Volpe Center Highlights
Economic Growth and Trade
Focus |
Safety |
Mobility |
Human and Natural Environment |
Economic Growth and Trade |
National Security |
Published and Presented
Advance America's economic growth and competitiveness domestically and internationally through efficient and flexible transportation.
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Bringing About Innovation Through Small Business Know-How
Under the coordination of the Volpe Center, the Department's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program has recently awarded two 1995 Phase II contracts, and has recommended two others for award. These awards, which in total exceed $1.6 million, are designed to stimulate development of innovative technologies enhancing transportation. One of the Phase II contracts has been awarded to DBA Systems, Inc., of Melbourne, FL for a project that will provide DOT with a prototype instrument for the automated reduction of video-based data. The system, which will benefit human factors analysis of data collected via video tape, will include the capability for determining the lateral position from a video tape of a motor vehicle being operated in normal driving scenarios. The second Phase II contract awarded is with MTI Research, Inc., of Chelmsford, MA for development of a device capable of warning individuals of reduced alertness and impending dysfunction. Sponsored by NHTSA, the sensing device monitors the autonomic, spontaneous eye blink response, which is the most reliable indicator of a person's alertness. The first of the two proposals recommended for award is for Aerotech Engineering & Research Corporation of Lawrence, KS for a project that will provide a method to model anti-symmetric buffet design loads, which will enable aircraft manufacturers to meet FAA requirements with minimal or no flight testing. The second recommended award, sponsored by FHWA, is to Sentec Corporation of Walled Lake, MI for a "Highway Fog Warning System," that will provide an inexpensive, low maintenance visibility sensor.
Session Chaired at Benefit-Cost Analysis Conference
Dr. Stewart Butler, of the Volpe Center's Economic Analysis Division, recently chaired a session at a conference titled "Exploring the Application of Benefit-Cost Methodologies to Transportation Infrastructure Decision Making." The conference, which was held in Tampa, FL, was sponsored by FHWA, the Transportation Research Board, and the Society of Civil Engineers. Dr. Butler chaired the half-day session on Emerging Issues in Benefit-Cost Analysis.
Report Delivered on Transportation Financial Statistics (BTS)
The final report entitled "Federal, State, and Local Transportation Financial Statistics" was recently completed by the Volpe Center and delivered to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). The report is the latest in a series that identifies and details transportation-related revenues and expenditures by mode and government jurisdiction. It also examines intergovernmental transactions and their effects on final expenditure levels, and addresses which transportation expenditures are paid directly by users and the degree to which transportation expenditures are covered by user charges and transportation-related collections.
