Volpe Center: Volpe Center Highlights

Information Resources

Volpe Center Highlights - January/February 2004

Director's Notes

Supporting a Safe and Productive Rail System

The FRA addresses all phases of railroad operations to ensure that the railroads in the United States continue to be among the world's safest and most productive. The Volpe Center has been instrumental in supporting this effort by developing innovative technologies and procedures that are technically and economically sound.

This issue of Highlights includes just a few examples of Volpe's comprehensive work for the FRA. The Focus article addresses Volpe's evaluation of new crash energy management designs for rail vehicles. A series of full-scale crash tests designed by the Volpe Center and managed with the FRA measures the crashworthiness of railcars; test results have and will contribute to regulations and design standards that help protect rail passengers and crewmembers.

On a very different scale, a Volpe team is developing a software application that railroads can use to plan and manage operations more effectively. This work supports the FRA's objective of enabling easier, safer, more productive processes through the development and technology transfer of decision-support tools. For more than two decades, the Center has supported the FRA's efforts to improve the safety of highway-rail grade crossings. Although during this time there has been a significant reduction in collisions between trains and road vehicles, new technologies and collaborative approaches hold promise for substantial progress. The Center's work in this area is led by Anya Carroll, whose accomplishments are described in a new feature that debuts in this issue.

"Highlighting Volpe's Experts" will introduce Volpe's National and Domain Experts - seasoned professionals with nationally recognized expertise and knowledge in technical disciplines and/or transportation domains. The Center and our sponsors call on these leaders to guide the initiation, development, and implementation of research and technology programs that address critical national issues and challenges. Beyond their strong technical background, staff members selected for this position have demonstrated exceptional ability to lead collaborative efforts that cross disciplines and organizations. Working closely with me as well as with the Center's upper management and other senior technical staff, Volpe's designated experts identify emerging transportation technologies and evolving national concerns, facilitating knowledge transfer that helps ensure that Volpe continues to provide our sponsors with innovative solutions.

Finally, in this issue we continue to discuss changes taking place at the Center that will advance our customer service. We consider communications and reporting to be key elements of excellent project management. Redesigning our project management processes and tools will augment our technical expertise with improved capabilities in these areas, helping us to provide our customers with the best possible product.

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