The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks a Strategic Advisor to join our team.  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 in the Office of Administration, Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) in Washington, DC, where you will serve as a confidential strategic advisor to RITA’s Administrator and assists on a wide range of national transportation strategic and institutional issues as well as carry out special assignments which cover a wide range of program issues.

If you know someone interested in this Washington, D.C. based position with relevant experience and proven results please encourage them to apply under the attached vacancy announcement.  RITA is looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.

The vacancy announcements can be found on:

Merit Promotion Announcement: http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=102501799

Public Announcement: http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=102501668

(Source: Youtube via Jalopnik)

Google Maps 5.7  is now available with a deeper public transit navigation for users in nearly 400 cities around the globe. As shown in the above video, using your location along the route, the Transit Navigation feature on Google Maps will alert you when its time to get off at your destination or to make a transfer. Transit Navigation (Beta) requires a phone with Android 2.1+ (too bad, Apple users are missing out here) and the latest update of Google Maps for mobile. Oh, the only caveat is that the system works only for above-ground transit systems where the GPS signals can be reached.  And for those with plenty of time to spare, here is a hands-on review of the new feature, courtesy of Engadget. I can already surmise this is a god’s gift (or Google’s) for the international travelers.

The Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation System Development (DTSD) is currently seeking individuals who are ready to take on the challenge of supervising the delivery of the State’s transportation program with an emphasis on traffic engineering.  We currently have supervisory vacancies available in the Milwaukee and Madison areas in addition to a position that may be housed in any regional office throughout the state. The register created by this exam will be used to fill approved vacancies state wide, as they may occur. Regional offices are located in Madison, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Green Bay, LaCrosse, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Rapids, Rhinelander, and Superior.

Job Duties:

These positions may direct one or more units to provide products and/or services associated with the state’s transportation system with primary focus on traffic operations.  The primary role of the supervisor is to achieve program objectives by interpreting and applying policy within the programmatic area of responsibility and directly supervise a staff of professional, technical, and paraprofessional positions.  This includes broad leadership responsibility to coordinate resources and develop staff; apply appropriate discipline-specific technical expertise in decision-making; fulfill a management role in policy development and implementation; and determine ways and means of accomplishing mission critical objectives.

Traffic Supervisors oversee one or more of the following: program development in the area of freeway traffic management; program support for project development; program development, operations and maintenance of Intelligent Transportation Systems; operations of a freeway traffic management center; maintenance of freeway traffic management systems; and providing traveler information in the area of freeway traffic.

Special Notes: Prior to any appointments for position(s) filled from this recruitment/announcement, candidates may be subject to a comprehensive criminal background check which may include fingerprinting.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Click here to learn more and to apply for this position.

http://www.openroadsconsulting.com/projman0609.html

Open Roads Consulting, Inc. is a privately held American technology firm where we value entrepreneurship, team building and creativity in our people. Together we are on the cutting edge of marketing new technologies specializing in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions for our clients. We are currently seeking senior-level technical project managers to facilitate our national growth plan. Our project managers are strong independent thinkers that are responsible for business development and project management of ITS solutions, providing industry setting service for our clients.

If you are looking for a challenging career where you can make a difference with the up and coming industry leader, please visit our website for the complete job description at
http://www.openroadsconsulting.com/projman0609.html. Confidential resumes and salary history should be sent to hr@openroadsconsulting.com. EOE/AA/M/F/V/D.

(Source: Houston.culturemap.com)

Anti-big brother Houstonians rejoiced when a referendum passed last November to take down the city’s network of red light cameras. Nearly six months later, data collected by the camera service provider, Phoenix-based ATS, suggests that citizens’ temporarily cautious attitude towards red lights has already reversed.

ATS analyzed 10 high-traffic intersections in different parts of the city that had seen noticeably decreases in violations when the cameras were installed, but have now suffered unprecedented increases. For example, the westbound intersection of Richmond Avenue and Hillcroft Avenue dipped from 5,628 violations in 2009 to 2,532 in 2010 — only to rocket back up to 3,799 in the first few months of 2011.

Editors Note:  This is yet another study that bolsters the need for installing the enforcement devices at intersections.   Oh well, there is always a counter to this and wait till someone surfaces with a new study showing how the removal of these devices has made life a lot better for poor Houstonians.

(Source: Times of India & Central Chronicle)

Times of India report on this topic:

The Supreme Court on Thursday left no option for the Centre and states but to speedily implement the policy on installation of high security registration plates (HSRP) in 9 crore vehicles across the country.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice S H Kapadia andJustices K S Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar slammed the states for their lethargy in implementing the court’s 2008 judgment upholding the Centre’s 2001 notification on mandatory HSRPs for vehicles.

Writing the judgment for the Bench, Justice Kumar said the executive must implement the court’s order within the stipulated time, especially when the issue concerned safety of citizens, which was of paramount interest for the governments.   It lamented non-implementation of the court`s May 8, 2008 judgment pronounced on a petition filed by Maninderjit Singh Bitta and issued contempt notices to the transport secretaries of Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

Some of the interesting aspects of the ruling include:

• If officials are found guilty of not implementing GPRS-enabled high security number plates they would not only be punished for contempt but also be liable to personally pay heavy cost.
• States which have initiated the process are directed to complete it in six weeks.
• Defaulting state transport secretaries are to file affidavit in four weeks.

click here to read the entire article.

Editor’s note: Given the constant security threats facing the nation, the swift implementation of high security registration plates makes a lot of sense. How on earth can they track rouge/unsafe elements on the road amongst a burgeoning vehicle population of 90 million that is continuing to grow leaps and bounds with each passing day? If anything, this should be a top priority at the Ministry of Transportation.

(Source: World Bank via Transport 2012)

Just after the TRB conference, senior decision makers and transport experts from around the world met in Washington from 27 – 28 January 2011 to share the latest experiences, information and best practices focused on safe, clean, and affordable transport services.

This year’s event featured case studies on sustainable transport from China, Mexico, Colombia, South Africa, India and the U.S. The joint event was co-organized by EMBARQ, The World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Institute for Transportation Development and Policy, Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities, and the Partnership for Sustainable Low Carbon Transport.

Click here to access the speaker bios and presentation (via slideshare.net) or

Click here to download the presentations (in PDF) and event agenda.

Related articles

• TT2011: Global Perspectives on Sustainable Transport and Urban Development (thecityfix.com)

The Research and Innovation Technology Administration (RITA) is looking for a highly talented Transportation Specialist with a passion for transportation data and analysis to join the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) as the Connected Vehicle Data and Weather Program Manager. This is an opportunity to w

Image via Wikipedia

ork on one of the most exciting multimodal programs at the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT).  Located at the U.S. DOT headquarters in Washington, DC, the ITS-JPO manages, coordinates and supports research programs focused on applying advanced technologies to transform the performance of our Nation’s surface transportation system.

The vacancy announcement closes on Wednesday, March 16, 2011

We are seeking a talented transportation leader who can work with all levels of the ITS-JPO staff, high-ranking officials, and others outside the agency to explore the innovative methods of data collection and use of advanced data applications in the transportation environment.  A self-starter with expert knowledge of data capture and proven program management principles is a must.  Strong coordination and leadership capabilities are needed to be successful in this important role.  A mix of strong creativity combined with institutional and technical knowledge is a must.  Ability to identify strategic program needs and develop objectives based on Administration and U.S. DOT policy, Congressional direction, and knowledge gained through the national ITS program planning process is required.

The ITS-JPO Connected Vehicle Data and Weather Program Manager will manage multimodal programs such as congestion relief, road weather management, and data capture and data management applications to provide technical leadership for state-of-practice and state-of-the-art data collection methods for continuous improvement of our nation’s surface transportation system.

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

Please keep in mind that the new hiring reforms recently announced by President Obama will shorten the hiring timeline and will eliminate essay-style questions during the initial application submission. Therefore please spread the word about this exciting opportunity and encourage anyone interested to apply quickly.

To review the job qualifications and to apply, please see the vacancy announcement at USAjobs, direct link:

FHWA.JPO-2011-0001 – Open to Current Federal and Former Federal Status Employees: (Federal employees are encouraged to apply under this announcement number to maximize consideration).

FHWA.JPO-2011-0002 – Open to all U.S. Citizens

Trucking industry stakeholders are invited to participate in a free webinar to discuss key policy and institutional challenges that could impact fleet adoption of new wireless communication technologies.  The particular technologies being discussed include communication technologies that allow trucks to “talk” to other vehicles and roadside infrastructure.  Through this webinar, motor carriers will be able to provide the U.S. DOT with direct feedback on technology implementation issues.

Presentations will include 1) a brief introduction on the U.S. DOT’s Truck Technology Policy program of research; 2) an overview of the potential value of the wireless connectivity technologies to the trucking industry and 3) a summary of related policy issues identified to date.  Feedback gathered from participants will be used to develop the Truck V2V/V2I Policy Roadmap and Research Agenda.

• WHAT:            U.S. DOT’s Truck V2V/V2I Technology Policy Issues Webinar
• WHEN:            Wednesday, February 23, 2011 1:00 to 3:00 EST
• HOW:              Participants will need access to the internet and a telephone.  For your free registration, use the link below.  An automated email with instructions for joining the webinar will be sent to all registrants.

Please visit the TIMTC website at www.freightmobility.org to register for the webinar or click here

Interested in becoming involved with TIMTC?  Participation is free and provides the latest information and updates on trucking industry initiatives that improve the industry’s safety and mobility.  Send your contact information to TIMTC@trucking.org to receive your free membership.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Trucking Industry Mobility & Technology Coalition (TIMTC) is jointly managed by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the  U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and the American Trucking Associations (ATA).  The TIMTC is sponsored by the U.S. DOT.  Members include motor carriers, commercial drivers, law enforcement, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, transportation planners and policy makers at the local, state and federal levels.

Terms of Reference