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Volpe Center Highlights - May 1999Human and Natural EnvironmentDirector's Notes |
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Human and Natural Environment |
Volpe Staff Represents DOT at Climate Change Convention Mr. Kevin Green, of the Transportation Strategic Planning and Analysis Office, traveled to Bonn, Germany to represent U.S. DOT at the 10th meeting of the subsidiary bodies to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Framework Convention is the centerpiece of worldwide efforts to combat global warming. Adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, its ultimate objective is the "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (man-made) interference with the climate system." Of special importance to the transportation sector at the Framework Convention meeting were negotiations related to the reduction of emissions from fuel burned in ships and aircraft used for international transportation. Volpe Participates in the Aviation/Transportation Expo at Logan Airport The Volpe Center hosted a display of the Panama Canal vessel tracking and pilot navigation system, developed by Volpe's Center for Navigation, at the annual Aviation/Transportation Exposition, held at Boston's Logan Airport. The Exposition, part of National Transportation Week, is a public-private partnership designed to introduce students to the wide variety of career opportunities available in the aviation and transportation industries. Representatives from private industry and government (in particular, other U.S. DOT modal administrations), spoke to students about career options, education, and aviation in general. Volpe representatives were on hand to explain their navigation system, currently in use at the Panama Canal, which uses ITS technology to improve the efficiency and safety of Canal maritime operations. Center Recognized for Contributions to Local Community Dr. Richard John, Director of the Volpe Center, accepted a Corporate Team Award for the Volpe Center at the annual Cambridge School Volunteers Appreciation Day ceremony at the Harvard Faculty Club in Cambridge, MA. The Appreciation Day ceremony recognized the contributions of volunteers in the Cambridge public school system. The Volpe TEAM (Tutoring, Education, and Mentoring) Effort has provided volunteer teachers and mentors to assist elementary and high school students in the Cambridge area. Ms. Audrey Melick, Executive Director of the Cambridge School Volunteers, noted that this is the seventh year of the Volpe TEAM Effort, and highlighted the success of Volpe's new initiative, the Lunch Buddies program. In addition, Volpe Center employees Messrs. John Hopkins, Richard Chutter, and Peter Osgood received certificates recognizing the assistance they provided to students of Cambridge Rindge and Latin in preparation for the 1999 Massachusetts Science Olympiad. The Cambridge Rindge and Latin team won the state competition and was invited to participate in the National Science Olympiad. Grand Canyon Report Forwarded to Congress (FHWA/FTA) FTA and FHWA Administrators transmitted to Congress a report, Grand Canyon National Park: Assessment Report, written by Ms. Melissa Laube with the help of Mr. Robert Waksman, both of the Service Assessment Division. The report, sponsored by the FHWA's Federal Lands Highway Office and the FTA, is a review of the multi-year transportation planning process conducted by the National Park Service (NPS) for the Grand Canyon, which included a proposal for a light-rail transit system. NPS and U.S. DOT have been working together to improve transportation services in the Grand Canyon National Park in order to alleviate the congestion and environmental problems resulting from year-on-year increases in the number of visitors. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretary of the Interior (on behalf of NPS) and DOT was signed last year, providing more opportunities for similar projects in other National Parks. |
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