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2004 News ArchiveBack to current News May | April | March | February | January MayVolpe Center Employee Elected to Board of the International Commission on Occupation Health's (ICOH) Working Time Society - On April 24, Dr. Stephen Popkin of the Operator Performance Safety Analysis Division was elected to serve on the board of the International Commission on Occupation Health's (ICOH) Working Time Society (WTS). ICOH is the leading international scientific organization in the field of occupational health and is represented by 2,000 professionals in 93 countries. ICOH is also recognized by the United Nations as a non-government organization having close working relationships with the International Labor Organization, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Environment Program, and the International Social Security Association. Dr. Popkin is the only North American representative chosen to serve on the WTS board and is only the second American ever to receive the distinction. Dr. Popkin has been conducting shift work and fatigue-related research in the transportation sector since 1988. Since joining the Volpe Center in 2000, Dr. Popkin developed the Fatigue Monitoring and Countermeasures Research Team, and has taken on a number of fatigue-related projects supporting such organizations as the Research and Special Programs Administration Office of Pipeline Safety, the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Safety and the Office of Research and Development, the Federal Transit Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. He is currently building a cross-government team of human fatigue program managers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the United States Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, etc., in an effort to design accreditation curriculum for fatigue management. (added 05/28/04) Volpe Hosts 2004 Spring IEEE Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security - On April 21 and 22, the Volpe Center cosponsored and hosted the 2004 IEEE Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security. The 2-day conference examined the requirements, technologies, operations, and funding for technologies which protect the nation's critical transportation and border infrastructures. Over 300 participants gathered for the conference. Dr. Richard R. John, Director of the Volpe Center, welcomed the participants and attendees. The Volpe Center's key role in the conference is evidenced by the following summaries of papers and presentations. (added 05/18/04)
Volpe Staff Receive the FAA Safe Flight 21 Team Achievement Award - On April 13, Volpe staff from the Surveillance and Assessment Division and the Airport Surface Division received the Federal Aviation Administration Safe Flight 21 Team Achievement Award for outstanding work in the Gulf of Mexico and the East Coast Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Deployment effort. Dr. Mike Geyer, Mr. Chris Daskalakis, Mr. Khang Nguyen, Ms. Sarasina Sulijoadikusumo, Mr. Steve Nuzzi, Mr. Allen Mackey, Mr. Angelo V. Rallo, Mr. Ray Lambert, Mr. Brent Midwood, and Mr. Theofilos Papadopolous earned the award for developing and demonstrating improved aviation surveillance capabilities for the FAA. Safe Flight 21 is a government and industry joint effort that seeks to improve the safety, efficiency, and capacity of the National Airspace System using ADS-B technology by providing real-time traffic information to both air traffic controllers and flight crews. The FAA Safe Flight 21 Program and the Surface Technology Development Office are evaluating and developing new technologies for use on the airport surface, in the terminal, and for en route domains (between destinations). Deployment locations include the Memphis and Louisville test beds, installation of Broadcast Services Ground Stations (BSGS) between Maryland and Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico prototype. (added 05/18/04) 
Volpe staff who accepted the Safe Flight 21 Team Achievement Award, pictured from left to right: Ms. Sarasina Sulijoadikusumo, Mr. Steve Nuzzi, Mr. Angelo V. Rallo, Dr. Mike Geyer, and Mr. Allen Mackey (Not pictured: Mr. Ray Lambert, Mr. Brent Midwood, Mr. Theofilos Papadopolous, Mr. Chris Daskalakis, and Mr. Khang Nguyen). Volpe Hosts Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day® - On April 23 the Volpe Center's Federal Women's Program (FWP) sponsored its annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.® Thirty-three boys and girls from Boston-area schools attended the event. Presentations on the effects of air tours in national parks and the introduction of aquatic nuisance species in the nation's lakes and rivers were featured among the day's events. Ms. Elizabeth Durkin of the Contracts and Small Business Program Branch and Ms. Elaine Lyte of the Financial Management Division planned the event under the direction of Ms. Maria Caminos-Medina of the Equal Employment Opportunity Office. The Ms. Foundation for Women launched the Take Our Daughters to Work Day® 10 years ago with the aim of broadening the horizons of young and teaching them about the many careers available to women. In 2003 the Ms. Foundation invited America to take its sons to work along with its daughters. (added 05/05/04)  Elizabeth Durkin of the Contracts and Small Business Program Branch works with girls and boys on a poster project at the recent Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day® hosted by the Volpe Center. AprilVolpe Hosts Former POW Recognition Day - On April 16, the Volpe Center hosted its seventh annual Department of Veterans Affairs New England Healthcare System's Former POW Recognition Day. Approximately 165 former POW's from around New England attended the event. The program included a wreath decoration ceremony and workshops concerning issues relevant to former POWs and their spouses. Speakers included: Master of Ceremonies, Robert Noble, Past Commander of the Massachusetts Chapter of Former POWs, Mr. Antonio Casanova, current head of the Western Massachusetts Chapter of Former POWs, and Mr. Andrew Ferranti, who recently returned from National Guard duty in Iraq. (added 04/28/04) 
Mr. Robert Noble, Past Commander of the Massachusetts Chapter of Former POWs, welcomes attendees and participants to the Veterans Affairs New England Healthcare System's Former POW Recognition Day. Journal Paper on THOR Crash Test Dummy Finite Element Model - Last year, the Vehicle Crashworthiness Division completed the development of a finite element model of the THOR crash test dummy for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) National Transportation Biomechanics Research Center. The March 2004 issue of the International Journal of Crashworthiness included a technical paper co-authored by Volpe Center staff, titled "Head-Neck Finite Element Model of the Crash Test Dummy THOR." The paper presents the development, calibration, and validation of a three-dimensional finite element model of the head-neck subassemblies of the THOR 50th percentile male crash test dummy. Finite element modeling is a comprehensive technique through which impact tolerance can be studied. A three-dimensional finite element model is based on the digital data set from the appropriate section. In conjunction with the use of the crash test dummy, the model provides a computational tool for head-neck injury studies related to motor vehicle, rail, or aircraft crashes. Dr. Hailing Yu of EG&G; Technical Services (under contract to the Volpe Center) was lead author. Co-authors included Dr. Marisol Medri also of EG&G;, Mr. Frank DiMasi of the Vehicle Crashworthiness Division, Dr. Qing Zhou, formerly with EG&G;, and Dr. Faris Bandak, formerly with the Volpe Center. (added 04/20/04)
Volpe Participates in 2004 Northeast Decision Science Institute (NEDSI) 33rd Annual Meeting - Under the Volpe Center's Fellows Program, Mr. Seamus McGovern of the Airport Surface Division, participated in the NEDSI 33rd Annual Meeting held March 24-26 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Mr. McGovern presented the paper titled, "Metaheuristic Technique for the Disassembly Line Balancing Problem." The paper discusses problems and potential solutions associated with the disassembly line balancing problem for use in a disassembly environment (i.e., recycling, remanufacturing, etc.). The problem relates to determining the minimum number of workers to be assigned to disassemble a product in a feasible sequence, where each worker has a similar amount of idle time and hazardous and high demand parts are removed sooner rather than later in the process. Because finding the optimal balance for a disassembly line is computationally intensive and exhaustive, searches can become prohibitively large. Mr. McGovern proposes metaheuristic evaluation techniques that can provide a general algorithmic framework to address the problem and reviews a balance performance measure as well as graphical analysis tools. The disassembly line balancing problem is highly relevant to Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing. The paper will be published in the conference proceedings. (added 04/13/04) Participants Sought in U.S. Coast Guard Ballast Water Technology Assessment - The Coast Guard is investigating the efficacy of several ballast water management approaches, including the establishment of a meaningful ballast water discharge standard and procedures for approving ballast water treatment systems. The Coast Guard has requested that the Volpe Center conduct a technology assessment on such systems as currently exist. The aim is to have up-to-date technical information on the design, operations, and capabilities of ballast water treatment systems for conditions during shipboard ballasting operations; specifically:
If you would like to participate and address the above issues, please contact the Volpe Center's David Crawford, 617/494-3590, crawford@volpe.dot.gov or Deirdre Carrigan, 617/494-2872, carrigan@volpe.dot.gov. All responses must be received by COB April 22, 2004. (added 04/13/04) Volpe Workshop on "Cleanup and Recovery of Passenger Transportation Facilities After A Bioattack" - On March 30, the Volpe Center hosted an outreach event entitled "Cleanup and Recovery of Passenger Transportation Facilities After a Bioattack." The prospectus, agenda, resource paper, speaker's biographical notes and presentations are posted at: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/ourwork/dimensions/workshops.html. Experts from federal agencies (EPA, DHS, the national laboratories), transportation authorities, and industry reviewed: lessons learned from the 2001 anthrax attacks via the mail of relevance to transportation, the state of art in cleanup materials and methods; programs and plans to enhance biodefense in transportation, and key technology, policy, institutional and resource challenges needed for assured rapid decontamination and recovery after a bioattack. About 50 invited participants included a distinguished group of speakers and a representative cross section of transportation and homeland security stakeholders, who share an interest in rapid, cost-effective recovery capabilities for bio-contaminated transportation facilities, vehicles, employees and passengers. Workshop sessions explored the effects from the closure of a major transportation facility caused by a bioattack, the logistics of cleanup and recovery, and the repercussions for transportation, the economy, and travel behavior. Dr. Richard R. John, Director of the Volpe Center, opened the workshop by welcoming the participants and concluded the workshop by leading a discussion of major needs and next steps. (added 04/07/04) Volpe Staff Lectures at U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - On March 16, Mr. Robert Hoaglund CPP, of the Volpe Center's Infrastructure Protection and Operations Division, delivered a presentation on "Cargo Security Best Practices in the Port Environment" to Global Maritime and Transportation School (GMATS) students at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. His talk, which was part of a Cargo Security Management Course, covered the vulnerabilities of the physical infrastructure and operational processes for movement of containerized goods, as well as the best mitigation strategies as observed in recent foreign and domestic port security surveys. Mr. Hoaglund is currently a visiting subject matter expert instructor at the Global Maritime and Transportation School. (added 04/06/04) Volpe Graduate Student Wins Transportation Research Forum (TRF) Student Paper Award - On March 22, Ms. Sarah Dammen, of the Economic and Industry Analysis Division, presented a paper at the 45th Annual TRF in Evanston, IL. The TRF provides an impartial meeting ground for carriers, shippers, government officials, consultants, university researchers, suppliers, and others seeking an exchange of information and ideas related to passenger and freight transportation. Ms. Dammen's paper, The Effects of Safety Practices, Technology, and Firm Characteristics on Motor Carrier Safety, won the TRF's graduate student paper contest and was presented as part of the transportation safety session. The paper presents a theoretical framework using the theory of the firm to model firm safety input decisions. The model demonstrates that firms should act to maximize profit by investing in safety until the marginal cost of safety inputs is equal to the marginal benefit gained through safety performance. The paper tests the relationship between firm safety performance and safety practices, safety technologies, and firm marketing strategies. Firms with a safety performance marketing strategy are shown to have significantly lower carrier crash rates, which supports the theory that firm managers have control over the safety performance of their firm through management decisions. (added 04/01/04) Volpe to Host 2004 Spring IEEE Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security - On April 21 and 22, the Volpe Center will co-sponsor and host the 2004 IEEE Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security. Over 300 members of the New England innovation community will gather for this conference to focus on technologies that enhance the security of the nation’s transportation infrastructure including, airports, seaports, rail, road, and mass transit. A special session will be devoted to the critical challenge of protecting the worldwide intermodal shipping container system from being used as a conduit for terrorist attacks, without introducing unacceptable delays or excessive processing. The conference will highlight over 60 papers on technology innovations in this area. Two business panels will discuss market trends and opportunities, intellectual property, government contracting, and networking opportunities to foster collaboration among the innovation, operations, regulatory, and funding communities. Attendees to the IEEE Conference will include technology innovators, industry professionals, government officials, system integrators, business developers, and legal professionals involved in the homeland security marketplace. For additional information on the conference, please contact Ms. Hai Ja Curtis at (617) 494-3113 or visit http://www.ieee-boston.org/homeland.htm. (added 04/14/04) MarchVolpe Presents at Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress - On March 8, Volpe Center staff presented a paper at the 2004 SAE World Congress and Exposition in Detroit, MI. Dr. Wassim Najm, Accident Prevention Division, presented Modeling Driver Response to Lead Vehicle Decelerating as part of the Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI) Technology - Advanced Controls session. The paper, co-authored by Dr. David L. Smith of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is a result of Volpe's support of NHTSA in evaluating the safety benefits and driver acceptance of an automotive rear-end crash avoidance system built by General Motors and Delphi Electronics. The paper describes a driver performance map of braking and steering in response to three driving scenarios that lead to rear-end crashes. A driver performance map takes data from disparate sources - such as test track simulators, naturalistic on-road experiments, and field operational tests - and models it into a single database in order to characterize driver performance. This map is structured to encompass four driving states - low-risk, conflict, near-crash, and crash-imminent - that correspond to advisory warning, crash-imminent warning, and crash-mitigation functionalities for intelligent vehicle rear-end crash countermeasures. Specifically, this paper models driver response to a lead vehicle decelerating and compares braking performance to steering performance in the lead vehicle decelerating scenario. (added 03/18/04) Volpe Staff Lectures on the Columbia Space Shuttle Accident - In January, Dr. James Hallock, Manager of the Aviation Safety Division, presented two lectures on the Columbia Space Shuttle Accident. Dr. Hallock was named to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board in February 2003 and has served as a member of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Shuttle and Space Station Mishap Board since 1996. On January 27, 2004, Dr. Hallock lectured on the forensic analysis of the Columbia Space Shuttle accident to the Boston University student chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Forensic analysis consists of a failure causation analysis. In the case of the Columbia Shuttle, this task included investigating the physical failures that led to its destruction. On January 28, at the invitation of the Office of the Secretary of Energy, Dr. Hallock presented a "Review of the Columbia Accident" at the Department of Energy (DOE) Senior Leadership Conference in Alexandria, VA. The Lessons Learned from the accident were of particular interest as many groups in the DOE, like the NASA Space Shuttle Program, deal with high risks and thus are learning organizations. (added 03/09/04) FebruaryVolpe Center Hosts a Roundtable Forum on Port Security of the Boston Harbor -This forum, held on January 29, brought together nearly two dozen federal and local experts to offer their views on existing security practices in the harbor region, future plans, and existing gaps and challenges. Some of the questions raised concerned what has been learned from the Boston Model Port Program, a demonstration model for improving the Port of Boston, and what is Boston's response to the Marine Transportation Security Act of 1994. This is the first in a series of Roundtable Forums for invited participants. Other forums in the series will address the changing preferences of air travelers, how to achieve a balance between the temporal and spatial dimensions of transportation security and mobility; the potential effects from the closure of a major transportation facility caused by a bio-attack; and the sustainability of transportation in the face of environmental concerns, policy and regulatory mandates, and other limiting factors. The roundtable was organized by Ms. Bahar Barami and Mr. Michael Rossetti of the Transportation Strategic Planning and Analysis Office in consultation with Mr. Michael Dinning, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Preservation and System Modernization. (added 02/25/04) John A. Volpe Transportation Internship Program Accepting Applications - The Volpe Center is now accepting applications for the 2004-2005 John A. Volpe Transportation Internship. The program allows interns to work under the direct supervision of a senior Volpe Center manager on one or more transportation policy or technical-related projects. The project assignments will be chosen based on the recipient's background and career interests and the staffing needs of the Volpe Center and may relate to the Department of Transportation's strategic goals. The internship is open to all students who are in, or have been accepted into, or have an application pending at, an accredited graduate level program in the engineering, scientific, or social sciences disciplines; are U.S. citizens; and who have an interest in contributing to the future of the transportation enterprise. Complete application packages must be received or postmarked by March 26, 2004. For additional information about internship application requirements, please visit http://www.volpe.dot.gov/career/intrnshp.html or call (617) 494-2500. (added 02/25/04) Volpe Presents on Railroad Freight Car Reflectorization at Public Hearing - On January 27, as part of the support provided to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Volpe Center staff presented at a public hearing on railroad freight car reflectorization in Washington, DC. Dr. Jordan Multer, of the Operator Performance and Safety Analysis Division, focused his presentation on research supporting the safety benefits to be gained from the application of retroreflective material to the sides of all freight cars. The research results presented were part of an ongoing effort to improve railroad safety by investigating measures to enhance the visibility of trains and reduce the number of accidents/incidents at highway-railroad grade crossings where train visibility is a contributing factor. Unreflectorized rail cars can be difficult to see by headlight illumination when approaching a highway-railroad crossing at night. The use of retroreflective materials has been proposed as an aid to improve the visibility of rail cars. Dr. Multer described two studies addressing the selection of pattern and color for use in placing retroreflective markings on rail cars. The first study evaluated the detectability of a variety of retroreflective patterns that varied in color and physical placement on the rail car. The second study evaluated the effectiveness of several patterns to minimize confusion with retroreflective patterns required for trucks. The findings from these studies aided the FRA's choice of pattern and color required in the proposed rule. (added 02/17/04) 
Volpe Contributes to TRB Annual Meeting - The Transportation Research Board's (TRB) 2004 annual meeting drew approximately 9,000 transportation professionals from around the world to Washington, DC. The Volpe Center was well represented in this diverse group of researchers, academics, administrators, and others from government and industry. Volpe staff participated in over 20 sessions or meetings, delivered papers or presentations, and developed and staffed the Volpe Center exhibit. Volpe participants covered a broad range of topics, including safety and human performance, environmental impacts of transportation, intelligent transportation systems, highway-rail grade crossings, highway noise and vibration, railroad design, construction, and maintenance, alternative transportation, and traveler information systems. The Volpe Center also co-led a workshop with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) entitled "Program Evaluation Tools and Methods in Transportation Research," presenting concepts and methods for evaluating research programs as a way to respond to the President's management agenda concerning performance measurement for agency programs. The workshop presented a basic introduction to program evaluation and its relationship to research, program planning, and decision-making. Participants of the meeting included representatives from the FRA, state Departments of Transportation, National Transportation Safety Board, and railroad management and labor. (added 02/09/04) January
Volpe Center Publishes Report for National Park Service - The Volpe Center wrote, designed, and published National Park Service Accomplishments in Alternative Transportation, a report documenting the progress of the National Park Service's (NPS) Alternative Transportation Program (ATP). Alternative transportation, including bicycles, buses, ferries, trains, and trolleys, is playing an increasingly important role in national parks. The report highlights the operational alternative transportation systems of several national parks, including Zion National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Lowell National Historical Park, and describes how those systems are achieving ATP goals: improving the visitor experience, protecting natural and cultural resources, promoting economic development, fostering strong partnerships, enhancing visitor safety and security, and enabling new visitor services. National Park Service Accomplishments in Alternative Transportation is one product of the ongoing collaborative effort between the Volpe Center and NPS. The Volpe Center provides public agencies with knowledge and expertise on advanced transportation technologies and innovative service concepts, from a governmental perspective, and for several years has provided both program and project support to NPS, enabled by a Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the Interior, which allows the two agencies to work together to develop a plan to improve transportation in the national parks. Mr. Eric Plosky, of the Service and Operations Assessment Division, and Ms. Sara McKinstry, formerly of the Planning and Policy Analysis Division, authored the report. It is available on the ATP web site, at http://www.nps.gov/transportation/alt/accomp.htm. (added 01/28/04) Volpe Presents Realistic Radio Communications Work at Royal Aeronautical Society Conference - November 5 and 6, the Volpe Center participated in the Royal Aeronautical Society International Conference on the Simulation of the Environment, held in London, U.K. The Volpe Center's support of the Federal Aviation Administration in the area of realistic radio communications was a major factor in the conception of this conference, and the Center's work was referenced in several radio communications papers published in the proceedings. Dr. Judith Bürki-Cohen of the Operator Performance and Safety Analysis Division presented "Evidence for the Need of Realistic Radio Communications for Airline Pilot Simulator Training and Evaluation." Dr. Bürki-Cohen's paper summarizes existing radio communication practices, literature, and industry and airline efforts to improve realistic radio communications simulation. It also presents the results of an earlier study on the impact of current practices on initial operating experience. The consensus at the conference was that a realistically simulated environment including radio communications, visual traffic, and weather is very important for effective training and accurate evaluation, but that airlines may need further incentives to assume its cost. (added 01/22/04) Volpe Presents Invited Lectures on Operator Fatigue Management - From November 17 through 21, Volpe Center staff presented a series of lectures at the International Symposium on Night and Shiftwork in Santos, Brazil, in support of the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Research and Development. The Symposium, a biannual event organized under the auspices of the Scientific Committee of the International Commission on Occupational Health provides up-to-date information on night and shiftwork, new trends in working time organization, and issues related to quality of life and social adjustment in the organization of working time. Dr. Stephen Popkin, of the Operator Performance and Safety Analysis Division, contributed throughout the symposium via roundtable discussions, oral presentations, and lectures. Dr. Popkin also co-chaired a session on shiftwork design and flexible work hours and presented a keynote address as part of the "Management and Safety in Transportation" workshop. Dr. Popkin presented to safety managers, including those in the transportation sector, and members of the Scientific Committee on Night and Shiftwork. His lectures on the U.S. Department of Transportation Operator Fatigue Management program, which he co-chairs, generated much international interest. (added 01/13/04) Bus Axle Weight Study Delivered to Congress - In December 2003, the Department of Transportation delivered the Bus Axle Weight Study to Congress. Congress had requested that the U.S. Department of Transportation conduct a study and submit a report to Congress on the applicability of Federal maximum weight limitations to over-the-road buses and public transit vehicles. A Volpe Center team, led by Dr. Scott Smith of the Service and Operations Assessment Division, conducted the study and prepared the report for the Federal Transit Administration. Other members of the team included Dr. John Brewer, Vehicle Crashworthiness Division; Messrs. William Chernicoff and Scott Lian, Service and Operations Assessment Division; and Dr. Doug Lee, Economic and Industry Analysis Division, and Ed Ramsdell, Division Chief, Economic and Industry Analysis Division. The report included an assessment of current status and trends in bus axle weight; an estimate of the cost of pavement damage caused by buses; an assessment of the technical and economic feasibility of lighter weight buses; a benefit-cost evaluation of selected policies; and recommendations to Congress. (added 01/07/04) Volpe Staff Contribute to 10th Annual Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) World Congress - From November 16 through 21, Volpe Center staff participated in the ITS World Congress in Madrid, Spain. Bringing together national ITS associations and experts, government policy-makers, researchers, and ITS industry representatives from around the world, the annual meeting features research presentations, policy panels, committee and project meetings, and industry news. Ms. Jane Lappin of the Economic and Industry Analysis Division attended the conference and played a significant role throughout the conference.
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 U.S. Department of Transportation |