(Source: WJLA.com)

A local news agency’s investigation shows countless red light violations by Metrobuses plying the streets of Washington, DC.   Some of the incidents caught on camera show how crazy these bus drivers are to do what they do on the roads.  This video below should become an integral part of WMATA’s training for bus drivers, esp. for repeat offenders.

Too bad WMATA’s communications team now looks like a deer caught in the headlights. They really do not have a strategy in place to handle this PR nightmare and could not come up with even a single example of how it reprimands such careless drivers when asked what disciplinary measures they undertook to stem this problem.

(Source: Ford via Autoblog)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeUF5-PiRQY’]

Though I’m a bit alarmed by the cognitive distraction (for drivers) potential associated with this technology, it is awesome to see the collaboration between the vehicle manufacturers and the app developers to put together an “intelligent” vehicle.   For sure, Secretary LaHood and his staff at USDOT will be spending a lot of time thinking about how to accommodate these tech advancements in the vehicle environment while prioritizing the safety of drivers on the road. If you have not already seen this, the USDOT has recently proposed the first-ever federal guidelines to encourage automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risk for these in-vehicle electronic devices.  The proposed guidelines are voluntary and would apply to communications, entertainment, information gathering, and navigation devices or functions that are built into the vehicle and are not required to safely operate the vehicles.  In any case, it is safe to say that the vehicles of today will look a LOT dumber compared to these SMART cars that will roll out of the assembly lines in Detroit a few years from now.

(Source: via Reddit)

Image Courtesy: Imgur.com via Reddit

And here is the funny road safety campaign video featuring the sign above. How much I wish America adopted this blunt, yet funny style of conveying the message. Our American campaign signs are boring compared to the Aussies’. PERIOD!

(Source: Cameron Booth via FastCoDesign)

Click the images to enlarge and also to learn more about them.

Interstate network

U.S. Routes

Note: This is an SES position. 

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) in the U.S. Department of Transportation is seeking a dynamic executive to serve as the Deputy Director, Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The Deputy Director is responsible for guiding the Bureau’s programs, as described in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users of 2005, under the direction of the Secretary of the Department, and the RITA Administrator and Director of the Bureau.

As such, this executive will support the Director in leading the transportation data compilation, analysis and statistical programs of the Bureau, and its related research and development activities. The Deputy Director’s responsibilities will be to manage and direct the operations of the Bureau to ensure the quality of the programs in developing statistical guidelines, statistics and data systems that provide effective information on the status, performance, trends and impacts of transportation nationwide.

The individual filling this position needs to be a dynamic leader with fresh ideas and strong background in transportation and statistics. Furthermore, the individual we are seeking must have proven executive skills commensurate with a position at this level including, but not limited to, excellent interpersonal, communication, and planning skills; and extensive experience in managing resources (financial and human) in a large multi-disciplinary organization. While not required, executive experience in the Department/Federal government and an advanced technical degree are desirable.

If you know someone who has the qualities described above and who may be interested in learning more about this challenging position, please encourage them to apply for this vacancy. We want to attract a diverse pool of candidates from within and outside the government who can bring strong executive skills to the position. The vacancy announcement can be found at: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/305933100 

PLEASE NOTE: Closing date has been extended! ( March 5, 2012)

(Source: Flyersrights.org)

After what seemed like an eternity –  roughly five years and 23 extensions later – the 112^th United States Congress finally got through with the FAA Modernization and Safety Improvement Act of 2012, aka the FAA Re-authorization Bill. Apart from the usual aspects of the $63Billion four-year re-authorization bill, there are a lot of significant inclusions that will affect your travel in the days ahead… in a good way! Thanks to the tireless advocacy by FlyersRights.org, a non-profit that advocates for passenger rights, many of these demands from the passenger community has now found their way into books of law.  The table below shows what the organization was fighting to achieve and what they managed to get. Seriously, if you are an airline passenger this law makes sure you have to be treated like a human being who deserves dignity and respect.

Click here to read more. Thank you USDOT and Flyersrights.org for all your hard work to get this done.

The USDOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently published these two documents (Dec 2011) and I thought some of you might find it useful.

NHTSA – National Dist. Driving Telephone Survey – Tt407

NHTSA – Driver Electronic Device Use in 2010 – 811517

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), has published the Pocket Guide to Transportation 2012 – a quick reference guide to significant transportation data. The 15th annual Pocket Guide covers data on transportation safety, state of good repair, system use and performance, economic competitiveness, and environmental sustainability. To order a copy of the Pocket Guide to Transportation 2012, go to the BTS website publications page. This free guide can also be obtained by contacting BTS by phone at 800-853-1351, by e-mail at ritainfo@dot.gov or by mail sent to Product Orders, RITA/Bureau of Transportation Statistics, USDOT, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Room E36-109, Washington, D.C. 20590. Non-orders contact Dave Smallen: 202-366-5568.

BTS – Pocket Guide 2012

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration seeks several Community Planners to join the  Transportation Policy and Planning Technical Center (RVT-20) of the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center).  Located in Kendall Square area in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Volpe Center plays a unique role in looking across the transportation enterprise by applying its multi-disciplinary capabilities to anticipate future transportation issues and challenges across all modes of transportation. These positions are based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

We seek several talented Community Planners interested in joining our consulting teams to develop, plan, and implement guidance, tools, strategies, and programs related to transportation planning, environmental stewardship, realty, and transportation research. As part of our teams, you will help increase the level of expertise of transportation professionals within our clients’ organizations; support better-prepared transportation plans that serve state and local government needs; and advance professional capacity building initiatives across Federal and state agencies. You will work with several teams contributing to major projects, and lead other smaller projects.

These are great opportunities for professionals with varying levels of experience in transportation planning, professional capacity building, and strategic and community and stakeholder involvement. You must have superb analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, and be able to excel in an entrepreneurial, fast -paced environment.Transcripts are required (see details in “How to Apply” tab in the official announcement). You will be required to submit writing samples if you are invited to interview.

Given our ongoing needs, we will review applications and refer top candidates for interviews multiple times during the open period of the announcement. The first application review will be January 23, 2012. Thereafter, we will do monthly reviews with the final one occurring after the application deadline, Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

The Community Planner GS-0020-11-12 (Term Appointments) announcement is posted to the Public on www.usajobs.opm.gov: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/306978700.