Got these vacancy announcement though the grapevine. Attached are the 3 Director-level positions for which Austin B-Cycle Bike Share system is accepting resumes for right now with the goal of hiring by mid-October and a November 11 start date. There will also be some hourly fleet balancing staff we will be hiring once we have selected the Operations Director.

Image courtesy: Austin B-Cycle Bike Share

Austin Bike Share – Finance Director

Austin Bike Share – Operations Director

Austin Bike Share – Marketing Director

If you have any questions, reach Exec. Director Elliott McFadden (elliott@bikeshareofaustin.com).  Good luck to all applicants.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) seeks qualified and ambitious human factors professionals with a strong background in psychology and engineering to assess the system-wide impact of innovative transportation technologies. The ideal candidate is an experienced researcher capable of independently running transportation projects and working in multidisciplinary teams to improve transportation safety through cutting-edge research.

Research projects range from test-track experiments using a single vehicle to large-scale naturalistic driving studies that involve collecting data from hundreds of vehicles on public roadways. Research projects often use VTTI’s internally-developed data acquisition system (DAS). The DAS enables unobtrusive measurement of driver behavior, vehicle operation, and the environment. The collected data are analyzed to address specific research questions that typically focus on existing transportation problems (e.g. crash causation) and/or the performance/development of advanced vehicle systems (e.g. crash warning and autonomous vehicle technologies). Questionnaire, focus group, and survey data collection methods may also be used in these experiments. This position is expected to predominantly focus on research and development relating to driver interaction with automated vehicle systems, such as automated driving systems and automated collision warning/avoidance systems.

The successful applicant will perform work involving conventional human factors research practices, however the work includes a variety of complex features such as working with fluctuating requirements, cycles of field and/or office work, and developing and implementing novel approaches to evaluating transformative transportation technologies. The employee will contribute to the conceptualization of research and proposal development with principal investigators. With assistance, the successful applicant will manage the day-to-day operations of research projects including: literature reviews, research design, research execution, data analysis, report writing, presentations, and publications.

Experience with human factors research in transportation or related fields and expertise in statistical analyses is preferred. Proficiency with data collection and working knowledge of analysis software packages is desired. The applicant must be interested in improving transportation safety and be willing to work on multiple projects in a fast paced research environment. VTTI provides opportunities for professional advancement and a pay for performance structure.

Assignments include:

• Aid in the development of proposals
• Research and assist in the composition of literature reviews
• Assist with the conceptualization and creation of work plans, protocols, and procedures
• Review and critique research plans and reports
• Coordinate and collaborate with subcontractors and interface with stakeholders
• Manipulate and analyze data
• Interpret results and develop robust conclusions
• Write research reports
• Present research findings
• Travel to research sites (requirement fluctuates but will generally be <15%)

Directions given and received:

Receive instructions on project objectives, feedback on proposed research plans, and project logistics from principal investigators and project managers. May supervise or coordinate the work of graduate research assistants, students, technicians, and others who assist in specific assignments. Must be able to work effectively independently as well as within multidisciplinary project teams as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a Human Factors specialization or equivalent. Candidates with a lesser degree and significant experience in lieu of master’s degree will also be considered.
• Experience in transportation or related field is desired
• Thorough understanding of experimental design and methods
• Proficiency with descriptive and inferential statistical analysis techniques
• Basic understanding of electrical and mechanical systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced flexible research environment
• Proficiency with programming languages including Matlab and SQL is desired.

Click here to learn more and to apply

Reposted with permission from Cecile Felon at ABB Conversations

Image Courtesy: via ABB Conversations

Last week, a friend of mine said to me “Hey Cecile, we’re in 2013 and you don’t have a car!” So far I must say that people around me have made me feel unconventional, an outsider in a way. But surprisingly – at least for me – I’ve learned that I am actually one of a growing number of people who have decided to abandon car ownership and even driving. This is happening in the USA and in Europe…

How to explain in short that I don’t need a car?
Actually (historically) I’ve never owned a vehicle. OK, I got my licence at the age of 19 but being a student at that time, I could not afford to buy my own. On the other hand, I’ve always lived in cities where the public transport is easily available.

So what?
I’ve got the life style that goes along with my “no car situation”. Today my home is close to the bus, tram and rail lines. I commute every day to work. In the evening and at week-ends I enjoy my neighborhood as well as the city of Geneva. If I want to visit my family or friends living outside Geneva I rent a car, same for holiday road trips. I am also thinking of a car sharing option should I need one for few hours – this service is available just around the corner.

Does it sound familiar to you?
The European Mobility Week, which runs from 16 to 22 September every year, is the most widespread event inviting everybody to try out alternatives to car use. ABB is joining the movement. What about you?

About the author

Cecile Felon – Img. Courtesy: ABB Conversations

I’m the global communications manager for the rail business of ABB, based in Geneva, Switzerland. My focus is on innovative and energy-efficient technologies for sustainable rail and road public transportation. When not working, I enjoy the city of Geneva. I have a growing interest in dynamic and creative cities from around the world shaping the future of mobility.

In its 5th year, the North America Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Forum will present the top 50 infrastructure projects required for bringing the world back to growth and job-producing competitiveness. These projects offer tremendous business opportunities for financial, equipment and technology, engineering and construction firms as well as for the public sector. Projects presented include surface transportation, water and wastewater, new and traditional energy, urban mass transportation, oil & energy, ports & logistics and digital infrastructure.

Transportgooru is excited to be a media partner for this important event that brings together practitioners and policymakers engaged in the infrastructure conversations.  Hope I can get to meet some of you at this event. Here is what you get for registering:

• Short, clear, project presentations of the Top Infrastructure Projects
• Pre-scheduled private meetings with project presenters and event sponsors
• Topical workshops and round tables
• Multiple networking opportunities
• Participant contact information
• Cocktail opening reception

Dates: OCTOBER 29 – 31, 2013.

Location: MAYFLOWER RENAISSANCE HOTEL, WASHINGTON, DC

Registration:  Click here to learn more and to register for the event.

A picture of Gino Sciardis from 1949 Tour de France. It offers a glimpse of the toughness of the men who raced bike in the pre-doping era.  Them calves powering the bike are stronger than a piece of rock. Incredible!

Good old times when real men and raw talent reigned TdF – Image Source: Imgur via Reddit

via Bloomberg

Here are a few interesting facts about this massive cargo freighter:

• The Danish company Maersk is building a total of 20 of these biggest ships, Triple-E, on a dry-dock in South Korea. Apparently the first one, named McKinney Moller, has hit the high seas already. Watch the big beauty float its way through the Suez canal on its way to Europe.
• Cost of each ship is $185 million and expected to ply the route between Northern Europe and China.
• Stood on its stern, its bow would stretch 19 meters above the roof of the Empire State Building.
• In one trip, a Triple-E could transport more 182 million iPads, or 111 million pairs of shoes, from Shanghai to Rotterdam.

via Journal of Commerce

Did you know?

• Truck driving is the eighth most dangerous occupation in the U.S., based on fatality rates per 100,000 workers.
• For all workers, transportation was dangerous. Transportation incidents accounted for two out of five workplace deaths in 2012.
• Truck drivers had a 22.1 fatality rate in 2012, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Image courtesy: Journal of Commerce

The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) is seeking a full time Director to manage its transportation program. The qualified candidate will assume duties under the Executive Director and manage and grow a comprehensive transportation technical assistance and policy program. Duties include working with association members, research and project management, outreach and partnership development, drafting papers and correspondence, analyzing policy issues, working with Congress and the Administration, managing portions of conferences and meetings, and addressing transportation technical issues.

The preferred candidate will have a Master Degree in Transportation Planning, Community Planning, or Public Policy (or associated degree), five to ten years previous experience in a transportation, community development or policy field, and have experience working with an association and/or public or private agency in policy, research, or grassroots development. The preferred candidate should have worked with Congress and/or the Administration and be familiar with Congressional education and processes. The candidate will have excellent writing and communication skills, be team oriented, understand basic office productivity software and be web smart.

Salary and benefits package, full time position, travel required, EOE employer, position open until filled.

NARC serves 250+ members representing Regional Councils and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in transportation, environment, homeland security, and economic development.

How to Apply:

Candidate must submit a resume and cover letter electronically to jobs@narc.org  No Phone Calls or Faxes Please.