Volpe Center Highlights
Safety
Focus |
Safety |
Mobility |
Human and Natural Environment |
Economic Growth and Trade |
National Security |
Published and Presented
Promote public health and safety by working toward the elimination of transportation-related deaths, injuries, and property damage. |
Aeromedical Certification Subsystem (FAA)
For the past two and a half years, the Volpe Center-developed Aeromedical Certification Subsystem (AMCS) has provided FAA's Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) with important PC-based software to accept essential FAA medical certification information. Since becoming operational on October 1, 1992, 100,000 exams have been received by AMCS, having been transmitted by 500 Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs). Recently, the Center's Aviation Safety Division conducted a major program review for the FAA's Office of Aviation Medicine. The purpose of the program review was to bring the interested parties up to date on the accomplishments, future plans, and associated budget needs of the AMCS program, which has the highest priority within the Office of Aviation medicine.
Automated Airport Lighting Control System Prototype (FAA)
The Volpe Center's Airport Surface Projects Office is supporting the FAA in designing and implementing a prototype of an Automated Airport Lighting Control (AALC) system that could replace the standard manual vault lighting systems currently in use. If the prototype is successful, the AALC could be slated for future installation at 100 airports, nationally. Recently, the Center delivered initial planning documents to the FAA on three specific AALC topics: a Work Breakdown Structure, a software development document modeled on MIL-STD-2167, and a strawman software specification. The delivery of these documents, in turn, prompted an invitation to make a presentation on automated airport lighting at the FAA-sponsored Airport Surface Movement Workshop, on March 8-10, in Arlington, VA. In addition, the Center drafted an Airport Surface Operations Manual Advisory Circular that will be given initial distribution for critical comment at the same workshop.
Assessing System Safety Guidelines (FTA)
The Volpe Center continues to play an important role in assessing the accessibility and safety of public transportation. As part of this ongoing role, Mr. William T. Hathaway, of the Center's Safety and Security Systems Division, recently served at FTA's request as a facilitator for the Vehicle and Traveler Safety Session of the White House Mini-Conference on Transportation. The session presented highlights of a variety of older person mobility issues identified by a recent White House conference, and helped to refine mobility issues and potential solutions. The results of the session will be forwarded to the White House Conference staff for inclusion in the National Conference on Aging, scheduled for May, 1995.