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. |
Special Recognition for Panama Canal Commission Communications, Tracking, and Navigation Team (PCC)
In support of the Panama Canal Commission (PCC), the Volpe Center is designing and implementing an Enhanced Vessel Traffic Management System (EVTMS) for the Panama Canal. The EVTMS will improve the safety and efficiency of canal operations through the application of modern technologies. The hard work and dedication of three members of the Volpe Center's Center for Navigation, working on the Panama Canal project was recently recognized by their comrades in the field. The Panama Canal Pilots Association, in a rare gesture, recently awarded honorary membership in their organization to Messrs. Kam Chin, David Phinney, and Henry Wychorski. In presenting the membership plaques to the Volpe Center team, Captain James MacElrevey of the Pilots Association said, "These certificates are being awarded to you not only for the tremendous new technology that you have brought to the Panama Canal, but also for the outstanding support and dedication that you have displayed during your time in Panama. We want you to know that this honor is bestowed with our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude. Please keep up the good work!" The three recipients, key members of the Volpe Center's Communications, Tracking, and Navigation System Team, accepted their awards on behalf of the entire Volpe Center PCC EVTMS Team.
Coast Guard Configuration Management (USCG)
The Volpe Center's Information Integration Division developed the Configuration Management plus (CMplus) system to help the Coast Guard monitor maintenance and supply information for its fleet of cutter ships. The Volpe Center recently provided CMplus installation, hardware enhancements, training, and inventory consolidation support for a fleet of 110-foot cutters in Key West, FL. Because of operational and funding requirements to complete the work in only two weeks, the Volpe Center established a set of process innovations and technology enhancements. Coast Guard and Volpe personnel jointly integrated these innovations with shore-side activities, thereby enabling the Coast Guard to finish on-board cutter work ahead of schedule. The Coast Guard found it saved a significant amount of money on this project and aims to incorporate these new process innovations into the Coast Guard Centralized Supply effort, to pave the way for future group consolidations.
Volpe Center Hosts Federal Radionavigation Users Meeting (DOT, DOD)
The Volpe Center helps the departments of Transportation and Defense publish the Federal Radionavigation Plan (FRP) every two years. The FRP provides current policies and plans for federally provided radionavigation systems. A major resource for preparation of the report is the FRP User Conference, an open meeting that gives the user community the opportunity to learn the latest federal direction on radionavigation system planning, provide comments, and ask questions. Mr. James Carroll, of the Volpe Center's Center for Navigation, recently moderated the second of this year's FRP Users Meetings in Washington, DC. The meeting focused on obtaining a second civil frequency for GPS, assessing interference and jamming of GPS, the FAA's proposed Wide Area Augmentation System, and the Local Area Augmentation System.