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Volpe Center Highlights - May/June 2000

National Security

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

Advance the nation's vital security interests by ensuring that the transportation system is secure and available for defense mobility and that our borders are safe from illegal intrusion.

Distribution of Air Traffic Movement Data Presented to NORAD (NORAD/FAA)

Dr. Larry Vance of the Automation Applications Division, participated in the North American Aerospace Command (NORAD)/Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Movement Data Conference that was held from February 29 to March 2, 2000, at the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Dr. Vance presented a briefing on the Volpe Center's role in the distribution of air traffic movement data to NORAD, including the extraction of NORAD data from the FAA's Traffic Management System (TMS) Hub site, which is maintained and operated at the Volpe Center. The TMS is a real-time, operational computer system that was developed by the Volpe Center for the FAA to use to predict, detect, and otherwise handle airspace congestion problems. Prior to his presentation, Dr. Vance coordinated with Mr. Tim Grovac, the Manager of Automation Activities at the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center, to ensure that a unified DOT position was presented at this meeting.

Replacement of Watercraft Fire Suppression System Improves Safety and Offers Environmental Benefits (U.S. Army)

The U.S. Army's Watercraft Program focuses on improving the safety as well as the operational effectiveness of Army vessels, and on reducing the adverse environmental impacts of the Army's watercraft systems. The Technology Applications and Deployment Division along with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard's Office of Marine Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection has been actively engaged in research and fire testing of a suitable replacement for the Halon 1301 fire suppression system. Halon 1301 was identified as an ozone-depleting substance, and the United States supports the Montreal Protocol in discontinuing use of these substances. The replacement system that was chosen uses a fire suppression chemical called FM-200 ^TM . This chemical has no adverse impacts on the ozone layer. For additional protection and at the recommendation of the Center, the FM-200 ^TM systems have been augmented with a simple overhead water mist system. The Center completed engineering designs, installations, and testing of five prototypes of the new system in 1999. Five classes of Army watercraft, totaling approximately 60 vessels, will eventually be retrofitted worldwide.

The replacement fire suppression system uses a chemical that has no adverse impacts on the ozone layer. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Mark Gentile)

Since completion of the prototype installations, two additional watercraft installations have been completed in Hythe, England. Some of the chal-lenges involved in installing these systems have been to minimize the engineering change impacts to the follow-on vessels, and to maintain the strict design requirements imposed by both the International Maritime Organization and the National Fire Protection Association. Two new engineers at the Volpe Center, Mr. Chris Murray and Mr. Mario Caputo both of the Technology Applications and Deployment Division have been helping to support this program. In addition to learning about fire suppression systems, Mr. Murray and Mr. Caputo have been applying their knowledge from working onboard Navy and military sealift ships. The Center also has been developing training videos and classroom training plans, and is serving as the instructor for initial onboard crew training.

On April 4, 2000, the Volpe Center awarded a competitive commercial contract to install the FM-200 ^TM fire suppression systems on board two additional vessels located in Honolulu, Hawaii. In addition to providing engineering and contract management services, the Center will con-duct the initial onboard training class, and provide documentation and approval of the systems. Prior to awarding this contract, Ms. Kathy Regan-Finn of the Acquisition Division and Mr. Caputo conducted a pre-proposal conference in Honolulu for prospective contractors to view the vessels and ask questions. An additional five FM-200^TM con-versions are on the horizon.

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