Volpe Center Highlights - August/September 2001
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.
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Enabling Distance Learning for ITS Professional Capacity Building (FHWA)
The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Professional Capacity Building (PCB) Program was established by the DOT in 1996 to provide training and education for transportation professionals in ITS technologies. Since then, the Volpe Center has worked closely with the ITS PCB Program Coordinator to design and implement a comprehensive, nationwide program, including the delivery of training over the Internet. The National Highway Institute (NHI), part of the recently established Office of Professional Development of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will host all the Web-based courses.
Ms. Suzanne Sloan of the Economic Analysis Division helped to establish the distance learning mechanism for all future Web-based NHI courses. Ms. Sloan drafted a Cooperative Agreement between NHI and the University of Maryland for a two-year pilot. The Agreement has been accepted by NHI, and the pilot is being established through the Maryland FHWA Division Office. Division staff also supported the development of NHI's first Web-based course, "Roadway Design," one of the institute's most popular courses. Mr. Doug Rickenback and Mr. Jonah Soolman performed the necessary translations to a Web-based format, including the recent Web-related requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This new course was delivered to NHI at the end of July 2001.
Installing an Enhanced Traffic Management System Remote Site in Mexico (FAA)
From July 22 to 28, 2001, Mr. Matt Maki and Mr. Tony Colon of the Automation Applications Division were in Mexico City, Mexico, completing the installation of a remote site for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS). ETMS is the real-time, operational computer system developed by the Volpe Center that the FAA uses to detect, predict, and handle airspace congestion problems. Aviation authorities from the FAA and Mexico requested special assistance from Volpe's technical staff to get the Mexican site up and running. Mr. Maki's and Mr. Colon's specialized skills in ETMS application configuration, telecommunications, and computer security were essential in helping to solve subtle technical problems. The site is the first ETMS installation in Mexico; it will provide FAA traffic managers with detailed flight plans and flight position information for flights destined for U.S. airspace from Mexico. The U.S. -- Mexican air traffic management connection via ETMS followed President Bush's visit to Mexico in February 2001, where he pledged to integrate Mexico into the mainstream of North American economic activity.
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