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. |
Track Systems Research (FRA)
In support of FRA's Track Safety Research Program, the Volpe Center was invited to participate in a workshop on Rail Defect Detection and Removal Policies. The workshop was held at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, CO on July 22-23. Topics discussed included current rail defect detection technologies, defect management, and emerging technologies. Dr. David Jeong, of the Vehicle Crashworthiness Division, made a presentation describing the Volpe Center's research on these subjects. The Volpe Center, in providing technical support to the FRA, has conducted fracture mechanics-based analyses to assess the safety implications of alternative rail inspection and maintenance strategies relative to the present practice.
Risk Assessment of Hazardous Material Cargo on Aircraft (RSPA)
The Volpe Center is supporting RSPA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety in a study of the risks associated with the transportation of hazardous materials in aircraft cargo compartments. To support this important study, a panel of experts, representing various stakeholder organizations, was formed and met for the second time recently at RSPA headquarters. The meeting was facilitated by the following Volpe Center personnel, who had participated in the study: Mr. John Hitz, Ms. Dawn LaFrance-Linden and Mr. Robert McGuire, of the Accident Prevention Division, Mr. Paul Zebe, of the Environmental Engineering Division, and Messrs. Peter Mengert and John Pollard, of the Operator Performance and Analysis Division. The panel included representatives of RSPA, FAA, National Transportation Safety Board, Hazardous Materials Advisory Council, Air Line Pilots Association, Air Transport Association of America, International Airline Passenger Association, Chemical Manufactures Association, U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, Boeing, McDonnell-Douglas, and Airbus. The proceedings of the meeting are being prepared and the input from the panel will be incorporated into the Volpe Center study as appropriate.