(Source: New York Times)

Image Courtesy: Ali Samandarian via New York Times

Today’s New York Times carried this nice article about a small but thriving group of classic car enthusiasts in Iran .

…The setting was a gathering of the Tehran Café Racers, but aside from a few minor details — Persian lettering on the license plates and on the cans of Coke sipped over lunch — it could have taken place at any number of racetracks in America. The loose-knit group, an affiliate of a club based in Florida, is part of Iran’s enthusiastic classic car culture. Vintage Detroit models play a big role in the activities, and driving events take precedence — the track session was the group’s first since its founding earlier this year.

“I was expecting a better turnout for the American car contingent,” Ramin Salehkhou, a 44-year-old American-educated lawyer who started the Tehran branch of the club, wrote in an e-mail. “But three of the guys, owners of a 1968 Dodge Charger, a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 and a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, had to bail out.”

A rare high-performance Camaro belonging to Mr. Salehkhou is at the core of the Tehran group’s formation, and Detroit was well represented among the 30 cars at the track. American cars usually account for 30 to 40 percent of participants at club gatherings, he said.

….Last month, a classic-car rally in the ancient city of Isfahan attracted a variety of American vehicles, including Chevy sedans from the ’50s and ’60s as well as some Camaros and Pontiac Firebirds.

Click here to read the entire article

Transportgooru Musings: Post-revolutionary Iran would be the last place I’d expect to have a classic car culture, especially featuring some classic american icons like the Chevy Camero and Mustang. Hopefully this  comes to grow and capture the minds and hearts of more Iranians.  After all, love for cars has no boundary and national identity. Can the muscle cars of Detroit achieve what diplomacy and multi-party talks couldn’t achieve – winning the hearts and minds of Iranians and their rulers? Time will tell.

Related articles

• Reading ‘Hot Rod’ in Tehran (wheels.blogs.nytimes.com)
• Classic American Iron Rolls In Tehran (wired.com)

(Source: Ars Technica)

Each year, the International Energy Agency produces a report in which it considers trends in energy use and makes projections for the future. Usually, these reports simply take recent trends and project them forward, but this year’s is somewhat different: its author uses a mixture of current trends and the projected impact of countries’ pledges for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and subsidies for fossil fuels. This results in some eye-popping figures. Globally, we’re subsidizing fossil fuel use to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars, at a rate of over five times the subsidies going to renewable energy. And our inaction on climate goals has tacked $1 trillion onto the cost of reaching them—in 2009 alone.

We’ll start with the subsidies. In 2009, the total subsidies were $312 billion, which may seem high until you hear the 2008 figure: $558 billion, boosted by countries’ responses to the high fossil fuel prices that year. Most of the subsidies went to help cut the costs of using oil and natural gas products; another substantial chunk went to electricity use.

The IEA factsheet also forecasts a steep rises in the primary energy demand (increases by 36% between 2008 and 2035, or 1.2% per year on average) oil prices. The cost of getting on track to meet the climate goal for 2030 has risen by about $1 trillioncompared with the estimated cost in last year’s Outlook. This is because much stronger efforts,costing considerably more, will be needed after 2020. In the 450 Scenario in this year’s Outlook, theadditional spending on low‑carbon energy technologies (business investment and consumerspending) amounts to nearly $18 trillion (in year- 2009 dollars) more than in the Current PoliciesScenario, in which no new policies are assumed, in the period 2010‑2035. It is around $13.5 trillionmore than in the New Policies Scenario.

Click here to read the entire Ars Technica argument and the IEA’s World Energy Outlook website.

Note: Recommendations to remove the fuel subsidies will have huge implications for people living in developing and under-developed countries of the world.  The consequences has life-altering impacts for many people living below the poverty line, even in booming economies like China and India.  Many in these parts of the world earn so little that it won’t even make their ends meet and how would they pay for burning their kerosene stoves or ride their little 50cc mopeds to work.  Why do I find this huge divide between the educated class (i.e., Armani wearing executives sitting in board rooms of IEA and sipping lattes in Davos chatting over prices of fuel in some distant future) and the poor working class (the one who toil in hard work on the factory floors and make a meager living that pays for one meal a day)?  Governments in  these developing economic countries have a huge problem dealing with the pressures of providing the basic necessities and if the subsidies were lifted, many would find it hard to survive.  Unless the global community comes up with a quick, clean energy solution(s) that is affordable and accessible to all, I think many nations will not buy into these meaningless recommendations. Already many countries are struggling to find money to sustain their existing support programs for the poor and where would they go to find more money for wide-spread deployment of  Clean & sustainable energy solutions such as Solar, electric, etc.

Related articles

• IEA: last year’s inaction on climate goals cost us $1 trillion (arstechnica.com)
• World should eradicate fossil fuel subsidies-IEA (reuters.com)
• World should eradicate fossil fuel subsidies: IEA (reuters.com)
• China, Government Policy to Drive Energy Prices (247wallst.com)
• Call to stop fossil fuel subsidy (bbc.co.uk)
• Axe fossil fuel subsidies to stop climate change (newscientist.com)
• put an end to $312 billion subsidies to fossil fuels – IEA (politics.ie)
• Fat Subsidies for Fossil Fuels (solarfeeds.com)
• Oil demand to rise for 25 years despite green push (grist.org)
• Drumbeat: November 9, 2010 (theoildrum.com)
• More needs to be done to avoid oil spike, IEA says (sfgate.com)
• IEA World Energy Outlook 2010 Now Out; a Preliminary Look (theoildrum.com)
• “IEA raises oil price outlook on supply uncertainty” and related posts (kippreport.com)
• More needs to be done to avoid oil spike, IEA says (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Forecaster Sees Jump in Energy Demand by 2035 (nytimes.com)
• IEA sees oil peak looming (financialpost.com)
• China’s thirst to keep oil prices booming: IEA (theglobeandmail.com)
• Text:EIA November Outlk: Oil Prices To Rise to $87 By Q4′11 -1 (forexlive.com)
• G20 Leaders Not Removing Fossil Fuel Subsidies As Pledged. (thegoodhuman.com)
• Two-faced world spends billions on climate help, fossil fuel (go.theregister.com)

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks several Operations Research Analysts to join several of the Centers of Innovation (COI) at the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center). RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system.

This is one of eight Centers of Innovation (COI) at the Volpe Center whose function is to undertake transportation policy analysis and research that contributes to a compelling vision of the 21st Century transportation enterprise and supports decision making in the development, management, operation, and financing of an integrated multimodal national transportation system that meets 21st Century mobility needs for goods and people. These positions are located at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA.

RITA has  exciting career opportunities across several of its COI’s for recent graduates and mid-level Operations Research Analysts interested in conducting analyses of policies, programs, operations and systems to support the development of its  clients’ decision-making, operations and strategic planning as well as the deployment of advanced technology at the local, regional, and national level.

In this role, you will formulate, plan, and conduct analyses as well as assist senior project managers in planning and coordinating projects and conducting the assigned project segments. You will gather and analyze data using a variety of analytical techniques (e.g. surveys, literature reviews, stakeholder outreach; trade-off analysis, economic and/or regulatory impact analysis, etc.); analyze data sources to determine data quality and develop summary statistics. You will assess the readiness of agencies and the readiness of technologies for adoption; document findings in technical reports and present results before a variety of audiences.

These are great opportunities for new and mid-level professionals with strong quantitative and qualitative analysis background who excel in an entrepreneurial and collaborative environment. You must have superb problem-solving, communication and presentation skills. Experience or interest in transportation is a plus. Transcripts are required (instructions on how to submit them are listed in the How to Apply tab). Writing samples will be required of all applicants identified as best qualified for the job.

These Operations Research Analyst GS-1515-11/12 positions (RITA-VOLPE-2011-0007) opened Wednesday, November 3, and the application deadline is Monday, January 14, 2011. The official announcement may be found here: Operations Research Analysts 11/12 (RITA.VOLPE-2011-0007)

The first application review date will be close of business Monday, November 15, 2010.  Thereafter, we will do monthly reviews and referrals of applications with the final review occurring after January 14, 2011 (application deadline). Given the continuing need for professionals in this field, RITA will review applications and refer the top candidates for interviews multiple times during the open period of the announcement.

If you or someone you know has the experience and proven results, I encourage you or them to apply under the following vacancy announcement. We are looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.

Good luck!

(Source: BBC)

Somali pirates are reported to have received a total of $12.3m (£7.6m) in ransom money to release two ships. They are believed to have been paid a record $9.5m (£5.8m) for Samho Dream, a South Korean oil tanker, and nearly $2.8m (£1.7m) for the Golden Blessing, a Singaporean flagged ship.

“We are now counting our cash,” a pirate who gave his name as Hussein told Reuters news agency. “Soon we shall get down from the ship.”

News reports indicate the drop was made by a Helicopter. All crew members of the two vessels (five South Koreans and 19 Filipinos in the Korean vessel and 24 Chinese nationals in Singaporean vessel) were reportedly unharmed and sailing out of the area.

Click here to read the entire story.

Note: I have a serious question – Now that Security agencies know the location of the pirates, can they be intercepted enroute to the shore?  That would be somewhat cruel but a priceless ordeal to watch. After all, the Wall Street folks get taken to task when their bad work comes to light and it makes for great TV.

Related articles

• Report: Somali pirates releases SKorean ship (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Report: Somali Pirates Release South Korean Ship (foxnews.com)
• Pirates accept ransom, release supertanker with $160M cargo: report (thestar.com)
• Kenyan court frees 17 suspected Somali pirates (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Somali pirates hijack ship with 20 passengers (sfgate.com)
• Somali pirates hijack ship with 20 passengers (ctv.ca)
• Somali Pirates Seize Cargo Ship With 24 Aboard (foxnews.com)
• “Somali pirates get record ransom” and related posts (rocketnews.com)
• German ship freed by Somali pirates (reuters.com)
• Kenya Frees 17 Pirates Caught by U.S. Navy (abcnews.go.com)

(Source: USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood’s Fastlane Blog)

After looking at this picture, I’m sure you will never drive while talking on the cell phone.

Image Courtesy: Eva Levine via Sec. Ray LaHood's Fastlane Blog

Sec. Ray LaHood’s blog post offers some details behind this horrific mangled mess of metal:

• A garage New Canaan, Connecticut has put this mangled vehicle on display along with a “No-Cell-Phones” sign . This one was destroyed in a crash that may have been caused–not by drunk driving, but by a distracted driver.
• The red VW Jetta, now barely recognizable, was being driven by a 19-year-old woman. When she entered Interstate 95, she struck another vehicle, causing her car to spin out and hit the median, where it was hit by a tractor trailer. The young driver was killed in the accident.
• The deceased driver’s family gave written approval for the Garage owner  to put it on a highly visible corner of his property with hopes of deterring at least a few “distracted drivers.”

What a powerful message, in deed.

Image Courtesy: Eva Levine via Sec. Ray LaHood's Fastlane Blog

Click here to read more.

Related articles

• Distracted: 1 in 6 Road Deaths Tied to Texting (abcnews.go.com)
• US official wants ‘distracted driving’ label on cell phones (alternet.org)
• U.S. Transportation Sec. Hates Facebook, Twitter [Emissions] (jalopnik.com)
• UPS Supports LaHood’s Effort to Stop Distracted Driving (eon.businesswire.com)
• “Focusing On Distracted Driving” and related posts (transportation.nationaljournal.com)
• No Surprise: Distracted Driving Up Significantly Since 2005 (ridelust.com)
• Distracted driving deaths declining in the U.S. (ctv.ca)
• LaHood releases 2009 distracted driving crash figures ahead of summit (autoblog.com)
• Report: LaHood mulling nationwide ban on all in-car mobile phone use? (autoblog.com)

The Transportation for America (T4America) Campaign is looking for an experienced, highly skilled individual with knowledge and interest in federal transportation policy and the federal legislative process to help develop and implement the Campaign’s government relations strategy.The T4America Campaign is a national advocacy campaign working to ensure that the next generation of transportation investments helps to make our country more competitive globally; improves mobility options for people of all ages, incomes and geographic areas; maintains our existing transportation assets in good and safe working order; and helps our nation reduce its carbon footprint.The campaign represents a broad coalition of housing, aging, environment, community development, business, planning, urban design and transportation interests. The Legislative Director works with the Campaign’s Director and other members of the Campaign’s leadership, and supervises other members of the Legislative Team.

• The Legislative Director must possess detailed knowledge of Capitol Hill, the relevant committees, and the legislative process. This position develops and directs the legislative strategy for the Campaign, including building strong relationships with Congressional leaders and their staff members.
• The Legislative Director will develop the Campaign’s Legislative work plan which would include such elements as an assessment of federal policy makers on relevant committees, or key districts, draft legislation, research on relevant previous bills or amendments, and Congressional briefings and outreach strategies.
• The Legislative Director will also provide assistance, as needed, to the Field and Outreach team in strategies to engage and coordinate state and local partners. While this team’s priority will be the federal transportation authorization bill, it will also engage with related bills such as those addressing climate change, energy, and appropriations.

Minimum of 5 years experience on Capitol Hill, with a government relations firm or non-profit engaged in government relations work is required, with legislative program management experience strongly preferred. An advanced degree ishelpful, as is experience with transportation policy. Also strongly preferred is experience working in a campaign environment. The applicant should possess excellent communications and research skills. Knowledge of the legislativeprocess is essential, as well as the ability to think strategically and in a bipartisan manner.The position is full-time and available starting August 2010. Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes benefits. Please send a cover letter and resume to Lea Schuster, Deputy Director at lea.schuster@t4america.org. In the subject line write T4America Legislative Director Position. For more information about us please visit our website www.t4america.org.

(Source: The Telegraph, UK)

Living under a flight path with noisy planes whizzing over your head could jeopardize your heart health, according to a new study from Switzerland.

Researchers found that dying from a heart attack was more common among people with increased exposure to aircraft noise.

The group of experts, led by Dr. Matthias Egger from Univ. of Bern (Switzerland) identified 15,532 heart attack deaths among 4.6 million Swiss residents between late 2000 and the end of 2005 using detailed information from an ongoing mortality study called the Swiss National Cohort.

Some of the study results include:

• People exposed to a daily average of at least 60 decibels of noise had a 30 per cent greater risk of dying from a heart attack compared with those exposed to less than 45 decibels, the researchers report in the journal Epidemiology.
• Among those exposed to the higher decibel levels for 15 or more years, the risk was actually 50 per cent higher.
• The average of 60 decibels is about what you would expect in a crowded, noisy bar.

Living within 300ft of a major road also increased the risk of heart attack but the researchers found no impact of particulate-matter air pollution on the heart.  Mr Egger said road and air traffic produce different noise patterns that might not be easily comparable as road traffic noise was more constant and arguably easier to get used to.

Click here to read more.

Transportgooru Musings:  This makes rail travel to/near urban hubs (relatively) more appealing over aviation.  Propulsion systems technology in the commercial aviation sector is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels and conventional engines.  On the other hand, many new train sets in today’s rail market are amazingly quiet and smooth. This could be a good marketing point for many pro-rail advocates and politicians lobbying for big investments in High-speed rail  connecting the big cities.

Related articles

• ‘Want to live long: Stay away from noisy plane’s path’ (topinews.com)
• Noise from aircraft is bad for your health (telegraph.co.uk)
• Is Living Under a Flight Path Bad for the Heart? (nlm.nih.gov)
• Living under a flight path ‘can increase your risk of heart attack’ (dailymail.co.uk)
• Study: Manhattan Street Noise May Be Deafening (newyork.cbslocal.com)
• Study: Some NYC Street Noise Can Hurt Hearing (newyork.cbslocal.com)
• New York City noise may be deafening (msnbc.msn.com)
• Living under a flight path increases heart attack risk (physorg.com)
• Wind Power’s Foe: Wind Noise (247wallst.com)

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is looking for an Intermittent Electronics Engineer/Operations Research Analyst.

RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system.  This position is located within the Center of Innovation for Advanced Vehicles and Information Network Systems, at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA.

The Research Engineer/ORA will define, manage, conduct, and direct evaluation research efforts relating to safety critical performance issues in surface transportation systems, in the context of related technology policy considerations. Studies are related to vehicle and wayside navigation guidance and control system technologies relative to performance characteristics, potential vulnerabilities, and malfunction  modes  and mitigation methods, protection against electronic security threats and attacks, and preservation of personal; information and identification privacy.

This is a permanent, intermittent position; work will be performed on an as-needed basis, as projects arise; the number of hours will depend on the breadth and scope of assignments. The position may be filled as either an Electronics Engineer or an Operations Research Analyst.

If you know someone interested in this Cambridge, MA based position who has the experience and proven results, please encourage them to apply under the attached vacancy announcement.  We are looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.

The vacancy announcement can be found on:

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/JobTitle=ElectronicsEngineer+OperationsResearchAnalyst

(Source: USDOT)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA)  and the U.S. Department of Transportation today announced the first national standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and buses. This comprehensive national program is projected to reduce GHG emissions by nearly 250 million metric tons and save 500 million barrels of oil over the lives of the vehicles produced within the program’s first five years.

EPA and DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are proposing new standards for three categories of heavy trucks: combination tractors, heavy-duty pickups and vans, and vocational vehicles. The categories were established to address specific challenges for manufacturers in each area.  For combination tractors, the agencies are proposing engine and vehicle standards that begin in the 2014 model year and achieve up to a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by 2018 model year.  For heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans, the agencies are proposing separate gasoline and diesel truck standards which phase in starting in the 2014 model year and achieve up to a 10 percent reduction for gasoline vehicles and 15 percent reduction for diesel vehicles by 2018 model year (12 and 17 percent respectively if accounting for air conditioning leakage). Lastly, for vocational vehicles, the agencies are proposing engine and vehicle standards starting in the 2014 model year which would achieve up to a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 2018 model year.

Overall, NHTSA and EPA estimate that the heavy-duty national program would provide $41 billion in net benefits over the lifetime of model year 2014 to 2018 vehicles. With the potential for significant fuel efficiency gains, ranging from seven to 20 percent, drivers and operators could expect to net significant savings over the long-term. For example, it is estimated an operator of a semi truck could pay for the technology upgrades in under a year, and save as much as $74,000 over the truck’s useful life. Vehicles with lower annual miles would typically experience longer payback periods, up to four or five years, but would still reap cost-savings.

EPA and NHTSA are providing a 60-day comment period that begins when the proposal is published in the Federal Register.  The proposal and information about how to submit comments is at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm and http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy .

Click here read the USDOT presser on this issue.

Related articles

• Government seeks truck fuel efficiency rules (msnbc.msn.com)
• Government to propose truck fuel efficiency rules (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Government to propose truck fuel efficiency rules (sfgate.com)
• Government to Propose Truck Fuel Efficiency Rules (abcnews.go.com)
• Proposal Pending on Mileage for Heavy-Duty Vehicles (nytimes.com)
• Federal Agencies Push Renewable Energy, Truck Fuel Efficiency (environmentalleader.com)
• Garbage Trucks Go Green (technologyreview.in)
• Gov’t calling for better gas mileage for trucks (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• EPA to propose truck fuel efficiency standards (marketwatch.com)
• Report: EPA poised to outline medium- and heavy-duty truck emissions standards (autoblog.com)
• EPA to Release Draft Greenhouse Gas Emission Limits for Heavy Trucks (nytimes.com)

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks an experienced Environmental Protection Specialist (GS0028-13) to join the Environmental Engineering and Remediation Division at the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center). RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system. This is one of eight Centers of Innovation (COI) at the Volpe Center whose function is to undertake transportation policy analysis and research that contributes to a compelling vision of the 21st Century transportation enterprise and supports decision making in the development, management, operation, and financing of an integrated multimodal national transportation system that meets 21st Century mobility needs for goods and people. The position is located at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA.

Working with the Environmental Engineering and Remediation Division you will have the responsibility for analyzing and interpreting the potential environmental impacts from Federal and state infrastructure projects and other activities. The work is principally focused on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental compliance regulations and Executive Orders (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Environmental Justice, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, etc).  The position focuses on using environmental analyses to identify and mitigate the potential impacts of transportation projects; although project outside DOT are likely.

The candidate will lead a team that presents their analyses in an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Environmental Protection Specialist is responsible for completing environmental analyses; mitigation plans; environmental permitting; environmental regulatory and compliance evaluations; remediation planning; and pollution prevention evaluation and planning. The projects are significant in scope and dollar value.

If you are an experienced professional, and have the expertise and the desire to influence the direction our nation’s policies and programs, then this job is for you!  You must have superb analytical, problem-solving and project management skills, and must be able to work in a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment.

This announcement is posted under both Merit Promotion procedures and to the Public on www.usajobs.opm.gov.

Applications will be accepted from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities.  Please know that Merit Promotion announcements are the vehicle through which Federal employees generally apply for Federal positions.

Merit Promotion; (RITA.VOLPE-2011-0004)  http://jobview.usajobs.gov/91624679 Environmental Protection Specialist Merit

Public: (RITA.VOLPE-2011-0005)  http://jobview.usajobs.govJobID=91624783-Environmental Protection Specialist-PUBLIC