"Summit" is a special place in the North American railroad system. RISK2 answers the questions like "how safe is safe" and "how many trains can safely run through this territory."

From October 20 to 22, Volpe Center staff participated in the Annual Conference of Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences (INFORMS) on Transportation Logistics and Decision Analysis in Atlanta, GA. About 2,800 researchers gathered at the conference to discuss the latest developments in operations research and other analytical approaches to solve real-world problems. Dr. Alan Rao, of the Railroad Systems Division, chaired a transportation session at the conference. He also gave a presentation on the Volpe Center's recent work on Base Case Risk Assessment (named RISK2) for the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) 49 Code of Federal Regulations 236 Subpart H on "Safety Standards for Computer/Processor-based Signal and Train Control Systems." The presentation, co-authored by Mr. Frank Roskind of the FRA, detailed the RISK2 and how it applies both linear and non-linear methods to analyze failure rates and accident consequences in different railroad territories. This performance-based model studies the per-train-mile risk for future railroad development projects. For more information, please visit http://www.fra.dot.gov and http://www.fra.dot.gov/content3.asp?P=37. (Added 12/22/03)

Recently, the Volpe Center published a final report for the Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting (CCCEF) entitled "Greenhouse Gas Reduction Through State and Local Transportation Planning." The report, written by Mr. William Lyons, Planning and Policy Analysis Division, with co-authors Ms. Kimberly Noerager, formerly of the Economic and Industry Analysis Division, and Mr. Scott Peterson, formerly of onsite contractor EG&G Technical Services, evaluates how states and local areas might contribute to GHG emission reduction through transportation planning. The report uses seven case studies, focusing research on the broad transportation planning process, strategies and other actions selected, and GHG emissions reductions accomplished or projected. The CCCEF, formed in May 1999 by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), addresses issues associated with climate change and variability. Through strategic research, policy analysis, partnerships and outreach, the CCCEF creates comprehensive and multi-modal approaches to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gases and to mitigate the effects of global climate change on the transportation network. The Volpe Center conducts research for the CCCEF and is included in its core team representing the different parts of DOT. For a copy of this report, please visit http://climate.volpe.dot.gov/papers.html. (Added 12/22/03)

On October 16, the Volpe Center Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Team received an Outstanding Performance Recognition award from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). WAAS is a wide-area augmentation system to the Global Positioning System that provides increased accuracy, availability, and integrity. The software developed by the Volpe Center for the WAAS NOTAM system predicts the availability of WAAS and disseminates this information to pilots via the NOTAM system. This effort supported the July 10, 2003, commissioning of WAAS for all phases of flight, including approaches with vertical guidance (Lateral Navigation/Vertical Navigation (LNAV/VNAV) and localizer precision with vertical guidance (LPV)). There are nearly 700 LNAV/VNAV approaches and 6 LPV approaches available in the National Airspace System, and the FAA is continuing to develop these procedures. With the help of WAAS NOTAM team members Ms. Karen Van Dyke, Ms. Jayne Rossetti, and Mr. Chris Dufresne, all of the Center for Navigation, and Mr. Jon Parmet, of the Sensors and Surveillance Division, pilots using WAAS can obtain the full benefits of the system capability to fly vertically guided approaches. (Added 12/04/03)

Ms. Bruni Santos, Mr. Dave Sawin, Mr. Chris Riley , Mr. Kevin Harnett, and Mr. Glenn Goulet, of the Infrastructure Protection and Operations Division, Center for Cyber Protection

On November 18, the Volpe Center sponsored its third annual Cyber Security Awareness Day. The event, attended by over 120 people, featured the Volpe Information System Security (VISS) forum, The New England Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) chapter meeting, and a vendor exposition. The VISS forum included discussions on certification and accreditation, Volpe Center cyber initiatives, and a cyber security vendor demonstration. The ISSA meeting featured presentations by government, academia, and industry professionals and addressed such topics as security information and event management and platform standards tracking. Cyber Security Awareness Day was co-sponsored by Volpe's Information Systems Operations Center and Infrastructure Protection and Operations Division, and included a display by the Center for Cyber Protection, part of the Division that has evolved into a center of excellence for cyber security. More information about the cyber protection group and its capabilities can be obtained from Mr. Glenn Goulet, Acting Chief Infrastructure Protection and Operations Division, at the Volpe Center or by email at ccp@volpe.dot.gov. (Added 11/26/03)

How do we increase security while preserving our economy and quality of life? The Volpe Center's crucial security work seeks to address this question, albeit in many contexts and for many clients, such as the Departments of Transportation, Homeland Security, Defense, and State, the U.S. Postal Service and other agencies. The 2003 issue of the Volpe Journal, "Transportation and Security," is devoted to the Center's security work and its theoretical foundations.

This Journal describes the Center's three-fold perspective on security: (1) identifying vulnerabilities in the transportation system; (2) introducing preventive measures and protecting potential targets; and (3) managing the consequences of a terrorist attack. Recent projects illustrate this integrated systems approach. From performing critical transportation infrastructure assessments for DOT, conducting information system assessments for the Federal Aviation Administration, evaluating smart technologies for Customs and Border Protection, deploying sophisticated screening systems for the Departments of State and Defense, to ensuring that communities are ready to respond to emergencies, Volpe is making vital contributions to the nation's security.

The Volpe Journal is available online at http://www.volpe.dot.gov/infosrc/journal/index.html, or in hard copy from Lynn Murray at (617) 494-2224 or MurrayL@volpe.dot.gov. (Added 11/07/03)

In support of the Volpe Center's various marine security projects, Mr. Robert Hoaglund authored "Practice Makes Perfect?" an article featured in the October inaugural issue of Cargo Security International Magazine. The article highlights the upcoming publication of the International Cargo Industry Best Security Practices Report, an analysis of foreign port security survey data collected by Mr. Hoaglund and Mr. Charles McCarthy, of the Infrastructure Protection and Operations Division between 2001 and 2003. Volpe Center staff traveled to over a dozen mega-ports worldwide in support of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, learning about procedures and techniques that can be applied to reduce the threat of cargo theft and terrorism. This report follows the Infrastructure Protection and Operations Division's 1999 Intermodal Cargo Transportation: Industry Best Security Practices Report published by the Center. It also complements the U.S. Coast Guard's Port Security Assessment Program under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, which is supported by staff from both the Technology Applications and Deployment and Infrastructure Protection and Operations Divisions.

For a copy of this article, please contact Mr. Hoaglund at hoaglund@volpe.dot.gov. (Added 11/07/03)

The Volpe Center will sponsor its third annual Cyber Security Awareness Day on November 18. Events include the Volpe Information System Security (VISS) forum, a New England Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) chapter meeting, and a vendor exposition. The event, co-sponsored by Volpe's Information Systems Operations Center and Infrastructure Protection and Operations Division, will also include a display by the Center for Cyber Protection, part of the Division that has evolved into a center of excellence for cyber security. The VISS forum will feature discussions on certification and accreditation, Volpe Center cyber initiatives, and a cyber security vendor demonstration. The ISSA meeting will feature several invited speakers from government, academia, and industry.

More than 150 attendees are expected, including Volpe employees, Volpe contractors, industry representatives, and ISSA members. The day will conclude with a social in the Volpe cafeteria where cyber security leaders from across the region will gather for information sharing and networking. (Added 11/12/03)

On October 7, the Volpe Center hosted The Governor's Conference on Technologies Against Terrorism in Cambridge, MA. The conference, organized by Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and the Massachusetts Department of Business and Technology, focused on identifying key program areas and business development strategies, and provided insight from successful homeland security technology developers. Volpe Center Director Dr. Richard R. John and Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Executive Director Mitchell Adams welcomed attendees. The conference featured keynote remarks from Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey and a session on research and development and systems opportunities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by Dr. Charles McQueary, Undersecretary for Science and Technology, DHS. Panel sessions at the conference addressed sensors and systems; biological countermeasures, diagnostics, and vaccines; and cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. (Added 10/22/03)

Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey

Dr. Charles McQueary, Undersecretary for Science and Technology, Department of Homeland Security

From September 29 through 30, a Volpe team presented a paper and a poster session at the 6th World Congress on Railway Research in Edinburgh, Scotland. The World Congress brought together more than 800 delegates from 33 different countries and promotes international sharing and cooperation in the fields of railway innovation and research covering operational, environmental, and safety management, as well as more traditional engineering issues. This year's conference emphasized the need to revitalize busy existing conventional railways, as well as building new ones, to improve the railway system of the future.

Mr. James Lamond, Railroad Systems Division, presented "The Aerodynamics Effects of High-Speed Trains on Surroundings, Train Operations, and People," a paper co-written by Harvey Lee, Structures and Dynamics Division, and Tom Tsai, Federal Railroad Administration. The paper assessed the potential safety issues associated with the aerodynamics forces created by high-speed trains as they pass people standing on platforms, and lightweight empty container cars operating on adjacent tracks.

Ms. Anya A. Carroll, Railroad Systems Division, presented a poster session entitled "Railroad Infrastructure Security Systems." The poster presented work performed by Ms. Carroll, Mr. Marco daSilva, Accident Prevention Division, and Mr. William Baron, Infrastructure Protection and Operations Division, that assessed the potential implementation issues associated with an automated prototype trespass monitoring and deterrent system currently being tested on a rail bridge in Pittsford, New York. (Added 10/20/03)

Ms. Anya A. Carroll presents a poster on Railroad Infrastructure Security Systems at the 6th World Congress on Railway Research in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Trespassers on CSX Transportation Rail Bridge at Pittsford, New York. Volpe is developing and testing a video-based trespass monitoring and detection system.

The work of the Volpe Center's Planning and Policy Analysis Division is featured in the July/August Public Roads special issue on transportation and the environment. The magazine features a Guest Editorial by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator Mary Peters emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship and streamlining to the FHWA. The Volpe Center provides strategic communications and technical assistance to the FHWA to help achieve their goals in environmental stewardship and streamlining.

Volpe Center staff contributed the following articles:

• "Reviews on the Fast Track," authored by Ms. Cassandra C. Allwell, of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division, provides a step by step guide to practices that states employ to streamline the environmental review process. This article reflects work led by Ms. Allwell since 2000 in support of the FHWA's environmental stewardship and streamlining initiative.
• "Nurturing an Environmental Perspective," co-authored by Ms. Rachael Barolsky, of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division, and Ms. Ruth Rentch of the FHWA, describes a scan tour of seven states that sheds light on best practices for honoring environmental commitments in transportation projects. This is a synopsis of a report produced by the FHWA and Volpe Center entitled, "Domestic Scan: Environmental Commitment Implementation - Innovative and Successful Approaches."

The latest issue of Public Roads is available online at http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/pubrds.htm. (Added 10/08/03)

On September 24 and 25, the Volpe Center hosted the Silicon Graphics Incorporated (SGI) Mobile Innovation Center (MIC Truck). The MIC Truck contained a suite of supercomputers, advanced displays, and applications to showcase the use of state-of-the-art technology in solving today's problems. The truck featured advanced biotechnology and transportation research computer applications and demonstrations of transportation applications under development at the Center. Featured applications included the new Transportation Security Situation Display (TSSD), an integrated command center concept; crashworthiness and biomechanics research and displays; computation of reliability of advanced satellite navigation systems; and high-fidelity transportation simulations (by SGI). The MIC exhibit was made possible through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the Volpe Center and SGI, allowing the Volpe Center and SGI to optimize their resources and share technical expertise and intellectual property emerging from the effort. The intent of the CRADA was to give the Volpe Center access to advanced technology to accelerate our development of transportation innovations, while affording SGI the ability to advance its own knowledge of transportation applications and explore new market potential. (Added 10/02/03)

Richard Wright, Transportation Strategic Planning and Program Development Division, and Dr. Richard John, Volpe Center Director, at the SGI Mobile Innovation Center truck hosted by the Volpe Center.

Inside SGI's Mobile Innovation Center: A massive four terabyte storage array and Altix parallel processor compute protein folding and interaction of DNA polymerase enzyme juxtaposed to active site on DNA strand displayed on screen in foreground.

From September 9 to 10, Mr. Arthur Flores and Mr. Edward Conde of the Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division participated in a pretrial evidentiary hearing at the request of the Camden County, NJ, Office of the Prosecutor, on the admissibility of breath test results obtained from the Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C instrument. The Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C instrument, tested extensively at the Center over the past month, uses infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical cell technology to analyze and display breath alcohol results by two independent methods. If accepted by the New Jersey Court, the New Jersey State Police will be able to discontinue use of the manually operated "Breathalyzer" breath tester developed in the 1950s and use this modern, computer-controlled breath tester. There are a number of modern breath testers available for detecting alcohol in the human body, but New Jersey is the last state still using the "Breathalyzer." The new instrument is capable of correcting the test result for the influence of the temperature of the breath of the subject. The Volpe Center supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Research and Traffic Records, by conducting studies of techniques for measuring alcohol on the breath and in blood. The studies include evaluation of instrumentation for measuring alcohol on the breath of suspected drunk drivers and procedures and practices of state law-enforcement agencies. (Added 10/02/03)

On September 24 and 25, the Volpe Center will host the Silicon Graphics Incorporated (SGI) Mobile Innovation Center (MIC Truck). The MIC Truck contains a suite of supercomputers, advanced displays, and applications that showcase the use of state-of-the-art technology in solving today's problems. Advanced biotechnology and transportation research computer applications will be exhibited on September 24. On September 25, the MIC Truck will feature demonstrations of transportation applications under development at the Center using the truck's computers. Featured applications include the new Transportation Security Situation Display (TSSD), an integrated command center concept; crashworthiness and biomechanics research and displays; computation of reliability of advanced satellite navigation systems; and high-fidelity transportation simulations (by SGI). The MIC exhibit is made possible through a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) between the Volpe Center and SGI. This CRADA allows the Volpe Center and SGI to optimize their resources and share technical expertise and intellectual property emerging from the effort. The intent of the CRADA is to give the Volpe Center access to advanced technology to accelerate our development of transportation innovations, while affording SGI the ability to advance its own knowledge of transportation applications and explore new market potential. Access to presentations in the MIC Truck will be by appointment only (www.sgi.com/go/mic) except for open house sessions at noon on both days for the Volpe community.(Added 09/22/03)

On August 27, James Hunter, Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry's transportation coordinator visited the Volpe Center to be briefed on Volpe's port security work. He was given a demonstration of the Vessel Identification and Positioning System (VIPS). VIPS, a Volpe-developed technology, utilizes encrypted transponders to track the positions of security and police patrol boats used by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Massachusetts State and Environmental Police. Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), an international standard of the International Maritime Organization's Safety of Life at Sea program, uses non-encrypted technology to track international commerce vehicles like tankers and cruise ships. Volpe Center personnel demonstrated the latest version of VIPS, which tracks police and security vessels in addition to vessels equipped with AIS transponders. The Center for Navigation recently installed a 22-foot 4-element VHF dipole antenna to supply signals to engineers from vessels in Boston Harbor and along the East Coast. So far, the longest distance the electronics laboratory has recorded ship signals is 200 miles. This is the latest venture for the Volpe Center into AIS applications. Last September, the Center was responsible for installing, on the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the first AIS-based vessel traffic management system in the western hemisphere. Mr. Taylor was also briefed on the FAA's Enhanced Traffic Management System as well as Volpe's other security projects. (Added 09/18/03)

From August 25 to 28, Volpe Center personnel participated in and presented a paper at the Inter-Noise 2003 Conference on noise control engineering in Seogwipo, Korea. The conference, sponsored by the International Institute of Noise Control Engineering and co-organized by the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering and the Acoustical Society of Korea, included technical presentations by noise specialists from around the world. Mr. Christopher Roof of the Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division presented the paper entitled "Use of One-Third Octave-Band Spectral Data in Community Noise Models." The paper details recent and planned enhancements to the Integrated Noise Model (INM), a computer model for airport noise prediction and analysis, which are of particular interest to the international community. The Volpe Center continues to support the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Environment and Energy in the development and maintenance of the INM. (Added 09/08/03)

Contours on map depict sound level output from Integrated Noise Model, a Volpe developed computer model for airport noise prediction and analysis.

On July 17 and 18, representatives of the South Korean National Railroad Education Center visited the Volpe Center. Mr. Wonyoung Lee, Mr. Suggui Kang, and Mr. Yongsam Kim met with Volpe Center staff to discuss rail car material fire hazards and aspects of human-centered safety activities focusing on passenger evacuation and rescue. On February 18, 2003, a South Korean subway fire had occurred which resulted in almost 200 deaths and more than 150 injuries. Messrs. Lee, Kang, and Kim are members of a project team formed as a result of this tragedy and are working to prevent human error in railroads through driver education and training and the development of laws for railroad safety.

Dr. Donald Sussman, Operator Performance and Safety Analysis Division, and Ms. Stephanie Markos, Railroad Systems Division, hosted the visit, which was coordinated with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Ms. Markos provided an overview of the FRA regulations related to fire safety and the sponsored FRA fire research program. The fire research program has investigated an alternative fire performance evaluation methodology based on Heat Release Rate and computer modeling. The preliminary results of passenger rail fire hazard analyses conducted indicate that the proposed alternative test method could provide more accurate and cost effective material fire performance screening. Ms. Markos and Mr. John Pollard, Operator Performance and Safety Analysis Division, also provided an overview of the FRA regulations and research program related to emergency evacuation and rescue. The results of the on-going Volpe research program have been incorporated into FRA regulations, as well as American Public Transportation Association Passenger Rail Equipment Safety Standards and recommended practices for emergency signs and emergency lighting. The issue of accurate passenger evacuation time estimation was also discussed.

As chair of the Transportation Research Board's Subcommittee on Railroad Operational Safety, Dr. Sussman also arranged for the South Korean team to attend the midyear meeting of the subcommittee on July 15 and 16 in Washington, DC. Mr. Wonyoung Lee subsequently applied for and has been accepted for membership in the subcommittee. (Added 08/28/03)

On May 7, Ms. Lynn Murray, Chief, Communications and Technology Outreach Division, received the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) Service Award for Federal Representative of the Year. FLC is the nationwide network of federal laboratories that provides a forum to develop strategies and opportunities for linking the laboratory technologies and expertise with the marketplace. The award, presented at the FLC national meeting in Tucson, AZ, is given to the FLC representative who has made the most significant contribution to the FLC program in 2002. Ms. Murray serves as both an FLC Executive Board member and Chair of the FLC Education and Training Committee. (Added 08/22/03)

On July 21, Volpe Center staff members hosted the German Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) research team to discuss their Innovative Strategies for ITS project. This project studies international ITS experiences and aims to identify successful innovation strategies for new technologies and services in metropolitan traffic, and to investigate their effectiveness and consequences. The German Team, led by Dr. Guenter Halbritter of the Institute for Technology Assessment & Systems Analysis of the Karlsruhe Research Center, has been conducting research on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Ms. Suzanne Sloan, Mr. Bill Lyons, Ms. Cassandra Allwell, Ms. Patricia Weichmann, and Mr. David Jackson, of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division, and Ms. Jane Lappin, of the Economic and Industry Analysis Division, discussed their research and policy experience. The discussions ranged over such topics as state and metropolitan transportation planning, environmental regulations, the involvement of Metropolitan Planning Organizations in ITS, ITS professional development, ITS architecture and standards, ITS project evaluations, innovative mobility, and public opinion regarding ITS applications. This visit aligns with the Volpe Center's interest in sharing and leveraging expertise and knowledge with our international colleagues. (Added 08/14/03)

Dr. James Hallock, Chief of the Volpe Center's Aviation Safety Division, has been selected as one of three finalists for the Service to America Career Achievement Medal, an award for lifetime achievement in public service. The award, which will be presented in October 2003, was established by the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, to honor Federal employees who have made significant contributions in their area of expertise. Dr. Hallock was cited for his work in aviation safety over the past 37 years. He also serves as a member of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board which has been researching the cause of the February 2003 shuttle accident. (Added 07/29/03)

Ed Spitzer, Office of Traffic and Operations Management; Karen Van Dyke, Center for Navigation; and Dr. Richard John, Volpe Center Director.

On June 24, Ms. Karen Van Dyke, of the Center for Navigation, was named a Fellow at the Institute of Navigation's 59th Annual Awards Program. Election to Fellow Membership recognizes the distinguished contribution of ION members to the advancement of the technology and management of the science of navigation. Ms. Van Dyke received the Fellow Membership for her outstanding contributions to the civil applications of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and for her role in ensuring the safe incorporation of GPS into the National Airspace System. The Institute of Navigation is a non-profit professional society dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of navigation. (Added 07/29/03)

Fullscale Rail Equipment Test Conducted at the Transportation Technology Center.

On June 10, Mr. David Tyrell testified before the Rail Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He accompanied Ms. Jo Strang, Deputy Associate Director for Railroad Development, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), who read a prepared statement. Mr. Tyrell answered questions on rail equipment crashworthiness, including questions on the application of seatbelts to intercity and commuter rail systems, the influence of Federal regulations on equipment weight, and the impact tests of rail equipment. He showed the subcommittee videos of the rail equipment tests that have been conducted to date at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, CO. During the hearing, subcommittee members expressed an interest in observing the next test, planned for October. These tests have been conducted according to specifications developed by Mr. Tyrell and other members of the Volpe Center's Structures and Dynamics Division. The results of Volpe research on rail equipment crashworthiness have been used to (1) develop the crashworthiness requirements for Amtrak's high-speed trainset; (2) develop the FRA's Passenger Equipment Safety Standards; and (3) draft revisions and additions to current FRA locomotive crashworthiness regulations. (Added 07/14/03)

On June 3-5, the Volpe Center hosted the Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Research Needs Workshop in Cambridge, MA. The workshop, sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Office of Research and Development, brought together railroad industry experts from Canada and the United States. The purpose of the workshop was to provide the FRA and all the U.S. Department of Transportation modes with a current status of research in the area of highway-rail grade crossings and to share this information with Canadian colleagues from both Transport Canada and the Direction 2006 Research Program. Based on a review of the FRA 5-year Strategic Plan and Transport Canada's Research Program, and through Intermodal and stakeholder consensus, workshop participants formulated and prioritized an updated set of research needs related to technology, methodology, and hardware to decrease crossing collisions and fatalities. These research needs will be formally documented for use in revisiting the 1994 U.S. DOT Crossing Safety Action Plan and to aid in the future planning of resources for research funding in the highway-rail grade crossing safety arena.

The workshop featured panels and presentations in six areas: crossing improvement and closure, human factors, security and trespass prevention, data and geographical information systems, driver/public education and enforcement, and Intelligent Transportation Systems and positive train control. At the workshop, attendees formed working groups focused on these six areas. Team leaders summarized the findings of their working groups and discussed and prioritized high-urgency research needs. (Added 07/08/03)

In June, as part of the Volpe Center's ongoing technical support to the Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) program, Dr. David Yang completed a report entitled 2003 Status Report on Transit Intelligent Vehicle Initiative Studies. This report provides an overview and update on current transit IVI studies. The transit IVI program focuses on two major areas: (1) development and assessment of warning systems for frontal, side, and rear-impact collisions, as well as an integrated warning system, and (2) development and assessment of technologies to assist bus operators in degraded driving conditions (e.g., the vehicle-lane assist technology). The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will use this report to introduce these advanced transit technologies to transit agencies in the United States and encourage them to consider implementing these technologies in the future. Co-authors of this report are Mr. Brian Cronin, FTA; Mr. Neil Meltzer, Accident Prevention Division; and Ms. Margaret Zirker, Cambridge Systematics, Inc. (Added 07/08/03)

In June, the Volpe Center concluded its fifth year of the Lunch Buddies program with celebrations for participating second and third graders. The Lunch Buddies program matches Volpe volunteers with second and third grade students at the nearby Kennedy and Amigos Schools in Cambridge, MA. Volpe staff members read to their buddies twice a month during their lunch period. The program encourages a love of reading among children and exposes them to role models in the transportation field. On June 9, second grade lunch buddies hosted a party at the Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School and Amigos School for their Volpe buddies. Kennedy and Amigos principals Wesley Manaday and Marla Perez-Selles, respectively, thanked the volunteers for their commitment to Lunch Buddies. They stressed the importance of children being exposed to books and reading, and advised the volunteers not to underestimate their role in the development of the children.

On June 11, the Volpe Center hosted a "graduation" ceremony for third grade lunch buddies and their Volpe buddies. Highlights included inscribed books and photos of each third grader with their lunch buddy; musical, dance, and vocal performances by each class; and a lively, interactive Enhanced Traffic Management System demonstration for the students by Matthew Maki, of the Automatic Applications Division.

Over the past 5 years, 230 Volpe community individuals have volunteered their time to be Lunch Buddies. This year alone, 112 Volpe staff members volunteered, including 25 first-year volunteers. Mr. David Daley, of the Resource Planning and Management Analysis Division, has coordinated the Lunch Buddies program since its inception. (Added 07/08/03)

During their recent trip to the Port of Hamburg, Volpe staff met with representatives from Waterways Police, Harbormaster's Office, and State Ministry for Economic and Labor Affairs.

Volpe Center staff members are preparing a report on Intermodal Best Security Practices in Cargo Container Operations and are continuing to visit seaports worldwide to learn about procedures and techniques that can be applied to reduce the threat of cargo theft and terrorism. The report is part of the Volpe Center's support to the Global Maritime and Transportation School at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. From May 4 to 16, Mr. Charles McCarthy and Mr. Robert Hoaglund, of the Infrastructure Protection and Operations Division, visited representatives from the German Customs Service, Hamburg Waterways Police, Harbormaster's Office, Cargo Terminal Operators Association, Ship Owners Association, and State Ministry for Economic and Labor Affairs at the Port of Hamburg, Germany, to gather information on best cargo security practices. Volpe Center staff members have visited many international seaports to examine operational security, physical security, and information systems security. Staff members visited other ports in Rotterdam, Netherlands; Jebel Ali, Rashid, and Hamriyah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Vancouver, Canada; Singapore; and Shanghai, China. (Added 06/19/03)

Ms. Annalynn Lacombe presents Patricia Joseph with the Dr. Peter A. Manning Public Service Award.

On May 27, the Volpe Center presented the Dr. Peter A. Manning Public Service Award to Patricia Joseph, a student in the Academy of Public Service at Dorchester High School. Presented by Ms. Annalynn Lacombe, of the Transportation Strategic Planning and Program Development Division, the award was given to Patricia in recognition of "Outstanding Scholarship and Dedication to Public Service."

Peter Manning was a senior policy analyst at the Volpe Center until his death in 2001. Peter was passionate about issues related to education and international development. He became involved in the development and growth of special education programs in the Boston schools through the Greater Boston Federal Executive Board's mentoring program. Peter helped establish the Academy of Public Service at Dorchester High School. The Academy is a three-year school-based program for motivated Dorchester High School students that introduces participants to public and community service careers and provides opportunities for personal and academic achievement. Students in the academy take three special classes per semester in preparation for higher education and future careers in federal, state, or local government, or community service agencies.

Along with the plaque she accepted when she won this year's Peter Manning Public Service Award, Patricia received a $100 savings bond from the Center. In the fall, Patricia plans to attend the University of Massachusetts in Boston where she will enroll in the sciences and biology program, in preparation for a future career as a veterinarian. (Added 06/12/03)

Vince Rakauskas, Dave Sawin, Dr. Richard John, and Kevin Harnett at the Center for Cyber Protection booth.

On May 7 and 8, the Volpe Center co-sponsored and hosted the 2003 Spring IEEE Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security. This 2-day conference, the third in a series, provided a forum on requirements, technologies, operations, and funding for technology development and opportunities in the marketplace, focusing on security to protect aviation and other key transportation system elements. Over 220 technology innovators, venture capitalists, government officials, military procurement officers, system integrators, and business development professionals attended the conference. Volpe Center staff presented the following papers: "Promise and Challenges for Transportation Security Applications of Remote Sensing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems" by Dr. Aviva Brecher and Mr. Kevin Clark; "NAS Information Security and New Challenges" by Mr. Kevin Harnett; "Department of State - Security Enhancement Program" by Mr. David Lecraw; and "Cyber Security 101 - Best Practices" by Mr. David Sawin. The conference also marked the debut of the Center for Cyber Protection booth and brochure. The Center for Cyber Protection, part of the Volpe Center's Infrastructure Protection and Operations Division, has evolved into a center of excellence for cyber security needs. Ms. Hai Ja Curtis, of the Administrative Service Branch, coordinated the event. (Added 06/03/03)

John Hopkins, of the Volpe Center, receiving a 2003 Mack I. Davis II Award from Laura Margosian, Director of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Volunteers, at the 2003 Cambridge School Volunteers Awards & Volunteer Recognition Ceremony

On May 7, the Volpe Center and its volunteers received several awards at the Cambridge School Volunteers 2003 Awards & Volunteer Recognition ceremony at the Harvard Faculty Club in Cambridge. The Volpe Center, in Cambridge, MA, received a corporate team award and 31 Volpe community employees received longevity awards for 4+ years of volunteerism with the Lunch Buddies and Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School (CRLS) Science Olympiad programs.

One of the event's highlights was the 2003 Mack I. Davis II Award, presented to Dr. John Hopkins, of the Transportation Strategic Planning and Program Development Division, for his work with the CRLS Science Olympiad. For the past five years, Mr. Hopkins has served as an advisor to CRLS students on the Science Olympiad team, a project that started in 1999 through a joint collaboration between the CRLS Science team and the Volpe Center. The Science Olympiad program, supported by several Volpe volunteers, is designed to challenge and interest students not only in the transportation industry but also to stimulate greater interest in all academic studies. Over the years, Dr. Hopkins has become known as the "Reach for the Stars" event coach. This event is based on hard-core concepts of astrophysics and stellar evolution and deals with the life cycle of stars, how they form, and how they die. With Dr. Hopkins' help, the CRLS team won a silver medal this year and he has set a winning track record for the event over the years.

Approximately 110 Volpe community members currently participate in the Lunch Buddies program. Lunch Buddy volunteers read to second and third grade students at the nearby Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School and the Amigos School twice a month during their lunch period. The Lunch Buddies program encourages a love of reading among children and exposes them to role models in the transportation field. (Added 05/28/03)

Daniel Grabauskas, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Board; David Lev, Hai Ja Curtis, Lynn Murray, Volpe Center; Robert Varney, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New England Office.

On May 13, the Volpe Center was named one of New England's Commuter Choice Employers by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the launch of their "Best Workplaces for Commuters" campaign. The "Best Workplaces for Commuters" campaign aims to boost commuter ridership on buses, ferry boats, bicycles, and other modes of transportation. The EPA and Commonwealth of Massachusetts will campaign to triple the number of Commuter Choice Employers from 33 to 100 by Earth Day 2004. The EPA and the Commonwealth will achieve this goal by forming a coalition with leading business, human resource, environmental, and transportation associations in New England, meeting with employers across the region, and publicizing a "Best Workplaces for Commuters" list this fall. This effort is part of the EPA's national campaign in communities around the nation in selected cities including the Denver/Boulder area, Houston, San Francisco Bay, and Washington, DC. For more information about the program, visit http://www.commuterchoice.gov. Effective July 1, the Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative will become the Best Workplaces for Commuters program. (Added 05/27/03)

In March, the Volpe Center published Design Guidelines for Transit Systems Using Electric and Hybrid electric Propulsion as an Alternative Fuel, a final report for the Federal Transit Administration's Clean Air Program. The use of electric and hybrid electric buses is starting to be widely considered. Their use is expected to increase dramatically over the next five years.

This document presents facility and bus design and operations guidelines for transit operators who are contemplating converting from diesel to electric or hybrid electric propulsion. The report provides an overview of the electric and hybrid electric bus technologies, and discusses safety issues for both operations and maintenance of these buses. The importance of training for operations, maintenance and emergency response personnel is emphasized and suggestions for specific training requirements are described. Mr. William Chernicoff, of the Volpe Center's Service and Operations Assessment Division, and Volpe Center contractors from MJ Bradley Associates and TMS Inc. authored the report. The report incorporates comments and lessons learned from transit systems that operate electric buses, consultants, bus manufacturers, subsystem and other industry suppliers. The report forms part of a series published by the FTA on the safe use of alternative fuels for bus operations. Other documents in the series, prepared by the Volpe Center, have focused on compressed natural gas, hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, and methanol/ethanol. The document is available at:
http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/Publications/default.asp#CleanAir. (Added 05/15/03)

On April 23 and 24, over 100 people attended the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA's) Railroad Industry Workshop on Understanding Close Calls in Baltimore, MD. The Volpe Center conducted the meeting to educate the railroad industry on the benefits of understanding close call events. Analyzing close calls provides railroads with a proactive way to manage safety. Workshop participants included members of the railroad industry, FRA and other government employees, and academic researchers. On the first day of the workshop, participants listened to presentations on existing systems in the airline industry, British railway industry, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. On the second day of the workshop, participants discussed lessons learned from personal "close call" experiences, the benefits and barriers to implementing a close call management system, and the next steps to begin developing such a system. This workshop is part of the Volpe Center's support of the FRA's Office of Research and Development and was organized by Dr. Jordan Multer, of the Volpe Center, and Dr. Thomas Raslear, of the FRA. (Added 05/05/03)

On January 30, the Volpe Center hosted the first in a series of meetings with Transport Canada (the Canadian ministry of transportation) on grade crossing research in North America. The meeting, held at the Center, facilitated the technical exchange of research on railroad horn systems. Transport Canada, Volpe Center, and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) representatives concluded that the efforts on both sides of the border were complementary, and identified further collaborative efforts. Seven research areas were identified: Acoustic Warning Systems Study, Driver & Pedestrian Behavior, Motor Carrier Safety Rating, Trespasser Studies, Second Train Warning Systems, Low Cost Active Warning Systems, and LED Technology Studies.

This meeting is a result of a May 2002 Memorandum of Cooperation between Transport Canada and the FRA. The objective of the partnership is to provide options for increasing the safety and cost-effectiveness of grade crossing systems through technological, operational, and human factors research. It aims to develop a better understanding of the factors contributing to grade crossing and trespassing incidents and to enhance the effectiveness and range of countermeasures.

The Volpe team consisted of Ms. Anya Carroll and Ms. Suzanne Sposato of the Railroad Systems Division, Ms. Amanda Rapoza of the Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division, Dr. Jordan Multer of the Operator Performance and Safety Analysis Division, and Mr. Jonathan Mozenter of EG&G Technical Services, Inc. (a Volpe Center contractor). (Added 05/02/03)

On April 2, the Volpe Center's Dr. Aviva Brecher delivered two presentations, "Electromagnetic Fields and Health Hazards: A Physicist's Perspective"- a Frontiers of Science evening public lecture; and "Balancing Transportation, Energy, and Environment," at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. She also met with faculty and graduate students interested in transportation and urban planning at the Global Affairs Institute and Center for Environmental Policy.

Dr. Brecher was nominated and selected as a Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer in December 2001 for a 2-year term (2002-2004). Founded in 1886, Sigma Xi is the oldest scientific honors research society and has over 75,000 members in 500 chapters in the United States. These Distinguished Lectures have been presented since 1937 and provide an opportunity for Sigma Xi chapters to host visits from outstanding individuals who are at the leading edge of science. Dr. Brecher is a senior scientist at the Volpe Center and a National Technical Expert on Environmental Safety and Health. Her Volpe Center work includes risk analysis and risk management, the future global air traffic control environment, and the environmental safety and health effects of electromagnetic fields for transportation systems and facilities. (Added 04/22/03)

The Fort Independence, a South Shore ferry, approaches downtown Boston.

On March 28, Volpe Center staff delivered the final report, "Water Transportation Planning for Eastern Massachusetts: A Strategic Assessment of Passenger Ferry Services" to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Construction. Mr. Michael Dyer, of the Technology Applications and Deployment Division, performed a feasibility analysis of eight potential ferry and water shuttle routes within the Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay Area. In the Inner Harbor, Volpe work focused on ferry services that would add improved transit options for some areas. In the Massachusetts Bay Area, the project assessed new services and enhancements of existing services in the context of the area's whole intermodal transportation system. The Volpe Center also developed a strategic assessment tool that examines the infrastructure, access, intermodal connectivity, vessel reconfiguration, environmental and economic development policy, and operational finance aspects of proposed services. This tool will assist the Commonwealth in making resource decisions for future water transportation projects. (Added 04/07/03)

Mr. Gary Ritter of the Volpe Center Service and Operations Assessment Division has been named to co-chair a national partnership conference being conducted by the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The "Joint Ventures: Partners in Stewardship" conference will be held November 17-20 2003 in Los Angeles, California, and is expected to draw several thousand participants from both the public and private sectors. The conference seeks to share information on interagency and public-private partnering challenges, successes, lessons learned, and practical techniques. Organizers are currently seeking conference session proposals. For more information, please visit http://www.partnerships2003.org/session_info.htm. (Added 04/02/03)

On March 3, Volpe Center staff presented two papers on collision avoidance research at the 2003 Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit, Michigan. The annual conference and exhibit brings together automotive engineers and managers from around the world, providing the latest information on automotive vehicle technology. Dr. Wassim Najm and Mr. Andy Lam, of the Accident Prevention Division, and Dr. David Smith, of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), presented "Analysis of Braking and Steering Performance in Car-Following Scenarios," which describes the Volpe Center independent evaluation of an automotive rear-end crash avoidance system built by General Motors and Delphi Delco Electronics. Mr. Jonathan Koopmann, Accident Prevention Division, and Dr. Najm presented a technical paper entitled "Identification of Traffic States from Onboard Vehicle Sensors." This paper describes the development of a data processing algorithm to be used in support of the Center's independent evaluation of the General Motors rear-end crash avoidance system. The papers were produced as a result of the Volpe Center's work for the NHTSA under the Department of Transportation's Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) Program. The IVI Program promotes the deployment of advanced technology systems proven effective in reducing highway vehicle crashes. (Added 04/02/03)

The Volpe Center video "Bribery Awareness" won an Award of Distinction in the 2002 Communicator Awards.

In February, two Volpe Center videos won Awards of Distinction in the 2002 Communicator Awards, an international competition honoring excellence in visual communications. Ms. Ann DiMare, Aviation Safety Division, and Mr. Richard Gopen, Planners Collaborative - a Volpe contractor, received the award for a Bribery Awareness video. This video, developed for the Office of Inspector General, served as the centerpiece for nationwide ethics training for all U.S. Department of Transportation employees. The second award was for the "FM-200 Shipboard Firefighting System," a series of videos for the U.S. Army on using and maintaining a firefighting system newly installed on many of its ships. Mr. Mark Gentile and Mr. Robert Pray, both of the Technology Applications and Deployment Division, and Mr. Gopen contributed to the video production. The Volpe staff also oversaw the design, installation, and training for the FM-200 system. (Added 03/26/03)

On March 3, Dr. Stephen Popkin of the Volpe Center, Mr. Michael Coplen, of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and Dr. Dennis Holland, of Union Pacific, traveled to Australia to meet with railroad executives, labor representatives and government regulators involved with non-prescriptive fatigue management systems. They met several transportation organizations including the State Rail corporation, the Pacific National Railroad, the Australian Rail Group, The Rail, Tram and Bus Union, Transport New South Wales state railroad regulator, and the Australian Rail Track Corporation. They also visited the University of South Australia's Centre for Sleep Research, and attended a conference dedicated to exploring fatigue and transportation issues. This trip marks the second time Volpe Center staff have traveled to Australia to investigate non-prescriptive approaches to fatigue management currently in use, and to develop strategies for implementing such an approach in the United States.

Future visits to Australia will include extensive evaluations of their non-prescriptive approach's impacts and outcomes on the risk of fatigue-related accidents, incidents and performance decrements. Volpe Center staff will help synthesize this information to develop and present a risk-based safety case for addressing fatigue management practices for all DOT modal administrations in the United States.

These visits are in support of the Research and Special Programs Administration's Fatigue Management Partnership program. As a first step towards a non-prescriptive approach, the program is developing tools that meet the immediate and future needs of operators who must cope daily with difficult work schedules and the practicalities of fatigue management. (Added 03/19/03)

Brochure cover for the Federal Transit Administration's Connecting Communities - Emergency Preparedness and Security Forums

Over the past year the Volpe Center has supported the Federal Transit Administration in offering seminars on emergency preparedness and security. On February 26 and 27, the Volpe Center facilitated the 17th Emergency Preparedness and Security Forum in San Diego, California. The forums have successfully brought together over 2,000 professionals from local transit, police, fire, medical response, and city/state emergency management communities around the nation, and ensured that emergency training programs include the latest safety and disaster preparation planning information.

Transit systems rely heavily on other emergency responders during emergencies. These forums help transportation and emergency response agencies work together to prepare and protect their community with coordination, communication, planning, and practice of safety and security measures. The program has helped create a network of participants for the facilitation of future drills and emergency plans, with the objective of enhancing the nation's ability to respond to emergencies more quickly and effectively.

The Forum in San Diego was the final in the current series, but in April, Mr. Bob Adduci, of the Railroad Systems Division, will facilitate a review of the FTA "Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security" forums program with the core team of facilitators and FTA Office of Safety and Security Director Harry Saporta. This review will focus on updating the current program and planning additional forums. There will be an emphasis on reaching out to the rural areas of the country.

For more information about the Connecting Communities seminars, visit http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov. (Added 03/13/03)

The application period for the 2003-2004 John A. Volpe Transportation Internship is open from February 15th through March 24th, 2003. The Volpe Transportation Internship features major tuition assistance and paid work opportunities at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts for selected outstanding graduate students in engineering, information technology, and physical and social science disciplines who have expressed an interest in working in the field of transportation. Volpe Transportation Interns work side-by-side with leaders and experts in the field of transportation on both technical and policy projects. The 2003-2004 academic year will be the fourth year during which the Volpe Transportation Internship will be awarded. Detailed information about the Volpe Transportation Internship including program features, eligibility criteria, and the application checklist are now available on the Volpe Center Career Opportunities Web site. (Added 03/12/03)

In December, the Volpe Center completed the Lowell National Historic Park (LNHP) Historic Trolley Planning Study. This Plan was developed to help the LNHP, the City of Lowell, and other partners assess opportunities for implementing a light rail system reminiscent of late 19th/early 20th Century trolley lines. The proposed system uses the LNHP's existing line as a backbone for the new service, and is designed to improve mobility in downtown Lowell, Massachusetts, where streets are narrow and auto congestion is common. The system will connect sites operated by the LNHP, and provide access to Lowell's major activity centers, each of which has been influential in the city's economic turnaround: the Gallagher Intermodal Transportation Center, the Paul E. Tsongas Arena, the LeLacheur Park, and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell campus.

The benefits of the proposed service include addressing the transportation objectives of the National Park Service's General Management Plan for the LNHP, providing service to areas identified for redevelopment and investment by the City of Lowell, addressing traffic and parking issues that are growing constraints on continued economic growth, and establishing new attractions for visitors to Lowell while enhancing Lowell's links to other NPS sites in Eastern Massachusetts. The proposed service will operate on six streets that previously had trolley service. It will provide a re-creation of the historic trolley experience, while providing regular transit service to residents for work, shopping and recreation. Approximately 28,000 people will live within a quarter mile of the trolley route at full build-out, and it is anticipated that there will be between 1-2 million riders annually, depending on fare and frequency of service. An integral component of the Plan is the construction of a combination Operations and Maintenance facility/National Street Car Museum in Lowell. The museum will house vehicles and artifacts from the Seashore Trolley Museum collection in Kennebunkport, Maine, and possibly transit artifacts from other streetcar museums nationwide. Lowell would get the benefit of additional cars for their expansion program and the Seashore Trolley Museum would benefit from increased public exposure, a possible new home for their extensive archives, and better access to federal funding to assist with overall institutional goals.

The next steps in this process will include an Environmental Assessment and possibly an Alternatives Analysis. The Volpe Center expects to be at the forefront for leading these next steps. For the complete Volpe Center study, visit http://www.heritagetrolley.org/existLowellStudy02.htm. (Added 03/03/03)

 

Dr. Richard R. John pictured with the Massachusetts Bay Area Combined Federal Campaign "Hall of Fame" Award.

On February 12, Dr. Richard R. John accepted the Massachusetts Bay Area Combined Federal Campaign "Hall of Fame" Award for the fourteenth consecutive year on behalf of the Volpe Center for its contributions to the Combined Federal Campaign. The Center is the only agency to ever receive this award in the Massachusetts Bay Area. The Center met its goal with a total contribution of $121,385 as a result of 93% of its employees making donations. The CFC is the annual fund-raising drive conducted by Federal employees to raise money for charitable organizations. In addition to running a successful internal campaign, Dr. John was the chair of the entire Massachusetts Bay Area Combined Federal Campaign and Mr. David Daley, of the Resource Planning and Management Analysis Division, served as the CFC Vice Chair and ran the day-to-day operations. The Massachusetts Bay Area CFC raised a total of $2,074,136. (Added 02/19/03)

The application period for the 2003-2004 John A. Volpe Transportation Internship is open from February 15th through March 17th, 2003. The Volpe Transportation Internship features major tuition assistance and paid work opportunities at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts for selected outstanding graduate students in engineering, information technology, and physical and social science disciplines who have expressed an interest in working in the field of transportation. Volpe Transportation Interns work side-by-side with leaders and experts in the field of transportation on both technical and policy projects. The 2003-2004 academic year will be the fourth year during which the Volpe Transportation Internship will be awarded. Detailed information about the Volpe Transportation Internship including program features, eligibility criteria, and the application checklist are now available on the Volpe Center Career Opportunities Web site. (Added 02/15/03)

On January 27 through 30, the Volpe Center held an International Conference on Closed Head Trauma with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, in collaboration with the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission. The Conference was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was chaired by Dr. Faris Bandak of the Volpe Center and Col. John Crowley of the U.S. Army Aero-medical Research Laboratory. It brought together researchers, in the physical and medical sciences, interested in the prevention of head injury. The Volpe Center was responsible for developing the scientific program. International experts presented the latest in Epidemiology, Biomechanics, and Neuroimaging of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as well as Neuropsychological and Cognitive Assessment Methods for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI), Neuropathology, and Helmet Standards and Technologies.

The Scientific program was directly related to ongoing biomechanics research at the Volpe Center and provided Volpe staff opportunities for international collaboration with researchers from industry and governments both domestically and internationally. The Conference also provided an opportunity for the Volpe Staff to meet with research collaborators from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy on injury biomechanics. The Conference also served as a forum where previous Volpe work, such as Injury Measures for Rotational Head Loading and SIMon (Simulated Injury Monitor), the head injury assessment tool developed by the Volpe Center for NHTSA, was cited and discussed amongst the participants.

Mr. Frank DiMasi, and Mr. George Neat, of the Vehicle Crashworthiness Division, attended the conference. Dr. Bandak, along with chairing the Conference, was the chairman of the session on the Biomechanics of Closed-Head Injury. He also co-authored two papers: "The Small Animal Model in Head Injury Research" and "Mechanisms of Contact Impact Brain Injury." (Added 02/11/03)

Dr. James Hallock, of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was named to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Hallock has been a member of the NASA Space Shuttle Program review board since 1996. For more information on Dr. Hallock, please see http://www.volpe.dot.gov/ourwork/hallock.html. (Added 02/03/03)

On January 9, Volpe Center staff presented findings from their study on how local operations activities compete for funding in the existing transportation decision-making process. During the study, the Volpe team interviewed over 260 individuals representing 140 municipal and county public works agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, transit agencies, and state departments of transportation. The purpose of the study was to identify the extent to which state and local transportation officials are using Federal funds for operations activities. The study team, led by Mr. Allan DeBlasio, of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division, found that, with some exceptions, the local and state officials do not use Federal funds for operations activities. When the officials did use Federal funds, they usually used Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program funds.

The findings of this study were presented by Mr. David Jackson, also of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division, as part of the Technical Training by Telephone (T3) sessions for the Program Capacity Building (PCB) Program. The PCB Program provides training, education, technical assistance, and information resources to transportation professionals. The Volpe Center supports the Program by conducting an ongoing nationwide needs assessment; supporting a Web site for "one-stop shopping" of ITS training and education information; assessing the needs of future transportation professionals at universities and colleges; developing a program for evaluating the effectiveness of new ITS training courses; and assisting the ITS Joint Program Office in developing ITS curricula for transportation professionals to use as a guide to their own development. (Added 01/27/03)

The 82nd annual Transportation Research Board (TRB) meeting was held from January 12 through 16 in Washington, DC. The meeting included over 500 sessions, 40 workshops, and 350 TRB committee meetings covering all aspects of transportation. More than 115 of the sessions focused on the following 4 themes: Security: One Year Later; Congestion: What Does the Future Hold?; New Tools for Improving Safety; and The Route to Reauthorization. In response to these themes, the Volpe Center's exhibit at the meeting focused on the Center's work in Traffic Management, highlighting support to three sponsors. 1) The Center is supporting the National Park Service in the development of traffic monitoring and management systems for use in national parks. The exhibit illustrated a low-cost, real-time parking management system deployed at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area during the summer of 2002 to monitor and predict parking availability, and provided information on traffic information systems planned at other national parks. 2) The Highway Grade Crossing Safety display highlighted Volpe support to the Federal Railroad Administration in the rail traffic management arena with an emphasis on safety, mobility, and security. This display included an interactive driving simulator, overviews of current field operational tests related to infrastructure security and safety, risk assessment studies, human factors research, and support to Federal rulemaking and development of industry standards. 3) The exhibit also presented Volpe's support of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. The Center developed and implemented a new vessel-traffic management system that will identify and track all commercial vessels on the Seaway. The network, based on the automatic identification system (AIS), will also enable the automated dissemination of waterway status information to transiting vessels. In addition to the exhibit, Volpe staff participated in many areas of the TRB meeting, from chairing panel sessions to presenting papers. These activities will be featured in the March/April issue of Highlights. (Added 01/22/03)

The Volpe Center's booth at the 82nd Annual TRB Meeting.

Beginning in mid-January, the Volpe Center's Motor Carrier Safety Assessment Division and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will initiate "Monthly SafeStat" on the SafeStat website (http://www.ai.volpe.dot.gov/SafeStat/SafeStatMain.asp). The new monthly results will empower the FMCSA and other users with more timely safety analysis of motor carriers. Previously, SafeStat results were updated semi-annually. The site will include previously posted semi-annual historical results. SafeStat, developed by the Volpe Center for the FMCSA, is an automated, data-driven analysis system that employs a series of algorithms and safety data to determine the current relative safety status of individual motor carriers. An important tool used in many Federal and state safety-enforcement programs, SafeStat identifies, prioritizes, and monitors carriers with safety deficiencies for FMCSA compliance reviews and the Federal/State Performance Registration and Information Systems Management project improvement process. SafeStat results are incorporated in other decision-making tools to select carriers for roadside inspections under the Inspection Selection System and PrePass program. SafeStat results are also available to the public in the Motor Carrier Safety Assessment Division-developed website, Analysis & Information (http://ai.volpe.dot.gov/). This site assists interested parties including motor carriers, insurers, shipper, etc., in making safety conscious decisions. (Added 01/13/03)