Volpe Journal 30th Anniversary - A Special Edition
Winter 2001
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"As we live in times of change, we must be architects of that change, or we will surely and certainly be its victims."
- John A. Volpe, second Secretary of Transportation (1969-1973).
Volpe created the Transportation Systems Center in 1970, which was renamed in his honor in 1990.
Sparked by inspiration and driven by commitment to change, John Volpe was one of the most resourceful modern American transportation leaders. In 1970 he launched the Transportation Systems Center, the first significant research and development center dedicated to innovative transportation solutions. Throughout Volpe's career as businessman, Governor of Massachusetts, Secretary of Transportation, and Ambassador to Italy, he knew how to create and manage change. He adapted to the complex dynamics of politics, finance, and technology to make things happen for a country dependent on mobility. The Volpe Center is now an essential resource where today's transportation leaders can find thoughtful answers to the central transportation questions of today and tomorrow. 
Living the American DreamJohn Volpe never lost touch with his roots. Born to Italian immigrants in 1908, his heritage provided strength, perseverance, and a work ethic. He assisted in his father's plastering business as a youngster, and during high school and college was a construction laborer. In 1941, he established the Volpe Construction Company, building hospitals, schools, shopping centers, and military installations. Volpe entered statewide Republican politics and in 1953 was appointed Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. When the $27.5 billion Interstate Highway Program was approved in 1956, President Eisenhower chose Volpe as the first Federal Highway Administrator. In 1960, when John F. Kennedy led the Democratic ticket, Volpe, a Republican, won election as Governor. He lost in 1962, but won again in 1964 and 1966. In 1968, President Nixon appointed Volpe Secretary of Transportation. Volpe defined the recently created department's mission and built an organization that would shape the nation's future. |
Responding to Changing Times
Secretary Volpe's priority was an integrated, accessible, multimodal transportation system that would improve the quality of life for all Americans. Volpe's vision incorporated innovative planning, R&D for emerging technologies, and new and different solutions.
Volpe led the first comprehensive national transportation policy review. Major challenges included highway, airport, and air traffic congestion; safety hazards; labor relations; economic regulation; rail and urban transit system finances; and environmental and social issues.
Creating the Multimodal Vision
Critical to Volpe's vision was the coordination of the many agencies within DOT and the establishment of the Transportation Systems Center, where R&D skills could be focused on issues cutting across traditional modal boundaries.
Volpe had championed the Interstate Highway Program and implemented the largest road-building program in Massachusetts. But after seeing the road congestion and urban decay resulting from highway construction, and true to his reputation as an agent for change, Volpe developed his multimodal approach. This included the Urban Mass Transportation Assistance (UMTA) Act of 1970, a $10-billion program to upgrade mass transit systems.
Volpe also proposed federal action to save passenger train service and reduce highway expansion in the Northeast, lobbying successfully for the creation of Amtrak.
Addressing Social and Environmental Issues
Volpe created DOT's Office of Civil Rights in 1969, increased minority hiring, and set minority hiring standards for DOT contractors. Environmental degradation was also a major concern of DOT, which initiated studies of air, noise, and water pollution caused by transportation.
Volpe's urban planning policy called for maximum public participation early in the process. However, the Interstate Highway Program was already impacting urban areas, often cutting through minority and environmentally sensitive areas. Volpe rerouted or canceled several highways to deal with these concerns, but still kept the highway program on schedule.
Ensuring Safety
Safety was a priority for Volpe. He established the DOT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and issued a tough safety standard including air bags in all new cars by 1972. Powerful U.S. car manufacturers fought hard against the order, and won. But Volpe was successful with the Alcohol Safety Action Project, which helped increase alcohol-related arrests and convictions by nearly 100 percent in test states; this program was quickly expanded to 35 states.
Applications of technology were key to Volpe's approach to safety. He saw that, compared to space flight technology, air traffic control methods were rudimentary. The Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 provided funding for improvement and modernization of the air traffic control system.
Committing to the Future
Demonstrating the need to apply advanced technology to ground-based transportation problems, Volpe chose a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) administrator as Deputy Secretary and an aerospace engineer to head UMTA. Experimental ground transportation systems were developed, and these explorations of new technology laid the foundation for later innovations.
Volpe's most significant contribution to the future of transportation was the creation of the Transportation Systems Center. Working with Massachusetts' Congressional delegation, including Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, Volpe brought more than 400 employees from a NASA research lab scheduled for closing to DOT. With space-age expertise they began work on projects including noise and air pollution abatement, electronic guidance systems for highways, and drunk-driving prevention.
Continuing a Life of Public Service
In 1973, Volpe became Ambassador to Italy, and later remained active in charitable efforts and public service. He became chairman of a presidential commission on drunk driving, earning a Presidential Citizen's Award from Ronald Reagan. In 1994, John Volpe died at the age of 85.
The Volpe Center - Carrying on the Commitment
The John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center is widely considered one of Volpe's greatest legacies; in 1990, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, it was renamed in his honor. The Volpe Center, in its continuing work, embodies the attributes of its namesake--innovative thinking, multimodal vision, and commitment to the future.