Volpe Center | Information Resources

Information Resources

Volpe Center Highlights

Safety

Promote public health and safety by working toward the elimination of transportation-related deaths, injuries, and property damage.

Participation in Air Traffic Control Annual Meeting

The Volpe Center was a key participant in the 42nd Air Traffic Control Association Annual Meeting, "Waypoint '97," on September 28 to October 2, in Washington, DC. Center management and staff joined leading figures from foreign and domestic aviation organizations to discuss vital issues affecting the future of the world's air traffic control systems. In addition, the accomplishments of two major projects conducted by the Volpe Center for the FAA were showcased: the Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) Program and the Runway Incursion Reduction Program. Work on the CDM Program includes improvements to the Enhanced Traffic Management System. The exhibit for the Runway Incursion Reduction Program included a simulation of the Airport Movement Area Safety System, and highlighted the low-cost Airport Surface Detection Equipment system. Both of these systems play a major role in preventing accidents on runways and taxiways by providing information to air traffic controllers and pilots.

Center Showcases Successes at NASA Technology Conference

On September 22-24, the Volpe Center participated in the NASA Technology 2007 conference on technology transfer, held in Boston, MA. This annual event features technical symposia, a broad range of cutting-edge technology exhibits, and is attended by over 6,000 engineers, scientists, and other professionals in the technology industry from the private sector, government, and academia. As part of a DOT exhibit, the Volpe Center showcased two important aviation safety related efforts, which were both developed in support of the FAA: the Air Traffic Management System and the Runway Incursion Reduction Program. Center staff also supported the Department's Technology Transfer exhibit.

Training Completed for Pipeline Inspection Scheduling and Tracking System (RSPA)

In support of the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), the Planning Methods Division is designing and developing the Integrated Operator Compliance System (IOCS). This software application supports uniform scheduling and tracking of pipeline inspection activities, and replaces the current process whereby regions track and report information using various incompatible tools and procedures. The system also allows inspectors to enter inspection results "on-line" from the field, provides access to necessary reference materials, and generates standard follow-up letters and supporting reports. A series of three training sessions held at the Volpe Center on Phase I of the IOCS system was completed in September reaching all 49 OPS inspectors and headquarters personnel.

Weather Outreach Event Held (RSPA)

In support of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Committee on Transportation R&D, the Volpe Center recently organized an outreach event on Enhanced Transportation Weather Services. Since weather-related accidents play a large role in transportation safety, and coping with adverse weather circumstances represents a major economic burden, coordination is very beneficial to the public. The meeting is one of several meetings in support of RSPA Associate Administrator Fenton Carey, Executive Director of the R&D Committee. Outreach events are being held on each of the "12 Partnership Initiatives" outlined in the NSTC's Transportation Science and Technology Strategy to assure that they fully reflect the needs and insights of the transportation, technology, and user communities. The event, which was held at the NOAA Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology, brought together representatives from government, industry, and academia that have an interest in generation and dissemination of weather information. Federal agencies participating in the outreach event included DOT, DOC, DOD, NASA, and the National Science Foundation.

Draft Assessment on Hazardous Substance Response (Coast Guard)

The Volpe Center's Service Assessment Division recently delivered a draft Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) to the Coast Guard's Office of Standards Evaluation and Development. The report, entitled "Regulatory Assessment of Hazardous Substance Response Plan Requirements for Tank Vessels and Marine Transfer Related Facilities," contains an analysis of the costs and benefits of four different regulatory alternatives, the first being a baseline no action alternative. It also contains a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis showing the projected effects on small businesses, and an Information Collection Request that the Coast Guard will submit to the Office of Management and Budget. The Coast Guard will use the results contained in the draft RIA to develop the final hazardous substance response plan regulations. The report was prepared under the leadership of Mr. Kip Brown, of the Service Assessment Division.