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Volpe Center Highlights - January 2000

Human and Natural Environment

Director's Notes | Focus | Safety | Mobility | Human and Natural Environment |
Economic Growth and Trade | National Security

Protect and enhance communities and the natural environment affected by transportation.

Airport Noise, Air Quality Highlighted at International Meetings (FAA)

From November 30 to December 3, 1999, Mr. Gregg Fleming of the Safety and Environmental Technology Division visited London, England, to participate in the Society of Automotive Engineers' (SAE) A-21 Committee on Aircraft Noise. At this meeting, he delivered presentations in support of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Office of Environment and Energy. These presentations related to the Division's expertise in the development and maintenance of the Integrated Noise Model (INM), a computer model for airport noise prediction and analysis.

In addition, Mr. Fleming and Dr. Roger Wayson of the Safety and Environmental Technology Division participated on December 2, 1999, in technical discussions at Gatwick Airport on aviation-related exhaust emissions, air-quality measurements, and monitoring in the United States and Europe. Participants at this meeting included representatives from the FAA; the Universities of Manchester and Greenwich; the National Aerospace Laboratory of the Netherlands; the Zurich Airport; and the British, Swiss, and Swedish governments. This meeting represented an initial effort to promote international cooperation and exchange of information on the topic of aviation-related air quality issues.

Dedication Held for Renovated TSC Child Care Center

On December 7, 1999, Dr. Richard R. John, Director of the Volpe Center, hosted a dedication of the recently renovated TSC Child Care Center. Ms. Kelley S. Coyner, Administrator of the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), gave the keynote speech. In her remarks, Ms. Coyner thanked the individuals involved in completing the renovations and congratulated all those responsible for helping the Child Care Center achieve accreditation last spring from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Renovations to the Child Care Center included installing new carpeting, painting all walls, building a ceramic tile wall in the preschool room, stripping and refinishing all wooden furniture, and purchasing new kitchen appliances and white boards for the children's art work. After her remarks, Ms. Coyner cut the ribbon, which was made by preschoolers. The preschoolers then sang two songs to close the festivities. In attendance at the dedication were members of the TSC Child Care Board of Directors, a number of TSC Child Care parents, some Volpe executive managers, and most of the Child Care Center's children.

The TSC Child Care Center, founded in 1987 by a team of federal and on-site contractors, offers quality and affordable child care services to the Volpe Center community and employees of local businesses. In the spring of 1998, the NAEYC granted accreditation to the TSC Child Care Center. Receiving NAEYC accreditation represents the epitome of excellence for child care centers. In fact, only 5 percent of early childhood programs nationwide have received accreditation.

Chamber of Commerce Honors Volpe Staff

Ms. Lynn Murray, Chief of the Communications and Technology Outreach Division, was honored at a December 8, 1999 meeting of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce's Community Outreach Committee. Through Ms. Murray's initiative and leadership, the Committee has accomplished some remarkable projects since its founding in 1995:

• A Cambridge-based Social Audit (1996) that detailed what the business community contributes in terms of philanthropic, civic, and volunteer activities and that chronicled best practices;

• The first ever Volunteer Forum (1998) to increase community outreach and volunteerism within the business community, which was attended by the Superintendent of Schools, the Mayor, city councilors, and representatives of more than 100 Cambridge businesses;

• An ongoing Computer Donations Program (1999) based upon the federal model to benefit local schools.

Dr. Frank Hassler, Director of the Office of Strategic Programs and Resource Planning, acting on behalf of the Director of the Volpe Center, participated in the award ceremonies and the presentation of a plaque and letter of commendation from the Chairman of the Board, and the President and CEO of the Chamber.

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