New Report: Global Positioning System (GPS) Civil Signal Monitoring (CSM) Trade Study Report
This study examines two viable alternatives for monitoring GPS broadcast signals used by civilian agencies.
Aviation
Economists, FAA Ensure Accuracy of High-Profile Numbers
Faced with a high level of public scrutiny and compressed timelines, the FAA turned to Volpe’s team of economists to help assess the costs and benefits of new pilot training rules. Changing something as fundamental as pilot training standards is an example of a high-profile rule where FAA...
EFB Commercial Off-the-Shelf Software Manufacturers (Sept. 2010)
The information in this document is intended to complement the Volpe Center’s Electronic Flight Bag (EFB): 2010 Industry Survey.
Human Factors Evaluation of Electronic Flight Bags
In order to support the development of an Advisory Circular on electronic flight bags (EFBs), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tasked the Volpe Center to identify EFB human factors considerations.
A Tool for Structured Evaluation of Electronic Flight Bag Usability
The purpose of this report is to document the progress to date on constructing this usability-assessment tool for EFBs. It covers how the tool was developed and tested, what it looks like to date, and how it could be used to help assess and track EFB usability. Further testing is planned to...
Human Factors Considerations for the Design and Evaluation of Electronic Flight Bags
There is currently great interest in developing stand-alone electronic devices to support flight deck tasks. These devices, called "Electronic Flight Bags" (EFBs), were originally seen as a repository for electronic documents. Today, some airlines envision EFBs as multi-function devices...
Improving Asset Management at Unstaffed FAA Facilities
Volpe leverages its asset management expertise to help the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facility infrastructure team review maintenance needs and upgrades for unstaffed facilities, making it easier for FAA to plan and prioritize projects.
Striking a Balance Between Automation and Human Control in America’s Skies
Kathy Abbott, FAA's Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor for Flight Deck Human Factors, recently delivered a talk on automated systems in the flight deck and beyond at Volpe.
Professor on Sabbatical Studies Flight Navigation Charts
Dr. Melissa Beck, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Louisiana State University, recently spent her sabbatical working at Volpe with human factors experts.
New Report: Biofuel Transportation Analysis Tool: Description, Methodology, and Demonstration Scenarios
The Biofuel Transportation Analysis Tool helps the Office of Naval Research and Federal Aviation Administration better understand the transportation needs and constraints associated with biofuel feedstock collection, processing, and fuel distribution, specifically alternative jet fuel...