Volpe Center Highlights
Human and Natural Environment
Focus |
Safety |
Mobility |
Human and Natural Environment |
Economic Growth and Trade |
National Security |
Published and Presented
Protect and enhance communities and the natural environment affected by transportation.
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Presentation of Air Traffic Control Human Factors Research (FAA)
Dr. Kim Cardosi, principal investigator of Volpe Center's Air Traffic Control Human Factors Support Program, presented a paper in support of the FAA at the international symposium "The Air Transport System: Aircrew and Air Traffic Management Integration," on November 10, in Toulouse, France. Dr. Cardosi discussed the development of the Center-designed human factors handbook for air traffic controllers and other operations specialists who are involved in specifying, selecting, and certifying new systems for air traffic control. The handbook, "Human Factors in the Design and Evaluation of ATC Systems: A Handbook for FAA User Teams," is under final review by the FAA and is expected to be published in February 1995. It is the first book of its kind dealing specifically with air traffic control (ATC) human factors, and its material has already been of significant value in supporting the FAA in its specification of major new ATC systems. The symposium was jointly sponsored by the Flight Safety Foundation and the French National Academy of Air and Space.
U.S. Postal Service Environmental Support (USPS)
The USPS Western Area-Alaska has received a proposal for the delivery of bulk mail to eight Alaskan Native American villages on the Kuskokwim River by Air Cushioned Vehicle. The proposed service would partially displace deliveries by bush pilots. At the request of USPS Headquarters, the Volpe Center's Environmental Engineering Division is conducting an environmental assessment of the impacts of instituting such a service. A team is presently on-site to investigate the area, discuss the project with the public and meet with various federal and state regulatory agencies. A preliminary report of the findings will be completed by December 1.
In a separate development, on November 4, 1994, the Center hosted the first meeting of the task force for the USPS Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Assessment Project. The purpose of the AFV project is to establish a management tool that can support alternatives analyses in the conversion and operation of alternative fuel fleets for the USPS in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Mr. Philip Mattson, of the Environmental Engineering Division, represents the Volpe Center on the Task Force.
