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. |
Demonstration of Aviation Safety System at U.S. Senate Hearing (FAA)
Personnel from the Volpe Center's Aviation Safety Division are currently supporting the FAA Administrator and Flight Standards managers in their preparation for participation in a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Transportation. It is anticipated that this hearing will include a technical briefing and a demonstration of the Volpe Center-developed Safety Performance Analysis System (SPAS). SPAS is an automated data analysis tool for monitoring the performance of aviation certificate holders and identifying those posing a greater than normal safety risk. The hearing is expected to examine the FAA's approach to risk analysis and surveillance planning, therefore SPAS is expected to be a major discussion topic. Aviation Safety Division personnel have already been requested by Flight Standards Service Director Thomas Accardi, to conduct a live SPAS demonstration if the Committee requests an actual demonstration.
Evaluating Safety of Advanced Vehicle Navigation System (NHTSA)
In support of NHTSA, the Volpe Center is evaluating safety impacts of the Advanced Driver and Vehicle Advisory Navigation Concept (ADVANCE). The effort involves installation of an en route guidance system in automobiles to assist drivers in finding efficient routes to their destinations. Recently, the Volpe team completed a draft safety evaluation test plan for the ADVANCE work, which will be submitted to NHTSA after review and revision. The ADVANCE system was tested on commuter vehicles in suburban areas northwest of Chicago, IL and has been installed on an instrumented vehicle for safety evaluation. The focus of the safety evaluation is on determining whether drivers drive more or less safely with the ADVANCE system. The effort builds on the information obtained in NHTSA's TravTek project, which was conducted in Orlando, FL last spring. The Center team, which is led by Mr. Harvey Brand, includes technical staff from the Accident Prevention Division and Systems Planning and Integration Division, as well as members of the contractor and academic communities.
Rail Passenger Car Crashworthiness (FRA)
Ms. Kristine Severson, of the Structures and Dynamics Division, recently completed a study and draft report focusing on occupant survivability of rear-facing seating arrangements. The report indicates that the injury potential is substantially lower for the rear-facing occupant, as compared with the occupant facing forward. This is due to the shorter distance traveled before the secondary collision.
Promoting Transit Safety and Security (FTA)
The Volpe Center's Safety and Security Systems Division is supporting FTA efforts to improve safety and security in public transit operations. As part of this support, the Center recently provided training seminars on "System Safety/Security Planning and Hazard Management" to the Oregon DOT and the Oregon Transit Association. The two training seminars, which were conducted at the Oregon Transportation Conference Annual Meeting held in Seaside, OR, were concerned with bus transit systems and stressed the need to develop and implement pro-active safety programs. Issues discussed included the high cost of not providing adequate safety (over $1 billion per year), the recognition that, while authority can be delegated, accountability can not, and how no-cost and low-cost solutions may be employed to resolve safety concerns. The participants were provided with Volpe Center-developed resource materials on safety and security to assist them in implementing their safety and security programs.