A logical demolition of a 20th century myth that still dogs air travelers – Compelling video explains why we should end the stupid cellphone ban

April 28, 2012 at 10:47 am

(via Gizmodo)

Is it actually dangerous to use cell phones or other portable electronics on board an aircraft? NOPE. NOPE. NOPE.

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You Decide On Your Speed. Physics Decides Whether You Live Or Die! – Striking Australian road safety campaign targets motorcycle safety and speed

April 27, 2012 at 6:01 pm

(Source: Victoria TAC)

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This stunning video from Victoria, Australia  arrives just in time as the weather around the US starts to warm up and the motorcyclists are polishing up the iron ponies for some good times on the road. The Transport Accident Commission (TAC)’s public education campaign targets two of Victoria’s biggest issues in road safety — motorcycle safety and speed.  The description of the video as shown on YouTube: The campaign, titled “Reconstruction”, features a slow motion replay of a crash involving a motorcyclist and a car. The ad graphically depicts the rider suffering a broken neck as a result of his speeding prior to the collision.

The video get’s the message across in an very effective way.  If you haven’t yet, you may want to check out the other campaign videos made by the TAC on their awesome YouTube Channel (~19 million views and 4600 subscribers. Whew!!!).  Brilliant use of public $$ to educate the public! Hope the US Department of Transportation puts out a similar campaign to educate the American motorcyclists. and prevent thousands of fatal accidents involving motorcyclists (statistics: 3615 people died in 2010 from motorcycle accidents on U.S. roads) .

Job Alert: Supervisory General Engineer (Chief of the Energy Analysis and Sustainability Division) – Volpe Center, USDOT @ Cambridge, MA

April 26, 2012 at 1:27 pm

Application deadline: Monday, May 7, 2012

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is seeking an Supervisory General Engineer, GS-0801-15 to serve as Chief of the Energy Analysis and Sustainability Division at the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center). Located in the 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. This position is based in Cambridge, MA.

Reporting to the Director of the Center for Environmental and Energy Systems, you will be responsible for developing, planning, and overseeing the performance of all the work within the Division’s portfolio of projects. The Division is responsible for providing analytical, regulatory and policy support related to transportation-related energy use and environmental sustainability in support of multiple agencies and organizations. The Division performs a broad range of analyses and evaluations pertaining to alternative energy sources and sustainability. This may include technical work in the environmental sciences, energy efficiency and renewable energy financing, mechanical engineering, electronics and chemical engineering, systems engineering, and economic, industry, and rulemaking analysis. The Division provides planning and management support for programs that promote improved energy-related technologies and practices in the transportation sector and improved transportation-related technologies and practices in the energy supply system. You will be responsible for managing the operation of the Division, including directing and supervising staff.

The ideal candidate will have experience developing, managing, and leading engineering research projects in order to develop transportation-related technologies, solutions, and policies in areas related to sustainability, alternative energy, and/or alternative fuels. To succeed in this position you must have an entrepreneurial outlook, with the ability to translate working relationships within your professional network into business and new program opportunities. Ability to travel 20% is required.

This announcement is posted to the Public and to Merit Promotion eligible applicants on www.usajobs.gov. Please know that Merit Promotion announcements are the vehicle through which Federal employees generally apply for Federal positions.

PUBLIC (RITA.VOLPE-2012-0064): http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/314705100

MERIT PROMOTION (RITA.VOLPE-2012-0063): http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/314704500

Subway Seating and Social Etiquitte – You will never ignore that old man standing in your train after seeing this video

April 24, 2012 at 2:35 pm

SubWars from SeanSoong on Vimeo.

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: Director of the Office of Transportation Analysis – U.S.DOT Research and Innovative Tech. Administration @ Washington, DC

April 19, 2012 at 5:54 pm

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks a senior executive to serve as the Director for the Office of Transportation Analysis within the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). This is a permanent position and it is based in Washington, D.C.

BTS promotes coordinated collection, comparability, and quality standards of transportation data; and facilitates in the closing of important data gaps. Over the years of its existence, BTS established itself with a focus in three key areas, each mandated by legislation;

1) compiling, analyzing, and publishing a comprehensive set of transportation statistics;

2) making statistics readily accessible; and,

3) implementing a long term data collection program.

Under the leadership of the BTS Director, the successful candidate will direct the planning and initiation of a broad and significant range of programs to:

1) identify and address major issues in transportation;

2) identify data gaps and inconsistencies;

3) implement strategies to meet data gaps; and,

4) conduct cross-sectional and trend analyses that can be used to inform decision-making.

RITA is looking for an experienced manager who has experience in developing multi-faceted transportation statistics analysis programs and managing teams with diverse skill sets. The Office of Transportation Analysis has two principal programs — Freight Statistics Analysis and International Transportation Statistics. The Office compiles essential and continuing statistics and key indicators on the Nation’s transportation system to inform policy development and investment decision by DOT, Congress, federal, state, and local governments and the private sector. The Office conducts analysis and prepares special reports on strategic performance measures of all modes of transportation. The Office leads the preparation of several annual, monthly, and quarterly reports and data releases including those legislatively mandated for BTS.

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

This announcement is posted to the Public and to Merit Promotion eligible applicants on www.usajobs.opm.gov. Please know that Merit Promotion announcements are the vehicle through which Federal employees generally apply for Federal positions.

PUBLIC: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/314490100

MERIT PROMOTION: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/314492900 

You didn’t believe when I said cycling is sexy and irresistibly cool

April 17, 2012 at 6:15 pm

Source: Imgur via Reddit

Came across this cool pic. and had to share.. If you need a reason to buy a bicycle, here is all you need.  It doesn’t get any better than this. LOL!

Image Courtesy: Imgur via Reddit

A warrior’s final journey – NASA Space Shuttle Discovery Makes Final Flight Over Nation’s Capitol; Leaves Behind A Lot of Inspired People and A Beautiful Legacy

April 17, 2012 at 5:35 pm

(via National Geographic)

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After decades of tireless hardwork and 39 trips, a national icon – NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery – made its final journey to its resting place in Washington, DC region today.  The shuttle will be permanently retired at the Smithsonian Udvar Hazy Center near Dulles, VA. NASA coordinated with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to navigate through the restricted air space over Washington, D.C. I got a chance to see the shuttle fly-by as it floated majestically perched atop a NASA jet. It was a bitter sweet moment watching it fly-by for not just me but for the entire nation that grew up watching the marvelous machines soar into the space.  Not only did the shuttles ferry supplies to the space station but along the way they inspired a generation of innovators and encouraged many of us to dream big.

Image Courtesy: Washington Post (Photo by Linda Davidson)

On this momentous occasion, the shuttle in one single fly-by also accomplished what usually takes a government billions of dollars and decades of hard work . It left people inspired at what is possible if we put our heads together and encouraged everyone to dream big.  The pic. above, taken by Linda Davidson (courtesy of Washington Post) shows the excitement on the faces of a few from the next generation of dreamers.  Look at the inspiration on the faces of these children as they react to the shuttle Discovery fly-by. Priceless!

Land of the Free? A series of TSA images invalidate the claim

April 17, 2012 at 3:05 pm

(Source: Imgur via Reddit)

TSA has a long way to go in reshaping/redefining itself in the public’s psychology…

What kind of sorcery is this – Turntable Ride (and kit) Converts Bike Into Electronic Instrument

April 17, 2012 at 2:20 pm

(Source: LaughingSquid.com)

Turntable Rider was created by BMX rider Kotaro Tanaka, DJ Baku, and artist Toshiyuki Sugai for Japanese bikesharing service Cogoo (making-of video).  More deets.

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