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Volpe Center Highlights - July 1999

National Security

Director's Notes | Focus | Safety | Mobility | Human and Natural Environment |
Economic Growth and Trade | National Security | Published and Presented

Advance the nation's vital security interests by ensuring that the transportation system is secure and available for defense mobility and that our borders are safe from illegal intrusion.

Development of Approach to Army Strategic Mobility and Rapid Deployment (DOD)

On June 17, Dr. Frank Hassler, Director of the Office of Strategic Programs and Resource Planning, and Mr. Rod Cook, Chief of the Environmental Engineering Division, met with Col. Michael Cannon, the U.S. Army's Tank-Automotive and Armament Command (TACOM) Program Manager, for the purpose of developing a framework for rapid force projection, strategic mobility and seamless transportation. TACOM, located in Warren, MI, is responsible for lifecycle management of various transportation assets. These assets, referred to as deployment enablers, are a vital piece of the Army's Strategic Mobility Plan. The Volpe Center has been providing engineering and acquisition support so that the requirements of strategic mobility are met. At a previous meeting held at the Volpe Center in May, Col. Cannon expressed his need to develop a vision of seamless, rapid transportation of Army and commercial transportation assets to meet strategic mobility in the 21st century. The Volpe Center responded to the challenge with a strawman framework and a conceptual model for a "system of systems" approach to rapid deployment and forward projection.

Defense Department Sponsors Russian Railroad Safety Inspections (FRA)

During the week of June 13th, Mr. James Lamond, of the High Speed Ground Transportation Division, conducted railroad safety inspections at two locations in Russia the Scientific Research Institute for Chemical and Construction Machinery, located in Sergiev Posad, and the Revda Naval Facility, near Murmansk. These inspections were in support of the DOD's Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program. The railroad facilities consisted of 15 kilometers of track at each installation and are used to transport missiles and missile components. The tracks were found to be in poor condition due to the lack of recent maintenance. However, with minor repairs, the tracks could be upgraded to meet minimal operation requirements. More substantial repair projects would be needed to ensure satisfactory rail quality over the long term.

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