide for increased rates of information transfer. Evaluations with air carrier crews flying approaches in advanced technology simulators have shown that the new formats improve and standardize pre approach briefings. Most recently, the Center has shown in actual flight that single pilot crews require less viewing time to obtain critical information from the prototype charts while preparing for and executing actual instrument approaches. Recently, Drs. Steve Huntley and Dave Osborne (EG&G/Dynatrend) presented the results of this R&D program to the Government-Industry Forum on Aeronautical Charting. At the same meeting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cartographers presented a plan for national implementation of the new formats. Forum attenders recommended that the new chart formats be implemented according to the NOAA plan. The FAA will now seek funding required for the implementation.

Demonstration of Alcohol Countermeasure Expertise (NHTSA)

Because of its demonstrated expertise in alcohol detection devices, the Volpe Center has been called on by NHTSA and numerous judicial courts across the country to verify through expert testimony the accuracy and validity of such devices. Recently, at the request of the Allegan County, MI Prosecuting Attorney's Office and with NHTSA approval, Dr. Arthur Flores, of the Safety and Environmental Technology Division, was present in Allegan to provide pre-trial testimony that the evidential breath-alcohol tester used by Allegan County law enforcement agencies complies with all performance requirements of instruments on NHTSA's Conforming Products List, and that the breath-testing procedure is sound in all respects.

Key Participation in Annual APTA Conference

The Volpe Center's Safety and Security Systems Division recently participated in the Annual American Public Transit Association (APTA) Conference, which was held in Boston, MA from September 23-29, 1994. As an invited member of the session entitled "Detectable Warnings: Where Do We Go From Here?" Ms. Patricia Ryan, of the Center, delivered a presentation of the results of the engineering tests and evaluation of detectable warnings conducted by the Center in support of the FTA's Detectable Warning Program. A detectable warning is a standardized surface feature consisting of small truncated domes built in or applied to walking surfaces to warn individuals with vision impairments of hazards along their path of travel. The Americans with Disabilities Act required that the installed surfaces be on platform edges in key stations by July 26, 1994 and in new construction.

Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles

As part of its role to assist the Department in anticipating the future needs of the transportation enterprise, the Volpe Center recently hosted a Technical Task Force Meeting of the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV). The Technical Task Force for PNGV included 15 to 20 industry representatives from the major American auto makers and government representatives. Prior to the task force meeting, an overview of the PNGV program was given by Mr. Robert Chapman of the Department of Commerce. Dr. Richard John, Center Director, welcomed the task force and presented an overview of the Center, its mission, and spectrum of project activity. After the task force business meeting, Mr. George Parker, NHTSA's Associate Administrator for Research and Development, presented "PNGV and Safety-The Vision and Role of NHTSA." Mr. Robert Munson, of the Chrysler Corporation, presented the "Industry View of Vehicle Safety." Volpe Center staff from the Vehicle Crashworthiness Division presented an overview of vehicle crashworthiness activities in support of NHTSA.

Safety Enhancement Through Training of Flight Standards Managers (FAA)

Ms. Ann DiMare, of the Volpe Center's Aviation Safety Division, recently completed delivery of the Flight Standards Automation System (FSAS) Training for Inspectors of the FY94 "Roadshow" in Miami, FL. Training at this site completed the agreed upon FSAS training, which fosters a higher level of competency among Flight Standard managers, supervisors, and inspectors. In FY94, the Center trained 750 Flight Standards professionals in Cambridge, MA, New York, NY, Minneapolis, MN, Washington, DC, Heidelberg, Germany and Miami. The course, which was developed by the Center for delivery to all Flight Standards Inspectors, is a 32-hour combination of lecture and hands-on lab sessions, and provides participants with in-depth knowledge of the FSAS software developed by the Center. Due to the success of the project, the Flight Standards Service has requested that the Center also deliver the course during FY95.