TransportGooru

via BuzzFeedVideo

Given the high number of road deaths around the world (~1.2million fatalities/year globally and ~34K in the US alone), we can definitely use something like this to get the kids ready for the road ..  It is quite funny with all the innuendos and not-so-subtle references to sex-ed. (BTW, looking at the number of hits the video has garnered on YouTube, I couldn’t  help but wish the safety videos from Govt and other non.profit organizations enjoy this level of attention).

Below is a tweet that got me wondering.  Despite knowing the bad status of the Highway Trust Fund, why is congress so hesitant to raise the gas tax? I’m sure many of you are left asking the same question. Several years have gone by and many transportation reauthorizations bills have been enacted since the last time we raised the gas tax (in the early 1990s). But there is still no appetite to raise the gas tax, even by a few cents (and there seems to be any sense of urgency as well).  Hopefully this trend is reversed in the upcoming re-authorization in 2015.  BTW, am I alone in thinking that this picture below also subtly answers why we love our cars so much and like to build houses far from the urban core? What would happen to our current development model/real estate practices if gasoline was taxed like how it is done in Europe?

#roadfinancing #advocacy RT @ARTBA: Funding = road quality, just ask the EU #TMAW #FixtheHTF http://t.co/POeb0cEyq3 pic.twitter.com/HSHKuEFsbT

— CarolineVisserGRL (@GlobalRoadLinks) June 24, 2014

If you get a chance, visit this brilliant website (by ARTBA), Transportation Makes America Work, to see the impact of how this current gas tax situation is affecting the nation’s progress (you can even check out the impact on your particular state’s infrastructure). Also if you are interested, you can take action by contacting your local representative right on the website (and if you are a transportation nerd like me, you can always download the app on your phone and be ready to spill the facts in any discussion).

Image courtesy: tmaw.com –

Related articles

• Looming Highway Trust Fund Crisis: Impact on State Transportation Programs
• Do Low Oil Prices Justify Raising the Gas Tax?

Lea+Elliott is seeking a junior to mid-level planner with an interest in transit and a background in LEED to be based in Northern Virginia either at our regional office at Dulles Airport or at a project office.  Work assignments will include transit projects throughout the eastern United States.  Under guidance and supervision, duties may include:

• Serving as a liaison between design reviewers and other planners to ensure that the teams are kept aware of relevant project issues.
• Assisting in the evaluation of contractor’s management plans and providing comments on design documents as part of the design review process.
• Serving as LEED Coordinator on one or more transit projects
• Representing client in meetings with project contractors.
• Ensuring compliance of contractors with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, primarily environmental.
• Assistance with property acquisition activities and locality coordination as needed.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Urban Planning (specialty in Transportation or Environmental) or Transportation Engineering. Masters degree preferred.
• At least 2-4 years of full-time relevant planning and/or project experience including involvement in at least one LEED project.
• Proficiency in navigating architectural and engineering drawings and specifications.
• Excellent writing skills.
• LEED Green Associate accreditation required, and candidate must demonstrate ability to become LEED AP accredited within one year if not already accredited.
• AICP certification or the ability to obtain same is desired but not required.
• Experience with FTA, State, or local transportation planning and environmental processes a plus
• Technological aptitude including comfort with Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to be open to new work responsibilities.

Please respond to jobopenings@leaelliott.com with cover letter and resume.

Position Description

The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) Center for Transportation Safety is seeking an individual to lead and serve as Program Manager for the Traffic Crash Analysis Program.  The incumbent will lead efforts to identify new sources of funding, ensure timely submittal and quality of work products, oversee proposal development, and develop and mentor staff.  Responsibilities include managing traffic safety projects which may include literature review, data collection, analysis, and technical report development in areas such as crash analysis, impaired driving, and other traffic related topics.

Continued employment in this position is dependent upon availability of funding and satisfactory level of performance.

Essential Duties:

Serve as principal investigator of research studies involving transportation safety, performance evaluations and program evaluation 25%
Conduct literature review 15%
Prepare technical reports 15%
Collect data and conduct analysis 10%
Outreach – Community & Stakeholder 10%
Report/presentation preparation and delivery 10%
Proposal and project development 10%

Required Qualifications:

• Masters degree in engineering, planning, public health, health education or related field
• 8 years of experience in traffic safety analysis using crash data and statistical methods
• Strong project management experience
• Proposal and project development experience
• Strong oral and written communication skills specifically related to technical reports in related field
• Proficient with MS Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and statistical analysis software (e.g., SAS)
• Ability to travel overnight
• Ability to work effectively with others to identify and accomplish project tasks

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prefer Ph.D. in related discipline
• Record of successful proposal submittals in traffic safety.
• Prior experience in managing a program of traffic safety analysis.
• Record of successful relationships with local, state or Federal transportation or safety agency officials and project managers.
• Extensive experience with traffic records and/or crash analysis and data-linking techniques
• Experience in developing traffic safety related training and educational materials.
• Experience with MS Project and/or MS Access as well as SPSS or SAS statistical software.
• Experience with crash analysis software related to problem identification in geographical areas or according to demographics.

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://cw.halogensoftware.com/texas_transport/loadJobPostingDetails.do?jobPostingID=101384&source=jobList

via CityLab & synapticdigital.com

Los Angeles is preparing to trial a two-way, one-mile e-highway road design project along the diesel truck-dominated Alameda Corridor in an effort to reduce pollution and health-related costs. Officials say the system relies on emission-free electric power delivered through overhead wires to fuel the trucks. The city is partnering with Siemens and the South Coast Air Quality Management District to run the $13 million project set to begin operations in July. The one-mile test of the e-highway system may just be the start. Apparently the various funders are hoping to expand the system along the remaining three miles from the ports to the major railhead, and there are discussions underway about a 20-mile northwest corridor that could connect the ports with inland warehouse complexes. If this first mile test works out, it could help provide a healthier future for high-traffic corridors around the world.

More about the project here.

This is how it works: The catenary infrastructure will be installed on the North and South-bound sections of Alameda Street where it intersects with Sepulveda Boulevard in Carson,California. Up to four trucks will be running in the demonstration, making multiple drives per day. Thanks to an innovative current collector the trucks can connect and disconnect from the catenary system at any speed for dynamic power supply directly to the electric engine and for on-board storage. To further ensure the same flexibility as conventional trucks, the eHighway vehicles use an electric drive system, which can be powered either by diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), battery or other on-board energy source, when driving outside of the catenary lines.  One big question that bogs me is this: assuming the demonstration is successful, who will pay for the cost of turning over the existing fleet to this hybrid-mode?

Related articles

• Siemens To Conduct eHighway Trials With Electric Volvo Trucks In California
• eHighway Project In Los Angeles
• Siemens eHighway Expected to Cut Ports’ CO2 Emissions

Do you have a new, creative, or innovative idea for addressing a significant transportation challenge? Are you a student, a group of students or a young professional? The George Mason University’s School of Policy, Government and International Affairs wants to hear from you!

In the world of transportation and transportation challenges, it is imperative that we foster the development and implementation of new ideas. Instead of offering the same old solutions–turning the proverbial wheel, but not moving forward– we challenge you to think creatively and offer “outside the box” solutions to complicated transportation policy challenges. So how can you push that wheel forward? How can you affect change?

•  First Prize: $10,000
• Second Prize: $5,000
• Third Prize: $2,500

Examples of significant transportation challenges include:

• Funding for transportation facility and services
• Fostering public/private sector collaboration
• Developing creative new transportation modalities
• Encouraging multimodal solutions
• Reducing community and environmental impacts of transportation facilities and services.
• Enhancing quality of life through access to jobs, medical care, housing, recreation, etc.
• Expanding opportunities for disadvantaged populations.
• Tackling challenges arising from demographic changes and generational shifts.

The award will be announced in the Spring of 2015. Please visit the competition website for details on submission requirements and procedures. http://outsidethebox.gmu.edu/

Pretty cool video that offers a nice overview of the 2nd avenue subway project and its impact on residents and businesses in the Upper East Side neighborhood. The size and scope of the project in addition to the geographical location makes for an interesting combination..

Related articles

• MTA releases Second Avenue subway photos
• Next Second Avenue subway phase gets some funding

The Eno Center for Transportation is seeking a Policy Analyst in to join Eno’s Center for Transportation Policy (CTP). The Policy Analyst will report to the Director of Finance and Policy, and will provide support to all activities within CTP. These activities will include, but are not limited to:

– Write and research for Eno policy projects
– Manage specific research and policy projects
– Assist with writing proposals for future projects
– Contribute to the monthly newsletter, Eno Brief, and other publications
– Publicly presenting research results
– Participating in professional development activities

As Eno’s work spans the industry, the Policy Analyst will need to be able to contribute to policy work across all modes of transportation. In addition to working with CTP, the Analyst will occasionally be expected to contribute to work within the other areas of Eno, including CTL, finance, and communications.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
– A working knowledge of transportation policy, economics, and existing issues in the industry
– Masters degree in public policy, engineering, urban planning, political science or related field preferred
– Two to five years of work experience
– Demonstrated strengths in both researching and writing
– Ability to multi-task

Compensation
Eno offers a competitive benefits package. Salary will commensurate with experience.

To Apply
This position will remain open until filled. Submit cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample to Ann Henebery at ahenebery@enotrans.org.

Find the full listing here: https://www.enotrans.org/about-us/employment

(H/T YPTransportation.org)

Applications are now being accepted for the Six Minute Pitch: A Transportation Startup Challenge, a special Young Member Council (YMC) session at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) 94th Annual Meeting during which selected presenters pitch their cutting-edge, research-based concept for a transportation product- or service-based business in just six minutes. Presentations are judged on the basis of the commercial viability of their concept, and the demonstration of how the proposed product or service meets today’s critical transportation challenges.

While no actual investment i awarded at the Six Minute Pitch (per TRB rules), the opportunity to present at one of the most well attended sessions at TRB and to receive feedback from a distinguished panel of investors and successful entrepreneurs attracts a number of high-quality proposals each year.

Confirmed judges for the 2015 Six Minute Pitch include:

• Sean O’Sullivan, of SOSVentures and Co-founder and Managing Director of Carma
• Chris Thomas, Founder and Partner, Fontinalis Partners
• Gabe Klein, COO, Bridj

Now in its third year, the Six Minute Pitch has showcased many successful early stage transportation technology companies. The winner of the 2014 Six Minute Pitch, TransitScreen, a company which provide real-time availability and schedule information sustainable transportation modes, including transit and Bikeshare, has since brought on of the Six Minute Pitch judges, Gabe Klein, on as a strategic advisor, gained new clients, and even had the opportunity to pitch President Obama!