Appendix A: Partnership Initiatives
This Appendix contains a brief description of the Partnership Initiatives described in the National Transportation Science and Technology Strategy. Together with the Enabling Research presented in this document, they comprise the R&D core of the Strategy.
Aviation Safety Research Alliance
This initiative addresses the need to reduce the aviation accident rate as air traffic doubles over the next decade, as called for by the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security. Together with other partners, the FAA, NASA, and DoD will accomplish this through a coordinated program to (1) identify and conduct the research needed to meet the safety goal, and (2) work with industry to deploy research results in the form of new safety technologies.
Participants
Federal: DOD, FAA, NASA (lead agencies); DOE, NSF, NIST, NWS, and U.S. Bureau of Mines.
Other: United Nations/International Civil Aviation Organization, aircraft and avionics manufacturers, airlines, aviation organizations, universities.
Next Generation Global Air Transportation
Anticipating the future growth in air traffic, this government-industry partnership is developing the communication, navigation, and surveillance and air traffic management systems required to make "free flight" a reality. "Free flight" refers to an airspace system that greatly increases user flexibility to plan and fly preferred routes, saving both fuel and time and affording more efficient use of airspace. This activity essentially transfers the free flight concept to an operational setting prior to full deployment.
Participants
Federal: FAA and NASA (lead agencies); also DOD, NSF, NWS, USCG.
Other: Airlines, aircraft and avionics industries, academia, International Civil Aviation Organization.
Next Generation Transportation Vehicles
This partnership addresses the problems of petroleum dependence, global warming, and pollution through research leading to the development of highway vehicles, locomotives, and ships that are better designed and more efficient. It has three major thrusts: (1) continue the PNGV and Advanced Technology Transit Bus activities and supplement them by also focusing on improvements in medium- and heavy-duty-vehicle fuel efficiency; (2) support the development, test, and demonstration of non-electric high-speed rail technology; and (3) demonstrate and develop the marine application of fuel cells.
Participants
Federal: DOT (FAA, FHWA, FRA, FTA, MARAD, RSPA, USCG); DOD (Army, Navy, DARPA); DOC; DOE; and NASA---all lead agencies; also EPA and NSF.
Other: Vehicle, engine, and fuel-cell manufacturers; fuel producers; component suppliers; developers of fuel cells and other new energy-conversion technologies; shipyards; State and local authorities; universities.
National Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure
The National Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure (NITI) refers to the integrated electronics, communications, and hardware and software elements that can support intelligent transportation systems (ITS). It is a communication and information "backbone" that will enable ITS products and services to work together to save time and lives. Analogous to the local- and wide-area networks used in many workplaces, the NITI will allow surface transportation to be managed as a seamless entity by integrating transportation and management information systems across both modal and jurisdictional lines---within a region and, where appropriate, across the country.
Participants
Federal: DOT (ITS Joint Program Office---lead agency, FHWA, FRA, FTA, MARAD, USCG); DOD (USACE); DOJ (INS); Treasury (Customs); NSF; USDA.
Other: State DOTs, MPOs, emergency response and law enforcement agencies, railroads, trucking companies, information systems vendors and manufacturers, ITS Service Centers.
Intelligent Vehicle Initiative
The Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) is a government-industry program to accelerate the development and commercialization of safety- and mobility-enhancing driver-assistance systems. Overall emphasis is on four key areas: (1) evaluation of the benefits of IVI products, including collision-avoidance technologies, vision enhancements, and adaptive cruise control; (2) development of industry-wide standards for these products; (3) system prototyping; and (4) field test evaluations of the most promising products.
Participants
Federal: DOT (ITS Joint Program Office---lead agency, FHWA, FTA, NHTSA, RSPA Volpe Center); DOD (TARDEC); NSF.
Other: Motor vehicle and trucking industries, fleet operators, State and local transportation and law enforcement agencies, emergency response organizations, universities and other research organizations, professional societies.
Transportation and Sustainable Communities
This initiative explores how sustainable transportation and land use can help to achieve a balance among the often conflicting goals of economic growth, environmental quality, and sustainability. It will further Federal agencies' efforts to work with each other and with other governments, the private sector, and the public to expand understanding of the consequences of transportation choices; develop better forecasting, planning, and assessment tools; conduct technology research; and develop sustainable community and transportation initiatives.
While the primary focus of the FY 2000 Livability Initiative is to provide funding for programs directed toward mass transit, congestion relief and air quality improvement, community-based transportation programs, and "smart growth" strategies, research and development activities are supported. Therefore, the Livability Initiative will stimulate and link to a wide range of research activities.
Participants
Federal: DOD (USACE); DOE; DOT (Office of the Secretary, BTS, FAA, FHWA, FRA, FTA, RSPA); EPA; HHS (CDC); HUD; Interior (National Parks Service); OMB---all lead agencies.
Other: State and local transportation/environmental agencies and organizations; public health agencies; MPOs; mayoral offices; environmental advocates; environmental technology manufacturers and vendors; transportation system design, engineering, and construction firms; materials manufacturers; vehicle and fuel manufacturers; and universities.
Transportation Infrastructure Assurance
This partnership is developing and implementing measures to improve the security of transportation information systems, passenger and freight terminals, and other infrastructure, as well as of the people and cargo using or transiting them. It addresses (1) the physical security of transportation terminals; (2) the security of vital communication and information systems; and (3) the development and dissemination of information about security incidents and assessments of threats to transportation facilities and operations.
Participants
Federal: DOT (FAA, FHWA, FRA, FTA, ITS Joint Program Office, MARAD, RSPA, USCG); DOD; DOJ (FBI, INS, NIJ); Treasury (U.S. Customs)---all lead agencies.
Other: State and local law enforcement agencies; port and airport authorities; transportation service providers (airlines, bus lines, transit agencies, trucking companies, ship lines, railroads, parcel and freight companies).
Enhanced Goods and Freight Movement at Domestic and International Gateways
Building on earlier investments in technology, port infrastructure, and freight terminals, this partnership facilitates information exchange and technology demonstrations to promote the deployment of innovative logistics practices and information technologies at freight gateways. Initial efforts will focus on technology applications and demonstrations at the Nation's border crossings and corridors.
Participants
Federal: DOT (ITS Joint Program Office and Secretary's Office of Intermodalism---lead agencies, FAA, FHWA, FRA, MARAD, RSPA, USCG); DOC; DOD (MTMC); DOE; DOJ (INS); EPA; State; Treasury (U.S. Customs); USDA.
Other: National governments and international societies; State and local agencies; port and airport authorities; industry (air cargo companies, trucking companies, ship operators, railroads, parcel and freight companies, equipment manufacturers, and vehicle manufacturers).
Monitoring, Maintenance, and Rapid Renewal of the Physical Infrastructure
This partnership will create an environment that fosters an unprecedented level of collaboration and synergy on infrastructure research, demonstration, testing, evaluation, and technology transfer to state and local agencies. The partners will collaborate both on developing new technologies and on accelerating market acceptance of existing products.
Participants
Federal: DOT (FHWA and RSPA---lead agencies, FAA, FRA, FTA, MARAD, USCG); DOD (USACE); DOC (NIST); NSF.
Other: Civil Engineering Research Foundation; State and local agencies; chemical, automotive, and material manufacturers; commercial freight, air transport, and insurance industries; infrastructure construction, planning, and management firms; communications, water, gas, and electric utilities; universities; and industry and trade associations.
Maritime Safety Research Alliance
This partnership's focus is the prevention of maritime casualties through targeted research and development in the areas of human factors, vessel technology, and advanced information systems. It will address advanced training technologies for mariners; improved small vessel designs and structures; real-time weather systems; GPS applications; and integration of sea-based and land-based intelligent systems for traffic management and rapid emergency response.
Participants
Federal: DOT (MARAD, USCG) and DOD (MTMC, Navy, USACE)---lead agencies.
Other: Maritime industry.
Space Transportation Technology
Without affordable and reliable access to space, the future of the space program and the U.S. space transportation industry are hindered by the high cost, low reliability, and poor operability of payload launch. An unprecedented partnership between NASA and U.S. aerospace companies, this effort takes advantage of the respective strengths of government and industry by supporting NASA's efforts to develop and demonstrate pre-competitive, next-generation technology that will enable the commercial launch industry to develop full-scale, highly competitive, and reliable reusable space launchers.
Participants
Federal: FAA, NASA (lead agencies); DOD; NSF.
Other: U.S. commercial space launch providers, launch site operators, and satellite manufacturers and owners.
Accessibility for Aging and Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations
This partnership focuses on improving the mobility of the elderly and transportation-disadvantaged through better management of paratransit, advanced technologies, and livable communities. One component consists of developing, deploying, and testing a regional paratransit program that uses selected information technologies, including automatic vehicle location, geographic information systems, computer-aided dispatch, and electronic fare collection.
Participants
Federal: DOT (FTA---lead agency, Office of the Secretary, FHWA, NHTSA, ITS Joint Program Office, RSPA); DOL; EPA; HHS; HUD.
Other: State and regional agencies, MPOs, human service and employment agencies, housing authorities, public and private transit providers, information and communication system vendors, employers, universities.
Enhanced Transportation Weather Services
This partnership addresses the problems associated with adverse weather through the development of comprehensive weather information systems. One element will make use of state-of-the art weather radar, observing systems, and forecasting methods to demonstrate and evaluate an integrated weather information system-first within a "pilot" Midwestern region and eventually throughout North America. A second component is the Aviation Weather Analysis and Forecasting Program, which will improve access to and delivery of aviation weather information and reduce the consequences of weather events by generating weather observations, warnings, and forecasts with higher resolution and greater accuracy.
Participants
Federal: DOT (ITS Joint Program Office, FAA, FHWA, FRA, RSPA---lead agencies); DOD (USACE); NOAA; NWS.
Other: Iowa DOT and other State DOTs, Environment Canada, weather technology manufacturers and integrators, vehicle suppliers, ITS Service Centers, aviation industry.
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