Volpe Center Highlights
Mobility
Focus |
Safety |
Mobility |
Human and Natural Environment |
Economic Growth and Trade |
National Security |
Published and Presented
Ensure that the transportation system is accessible, integrated and efficient, and offers flexibility of choices. |
Great Lakes Icebreaking Study (USCG)
Mr. Kip Brown and Ms. Judith Schwenk, of the Volpe Center's Service Assessment Division, recently briefed participants at the Coast Guard's Ninth District Icebreaking Conference on the status of the Center's analysis of Coast Guard icebreaking requirements. The briefing was held in Saulte Ste. Marie, MI. In attendance were the District's Chief of Operations, the captains and executive officers of the District's icebreaking vessels, the District's group commanders, and representatives from the Lake Carriers Association and the National Weather Service. The Center's "Conceptual Framework" project document was distributed to conference attendees, and Mr. Brown and Ms. Schwenk co-chaired a conference session on developing a complete definition of the icebreaking capabilities of the District icebreaking resources. During the conference, District personnel indicated that the Commandant has commented on the critical importance of the Volpe Center's analysis to determining the Coast Guard's future Great Lakes icebreaking requirements.
DOT Intermodal Freight Council Features Intransit Visibility
Recently, the Volpe Center responded to invitations to inform parties in the transportation and distribution community about important developments and issues relating to Intransit Visibility. The Intermodal Freight Council is chaired by Michael Huerta, Associate Deputy Secretary and Director of the Office of Intermodalism, and includes representatives from across the Department. Mr. Michael Wolfe, chief of the Center's Intermodal and Logistics Systems Division, addressed the attendees on "AEI and ITV (Automatic Equipment Identification and Intransit Visibility) in Industry and DoD: Business Imperatives and Technology Choices." The presentation and discussion focused on similarities and differences in industry and DOD approaches to the adoption of voluntary international standards for radio frequency tags on intermodal containers, rail cars, and trucks.
Keynote Address Given at International Symposium on IVHS
Mr. Gary Ritter, of the Volpe Center's Plans Office, recently delivered the keynote address for the Intelligent Vehicle - Highway Systems (IVHS) track of the International Society for Optical Engineering, International Symposium on Photonics for Industrial Applications, held in Boston. The conference focused on the potential for optical sensors and devices to be applied in IVHS. The keynote address, "IVHS: Sensing the Future of Transportation," will be published in the conference proceedings later this year.
Exploring the Potential of Tube Transportation (FHWA)
Dr. Lawrence Vance, of the Volpe Center's Motor Vehicle Projects Office, is the lead author of an article on tube transportation in the Autumn issue of FHWA's "Public Roads" magazine. Tube transportation is considered by some as a viable option for transporting cargo, or passengers, via a pneumatic tube infrastructure. The article is based on a Center study of the feasibility of tube transportation, performed by Dr. Vance and Mr. Philip Mattson, of the Center's Infrastructure Systems and Technology Division. The study, the results of which were published in February 1994, concluded that tube transportation systems are clearly technically feasible as a result of over one hundred years of operating experience. The economic viability of tube transportation systems in general merchandise service can only be determined based on further study of specific locations and applications.
Release of Transit Reports on Regional Mobility (FTA)
Two reports in support of FTA's Regional Mobility Program were recently published by the Volpe Center. The Center supports this FTA program by evaluating demonstrations of innovative strategies and techniques designed to improve transit ridership, performance, and efficiency. The first report, "Evaluation of the Baltimore Guaranteed Ride Home Program," provides analysis on a guaranteed ride home program in the Baltimore/Washington International Airport employment area during its demonstration period from March 1992 to March 1993. The program was well received by participants, and helped retain high occupancy vehicle users. The second report, "Implementation Experience with Deep Discount Fares," reviews the experiences of 17 transit agencies across the country with deep discount fares--a new public transit pricing strategy--between 1988 and 1993. Deep discounting has shown that it is possible to raise transit ridership and revenues simultaneously with a combination of higher cash fares and deeply discounted tickets or tokens. A case study evaluation is currently taking a closer look at this technique in three cities; a report on the results will be published later this year. This project is performed under the direction of principal investigator Judith Schwenk, of the Center's Service Assessment Division.