Washington, DC’s first public curbside 240V Level II Coulomb ChargePoint station is now located at the Franklin D. Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street, in northwest DC. There are two spaces available for charging vehicles on the west side of 14th Street adjacent to the Reeves Center. The installation of the ChargePoint station was done by PEPCO and Coulomb distributor NovaCharge, LLC.

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty today, along with the Department of Energy Undersecretary Cathy Zoi, District Department of Transportation Director Gabe Klein and other officials unveiled the first curbside electric car charging station in the District.

Image Courtesy: DDOT (via Flickr) - Click image to access more pics from the event

“This is yet another fantastic way the District is at the forefront of providing alternative and environmentally friendly transportation options for District residents and visitors,” said Mayor Fenty. “We are excited to make this technology available and easily accessible to everybody.”

Click here to read the full story.

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• First Public Curbside ChargePoint Charging Station for Electric Vehicles Unveiled in Washington D.C. (eon.businesswire.com)

(Source: Huffingtonpost; The Washington Monthly)

Let me make this clear upfront that my intention is not to make a political statement with this post.  I’m simply trying to find a reason and logic (possibly seek help from others to find these elements in our society).  Today’s Huff post had this article

“…On Tuesday morning, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that she wants to redefine exactly what an earmark is. Specifically, she said, transportation projects should not be placed under the umbrella. Advocating for transportation projects for ones district in my mind does not equate to an earmark,” said the Minnesota Republican. “I don’t believe that building roads and bridges and interchanges should be considered an earmark… There’s a big difference between funding a tea pot museum and a bridge over a vital waterway.” The Star-Tribune notes that Bachmann “did solicit some earmarks when she first came to Congress” but “has been outspoken in pushing House Republicans to continue an earmark moratorium enacted last year.” But transportation funds are vital for job creation. And it seems likely that the reality of having a major spigot cut off is a bit frightening to even the self-proclaimed fiscal conservatives on the Hill.

Isn’t that what the White House was trying to accomplish via the Stimulus package – revitalize our nation’s infrastructure with targeted spending? Why did they take so much flak and blame for out of control spending? If such selective exclusions are to be made for one sector (i.e., transportation), why not make it possible for other sectors (i.e., agriculture, education, etc.)?  Does this mean Ms. Bachmann would be supportive of building a High-speed rail network, which is  identified (and funded) by the White House as an important piece of the nation’s future growth strategy, if it is funded as an earmark?  Are Earmarks are bad, unless they’re going to Ms. Bachmann’s district? Cutting spending is good, except for the “legitimate projects that have to be done.”Are we missing something here?

Related articles

• Bachmann Wants Earmarks Redefined To Exclude Transportation Projects (huffingtonpost.com)
• Bachmann explains budgeting as only she can (washingtonmonthly.com)
• The Earmark Game (talkingpointsmemo.com)
• Leave Earmarks Alone (newser.com)
• Obama, Republicans agree: Reform culture of earmarks (ac360.blogs.cnn.com)
• Inhofe says he’ll keep earmarking (politico.com)
• GOP Supports Earmark Ban … for Now (pajamasmedia.com)
• Top Senate Republican joins push to stop earmarks (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• After DeMint: How Will Senate Democrats Handle Earmarks? (swampland.blogs.time.com)
• Senate Democrat joins GOP pushing for earmark vote (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Mitch McConnell Changes Course, Moves to Ban Earmarks (politicsdaily.com)
• Conservative senator lauds McConnell on earmarks (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Chris Weigant: Tea Party Republicans Win Earmark Fight (huffingtonpost.com)
• Earmark Ban Won’t Get the Federal Deficit Under Control (politics.usnews.com)

(Source: AFP via Yahoo News; The National)

The Mashair Railway, also known as Mecca Metro, rolls out on Sunday to serve pilgrims beginning the annual hajj rituals near the Muslim holy city, bringing a new solution to crowding.

The dual-track light railway, with its initial number of nine stations, connects the three holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Mount Arafat — areas that see massive congestion during the five-day pilgrimage.

Some other interesting nuggets:

• The new system will replace 4,000 buses previously used. Initially, the trains will be only be used during 5 days of a year,
• The rail system is accessible only to Saudi and Gulf pilgrims (forecast at some 130,000 Saudis, 10,000 Kuwaitis and 10,000 Bahrainis) during the first phase and other nationalities will be allowed to ride during the next phase.
• It will operate at 35 per cent capacity, carrying up to 175,000 pilgrims between Mina and Arafat, over a distance of 18km at a speed of 80-120kph. When it is completed next year, the automated metro and its yellow-and-green carriages are expected to carry half a million pilgrims every six hours.
• Overall, the Metro is expected to eliminate between 30,000 and 50,000 cars and buses from the roads near the holy sites. The most common modes of transport are buses, in which different nationalities travel separately, with mingling occurring mainly during the rituals themselves.
• Cost of the project is pegged at $1.8-billion project. Ticket fares for the Metro are about 250 riyals (Dh252), but there are plans by the Saudi Haj Commission to reduce it to 90 riyals.
• The team behind this system development/operations is truly multi-national – Built by China Railway Construction Corporation, operations and maintenance will be managed out by British firm Serco.  The control systems and platform operations will be manned by Egyptians and Saudis.

Image Courtesy: Go-makkah.com

This will be the first of two rail links aimed at easing pilgrim traffic. The much larger Haramain High Speed Rail, which will travel through the Red Sea city of Jeddah, is set to stretch 444 kilometres (275 miles) between Mecca and Medina, the second Muslim holy site.  The first phase of the high-speed rail network expected to cost $1.8Billion, will be built by another multi0national team, including local Al-Rajhi construction group, France’s Alstom and China Railway Engineering. The trains are expected to reach an operational speed of 225 miles/hr and ease traffic of pilgrims between the two sites.

Click here to read more.

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)

Job Title: Internal Tolling Auditor

Opening Date/Time: Thu. 10/14/10 12:00 AM Pacific Time

Closing Date/Time: Fri. 11/19/10 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Salary: $57,384.00 – $73,596.00 Annually

Job Type: Full Time – Permanent

Location: Thurston County – Lacey, Washington

Department: Washington State Dept. of Transportation

In many jobs to be successful means following an already existing system. To be successful in this job, you will have to innovate and lead. Within the Agency, the Internal Audit Office works to help management evaluate and improve internal controls, risk management, and the internal governance processes. While tolling is a prominent part of transportation funding on the East Coast and in Europe, it is relatively new on the West Coast, especially in Washington State. WSDOT currently tolls the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the SR 167 HOT lanes. However, as the demand for increased traffic efficiency grows, WSDOT is significantly expanding its Tolling Program with preparations underway to toll SR 520, and develop a statewide Customer Service Center for all toll facilities. As tolling expands in Washington State, so too will the need for experienced audit professionals to advise management by independently planning, conducting, and managing accountability , financial and compliance audit engagements.

This position plays an important role in conducting or overseeing the risk-based internal audits of the Tolling Program and advises management of the impacts of internal control weaknesses and noncompliance and recommends alternative actions. Not just anyone can do this job. In the spirit of full disclosure, WSDOT auditors are tasked with helping to build and maintain an internal control system that demonstrates accountability to a somewhat skeptical public. This requires hard work, travel, acute attention to detail, innovation, and tenacity. However, the rewards of knowing that your work is helping to build successful and accountable tolling in Washington State and furthering the mission of WSDOT, is priceless. So ask yourself, are you ready to take on this role?

The successful candidate will perform the following tasks:

• Manage the Internal Audit Office’s Tolling Audit Program and serve as the primary auditor. This position works independently, reporting to the Assistant Director of Internal Audit.
• Plan and conduct individual audit and consulting engagements and prepare reports.
• Participate in preparing the annual work plan for the Internal Audit Office.
• Provide recommendations that will improve accountability or which will bring an organization into legal compliance.
• Evaluate actions determined by management to correct deficiencies identified in prior audit reports and management reviews.
• May direct the audit work of external audit firms. May act as the liaison from the Department to external audit groups.
• May oversee the work of subordinate audit specialists.
• Advise on Business Rules and Standard Operating Procedures, as necessary, for the Statewide Customer Service Center and Tolling Facilities.

At WSDOT, our top-performing employees come in many different forms; however an ideal candidate will look something like this:

• A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Audit, Business Administration or a closely related field.
• Information technology (IT) audit experience to include reviewing controls of IT processes, applications, networks, or platforms.
• Experience evaluating and communicating best practices in IT controls in environments similar to tolling.
• Certification in one or more of the following: Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Certified Internal Auditor (CIA); Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA); and by having a minimum of four years professional auditing experience demonstrating progressive development of skills and responsibilities.
• A master’s degree in a related field will also be given consideration.
• Experience with auditing practices and procedures, including principles and methods of effective internal controls .
• Knowledge of accounting theory and practice for governments and commercial enterprises.
• Fully understand the Institute of Internal Auditor Standards and Government Auditing Standards.
• Knowledge of techniques in management and supervision.
• Effective communication both orally and in writing.
• Ability to lead discussions and support audit staff presenting results of internal audit engagements to agency management or private firms.
• Acute attention to detail.
• Ability to travel to all areas in Washington State, and at times, outside of the state, remaining overnight for up to five consecutive days or longer. Arrange for transporting equipment and other items for work.
• A valid Washington State Driver’s License (or the ability to get one) and the ability to drive a state vehicle to meetings and events.
• Ability to work varied schedules.

Application assessment will be ongoing and the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant’s advantage to apply as early as possible.

Be prepared to provide references at the time of interview.

Click here to learn more and apply.

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(Source: AP via Yahoo News )

The number of people dying on the nation’s roads has fallen to its lowest level in six decades, helped by a combination of seat belts, safer cars and tougher enforcement of drunken driving laws.

The Transportation Department said late Wednesday that traffic deaths fell 9.7 percent in 2009 to 33,808, the lowest number since 1950. In 2008, an estimated 37,423 people died on the highways.

Forty-one states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico saw reductions in highway fatalities, led by Florida with 422 fewer deaths and Texas, down 405.

The motor vehicle fatality rate — the number of deaths per 100 million miles traveled — is the lowest ever: 1.13 deaths in 2009, down from 1.26 in 2008, DOT says, even as Americans were driving 0.2% more than in 2008.

The annual highway safety report also reported the following stats:

• _ Motorcycle fatalities broke 11 years of annual increases, falling by 16 percent, from 5,312 in 2008 to 4,462 in 2009.
• _ The number of people injured in motor vehicle crashes fell for a 10th consecutive year.
• _ Alcohol-impaired driving deaths declined 7.4 percent in 2009 to 10,839 deaths, compared with 11,711 in 2008.

Note:  I commend the efforts of the USDOT’s leadership (Secretary, the Administrators, staff, etc) in ensuring that our nation’s roads are safe for the citizens.   The multi-pronged approach taken by various administrations within the Department, including targeted campaigns towards drunk driving, texting while driving, etc., are paying big dividends, as evidenced by these dramatic reduction in fatalities.  Also, we have to recognize the efforts of the vehicle manufacturers for making their vehicles a lot safer than what they were in the decades before. Many vehicles in today’s market sport great active and passive systems compared to the cars of yesteryears, which help greatly in reducing the risk of fatal injuries to the occupants during an accident.  The role of local enforcement agencies should also be appreciated in this remarkable effort.  Apart from the obvious safety benefits, there are many other associated benefits at the societal and personal level – reduction in associated costs such as repair costs, travel time savings, insurance costs, etc.  In all, as a society we are progressing well but we still have a long way to go.  Let’s not forget that we are still losing thousands of people on our roads and that only means one thing – we cannot slow down our efforts!

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• Highway deaths fall to lowest level since 1950 (sfgate.com)
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Source: The Economist

Car-sharing programs have been gaining a lot of popularity and building up momentum over the years, especially in urban environments such as Washington, DC, NYC, etc.  The Economist has done a good coverage of the growing trend and here are some of the interesting nuggets that caught my attention:

• One rental car can take the place of 15 owned vehicles
• By 2016 the market will be worth $6 billion a year, half of that in America, with a total of some 10m users
• Zipcar already has 400,000 members, mostly in America where it is thought to have 80% of the market.
• A car owner doing 12,000 miles (19,000km) a year can save $1,834 by shifting to a car-sharing service

Car-sharing started in Europe and spread to America in the late 1990s, when the first venture opened in Portland, Oregon, a traditional hangout of tree-huggers. For years it was organised by small co-operatives, often supported by local government. It still has a green tinge. One in five new cars added to club fleets is electric; such cars are good for short-range, urban use. But sharing is no longer small.

Frost & Sullivan, a market-research firm, estimates that by 2016 the market will be worth $6 billion a year, half of that in America, with a total of some 10m users. Outside America, most of the growth is in Britain and other north European countries such as Germany. The market leader is a company called Zipcar, founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is now headed for a public listing. Zipcar already has 400,000 members, mostly in America where it is thought to have 80% of the market. It recently bought Streetcar, the market leader in London, though competition authorities are still scrutinising that deal.

The sharing trend is now seeping into another prominent area of transportation – the bicycles.  Many cities around the world, including London and Washington, DC,  are beginning to install innovative bike-sharing programs that offer a great advantage for those who prefer to check the city by biking than by driving.   Looks like the “sharing” trend is only going to intensity in the years ahead given the state of our poor economies and shrinking wallets! the societal, ecological and environmental benefits resulting from such sharing schemes are definitely a big plus for many more cities to consider implementing such schemes for car as well as bikes.   After all didn’t we  already know the saying  “Sharing is Caring”.

Click here to read the entire article.

[polldaddy poll=3731727]

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(Source: CNN)

You thought you had a bad time on the road? Wait till you see this one and start thanking all the gods that are out there.  Here are some snippets about this epic, mother of all traffic jams that ever happened on Earth.

The gridlock, which started August 14, involves thousands of trucks between the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the Chinese capital of Beijing.

The back-up stretches over 62 miles on the Beijing-Tibet Expressway. What’s worse, officials are saying that the jam could continue for up to a month (Sept. 13, the projected completion project for some of the projects causing this delay).

Reason cited: “Insufficient traffic capacity on the National Expressway 110 caused by maintenance construction since August 19 is the major cause of the congestion,” a Beijing Traffic Management Bureau spokesman told the Beijing-based Global Times.

Other undesired outcomes borne from this mess: Bored drivers playing cards to pass time, and enterprising local vendors doling out instant noodles for as much as 4-times the actual cost.

If this is not interesting enough, China continues to add 10-million vehicles to its already exploding traffic on the roads.  It will be interesting to see how the Chinese manage their economic wealth while battling the traffic mess around their mega cities.

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