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A Conversation About Federal Transportation Opportunities and Challenges

A Conversation About Federal Transportation Opportunities and Challenges . Robert C. Johns Director, USDOT Volpe Center Humphrey School of Public Affairs University of Minnesota April 18, 2012 . U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Administration

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A Conversation About Federal Transportation Opportunities and Challenges

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  1. A Conversation About Federal TransportationOpportunities and Challenges Robert C. Johns Director, USDOT Volpe Center Humphrey School of Public Affairs University of Minnesota April 18, 2012 U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Administration John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

  2. Overview VolpeThe National Transportation Systems Center U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Administration John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center Updated March 2012

  3. About Volpe • Background • Volpe established in 1970 • Part of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) • Named after former DOT Secretary and MA Governor John A. Volpe • Volpe supports DOT goals • Safety • State of good repair • Economic competitiveness • Livable communities • Environmental sustainability

  4. Who we are Our Purpose:Advancing transportation innovation for the public good Our Mission:Improve the nation’s transportation system by serving as a center of excellence for informed decision making, anticipating emerging transportation issues, and advancing technical, operational, and institutional innovations Our Values: • Public service • Innovative solutions • Professional excellence • Collaboration and partnering

  5. Our most important asset: dedicated transportation professionals Over550 federal employees representing a full spectrum of disciplines from engineering to physical and social sciences More than260 advanced degrees Over 400 on-site contractors Internship and student co-op programs: more than 40 years cultivating the next generation of transportation professionals

  6. What makes us unique Multimodal, world-class resource • Decades of experience and expertise in every mode of transportation • Institutional knowledge of the global transportation system and its stakeholder perspectives • Experience in responding to large-scale global and national transportation challenges Cross-disciplinary expertise • Knowledge in the full spectrum of technologies and disciplines relevant to transportation system improvements • Experience in assembling interdisciplinary teams to address technology and public policy innovations

  7. What makes us unique • Entrepreneurial, objective, efficient • Fee-for-service; no direct appropriations • Flexibility and responsiveness of a consultant • A trusted, objective advisor focused on safety and the public good • Federal advantage • Guided by a deep understanding of federal responsibilities, objectives, and practices • Accessibility of a federal in-house resource that can partner on strategy, tactics, policy, and acquisitions • Driven by public interest—not profit

  8. Our sponsor base is broad and diverse Annual obligations ~$250M U.S. DOT • Federal Aviation Administration • Federal Highway Administration • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration • Federal Railroad Administration • Federal Transit Administration • Maritime Administration • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration • Office of the Inspector General • Office of the Secretary of Transportation • Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration • Research and Innovative Technology Administration • Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation State and Local • Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning • Massachusetts Port Authority • Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments • Minnesota Department of Transportation • New York State Thruway Authority • Orange County Transportation Authority • State of Arizona • University of Florida • Washington Metro Area Transit Authority Other Federal • Central Intelligence Agency • Department of Agriculture • Department of Commerce • Department of Defense • Department of Energy • Department of Homeland Security • Department of the Interior • Department of State • Environmental Protection Agency • National Aeronautics and Space Administration • U.S. Access Board • U.S. Postal Service International • International Civil Aviation Organization • United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Others • Boeing Commercial Airlines • MITRE Corporation Continuous improvement through biennial customer satisfaction interviews

  9. A multidisciplinary set of skills and expertise

  10. Volpe Center organization Director and Associate AdministratorRobert C. Johns Chief Financial OfficerWilliam Henrikson Communication and Knowledge Management Marc Mandler Chief CounselMonica Conyngham Organizational Cultureand Development Helen Blackman Director Emeritus Richard John EEO Officervacant Deputy Associate Administrator for Research and Innovation Anne Aylward Deputy Associate Administrator for Operations David Ishihara Strategic Initiatives for Research and Innovation Ellen Bell Technical Centers Transportation Policy and Planning Rachel Winkeller SafetyManagementSystemsRegina Houston, acting Environmentaland EnergySystemsGregg Fleming Transportation Logistics and Security Michael Dinning HumanResourcesSusan Connors AcquisitionsMary Doherty InfrastructureSystems and EngineeringRobert Dorer Air Traffic Systems and OperationsSteven Lang Human FactorsResearch andSystemApplicationsStephen Popkin AdvancedTransportationTechnologiesGary Ritter InformationTechnologyEric Frykenberg Facilities ManagementDavid Duncan

  11. Technical Centers Transportation Policy and Planning Environmentaland EnergySystems SafetyManagementSystems Transportation Logistics and Security InfrastructureSystems and Engineering Air Traffic Systems and Operations Human FactorsResearch andSystemApplications AdvancedTransportationTechnologies Economic Analysis Safety Information Systems Technology Innovation and Policy Security and Emergency Management CAFE Program Office Surface Transportation Human Factors Structures and Dynamics NextGen Program Office Environmental Measurement and Modeling Organizational Performance Aviation Safety Management Advanced Vehicle Technology Situational Awareness and Logistics Systems Safety and Engineering Air Navigation and Surveillance Aviation Human Factors Transportation Planning Safety Measurement and Analysis Infrastructure Engineering and Deployment Energy Analysis Aviation Systems Engineering Environmental Science and Engineering Air Traffic Management Systems Aviation Facilities and Business Services Air Wakes and Weather

  12. Transportation Policy and Planning Focus • Transportation policy and economic analysis and research that contribute to a compelling vision of transportation • Guidance that helps decision-makers make smart investments in the planning, development, management, operations, and financing of transportation systems and agencies • Example projects • Transportation planning for national parks and public lands – FHWA, FTA, National Park Service • Implementation of Strategic Highway Research Program initiatives – FHWA • Understanding effects of policies and economics on traveler behaviors – FHWA, ITS JPO

  13. Safety Management Systems Focus • Application of safety management principles to the transportation enterprise • Acquisition, maintenance, distribution, and analysis of safety data • Development of large-scale IT solutions to support safety inspection, enforcement, and compliance • Example projects • Safety Performance Analysis System (SPAS) – FAA • Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program – FMCSA • Vehicle defects reporting and tracking (safercar.gov) – NHTSA

  14. Environmental and Energy Systems Focus • Measurement, analysis, and modeling of energy consumption, climate variability, air quality, and noise • Research and analyses of data to provide scientific basis for energy and environmental policy • Example projects • Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) – FAA, NASA • Fuel economy research, analysis, and modeling (CAFE) – NHTSA • Environmental compliance – FAA, EPA, NPS, PHMSA

  15. Transportation Logistics and Security Focus • Transportation security assessment • Deployment and evaluation of security technologies • Cyber security vulnerability assessment and solution development • Logistics and supply chain analysis • Example projects • Maritime Safety and Security Information System (MSSIS) – DoD • Cyber security of transportation infrastructure – FAA, DHS, NHTSA • Real-time active management of cargo operations worldwide – UK Ministry of Defence

  16. Infrastructure Systems and Engineering Focus • Engineering and systems analysis of guideways (e.g., tracks), vehicles, vessels, ports, systems, and facilities • Application of state-of-the-art infrastructure engineering expertise • Modeling of the dynamics and interactions of vehicles and guideways • Example projects • Rail passenger equipment crashworthiness and occupant protection – FRA • Improving grade crossing safety – FRA • Marine engineering, fire system design and development, and life-cycle cost analysis – U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, MARAD, NOAA

  17. Air Traffic Systems and Operations Focus • Development of aviation systems that alleviate air traffic congestion, improve safety, and mitigate environmental impacts • Planning, testing, research, and evaluation in support of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) • Development and assessment of real-time operational communication, navigation, surveillance, and decision support systems • Example projects • Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) – FAA • Aircraft wake turbulence program – FAA • NextGen modeling and simulation – FAA • Air traffic facilities support –FAA

  18. Human Factors Research and System Applications Focus • Provide internationally recognized human factors research and development capabilities supporting all modes of transportation • Pioneer new insights about the relationships between humans and policies, processes, automation, and technologies • Example projects • Confidential Close Call Reporting System – FRA • Improving safety culture in rail – FRA • Human system interaction and cockpit displays – FAA

  19. Advanced Transportation Technologies Focus • Explore advanced communications, navigation, and information technologies • Assess crash avoidance and electronic systems safety and resilience • Perform field tests, evaluations, strategic planning, and research program management • Example projects • Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program – DOT • Connected vehicles evaluation and safety assessment – ITS JPO, NHTSA • Intelligent Transportation Systems policy and planning – ITS JPO

  20. End-to-end project support Acquisitions • Develops innovative contract vehicles with high performing vendors to meet our customer requirements • Conducts large and multifaceted procurements for our customers Human Resources • Advances training and professional development of our workforce • Recruits aggressively to ensure skilled, diverse workforce Information Technology • End-to-end customer IT support services, including internet and intranet, IT program/project management, and computer security Facilities Management • Ensures our facility meets the needs of a 21st century workforce • Award-winning sustainability programs

  21. Volpe is a good citizen • One of Cambridge’s 10 largest employers • Twenty years as volunteer organizer of the Kendall Square Learning Project, which offers free ESL classes • Nearly 100 staff volunteer as reading buddies at Kennedy-Longfellow School • Over $1.3 million donated to the charities of the Combined Federal Campaign since 2000 • Continuing investments in “greening” initiatives for Volpe facilities • Member of Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Greater Boston Federal Executive Board, and Kendall Square Association

  22. Transportation thought leadership • Speaker series that brings together thought leaders from across the global transportation enterprise • International relationships in areas of common interest • Knowledge management to support knowledge retrieval, knowledge sharing, and collaboration • Leadership and technical contributions to many transportation scientific and standards committees

  23. Volpe and DOT Jobs: How to Apply • For Volpe Center Jobs visit Careers Website: www.volpe.dot.gov/career • For internships • Visit the Student Employment website • Submit resume, cover letter, unofficial transcripts to volpestudentjobs@dot.gov • For jobs after graduation • Visit the Professional Jobs website • Click on a position and apply via www.usajobs.gov • For all U.S. DOT jobs visit Careers-In-Motion website: www.dot.gov/careers • Stay tuned for brand new Pathways Programs available government-wide • Targeted towards hiring students and recent graduates • Visit www.opm.gov/hiringreform/pathways to learn more

  24. Contact us • Phone: (617) 494-2000 • www.volpe.dot.gov • Questions askvolpe@dot.gov • Subscribe to E-news: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/infosrc/highlts/subscribe.html

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