Northwestern University Transportation Center offers Infrastructure Pricing Executive Program (focus: Highway Infrastructure Pricing)

July 31, 2012 at 6:51 pm

On Sept. 10-12  the Northwestern University Transportation Center will again offer its Infrastructure Pricing Executive Program – this year focusing on Highway Infrastructure Pricing.

Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this highly relevant and timely program aimed at transportation professionals who manage private and public fee paying facilities; engineers and project managers who oversee maintenance and new construction; and consultants and advisors to infrastructure providers and those who finance infrastructure projects.

Topics to be covered will include dynamic and congestion pricing, demand forecasting, private/public partnerships, infrastructure investments decision-making based on projected revenues, network demand prediction tools and more.

20% Discount for Government and Academic Registrations; Early Bird rate available until Aug. 17th.

Please contact Ms. Diana Marek if you have any questions.

For more information and to Register see:  Pricing Highway Infrastructure Executive Program

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I wish more big cities followed the City of Auburn, New York parking enforcement policy

July 30, 2012 at 7:47 pm

Fellow redditor yakshamash posted this note earlier explaining the situation: “I was going through a town in NY and decided I needed food, I parked and went into a diner, 15 minutes later I look out the window and notice that there was a meter near my car, I run out and feed it, but I was too late. The dreaded slip of paper was under my winsheild. I grabed it to see what the damage was, and was surprised to find this”

What I appreciate the most here is that the City of Auburn lives by its motto – Focused on being The Best Small City in State of New York State.   Now, why don’t the big cities like Washington, DC follow this business-friendly model of parking enforcement instead of their current money-hungry anti-business parking policies which does nothing but increase the anxiety of the customer..

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Job Alert: Virginia DOT (VDOT) Division Administrator for Operations and Security

July 25, 2012 at 4:45 pm

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has an exceptional opportunity for a proven professional as the Division Administrator for Operations and Security. This position offers the challenges and rewards of building, directing and overseeing the statewide operations and Security Division within VDOT. VDOT - Virginia Department of Transportation

The selected individual will manage policy, process, program direction and support to regions and other VDOT Divisions such as Statewide Incident Management, Regional Smart Traffic Operations, Emergency Operations, Operations Management Systems, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and real-time Traveler Information & Services. You will evaluate division functional program areas and staffing needs, recommend and implement desired changes. Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the activities of the Operations and Security Division and ensure alignment with overall agency goals and performance measures. Responsible for overall leadership in the program areas of Intelligent Transportation Systems, operability of Smart Traffic Centers, and various file operations and services in conjunction with the regions and critical infrastructure and Homeland Security implementation and data integration for traveler information, Incident Management, and Safety Service Patrol.

For complete details to apply, click on this link .

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MIT Study On Disease Contagion Identifies & Ranks Airports In Terms of Their Ability To Spread Pandemic Diseases

July 25, 2012 at 2:55 pm

(via MIT News)

Airports in New York, Los Angeles and Honolulu are judged likeliest to play a significant role in the growth of a pandemic.

Apart from the aesthetic beauty this dynamic data visualization, the video also offers a lot to think about if you are a person tasked with natioanl security should a contagious disease be detected…  Also, it helped me understand how pandemics can easily spread between far flung places via air travelers. Pretty interesting yet quite scary stuff..  That said, it makes me wonder how ready is our aviation infrastructure to handle a healthcare crisis like the one triggered by SARS or h1n1 virus a few years a back..

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzhKyD19ZEY&hd=1′]

Click here to read the analysis published on MIT News

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Career Building Alert: AASHTO ENGINEERING FELLOW – AN INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE

July 25, 2012 at 2:13 pm

Nature of Position:

American Association of State Highway and Tran...

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO ) Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The successful candidate will assist senior AASHTO engineering staff in the work it provides for the Board of Directors (i.e., the Secretaries of Transportation from the State DOTs), the Standing Committee on Highways (i.e., the Chief Engineers), and its subcommittees, which include design, construction, bridges, traffic engineering, operations, maintenance, materials, and others. The following are some of the potential activities of the successful candidate:

• assisting in the development and update of AASHTO’s technical standards, such as the Green Book, Roadside Design Guide, and Bicycle Guide;

• assisting in organizing national meetings and conferences by providing assistance to AASHTO committee officers;

• participating in AASHTO committee meetings around the country;

• assisting in the development of national policy on transportation operations and project delivery; and

• providing other assistance as required.

The incumbent may also work with a variety of technical committees in the production of engineering and operations-related professional publications, and will respond to technical inquiries on AASHTO publications and policies.

Education: A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering is required.

Skill Requirement: A broad understanding of the technical aspects of one or more aspects of transportation engineering and a sound comprehension of the administrative, legislative, and regulatory process at the federal and state levels. Excellent written and oral communication skills are also desired. The incumbent must be able to travel.

Relevant Experience: Approximately 8 to 15 years of professional experience in transportation is required, preferably in a State DOT. It is desirable that some of the previous experience be at a policy planning or management level in a state, local, or federal transportation agency.

Relationships: The incumbent will have contact with AASHTO committee members through meeting attendance, correspondence, and telephone contacts and will assist other AASHTO staff members as required by the Program Director.

Position Responsibilities: The incumbent will provide input as requested relative to association policy formulation. From a technical perspective, the incumbent is expected to work with the various AASHTO technical committees on standards, training, and research. This individual may be called on to participate in various planning efforts, and is responsible for developing certain elements of the association’s annual and spring conferences. Depending on the specific duties assigned, the individual may be expected to assist with publication activities.

The incumbent will be expected to draft, write, or edit transportation policy statements or resolutions related to assigned duties, or other areas of interest to the association. However, such positions may not be established without approval by higher authorities.

Since this is a competitive position among interested state departments of transportation, recruitment time is unknown, but is estimated to be three months from the date of advertisement.

Expenses: The position will include a monthly living stipend reimbursable to a maximum of $2,200 per month, plus a public transit subsidy of up to $120 per month. AASHTO will pay a one-time round-trip transportation ticket to/from Washington, DC. Appropriate business expenses related to AASHTO work and travel assignments will be reimbursed.

Competition: A panel of AASHTO managers and engineering staff will evaluate applicants. Send resume and letter of endorsement from State DOT director to AASHTO, Attention: Human Resource Manager, 444 N. Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20001. Resumes and letters of endorsement may also be submitted by e-mail to cbeauvais@aashto.org or by fax to 202-624-8471. EOE/M/F/D.

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Job Alert: Program Director, Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office @ USDOT – Washington, DC

July 24, 2012 at 3:33 pm

JOB SUMMARY:

Come on board with us and take a journey that will challenge your mind and develop your career. The quality of our lives, the shape of our communities and the productivity of our Nation’s economy depend on our transportation systems. We recognize and value the importance of our workforce and the diversity of backgrounds and ideas that each employee brings.

The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program uses advanced computer systems and telecommunication technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of our Nation’s surface transportation system. The Department of Transportation (DOT) established the ITS Joint Program Office in 1994 to serve as DOT’s primary advocate and national leader for the ITS Research Program. It coordinates program components with the other DOT organizational elements (the Federal Highway Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) to ensure that the Nation’s traveling public and the economy benefit from technology advancements that increase mobility and safety, i.e., faster, safer, and more reliable transportation.

Application deadline: August 22, 2012

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

  • You must be a U.S. citizen
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
  • Provide all required documents by closing date

DUTIES:

The Program Director will influence the future of the nation’s ITS program. The selectee uses expert knowledge and experience with the application of advanced computer information and/or telecommunications technologies to the delivery of surface transportation to establish the strategic direction for the ITS program; advises the Research and Innovative Technologies (RITA) Administrator and the ITS Management Council on ITS policy, program strategy, and budget allocation; and represents the Department’s ITS program interests. As an advocate for the Joint Program Office’s Department-wide role in administering the ITS program, the selectee maintains contact and coordinates with the technology industry, automobile industry, and transportation interests, both public and private, and exhibits independent innovation in leading the ITS program. The Program Director oversees Federal ITS research and development, operational tests, and deployment projects and activities being conducted by DOT modal administrations and directs the development and maintenance of the National ITS Architecture and standards.

Click here to learn more and to apply

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Rock the Rails – How children of New York’s 1% (a.k.a filthy rich) Ride Public Transport

July 20, 2012 at 6:11 pm

(Source: via Business Insider)

So, this is how the kids of 1% (a.k.a the rich people) like to ride transit in New York.. A group of 20 somethings on their way from Hamptons  decided to have fun on the train and did so with a frat-style, beer drenched, slip and slide party on the floor of a Long Island Railroad train.. No wonder these days kids do not want to have driving licenses!  Hey, be glad they did not party this hard behind the wheels of a car.. Hope this gives them an opportunity to realize how much fun it is to ride transit..

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UdDwaNNuUU’]

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Today in 1969 (July 20) – Men Walked On Moon; Mankind Took One Giant Leap

July 20, 2012 at 5:58 pm

Shown below is the celebration of an iconic occasion in the history of mankind – This day, July 20, in 1969, three men landed on the moon and kicked off a generation of dreamers and achievers.  Legendary astronaut, Neil Armstrong  said it in one succinct phrase: “One small Step for a Man, one giant leap for mankind”.. Read all about the famous Apollo 11 mission here

Image courtesy: New York Times

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IRF 2012 Student Essay Competition

July 17, 2012 at 4:12 pm

(Via YPT Voice)

IRF is pleased to announce the 2012 IRF Student Essay Competition. This competition, open to all students attending an IRF Member university in good-standing, has a $500 cash award for the winning essays. Thanks to input from various IRF Member organizations, we have structured this year’s program to generate maximize participation by IRF member universities and their students. Specifically, IRF is providing several topics within each of the competition categories for the essay competition. Participants may choose any topic within any category for their essays, or professors may wish to limit the topics based on their particular curriculum.

English: IRF logo

English: IRF logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Topics include:

  • Road Safety
  • Innovations in Finance
  • Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
  • Sustainable Roads
  • Pavement Technology, Management, and Maintenance

Click here for more information on the competition and eligible topics:  2012Topics

All papers must be submitted online at https://irf.wufoo.com/forms/w7w4p7/and be received by 5:00 p.m. (EST), October 31, 2012.  We look forward to strong participation by all of IRF’s valued university members this year! If you have any questions about the competition, please contact Kathy Mejasich at +1 703 535 1001 / kmejasich@irfnews.org. Thank you for your support!

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U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Request for Information Regarding Nomadic Data Collection Devices

July 17, 2012 at 12:54 pm

Responses Due COB July 24, 2012

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a Request for Information (RFI) for documents related to nomadic devices for real time data collection.  The announcement is not a solicitation for proposals or proposal abstracts.  The purpose of the notice is to obtain information, for planning purposes, regarding:

(1) the availability of nomadic data collection devices for real time travel data with what are perceived to be unique capabilities for operating in a highly mobile environment; and

(2) to determine whether the needed capabilities exist or where there are gaps that need to be filled, through the development and certification of new data acquisition devices and/or systems.

Information gathered through public comment will inform decisions on whether and how to acquire devices as part of the connected vehicle mobility research program’s testing agenda.  The notice provides a high-level description of the envisioned capabilities of the devices.  Respondents are invited to comment on any of the items described herein; in particular, respondents are encouraged to address the specific questions featured at the end of this RFI.

Interested parties can visit www.fbo.gov

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