Volpe Center: Volpe Center Highlights

Information Resources

Volpe Center Highlights - August/September 2001

Safety

Promote public health and safety by working toward the elimination of transportation-related deaths, injuries, and property damage.

Working with Germany on Maglev Technology (FRA)

On July 10 and 11, 2001, Mr. Robert Dorer, Chief of the Railroad Systems Division, and Mr. Paul Bousquet of the Division participated in the first working group meetings of the bi-national Organization of Cooperation (OOC). The OOC was formed by the U.S. DOT and the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building, and Housing to enable cooperation in Maglev research and development. It is jointly led by Maglev Program Officers from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Eisenbahn-Bundesamt, the German federal government's railway administration. In support of the FRA, Mr. Dorer is the U.S. Co-chair of the Working Group on Safety, Environment, and Legal Affairs, one of two working groups established within the OOC. The responsibilities of this working group include coordinating exchange of technical information between the two countries, exchange of ideas on the regulatory process of each country, and familiarization of U.S. technical experts with the latest German Maglev technology. The meeting was held in the FRA offices in Washington, D.C.

Supporting the Track Systems Research Program (FRA)

The Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Track Systems Research Program develops tools and conducts investigations to assess the likelihood that track defects will cause a train derailment. As part of the Volpe Center's ongoing support to this program, Dr. Theodore Sussmann of the Structures and Dynamics Division contributed to a position paper for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) regarding the reintroduction of passenger rail service between Boston, Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine. The STB is an independent, adjudicatory body within the DOT responsible for the economic regulation of interstate surface transportation, primarily railroads, within the United States.

The Surface Transportation Board twice quoted Volpe's memorandum in its decision.

Dr. Sussmann supported the FRA in developing the technical background for the paper. In June and July of 2001, he reviewed the pertinent documents provided by the parties to the motion, and provided fundamental technical concepts to guide the STB in making its decision. In the decision, the STB twice quoted the Volpe Center memorandum and indicated, "We see FRA's analysis as an invaluable interpretation that supports the clarification provided in this decision." The recent STB decision provides for Amtrak to conduct tests to determine the suitability of rehabilitated track for the introduction of 79-mph passenger service.

Exchanging Railway Engineering and Technology Ideas at International Seminar (FRA)

On behalf of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and at the request of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), Dr. Andrew Kish of the Structures and Dynamics Division attended the AAR/Mexico Mechanical Seminar on Derailment Prevention in Mexico City from July 30 through August 2, 2001. The seminar was sponsored by AAR's Transportation Technology Center, Inc., in Pueblo, Colorado. Dr. Kish presented "Track Buckling Derailment Prevention" at a session on Derailment Prevention and Accident Investigation.

The purpose of this seminar was to facilitate an international exchange of technical information, ideas, and solutions to problems in the field of railway engineering and technology -- to be not only a platform for the dissemination of current research results, but also to engage leading U.S. and Mexican railway experts in addressing new railway safety and performance issues.

Chicago Riverwalk Study (Chicago DOT)

The Chicago Riverwalk is a scenic waterfront area of recreational and commercial attractions developed to enhance the vitality of downtown Chicago and the Chicago River. Chicago DOT wants to further develop the south side of the river, including extending the Riverwalk. Although other associated modifications have already begun, the Riverwalk extension is scheduled to begin in 2003. Some users of the river have raised concerns about the proposed Riverwalk -- that planned buildouts into the river and increased boating traffic would create an unnecessary safety hazard on the river. At the recommendation of the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Chicago DOT asked the Volpe Center to perform an independent analysis of the Riverwalk plan. The Volpe team, which was led by Mr. Jackson Royal of the Service Assessment Division, included Ms. Melissa Laube of the Division and Mr. Michael Dyer of the Technology Applications and Deployment Division.

Volpe's recommendations focus on alleviating safety concerns while maintaining the quality of the design.

On June 27, 2001, Mr. Royal presented the findings of the study to the Chicago River Safety Committee, an ad hoc committee made up of commercial and recreational organizations that use the river as well as the Coast Guard, marine police, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Chicago DOT. Decisions made at committee meetings are not necessarily binding on any official actions, but these meetings act as a forum to discuss issues and policies that affect the Chicago River System. Mr. Royal's presentation outlined suggested recommendations and changes to the original plan that would minimize the effects of the Riverwalk on vessel traffic transiting the river, while maintaining the quality of the design for pedestrian traffic and commercial development. One Volpe recommendation involves reducing the extent of one buildout from 100 feet to no more than 70 feet, and performing "trial runs" in the river with buoys marking the 70-foot extensions into the river to ensure that the allotted space would safely accommodate barge traffic. The final design will not likely be determined until the results of these tests are available.

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