Volpe Center Highlights
Mobility
Focus |
Safety |
Mobility |
Human and Natural Environment |
Economic Growth and Trade |
National Security |
Published and Presented
Ensure that the transportation system is accessible, integrated and efficient, and offers flexibility of choices. |
Research on ITS Model Deployment Initiative (FHWA)
The ITS Model Deployment Initiative (MDI) program was developed to demonstrate, track, and evaluate integrated ITS deployment in four metropolitan areas (New York City area, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Seattle) and commercial vehicle projects in seven states. The Economic Analysis Division recently delivered a draft final report to the ITS Joint Program Office reviewing the initial failure to contract at the New York City area ITS MDI site. In the report, the Division identifies factors that contributed to failure of contract execution and deployment of the MDI, and focuses on actions by representatives from the New York State DOT, TRANSCOM (a transportation operations coordinating committee), and Lockheed-Martin Federal Systems. Division staff also recommend ways for the U.S. DOT to foster public-private partnering and outline lessons learned through this MDI.
Strategic Planning Support (FTA)
In its report on the FY 1998 appropriation for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) national program for research and technology, the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee directed that the FTA prepare a five-year plan for the agency's research program. Mr. Terrence Sheehan, of the Service Assessment Division, assisted by Mr. Terrence Smith of EG&G Services, lead the development of this plan by editing and synthesizing inputs from the transit industry, the FTA, and other U.S. DOT programs and projects. The Final Report of the plan soon will be published. Key areas of the plan include: Safety and Security; Equipment and Infrastructure; Fleet Operations; Specialized Customer Services; Professional Capacity Building; and Planning and Policy Research.
Report Published on Welfare Reform and Access to Jobs in Boston (BTS)
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and the Volpe Center are engaged in an effort to better understand the dimensions of the mobility problem facing welfare recipients across the country. BTS recently published the report, Welfare Reform and Access to Jobs in Boston, by Ms. Annalynn Lacombe, of the Transportation Strategic Planning and Analysis Office. The study described in this report uses a Geographic Information System-based analysis to assess the mobility of welfare recipients living in Boston. In particular, the study determines the recipients' overall access to transit service - where recipients are likely to work and how well Boston transit connects welfare recipients and prospective employers. The study found a serious job accessibility gap; while an impressive 98 percent of Boston's welfare recipients are within one-quarter mile of transit service, only 32 percent of potential employers are that close to transit. Although the scope and specific nature of this problem varies considerably among U.S. cities and localities, Boston presents a good case study for older Snowbelt cities with mature central areas and well-developed transit systems.
National Science And Technology Council Strategic Transportation Research Plan (RSPA)
Under the direction of Dr. Peter Manning, Transportation Strategic Planning and Analysis Division, a completed, revised draft plan entitled National Science and Technology Council Strategic Transportation Research Plan was sent to RSPA for approval. The Plan focuses on "enabling" research in which initial operational applications are not likely to be realized for at least five years. The Plan categorizes current transportation-related research by six RSPA-developed categories of enabling research: Human Performance and Behavior; Advanced Materials and Structures; Computer, Information, and Communication Systems; Energy, Propulsion, and Environmental Engineering; Sensing and Measurement; and Analysis, Modeling, Design, and Construction Tools. All government organizations involved in transportation-related are reviewed, resulting in an argument for greater coordination among the agencies. The report awaits departmental and White House approval before final publication.