NTOC Web Cast Recording and Discussion Now Available

http://www.ntoctalks.com/web_casts_archive.php

Category > Now Available: April 8, 2009 (NTOC)

The recording and transcript of the April 1 Talking Operations Web cast on the 95 Express project in Miami-Dade County, Florida is now available at http://www.ntoctalks.com/web_casts_archive.php. This project converted a single High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane into 2 variably priced express lanes. The project also enhanced and expanded Bus Rapid Transit service on I-95 from I-395 in downtown Miami to Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, reducing congestion on that heavily traveled north-south artery.

The presentation yielded a lively discussion and answer period. Since time was limited to answer all questions, a thread has been added to the NTOC Talks Web forum for participants to continue to ask questions and give feedback. The thread can be found at: http://www.ntoctalks.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=20

Key Transportation Nominations Announced

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/04/02/transportation_and_education_d.html

Category > Breaking News: April 8, 2009 (U.S.DOT)

 On April 2, the White House announced two key nominations relevant to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration and Research and Innovative Technology Administration.

Victor M. Mendez is the nominee for Administrator, Federal Highway Administration. Mendez was a member of former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano’s Cabinet as the Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. He has extensive experience in transportation including innovations in the areas of funding and financing, technology, infrastructure, research, planning and internal operations. Mendez has served as a past president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and in 2008 he was selected as Leader of the Year in Public Policy in Transportation by the Arizona Capitol Times. Previously, Mendez was selected as the deputy state engineer to lead the implementation of the Phoenix area’s multi-billion dollar freeway system. Mendez earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Arizona State University and a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Peter H. Appel is the nominee for Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology Administration. Appel is a principal with the global management consulting firm of A.T. Kearney, Inc. He has led business improvement initiatives for clients in the private and public sectors, with a focus on transportation and infrastructure. Appel has over 20 years of experience in Transportation, and has supported organizations in the railroad, trucking, airline, and ocean shipping industries with growth strategy, supply chain improvement, post-merger integration, public-private partnerships, and other key business and policy issues. Previously, Appel served as the special assistant to the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and as assistant director for pricing and yield management at Amtrak. Appel earned his bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University in Economics and Computer Science with Highest Honors and received his Master of Science in Transportation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Transportation Funding Available Through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/

Category > Breaking News: April 8, 2009 (NTOC)

 Over $2.6 billion in formula grants are now available to states, U.S. territories, local governments and Indian tribes under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Program. Federal grants may be used to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions and for improvements in energy efficiency.

Section 7 of the funding announcement states that these grants provide opportunities for the development and implementation of transportation programs to conserve energy used in transportation, including but not limited to:

• development and promotion of zoning guidelines or requirements that promote energy efficient development;
• development of infrastructure such as bike lanes and pathways and pedestrian walkways;
• synchronization of traffic signals;
• state/locals/regional integrated planning activities (i.e. transportation, housing, environmental, energy, land use) with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled;
• incentive programs to reduce commutes by single-occupancy vehicles;
• improvements in operational and system efficiency of the transportation system, such as implementation of intelligent transportation system (ITS) strategies;
• idle-reduction technologies and/or facilities to conserve energy and reduce harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from freight movement; and
• installation of solar panels on interstate rights of way to conserve energy in highway operations and maintenance activities.

Section 12 of the announcement pertains to traffic signals and street lighting, stating, “Entities may use grant funds to replace traffic signals and street lighting with energy efficient lighting technologies, including light emitting diodes; and any other technology of equal or greater energy efficiency.”

To learn more, go to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Web site at http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/.

ITS Research Results: ITS Program Plan 2008

http://www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/JPODOCS//REPTS_TE/14429.htm

Category > Now Available: April 8, 2009 (JPO)

The ITS Joint Program Office (JPO), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), is charged with researching and fostering the development and evolution of ITS and facilitating deployment and use of these technologies across the Nation. The ITS Program delivers on this charge by leveraging public, private, and academic research, testing, and commercialization efforts.

The ITS Research Results: ITS Program Plan 2008 describes the progress and changes in the ITS Program over the past two years. The ITS Program Plan 2008, builds on the previous 2006 Five-Year Plan to report on:

• The status of the ITS Program and research initiatives in 2008.
• Progress, accomplishments, and changes to the ITS Program since 2006.
• How the ITS Program has and will fulfill the requirements of SAFETEA-LU.

Talking Freight Seminar on April 15, 2009: National Freight Performance Measurement Data Dissemination Tool

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/fpd/talking_freight.htm

Category > Opportunity: April 8, 2009 (FHWA)

This seminar will offer an informational presentation on a Web site developed by the FHWA to provide State DOTs, MPOs, and university personnel engaged in transportation research access performance data for freight significant highways. Developed by ATRI and Virginia Tech, the Web site is currently in a BETA version and due to be fully operation in the June 2009 timeframe. For more information and to register, click on the link above.

National Work Zone Awareness Week

http://www.atssa.com

Category > Breaking News: April 8, 2009 (ATSSA)

 April 6-10, 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of National Work Zone Awareness Week. The national campaign is conducted every year at the start of the construction season to call attention to the importance of slowing down through highway construction and repair sites. Each year, approximately 1,000 people are killed in roadway work zones. With the recent enactment of President Obama’s economic recovery package, a good deal of highway repair and construction will soon be underway, which means drivers should be more vigilant. The national kick-off media event takes place Tuesday, April 7, at 10:00 a.m. at the Columbia Island Marina just outside of Washington, DC. For information on the American Traffic Safety Services Association or the campaign, go to http://www.atssa.com.

National Summary Report for the Traffic Incident Management Self Assessment

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/timsa08/index.htm

Category > Now Available: April 8, 2009 (FHWA)

The Traffic Incident Management Self-Assessment (TIM SA) provides a means for evaluating progress in achievement of individual TIM program components and overall TIM program success. Now in its sixth year, the TIM SA also has allowed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to identify program gaps and target resources to TIM program advancement.

Climate Change: Current Issues and Policy Tools

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34513_20090306.pdf

Category > Now Available: April 8, 2009 (TRB)

This U.S. Congressional Research Service report explores the fundamentals of climate change policy, including current understandings and controversies, an update on the status of domestic and international policies, and available tools to address climate change. To view the report, click on the link above.

Efforts to Limit Cell Phone Use While Driving Grow

Link to article by Jayne O’Donnell, USA TODAY

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-03-29-driving-distracted-cellphones_N.htm?POE=click-refer

Category > Breaking News: April 8, 2009 (NTOC)

More than 250 bills prohibiting or restricting cell phone use while driving are pending in 42 state legislatures despite disagreement over the risks cell phones pose and the effectiveness of enforcement. The number is up from about 120 bills in 18 states just 10 months ago, according to an analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a safety research group funded by insurers. Four states-Georgia, Idaho, North Carolina and Texas-are considering banning all types of cell phone usage behind the wheel, including hands-free devices.