• Information Resources
  • Volpe Library
  • Volpe Journal
  • Volpe Highlights
  • Points of Pride
  • Bibliographies

Volpe Center Highlights - September/October 2000

Mobility

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

Ensure that the transportation system is accessible, integrated and efficient, and offers flexibility of choices.

Supporting the Maglev Deployment Program (FRA)

In support of the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Maglev Deployment Program, the Volpe Center's Environmental Engineering Division recently completed a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DPEIS), and now is preparing the final PEIS for the FRA. This DPEIS has been prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act by affording the public an opportunity to comment on the potential for environmental impact associated with the Maglev Program.

Magnetic levitation (maglev) is an advanced transportation technology in which magnetic forces lift, propel, and guide a vehicle over a specially designed guideway. The Maglev Deployment Program was established in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century with the purpose of demonstrating the feasibility of maglev technology for speeds of at least 240 mph. Through a nationwide competition, the FRA selected seven states to compete for future funding to advance their maglev design and implementation. The seven states chosen (California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, and Pennsylvania) have completed project descriptions that include relevant environmental, technical, safety, and cost information.

In related news, the FRA Administrator Jolene Molitoris recently appointed Mr. Ronald Mauri of the Office of System and Economic Assessment; Mr. Robert Dorer, Chief of the High Speed Ground Transportation Division; and Dr. Paul Valihura of the Environmental Engineering Division to a Maglev Technical Advisory Panel, chaired by the FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Development Mark Yachmetz. The Panel is providing technical reviews and summaries of the project descriptions to be used in the selection process. One project is to be selected for construction and deployment.

Volpe Staff Member Receives Award from the Greater Boston Federal Executive Board

Mr. David A. Phinney of the Volpe Center's Center for Navigation received the Technical and Scientific Employee of the Year Award from the Greater Boston Federal Executive Board. The citation for his Excellence in Government Award reads: "Demonstrating creative and innovative skills far beyond his position description, David Phinney has made outstanding contributions, which are national and international in scope, to marine navigation technology. His dedication to the advancement of navigation science is rivaled only by his burning desire to apply his knowledge and navigational expertise to aid his fellow man in times of need and distress." Mr. Phinney was competitively selected for this award from a pool of 200 nominees. The award was presented at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts.

Return to Top