via Autoblog

The innovators at Solar Roadways have pulled together a demonstration site (i.e., parking lot) to showcase how their technology works – it’s got a textured glass surface that can (among many other things) generate low-carbon electricity, melt snow, and throw up safety warnings with its integrated LED lighting system. Pretty cool, right? 

Their vision for smarter roads has grown considerably from conception to an award-winning early prototype to a test deployment.  It is poised to take the next logical step forward – manufacturing, which usually costs a ton of money. So they have put together a nice campaign video and lauched the fundraising efforts over at IndieGoGo for helping move this audacious vision to an everyday reality.

Autoblog notes that if successful, the concept will next start appearing in parking lots, driveways and sidewalks before taking that final leap toward paving the way to a solar-powered paradise. Let’s hope it does succeed.  Show your support over at their IndieGoGo campaign site.   

Note: As of this minute, the campaign has raised $4,712 (in just a day) and they have about 39 days left to reach the $1million goal (by May 31 @ 11:59PM).

Related articles

• Solar Roadways to build solar-powered parking lot
• solar powered roadways by scott brusaw
• In Focus: Solar Roadways
• Solar Roadways (the company) to Build Solar Panel Parking Lot (+ Top Transportation Stories)
• Solar Roadways: The Prototype – an interesting idea to contemplate

The new infograph published by SafeCar.Info. offers some good insights into the real cost of owning a vehicle.  To put it simply, owning a car these days is not easy on any wallet.  the infograph provides a clear guide to the issues which everyone should consider before they make their final decision. 

Source: SafeCar.info. Click Image to learn more.

Via: Safecar.info | Car safety & Insurance Magazine

Thank god this guy chose to focus his energy and investments on transportation, one of the most-neglected fields from an investment perspective.  Elon Musk’s interview is a testament to what one man can aspire and do to inspire a generation with his ideas.

This neat infograph from Cheapflight.ca (H/T Business Insider) shows how much lighter your wallet will be when you have to hitch a ride from the airport to your destination in the city (downtown/CBD/etc).. Could definitely come in handy when you are planning that next vacation abroad.. Strangely, Asia is the home to both the cheapest (Delhi, India) and highest (Tokyo, Japan) taxi fare in the world.  It will be awesome if someone compiled a list that shows the cost of public transportation to the airport (such a linkage may be non-existent in some parts of the globe but I’m hoping the metropolitan cities listed below would definitely offer that connectivity).

Source: Cheapflights.ca

The U.S. Department of Transportation will host a free public meeting and webinar to inform stakeholders on the progress, products, and next steps of the Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program.

The public meeting is scheduled for April 30, 2014, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm in Washington, DC. The public meeting will also be webcast at no charge.

Summary

Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program Description

On March 12, 2014, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a Request for Information (RFI) that will be used to help refine the plans for one or more connected vehicle pilot deployments  (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/03/12/2014-05414/connected-vehicle-pilot-deployment-program-request-for-information).

The Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program seeks to combine connected vehicle and mobile device technologies in innovative and cost-effective ways to improve traveler mobility and system productivity, while reducing environmental impacts and enhancing safety. The FHWA anticipates a procurement action for one or more pilot deployment concepts in 2015.

Purpose of Public Meeting and Webinar

The purpose of the meeting is to inform private sector stakeholders on upcoming opportunities and to seek input from public sector implementers as they prepare to integrate emerging connected vehicle and mobile device technologies into operational practice.   The meeting will provide information on the organizing principles and preliminary schedule of the Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program.  In addition, the meeting will provide a summary of challenges identified in the RFI and facilitate a further discussion with stakeholders regarding the most salient challenges. This meeting is being sponsored by the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Programs Office (ITS JPO).

The meeting will take place at:

HOLIDAY INN CAPITOL 
550 C Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20024,
(202) 479-4000

To register, visit: www.itsa.org/cvpilotsregistration

For further information contact:

Carlos Alban
Transportation Program Specialist
Intelligent Transportation Society of America
1100 New Jersey Ave., SE, Suite #850
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202-721-4223
Email:  calban@itsa.org

– See more at: http://www.its.dot.gov/meetings/cv_pilot_deployment.htm#sthash.D84C5YAq.dpuf

Department/faculty: Civil Engineering and Geosciences 
Level: PhD degree (prof)
Working hours: 38 hours per week
Contract: 5 years
Salary: €3.259 to €6.039 per month gross

TU Delft Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences provides leading, international research and education. Innovation and sustainability are central themes. Research addresses societal issues. Research and education are closely interwoven. The faculty consists of the departments of Transport & Planning, Structural Engineering, Geosciences & Engineering, Water management, Hydraulic Engineering and Geoscience & Remote Sensing

The Department Transport & Planning (T&P) focuses on the planning, design, operation and management of transport systems, addressing road transport, public transport and passenger and freight transport systems. T&P consists of 50-60 staff members, of which 20 permanent. The department is responsible for the T&P track in the MSc Civil Engineering, the TU Delft Transport Institute and coordinates the interfaculty Master Transport, Infrastructure & Logistics. The department is the only research group in Civil Engineering in the Netherlands that was awarded the maximum score at all research assessments during the last 15 years.

Job description

Scientific research activities will focus on new assessment methods that support the planning and design of transport systems. Traditionally, congestion in transport systems was addressed by planning new or extending existing transport infrastructure. Today a wider range of measures that aim at smart and sustainable use of available transport networks is considered. As a consequence, there is a need for innovations in methodologies for the quantitative assessment of these measures for all relevant effects: economic, environmental, safety and spatial. Apart from extending and elaborating the assessment framework, there is also a need for methodologies that can be used in quick scan analyses.
Candidates will contribute to the initiation, acquisition and execution of research projects, including supervision of MSc and PhD students. Close cooperation with other members of the scientific staff of the department and wider university and developing relationships with practitioners are essential.
Educational activities will include redesigning the MSc course CIE 4760 Infrastructure projects: assessment and planning, contributing to the BSc course Impacts of Transport Infrastructure on economy and environment and supervision of BSc as well as MSc students.

Requirements

You have an MSc and PhD degree in a relevant subject, preferably Civil Engineering. You can demonstrate outstanding research potential and have published in peer-reviewed, international scientific journals or can show an innovative design and engineering portfolio. You have a holistic, integral approach combined with a strong background in quantitative methodologies and modelling. You are able to connect scientific methods and results to practical applications. Inspiring lecturing skills and excellent command of the English language are considered crucial. Non-Dutch speaking candidates will commit to learn Dutch within 2 years after appointment.

The position offered is a tenure-track position for a period of 5 years, leading to a permanent position assuming good performance in scientific research, project acquisition and education. Depending on your experience you are appointed as assistant tenure track professor (€ 3.259 – € 6.039 per month gross). You will participate in the Tenure Track program to further develop your educational, research and personal skills. You will work in a multidisciplinary team that conducts cutting-edge academic transport research and which has a state of the art transport lab. The team actively connects research results to innovative real world projects and is supervising an increasing number of MSc and PhD students.

Conditions of employment

TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home (with a contract of two years or longer), and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package (the ‘IKA’). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
TU Delft sets specific standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you have less than five years of experience and have not yet obtained your Basic Teaching Qualification, we allow you up to three years to obtain this.

Information and application

More information about these positions can be found at http://www.citg.tudelft.nl/en/about-faculty/departments/transport-and-planning/vacancies/. You may also contact Prof. B. van Arem, phone: +31 (0)15-2786342, e-mail: B.vanArem@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV and a letter of application by 11 April 2014 to D.W.A.M. Verbunt, Recruitment-CiTG@tudelft.nl. When applying for one these position, please mention the position and refer to vacancy number CITG14-11.

Inquiries from agencies are not appreciated.

The Northeast Corridor Commission

Congress created the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission (Commission) to help coordinate planning and investment across all owners of and operators on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) railroad network, including Amtrak, states, commuter railroads, and freight railroads. The Commission is comprised of representatives from each of the NEC states, Amtrak, and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), with non-voting representatives from freight railroads and states with connecting corridors. The Commission is supported by a full-time staff in Washington, DC. The Commission is accepting applications for a Transportation Analyst position located in Washington, DC.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Summary of Duties

Specific responsibilities will consist of policy research and writing, transportation planning and analysis, analysis of financial and operational data related to the allocation of operating and capital costs in the NEC, development of Commission products and materials, website content development and other tasks as assigned. The position will cover activities both technical and administrative in nature:

• Assist in the development of Commission reports and presentations through data analysis and the development of written material. Work will frequently involve making technical information accessible for non-technical audiences.
• Assist in the coordination of the Commission’s many stakeholders, including Amtrak, the U.S. DOT, the Northeast states and state DOTs, commuter rail agencies, freight railroads, and others. Work will frequently involve coordinating assistance provided by staff at various stakeholder agencies.
• Support the organization and delivery of quarterly Commission meetings and periodic committee meetings including the management of pre-meeting logistics, the development of meeting materials, and the preparation of meeting minutes.
• Assist in the analysis of financial and operational data in support of the Commission’s role in supporting cost allocation in the Northeast Corridor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Public Policy, Urban and Regional Planning, Economics, Business, or related field.
• One to two years of work experience with some direct experience in the field of transportation. Masters degree may substitute for work experience.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Interest in transportation issues.
• Ability to multi-task effectively while remaining flexible in a fast-paced environment and work collaboratively with staff at all levels while successfully challenging conventional practices and incorporating new approaches.
• Demonstrated skill in Microsoft Office tools, including Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Contact

For information on applying, contact Donnie Maley, Director, Planning: dmaley@nec-commission.com.

Sustainable America via Upworthy

Oh, boy.  What looks like a seemingly insignificant activity – vehicle idling – has a major impact on our economy and on our planet’s well being.  Check out this informative infograph from Sustainable America that shows the gargantuan impacts of vehicle idling in the USA, both  economic and environmental.  If the US alone is wasting so much fuel and adding to the carbon footprint, I can’t even begin to fathom what’s happening if this issue is scaled up at a global level. Adoption of EVs can quickly put an end to this issue and should be considered as part of energy efficiency/conservation programs world wide. Take the pledge to stop idling! 

Image: Sustainable America via Upworthy.com

Image Courtesy: IRFnew.org

On behalf of the International Road Federation (IRF) and the Indonesia Ministry of Public Works, the Technical and Scientific Committee of the 1st IRF Asia Regional Congress & Exhibition invites surface transportation experts and researchers from around the world to submit paper abstracts for evaluation.

Under the theme “Building the Trans-Asian Highway,” this one-of-a-kind event will provide a unique setting for sharing proven and innovative solutions for the region’s mobility demands, latest industry technologies and global best practices and how they can be replicated and/or modified to meet the region’s specific needs.

The event will feature a Ministerial Session, as well as Plenary, Executive, Technical and Applied Knowledge Sessions.

Why Participate?

• High level Ministerial Session
• 1,000 local & International delegates
• Innovation forum & live technical demonstrations
• Networks with key decision makers from the region
• Exhibition featuring the latest products & technologies

Abstract Guidelines (no cost to submit)

The abstract should be written in English, readily understandable to most readers and may contain a maximum of 200 words. Abstracts should be submitted in the following thematic areas:

• Asset Management
• Disaster Mitigation & Recovery
• Pavements & Materials
• Road Financing / PPPs
• Road Safety
• Sustainable Transport
• Technology & Innovation

For more information, please contact:

Magid Elabyad
Vice President, International Programs & Member Services
Tel: +1 703 535 1001
Email: melabyad@IRFnews.org