Two Interesting Infographs: The Real Cost of Trucking in the United States & Making Semi-Trucks More Efficient

April 23, 2012 at 10:58 am

(Source: TheTruckersReport.com via SCM-Operations.com)

Came across these interesting infographs that offered some great insights into the trucking business..

Image Courtesy: SCM-Operations

Image Courtesy: TheTruckersreport.com

Job alert: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Central Maryland Regional Transit Corporation

April 13, 2012 at 11:08 am

The Central Maryland Regional Transit Corporation (CMRT), a private non-profit transit management firm located in Central Maryland, is conducting a search for a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization through its next level of growth.  The CEO will be responsible for the general oversight of a multi-jurisdictional transit system with an annual operating budget of $15 million and ridership of more than 1.6 million passengers.

This position will report to the CMRT Board Chair and its elected Board of Directors and will manage a professional and support staff of approximately twenty-five employees.

The CEO must have demonstrated entrepreneurial skills, be a creative problem solver, maintain a keen understanding of political affairs as well as business and government relationships.  Experience in grant writing and working knowledge of federal and state processes and policies preferred.  Qualified candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Preferred) in Business Administration, Public Administration or related field, have excellent communication skills, and also have at least 5 years’ experience in a senior management capacity with a transit organization or similar business enterprise.

CMRT offers a competitive salary and benefits package.  The position will remain open until filled, however; applicants are encouraged to apply by May 4, 2012.  Interested persons should submit a resume, cover letter and salary history to CMRT Executive Search Committee, 312 Marshall Ave., Suite 1000, Laurel MD  20707; email: hr@cmrtransit.org.
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TRIP MOBILITY MANAGER

The Central Maryland Regional Transit Corporation, a non-profit regional transportation management organization, seeks a highly motivated professional to be responsible for the development and oversight of a one-call/one-click transportation resource center that provides information on transportation options throughout central Maryland.  The TRIP Mobility Manager is responsible for building coordination among the existing public transportation and human service transportation providers within the service area of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties, as well as the City of Baltimore, the City of Laurel, and Washington DC.

Responsibilities:

Specific duties include the oversight of the centralized information call center and website and direct supervision of TRIP staff.   The position will regularly meet with project stakeholders to continue to build community networks, continue to improve and build on TRIP outreach efforts, develop strategies for seeking additional funding sources, and to leverage existing funding with non-FTA federal programs.

TRIP has received a federal grant to expand the program statewide.  This position will also be responsible for managing and implementing this project.

Qualifications:

Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Transportation/Urban Planning, Business/Public Administration, Marketing or related field and minimum of five (5) years job experience in public sector transportation or non-profit organization management.  Additionally, candidates must exhibit excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills.  Marketing/outreach expertise valuable, but not required.

Compensation:

$52,500 – $60,000, commensurate with experience.

Please send resume and cover letter to:

CMRT Human Resources
312 Marshall Avenue, Suite 1000
Laurel, MD 20707
HR@cmrtransit.org

 

Awesome Infographic from USDOT’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Showcases the Economic Impact of Aviation

January 4, 2012 at 11:51 am

(Source: FAA)

This nice infograph shows the economic impact of aviation.. What a great way to tell the story!

Image Courtesy: USDOT FAA - Click image to learn more

Shame on us! Gut Wrenching Story on CBS 60 Minutes Portrays Hard Lives of Families Living in Cars

November 30, 2011 at 11:40 pm

(Source: CBS 60 Minutes)

Came across this below story that aired on CBS this past Sunday (Nov 27) and felt compelled to share it with my readers.

Click here to read the entire story.

Editor’s Note: Shame on us, as a society, for letting these Americans and their kids live this way.  After watching this gut wrenching video, no amount of explanation is going to convince an American with a conscience. What did these poor kids do to deserve this way of life? Maybe their parents did not make the best of choices or handle their finances smartly but that does not justify such a punishing life. It is UNAMERICAN and we cannot raise our next generation this way. While our political system in Washington is grinding itself into a shameless existence, we are once again left to fend for ourselves.  I sincerely hope this documentary kicks off a national dialogue where we work together a nation towards solving this huge mess. SHAME ON US!  A note of thanks to CBS 60 Minutes producers for bringing this compelling story to the nation’s attention. Kudos to the 60 minutes team for the great commentary (an incredible social service in its own merit).

Dominating of the Skies, Tweet by Tweet – Airlines and Twitter: An infographic

July 8, 2011 at 12:32 pm

(Source: via  Gadling.com)

Some interesting observations:

  • According to authors , Southwest drops to second place this month as industry giant Delta (21,000) mentions, leaps into first place. It’s interesting to note that this data is based on tweets and opinions in a category of interest, not number of followers.
  •  @SouthwestAir still wins that battle, with 1,142,579 followers vs. 206,201 for the main @Delta Twitter.

Job Alert: Transportation Planner II/III at Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) – Washington, DC

May 11, 2011 at 7:12 pm

The Department of Transportation Planning of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is seeking a Planner II or III to work with a small team responsible for public involvement and communications. The successful candidate will be a part of the Program Coordination Team, which supports the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Washington, D.C. region. The TPB plays an important role as the regional forum for transportation planning in the National Capital region.  The TPB prepares plans and programs that the federal government must approve in order for federal-aid transportation funds to flow to the Washington region.

A successful candidate will perform professional-level planning activities with a focus on enhancing and maintaining communications and public outreach efforts.  Activities are likely to include:

  • Improve external visibility of the TPB.
  • Assist with long-range planning activities, such as scenario planning and development of a regional priorities plan, with a focus on public involvement and communications.
  • Provide staff support to TPB activities and committees.

Please see the full job description below, which includes information on how to apply:  http://www.mwcog.org/resources/opportunities/detail.asp?JOB_ID=282

Job Alert: Transportation Policy Analyst @ Reason Foundation

April 19, 2011 at 5:36 pm

Application Deadline: May 6, 2011

The Reason Foundation, a non-profit, public policy think tank based in Los Angeles, seeks a policy analyst in transportation.  Qualified candidates should have a relevant degree, a solid understanding of free-market public policy and an aptitude for written communication.

Ideal candidates will be very familiar with Reason’s transportation policy work and be able to describe what they can contribute to the organization.  Work location is negotiable and salary commensurate with experience.  Applicants at all levels of experience are invited to apply.

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Amy Pelletier atAmy.Pelletier@Reason.org. The cover letter should include an explanation of your interest in the Reason Foundation.

Making a Business Case – New Study Says Federal Investment in High-Speed Rail Could Spur 1.3 Million Jobs

April 12, 2011 at 2:36 pm

(Source: Fast Company)

A new report from the American Public Transportation Association counters the GOP strategy on high-speed rail and turns the anti-HSR rhetoric argument on its head by saying it is in fact good for the economy.   This report focuses on key issues critical to private investors as they consider investments or future expansion into businesses serving the growing passenger rail markets.

Here is  the crux of the report as explained by the Fast Company: High-speed rail can be a huge driver of jobs and economic growth, and the government has already committed to at least $10 billion worth of spending, with plans for tens of billions more in the coming years.

The report, “The Case for Business Investment in High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail” (PDF) by the American Public Transportation Association finds that in addition to the obvious, but temporary, construction jobs, the benefits ripple out throughout an economy. Most importantly, for each $1 billion spent on train construction, 24,000 permanent jobs are created. That’s a mere $41,667 per job, which looks downright cheap when you’re staring down 9% unemployment.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority estimates that building a high-speed rail link between L.A. and San Francisco would result in 600,000 construction jobs and 450,000 permanent new jobs. There are currently 2.2 million unemployed people in the state; high-speed rail would halve its unemployment rate.

Click here to read the Fast Co. analysis.

Shown below is the APTA presser accompanying this report.

New report shows tangible economic benefits of investments in building a 21st century rail system

Washington, DC – April 6, 2011 –The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) released a report detailing the enormous impact high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects will have in driving  job development,  while also rebuilding America’s manufacturing sector and generating billions of dollars in business sales.  This report focuses on key issues critical to private investors as they consider investments or future expansion into businesses serving the growing passenger rail markets.

The report, “The Case for Business Investment in High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail” reinforces the point that investments in high-speed and intercity rail will have many direct and indirect benefits.  Nationally, due to proposed federal investment of high-speed rail over a six-year period, investment can result in supporting and creating more than 1.3 million jobs.  This federal investment will be the catalyst for attracting state, local and private capital which will result in the support and creation of even more jobs.

According to this new report, investments in building a 21st century rail system will not only lead to a large increase in construction jobs, but to the sustainable, long-term growth of new manufacturing and service jobs across the country.

“It is evident that investing in high-speed and intercity rail projects presents one of the clearest and fastest ways to create green, American jobs and spur long-term economic growth,” said APTA President William Millar. “Investing in high-speed rail is essential for America as we work to build a sustainable, modern transportation system that meets the environmental and energy challenges of the future.”

APTA noted for each $1 billion invested in high-speed rail projects, the analysis predicts the support and creation of 24,000 jobs.

In addition to the thousands of new construction jobs, investments in high-speed rail will jumpstart the U.S. economy. The Economic Development Research Group for the U.S. Conference of Mayors studied the business impact of high-speed rail investment in different urban regions.  For example, in Los Angeles, CA, high-speed rail investment generates $7.6 billion in business sales and $6.1 billion in Chicago, IL.

“Federal high-speed rail investment is a strong driver in getting private companies to invest,” said Kevin McFall, Senior Vice President at Stacy and Witbeck Inc., a leading public transit construction firm. “This program can be a shot in the arm for the manufacturing industry.  These high-speed rail projects will give us the opportunity to put people to work building the rail infrastructure this country desperately needs.”

“U.S. businesses have been known for their cutting edge technologies and innovations, said Jeffrey Wharton, President of IMPulse NC. “We need to put this expertise to work, providing business and employment opportunities while catching up with the rest of the world in high-speed rail and its associated benefits.”

“We are excited about the prospect of putting Americans to work building the rail tracks and equipment that will keep America’s economic recovery moving forward,” said Charles Wochele, Vice President for Industry and Government Relations at Alstom Transport. “We look forward to partnering with the federal and state governments to ensure these projects get off the ground.”

Here is a related article (and some interesting comments to go with it) I posted a couple of days ago.

Ever Wondered Why Your Car Insurance is High? This Infographic Should Help You Understand

April 5, 2011 at 5:04 pm

(Source: car-insurance.com via Autoblog)

Click Image to Enlarge

Click Image to Enlarge

Job Alert – Application deadline extended – Director, Center of Innovation for Air Traffic Systems and Operations

March 24, 2011 at 8:17 pm

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration is looking for an executive to serve as the Director of the Center of Innovation (COI) Air Traffic Systems and Operations of the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center).  Located in Kendall Square area in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Volpe Center plays a unique role in looking across the transportation enterprise by applying its multi-disciplinary capabilities to anticipate future transportation issues and challenges across all modes of transportation.

Reporting to the Deputy Associate Administrator for Research, Innovation and Technology, the COI Director will lead and oversee the Air Traffic Systems and Operations COI comprised of four technical divisions – Navigation and Surveillance; Operations Risk Assessment and Terminal Systems; Traffic Flow Management; and Communications and Operations.  This COI has a combined technical/scientific federal staff of 85 employees; a 150 project portfolio; and average annual obligations of $80 million, representing one-third of the Center’s portfolio. Through close collaboration with other Volpe Center COI Directors, the COI Director will assist in the development of FAA and other strategic initiatives and new program opportunities, and, as needed, serve as liaison to FAA leaders in working with managers across the Volpe Center.

To succeed in this rewarding and challenging leadership position, the COI Director must have expertise leading applied research and technology projects – ideally as an engineer/scientist- in one or more areas of air traffic operations and systems, including aviation communication, navigation, surveillance (CNS), and air traffic control safety and security.  This individual must also possess exceptional management, planning and communication skills, and be able and willing to contribute as part of a collaborative management team.  While not required, an advanced scientific or technical degree is highly desirable. Travel is required (30-50%).

The vacancy announcement can be found on COI Director, Air Traffic Systems and Operations (attached find a copy of the vacancy announcement).