The U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking to fill the position of Director, Office of Transportation Management. The incumbent serves as a national leader in advancing the operations of metropolitan, rural, and statewide surface transportation systems to enhance mobility, efficiency, productivity, and safety. The incumbent provides leadership and direction to a technical staff in identifying and implementing policies and initiatives to reduce congestion and improve the movement of people and goods across the transportation system. In addition, the incumbent oversees the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems technology to improve routine and non-routine transportation management across the nation.

Additional information and a full list of duties are available on the USA Jobs Website. Applications are due no later than September 22, 2017.

(via YPTransportation)

Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is looking to fill five entry-level positions in downtown Nashville in the Local Programs Development Office. These positions manage and administer State and Federal grants. Preferred candidates have excellent communication skills, are proactive, can multitask, and can easily understand State and federal regulations. Ideal candidates have a business, communications or political science (or similar) degree.

Normal job duties include federal reporting, communicating with local governments, managing schedules, and writing contracts. This office is easily the most publicly visible office in within TDOT. All clients served are outside agencies (planning organizations, city/county officials, and engineering firms). There is room for advancement and growth within the office. Persons with the ability to learn on the fly, positive attitudes, outgoing personalities, and the ability to work in fast-paced and stressful situations will be perfect candidates.

To apply, click here.

(Source: Street Films)

This nice video from StreetFilms provides a brief overview of the concept of traffic calming and highlights some examples from cities across the country.  Do check out the other videos from the Moving Beyond Automobiles series. Have you ever observed such “calming” measures in your neighborhood?  Now that you have seen this, the next time you step out onto the streets you may notice a few of these measures deployed in your neighborhood.  If you don’t recognize them, would you like to share with us what traffic calming features work well in your neighborhood?

Best Practices Illustrating the Benefits of Planning for Operations

On August 13, 2009, the USDOT released six case studies that provide strong examples of how planners and operators in a variety of different-sized metropolitan regions have worked together to advance utilizing an objectives-driven, performance-based approach to significantly advance Operations program in their areas.

A strategic approach to planning for operations that is guided by specific objectives and regular performance measurement will help ensure that the most effective operations strategies are incorporated into transportation plans. In many regions around the country, agencies are already applying elements of this approach in a variety of ways. The case studies below are just some of the examples of where this is being done.These case studies illustrate the benefits of planning for operations

Case Studies

• Capital District Transportation Committee (Albany, New York area) – Placing the Congestion Management Process in the Context of Metropolitan Transportation Planning Goals and Objectives
• Denver Regional Council of Governments (Denver, Colorado area) – The Denver Region Traffic Signal System Improvement Program: Planning for Management and Operations
• Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area) – Planning for Congestion Management and Tracking Progress
• Metropolitan Transportation Commission (San Francisco Bay Area, California) – Developing Regional Objectives and Performance Measures to Improve System Operations
• Pima Association of Governments (Tucson, Arizona area) – Regional Concept for Transportation Operations Fosters Planning for Operations in the Tucson Metropolitan Area
• Wilmington Area Planning Council (Newark, Delaware area) – A Performance-Based Approach to Integrating Congestion Management into the Metropolitan Planning Process

Planning for Operations is a joint effort between operations and planning that encompasses the important institutional underpinnings needed for effective Regional Transportation Systems Management and Operations. For more information on planning for operations, please contact Rick Backlund at Richard.Backlund@dot.gov.