Webinar Alert – Talking Operations: How to Implement a Congestion Pricing Project: Alternate Delivery Models

June 24, 2010 at 6:21 pm

Date: July 7, 2010, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT

Speakers:

  • Lisa Castaneda, P.E.,  Harris County (TX) Toll Road Authority
  • Paul A. Lampley, P.E., Florida DOT District Four

This Webinar,  will examine two different models for deploying congestion pricing projects. Lisa Castaneda, P.E., of the Harris County (TX) Toll Road Authority will discuss the new I-10/Katy Freeway.

The Katy Toll way/Managed Lanes is the first multi-lane electronic tollway in the Nation with full design standards, and it was developed through a public-private partnership. Additionally, Paul A. Lampley, P.E., of Florida DOT District Four, will discuss how Availability Payments were used to finance the upgrade of a 10.5-mile segment of I-595 between I-75/Sawgrass Expressway and I-95 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Similar in concept to pass-through tolls, availability payments are a means of compensating a private concessionaire for its responsibility to design, construct, operate, and/or maintain a tolled or non-tolled roadway for a set period of time.

Click here to register.

Webinar Alert: Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Planning for Transportation Operations – A New Resource

February 10, 2010 at 6:33 pm

Tuesday, February 23rd

1:00 to 2:30 PM EST

Please join us for a free Webinar hosted by the National Transportation Operations Coalition on Tuesday, February 23rd from 1:00 to 2:30 PM EST. Click on the URL below to register.

Integrating operations into a metropolitan transportation plan can lead to important improvements that customers care about: increased efficiency, reliability, safety, security, travel options, and more. The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration have developed a desk reference that can help metropolitan planning organizations and their planning partners meet the challenge of integrating operations into the plan and realize the benefits. The desk reference assists planners and operators in using specific operations objectives and performance measures to plan for operations. It contains an extensive menu of operations objectives and performance measures that planners and operators can draw from for their own plans. Excerpts from a sample plan illustrate the integration of operations into a plan.

This seminar will offer a preview of this new tool. Audiences will have an opportunity to hear how two MPOs are using an objectives-driven, performance-based approach to plan for operations and the desk reference. This is the second in a series of two Talking Operations Webinars on the objectives-driven, performance-based approach. Tune in to hear about the experiences of two more metropolitan planning organizations.

The speakers will be:

  • Richard Backlund, FHWA Office of Operations, Egan Smith, FHWA Office of Planning, and John Sprowls, FTA Office of Planning
  • Deena Platman, Principal Transportation Planner, Metro, Portland, Oregon
  • Lance Wilber, Central Region Director, Alaska Department of Transportation and former Municipality of Anchorage Traffic Director.

To Register, Click this URL: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=19485

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Webinar Alert – Talking Operations: Using Incentive Payments to Affect Commuting Behavior — August 19, 2009

August 12, 2009 at 7:01 pm

Date:  August 19, 2009

Time: 3:00 PM -4:30 PM EST

Speakers:

  • Balaji Prabhakar, Stanford University
  • Nicholas W. Ramfos, Director, Commuter Connections, National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board

This webinar will examine a project in India, led by Dr. Balaji Prabhakar, where a variety of payments and lottery awards were tested to encourage bus commuters to shift their schedules to just outside of peak periods. Dr. Prabhakar’s presentation will discuss the specific tests that were conducted and the results of each.

Closer to home, Dr. Prabhakar is also beginning to help try to solve some of Stanford University’s parking and commuting challenges in a policy climate that leaves little room for error¿the university is subjected to heavy penalties if the campus exceeds its allowance for peak-period car commuters.

Dr. Prabhakar has some very creative ideas for testing incentives related to parking at Stanford, which he plans to share in this Webinar, and the technological know-how to implement them and determine their effects.

The webinar will also provide a brief look at incentive programs implemented in the Washington DC metropolitan region to help reduce congestion. Nicholas Ramfos, the Director of the Commuter Connections program at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments will highlight incentives including a region-wide Guaranteed Ride Home Program, free consulting services and equipment lease reimbursements to employers that start or expand a telework program, and a new demonstration program that will be launched this fall which will pay commuters to carpool in designated congested corridors in the region. Nicholas Ramfos’ brief presentation will focus mostly on this newest demonstration program.

Click here to Register and for additional information on the event.

National Transportation Operations Coalition (NTOC) Talks Newsletter: July 1, 2009

July 1, 2009 at 12:50 pm

National Transportation Operations Coalition

Coordinating, Planning and Managing the Effects of Roadway Construction with ITS Technology Web Briefing
http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_workzone.asp
Category > Opportunity: July 1, 2009 (ITE)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) allocates significant funding to state transportation agencies for highway infrastructure investment projects. These funds are being used to rehabilitate roadway surfaces, build new capacity and deploy Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and other applications to improve operations. It is important to coordinate work zone planning and operations to avoid undue burdens on the traveling public and ensure safe and efficient traffic flow through individual work zones. The Web briefing will focus on ITS applications as a component of a larger work zone transportation management plan used to facilitate the coordination of multiple work zone projects as well as the planning, design and operation of individual work zones. It will highlight cost-effective technology applications available to state and local DOTs that can be rapidly deployed to improve work zone safety and mobility. See course details and learning objectives by accessing the link above. This event is sponsored by the U.S. DOT Research Innovative Technology Administration ITS Professional Capacity Building Program.

Date: Thursday, July 23, 2009
Credit: 1.5 PDH
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Site Fee: $15.00 (Member/Non-Member/Full-time Student)
Intended Audience: Traffic/Transportation Engineers and Consultants

T3 Webinar: Advancing Traffic Signal Management Programs through Regional Collaboration
http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s090701_signal.asp
Category > Opportunity: July 1, 2009 (U.S. DOT)

This free T3 Webinar, taking place July 23, 2009 from 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET, will explore Regional Traffic Signal Management Programs from an intuitional and organizational perspective. Over the last decade, Regional Traffic Signal Management Programs have developed in many metropolitan areas with the primary objective of improving traffic signal timing. How successful have these programs been at achieving and sustaining this objective? What types of organizational structures, funding, and technology facilitate the operation of the system? There are many approaches to starting, organizing, and sustaining regional programs; a cross section of these, will be explored from the perspective of State DOTs, Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Local Agencies. The activities, funding sources and champions that sustain regional programs are as diverse as the regions themselves; exploring and discussing these is an important step in improving and advancing traffic signal operations nationally.

For more information and to register, click on the link above.

T3 Webinars are brought to you by the ITS Professional Capacity Building Program (ITS PCB) at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT) ITS Joint Program Office, Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA).

Traffic Analysis Tools Volume IX: Work Zone Modeling and Simulation: A Guide for Analysts
http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/traffic_analysis/tatv9_wz/tatvol_9.pdf
Category > Now Available: July 1, 2009 (FHWA)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a report that explores practices that can be used by an analyst, researcher, or manager in charge of conducting a specific work zone analysis project or who has been charged with developing an overall work zone modeling program or approach.  This document is the second volume in the FHWA Traffic Analysis Toolbox: Work Zone Analysis series.

Announcement of Upcoming Michigan IntelliDrive Test Bed Operation and Maintenance Procurement
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=805f843cd625e8dae8383a82383dedac&tab=core&_cview=0
Category > Opportunity: July 1, 2009 (FHWA)

FHWA estimates issuance of RFP DTFH61-09-R-00029 for the Michigan IntelliDrive Test Bed Operation and Maintenance within 60 days or later of this notice. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held in Detroit, Michigan. Time and exact location will be specified in the RFP. Any questions pertaining to this notice shall be emailed to charles.kotch@dot.gov. Answers to all questions received, will be discussed and documented at the Pre-Proposal Conference. No questions will be answered prior to the conference.

FHWA Traffic Incident Management Self Assessment Web Conference: July 30
https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=17432
Category > Now Available: July 30, 2009 (FHWA)

Please join a panel discussion on the Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Self Assessment at a Web conference on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Panelists will present a discussion of the TIM Self Assessment process, success stories and best practices, cumulative results of the survey, the role in strategic performance metric measurements and potentially new criteria to capture incident performance collection activities.  In addition, FHWA will present a demonstration of the new TIM Self-Assessment automated tool.

For more information and to register, click on the following link:
https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=17432

ITS America Announces Webinar Series on Climate Change and Transportation
http://www.itsa.org/itsa/files/ITSAWebinarSeriesOrderForm.doc
Category > Opportunity: July 30, 2009 (ITSA)

The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) is pleased to announce a series of Webinars focusing on how climate change can affect surface transportation.

“What Does Climate Change Legislation Mean for Surface Transportation?” will be held from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8.

“How is California Addressing Surface Transportation Issues?” will be held from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15.

“What is Detroit Doing to Alleviate Environmental Concerns in Surface Transportation?” will be held from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22.

The registration fee for members of ITS America is $45 per Webinar (or $105 for the series) and $90 per Webinar for nonmembers or ($240 for the series).

To register, download the registration form through the link above.

“Transportation Management Center of the Future” Now Available on DVD
http://www.itsa.org/press_release_content/c215_d2968/News.html
Category > Now Available: July 30, 2009 (ITSA)

Brought to you by ITS America and seen at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, the “Transportation Management Center of the Future” was a 3,200 square foot exhibition that showcased the integration of active probe data into the most advanced applications of Transportation Management Center (TMC) systems. This one-of-a-kind exhibition is now available as a 45-minute DVD.

A Speed Nudge?
http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/06/22/a-speed-nudge/
Category > Breaking News: July 30, 2009 (NTOC)

Speed limit signs tell the driver how fast they can legally drive. What if they actually told them something more useful — namely how fast to drive so that one is assured of not having to stop at the next light? Read the complete blog entry by Tom Vanderbilt through the link above.

TRB Webinar: Climate Change 101
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/543458008?utm_medium=etmail&utm_source=Transportation%20Research%20Board&utm_campaign=TRB+E-Newsletter+-+06-23-2009&utm_content=Customer&utm_term=
Category > Opportunity: July 1, 2009 (TRB)

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) will conduct a Webinar on Tuesday, June 30, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT that will explore the fundamentals of climate change with Dr. Steven Davis-Mendelow.  Dr. Davis-Mendelow is a spokesperson for The Climate Project, an international non-profit founded by former Vice President Al Gore.  Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the Webinar, space is limited, and there is a fee for non-TRB Sponsor employees.

Dr. Davis-Mendelow will provide an engaging presentation about the fundamentals of climate change to help the transportation community better plan policy and projects.  Mr. William Malley, partner at the law firm of Perkins Coie LLP, will provide comments after Dr. Davis-Mendelow’s presentation. This Webinar is based on a 2009 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting session.

Critical Issues in Transportation: 2009 Update
http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=10526&utm_medium=etmail&utm_source=Transportation%20Research%20Board&utm_campaign=TRB+E-Newsletter+-+06-23-2009&utm_content=Customer&utm_term=
Category > Now Available: July 1, 2009 (TRB)

TRB’s Executive Committee periodically identifies a set of critical issues in transportation to focus attention on their likely impact on the nation’s economy and quality of life. The 2009 Critical Issues update elevates the importance of energy and environmental issues to reflect the prominence that these topics have gained in national debates about energy security and climate change. Greater emphasis also is given to the issues of the condition and financing of infrastructure, to help policy makers prepare for the reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs that expire in 2009.

The urgency of addressing the critical issues has never been greater. The Executive Committee hopes that readers of this list will become aware of and concerned about these issues, and will join in addressing the problems in transportation so that society and the economy can reap the many benefits.

To order free copies of Critical Issues in Transportation, please contact Russell Houston, TRB’s Senior Communications Officer, at rhouston@nas.edu or 202-334-3252.  In your correspondence, please include the number of copies of the publication you need, the audience you are going to be sharing them with and your full mailing address.

ITE 2009 Annual Meeting and Exhibit: Early Bird Rates Expire July 9!
http://www.ite.org/AnnualMeeting/default.asp
Category > Now Available: July 1, 2009 (TRB)

Make plans now to join the Institute of Transportation Engineers at the 2009 Annual Meeting and Exhibit, August 9–12, 2009, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
San Antonio, TX, USA. Click here to see the video about the meeting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rSh1j6GED8.

House T&I Committee Release “The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009”
http://www.ampo.org/assets/818_surfacetransportatonact20.pdf
Category > Breaking News: July 1, 2009 (AMPO)

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure released the Committee Print of the next surface transportation authorization bill, “The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009.” The Subcommittee on Highways and Transit was scheduled to mark up the Committee Print on June 24. The completed bill will be introduced at a later date.

“The Committee lays out a plan to transform our surface transportation system so that it can meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges,” said Chairman James L. Oberstar (Minn.). “It restructures surface transportation programs to a performance-based framework to cut fatalities and injuries on our highways, bring highway, bridge, and public transit systems to a state of good repair, reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, and support robust investment in our nation’s infrastructure.”

“The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 provides our nation a vision and a path towards a 21st Century transportation system. It will make our highways safer, improve our roads and transit systems, make our businesses more competitive by reducing their costs due to time spent in traffic, and reduce the amount of time the average person spends in gridlock,” said Rep. Peter DeFazio (Ore.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. “This is an opportunity to move past broken policies of the past and move toward a more accountable and efficient future.”

A white paper outlining the organizational and policy reforms that will be contained in the new bill was also released. The white paper, entitled “A Blueprint for Investment and Reform,” and the Committee Print released are posted on the Committee’s Web site, http://transportation.house.gov.

Talking Operations Web Cast: Integrating Weather Information in TMC Operations
https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=17167
Category > Opportunity: July 1, 2009 (NTOC)

This free Talking Operations Web cast, taking place August 6, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, will describe the work that Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has done in Traffic Management Center (TMC) weather integration, including the development of the Self-Evaluation and Planning Guide. For complete details and to register, visit the link above.

Roundabout Design and Construction: Key Issues and Solutions Web Seminar
http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_TCWEB.asp
Category > Opportunity: July 1, 2009 (ITE)

This Web briefing is a showcase of selected presentations from the 2009 ITE Technical Conference and Exhibit, Transportation Operations in Action, held in Phoenix, AZ in March 2009. The Web briefing is being offered with support from the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Operations.

Dates: Tuesday, June 30, 2009, Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Credit: 1.5 PDH/.2 IACET CEU
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern
Site Fee: $15.00 (Member/Non-Member/Full-time Student)

Intended Audience: Transportation Planners, Traffic/Transportation Engineers and Consultants

Traffic Operations Practitioner Specialist® (TOPS) Refresher Courses
http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_tops.asp
Category > Opportunity: July 1, 2009 (ITE)

This suite of courses includes six learning modules on traffic operations studies, traffic devices, elements of design, traffic safety, incident management and transportation management. See course details and learning objectives by accessing the link above.

Dates: Wednesday, August 19-September 23, 2009 (Modules 1-6 )
Credit: 9 PDH/.9 IACET CEU
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Eastern
Intended Audience: Transportation Planners, Traffic/Transportation Engineers, Consultants and prospective TOPS exam takers

National Transportation Operations Coalition (NTOC) Newsletter – NTOC Talks: June 3, 2009

June 4, 2009 at 3:00 pm

National Transportation Operations Coalition

Talking Operations Webinar Today: Incorporating Pricing into the Long Range Planning Process
http://www.ntoctalks.com/web_casts.php?PHPSESSID=525a2aaab6e252cbee9e4f9064cc2cfa
Category > Opportunity: June 3, 2009 (NTOC)

A few spots are still available for this free Talking Operations, taking place from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today, June 3. To register, click here: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=17182

Description:  The Value Pricing Pilot Program has demonstrated that the long-range planning process conducted by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) can be an excellent way to begin the discussion about congestion pricing in large metro areas with environmental and financial constraints. Corridor studies offer another opportunity. This webinar will focus on how pricing can be incorporated into the planning process and considered more widely in more metro areas. Speakers from Texas and Washington will present the state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organization perspectives. These states have successfully used the planning process to deploy congestion pricing. Factors that will be discussed include: what was behind the decision to consider congestion pricing early in the planning process; how transportation agencies in these states routinely assess congestion pricing and managed lanes as possible solutions to congestion problems; and, some of the reasons pricing was considered for implementation. In addition, speakers will share information about the process they use to screen potential pricing strategies and models and other analytical tools they relied on to evaluate potential strategies.

Your Input Requested for IntellidriveSM Survey
http://www.itsa.org/press_release_content/c215_d2943/News.html
Category > Opportunity: June 3, 2009 (ITS America)

The IntelliDriveSM (formerly VII) research program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) combines leading edge technologies to provide the capability for vehicles to identify threats and hazards on the roadway and communicate this information over wireless networks to give drivers alerts and warnings. The program is intended to accelerate the development and market adoption of IntelliDriveSM capabilities, whether they emerge through federally funded research initiatives or as a result of independent research activities in the academic, non-profit, or private sector.
 
In support of this initiative, U.S. DOT and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) believe that real progress can happen only if there is widespread understanding of the nature and extent of IntelliDriveSM related research (federally funded or not) and of its emerging application and deployment.

To increase this awareness, ITS America invites you to participate in a survey authorized by U.S. DOT, to:

  • Identify non-federally funded IntelliDriveSM research initiatives underway throughout North America
  • Explore the research needs of the ITS stakeholder community
  • Identify ways in which the ITS stakeholder community can be better supported in its collaboration efforts to develop and deploy ITS technologies

A key outcome of this survey will be the development of a Web-based application that routinely identifies IntelliDriveSM research from non-federally funded sources to augment the more widely known research occurring under federal sponsorship. The application will also promote knowledge transfer and collaboration to enhance greater deployment of IntelliDriveSM in support of our nation’s 21st century surface transportation system. To participate in this survey, please visit: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB2296PFTCMBE.
 
We would like your responses by Friday, June 12. If you have any questions, please contact Brei Whitty at bwhitty@itsa.org.

Transportation Industry’s Best Honored at ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition
http://www.itsa.org/press_release_content/c215_d2951/News.html
Category > Breaking News: June 3, 2009 (ITS America)

ITS America honored the organizations and agencies that demonstrated the most innovative and effective uses of advanced technologies in surface transportation. The awards were presented this week before more than 1,000 of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) leaders during the opening session of ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition at the Gaylord National Hotel & Resort in National Harbor, Maryland.

In the “Best New Practices” category, the public agency winner was the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Traffic Engineering Division for its project “Saving Lives Through Innovative Partnerships – the msTraffic/MED-COM Project.” The private sector company winner was Kapsch TrafficCom won top honors in the “Best New Practices” category for its Smart Road Technologies for Safety and Mobility Travelers” project.
 
In the “Best New Innovative Products or Services” category the public agency winner was the Florida Department of Transportation for its Office of Motor Carrier Compliance and FreightDesk Technologies for its Truck Control System in Aqaba, Jordan.

For more information on the winning practices, products and services, go to http://www.itsa.org/amawards.html.

$1.5 billion TIGER Discretionary Grants Announced—Local Funding Available
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11542.pdf
Category > Breaking News: June 3, 2009 (U.S. DOT)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the availability of $1.5 billion in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grants for capital investment in surface transportation projects. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region, or metropolitan area and can create jobs and benefit economically distressed areas.

The grants can range from $20 million up to $300 million to support high impact transportation projects. Secretary LaHood can waive the minimum grant requirement for beneficial projects in smaller cities, regions, or states. The U.S. Department of Transportation will require rigorous economic justifications for projects over $100 million. To ensure responsible spending, the department will require all fund recipients to report on their activities on a routine basis.

Applications for TIGER discretionary grants must be submitted by September 15, 2009, from state and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities and others. Comments on the criteria must be received by June 1, 2009. The Federal Register notice can be accessed at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11542.pdf.

TDOT Launches New Motorist Information Tool
http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/1969
Category > Breaking News: June 3, 2009 (U.S. DOT)

Motorists who traveled through Nashville, TN, USA this past Memorial Day holiday had an open road and a new tool to help avoid traffic tie-ups. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) suspended all lane closure activities on state roads and interstates and launched TDOT’s first Twitter page to help keep motorists up to date about problems on volunteer state roadways.
 
According to TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely, “Twitter is one more way TDOT can help travelers stay informed about road conditions in the volunteer state.”
 
People wishing to receive TDOT’s Twitter updates can now follow TN511 on Twitter. Motorists can also obtain traffic information on the TDOT Web site and by calling 511 from any land line or cellular phone or by tuning into one of several Highway Advisory Radio stations located in most urban areas.

National Transportation Operations Coalition (NTOC) Newsletter – NTOC Talks: May 20, 2009

May 20, 2009 at 10:53 am

————————————————————————————————————————————————–

FHWA Launches New Climate Change Website

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climate

Category > Now Available: May 20, 2009 (FHWA) 

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has created a new Web site to provide information on FHWA research, publications and resources related to climate change science, policies and actions. Check out the new site at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climate.

 Save the Date for the National Rural Transportation Conference

http://www.RuralTransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=59355

Category > Opportunity: May 20, 2009 (NADO)

Plan now to attend the 2009 National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference, to be held October 28-30, 2009 in Savannah, Georgia.  This year’s conference will feature mobile workshops, peer training and networking opportunities specifically designed for rural and small metropolitan regions. 

Training sessions will cover such policy and technical issues as transportation and economic development, land use, climate change, relationships with state departments of transportation and other planning partners, planning for regional transit and coordinated human services transportation, GIS and technology applications, safety planning, freight and intermodal transportation, finance and other topics. 

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) member organizations are encouraged to submit abstracts of presentations online until May 30, 2009 at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228TVR2RJRU

This year’s conference will also include special networking and learning events held jointly with the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) Annual Conference. This will provide an opportunity to share practices with transportation professionals from medium and large metropolitan regions as well as rural and small metropolitan regions.

For more information, contact NADO Program Manager Carrie Kissel at ckissel@nado.org or 202-624-8829.  For more details on the conference, visit http://www.RuralTransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=59355.

 NADO and AMPO to Offer Climate Change Webinar

http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=69578

Category > Opportunity: May 20, 2009 (AMPO)

Save the date for the upcoming Webinar entitled “Climate Change Is Heating Up: The Latest Information and Resources for Transportation Planning Agencies in Rural, Small- and Medium-sized Regions,” which will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2:00-3:30 p.m.  This Webinar will be offered free of charge, and AICP Certification Maintenance credits may be offered to attendees.

The Webinar will feature presentations by Cindy Burbank, National Planning and Environment Practice Leader for PB Americas, and Harrison Rue, Principal for ICF International. Burbank and Rue will provide an overview of climate change information and its relationship to transportation planning, discuss potential regulatory and legislative issues, economic impacts and prospects for addressing climate change, opportunities to adapt to and mitigate climate change and provide additional resources.

For more information and to register, visit http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=69578.

This Webinar is supported in part by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under Agreement No. DTFH61-06-H-00029. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of FHWA.

 T3 Webinar: Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) Summit for Large Cities 

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s090521_nxtgen.asp

Category > Opportunity: May 20, 2009 (JPO)

This Talking Technology and Transportation (T3) Webinar will take place on May 21, 2009, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. ET. This Webinar will provide a briefing on the status of the NG 9-1-1 Initiative and other development efforts and describe the transition to the National E-911 Implementation Coordination Office that is currently underway.

T3 Webinars are sponsored by the ITS Professional Capacity Building Program at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ITS Joint Program Office. For more information and to register, click on the link above.

T3 Webinar: Minneapolis I-35 Bridge Collapse – A Major Emergency Incident

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s090603_tsagi35.asp

Category > Opportunity: May 20, 2009 (JPO)

This T3 Webinar will take place on  June 3, 2009, from 2:00-5:30 p.m. ET. Within a workshop setting, Transportation Safety Advancement Group members and other public safety professionals review actual public safety related events or incidents for the purpose of identifying management strategies and technology-based applications and corresponding successes, failures and lessons-learned. This Webinar will review the 2007 I-35 (MN) Bridge Collapse.

Case Studies Workshop presenters walk the audience through the tragic events of the day, focusing on 9-1-1 operations, Police, Fire and EMS response, as well as the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation and management. Presenters will share lessons learned and highlight the performance of the Minneapolis 911 Center, of local emergency responders and of operations strategies and technologies at the time of and responding to the incident.

T3 Webinars are sponsored by the ITS Professional Capacity Building Program at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ITS Joint Program Office. For more information and to register, click on the link above.

Public and Private Sector Leaders Call for Deployment of Intelligent Systems and Technologies

http://www.itsa.org/itsa/files/pdf/ITSAmericaAuthorizationProposal-FINAL.pdf

Category > Breaking News: May 20, 2009 (ITS America)

 A coalition of transportation and technology leaders – including state and local officials, industry and academic leaders and prominent stakeholder organizations – is calling on Congress to focus federal funding in the surface transportation authorization bill on the deployment of smart technologies and innovative solutions in order to create a performance-driven, intermodal transportation system that is safer, cleaner, more efficient and more financially sustainable for communities, businesses and the traveling public.

“As a result of successful research initiatives and private sector innovation, technologies are here today which can help increase safety, reduce congestion and emissions, boost competitiveness, improve system performance, and create more livable and sustainable communities,” the coalition wrote today to House transportation leaders. “While a continued and strengthened research role is still needed, it is critical that state and local agencies and private sector partners make better use of technology to modernize today’s infrastructure and optimize existing capacity, while building smart and efficient roads, bridges, transit systems, and multimodal transportation options for tomorrow’s transportation users.” 

ITS America’s complete authorization recommendations are available here: http://www.itsa.org/itsa/files/pdf/ITSAmericaAuthorizationProposal-FINAL.pdf.

Rough Roads Costing Motorists Hundreds More Per Year

http://news.transportation.org/press_release.aspx?Action=ViewNews&NewsID=231

Category > Now Available: May 20, 2009 (AASHTO)

Driving on rough roads costs the average American motorist approximately $400 a year in extra vehicle operating costs. Drivers living in urban areas with populations over 250,000 are paying upwards of $750 more annually because of accelerated vehicle deterioration, increased maintenance, additional fuel consumption, and tire wear caused by poor road conditions.

Rough Roads Ahead: Fix Them Now or Pay for It Later, a report released by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and TRIP, reports that one-third of the nation’s major highways, including Interstates, freeways, and major roads, are in poor or mediocre condition. Roads in urban areas, which carry 66 percent of the traffic, are in much worse shape.

The full report is available at http://roughroads.transportation.org, along with charts, photographs, and examples from states working to improve their highway systems. Rough Roads is part of Are We There Yet? We Can Be!, AASHTO’s effort to build awareness and support for the nation’s transportation system.

 Secretary LaHood: TIGER Discretionary Grants Will Target Major-Impact Transportation Projects, Job Creation

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot6909.htm

Category > Breaking News: May 20, 2009 (U.S. DOT)

 U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the availability of $1.5 billion in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grants for capital investment in surface transportation projects. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region or metropolitan area and can create jobs and benefit economically distressed areas.

“TIGER discretionary funding will open up the door to many new innovative and cutting-edge transportation projects,” said Secretary LaHood. “This is exciting news and I believe that these projects will promote greater mobility, a cleaner environment and more livable communities.”

The grants can range from $20 million up to $300 million to support high impact transportation projects. Secretary LaHood can waive the minimum grant requirement for beneficial projects in smaller cities, regions or states. The U.S. Department of Transportation will require rigorous economic justifications for projects over $100 million. To ensure responsible spending, the department will require all fund recipients to report on their activities on a routine basis.

Applications for TIGER discretionary grants must be submitted by September 15, 2009, from state and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities and others. Comments on the criteria must be received by June 1, 2009. The Federal Register notice can be accessed by clicking here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11542.pdf.

2010 TRB 89th Annual Meeting and Transportation Research Record: Calls for Papers

http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=10343

Category > Opportunity: May 20, 2009 (TRB)

Transportation Research Board standing committees have issued more than 40 calls for papers for the TRB 89th Annual Meeting, January 10-14, 2010, in Washington, D.C, and the Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (TRR). While papers addressing any relevant aspect of transportation research will be considered, some committees are soliciting papers in specific subject areas to help potential authors identify topics for their papers. Committees will be producing calls for papers through June, so authors should visit this site periodically.

The calls for papers can be sorted by major subject area, title, or sponsoring committee. Solicited and unsolicited papers for presentation and/or publication as part of the 89th TRB Annual Meeting and the TRR must be submitted directly to TRB via the online paper submission Web site by August 1, 2009. The paper submission Web site will open in June. By late October, TRB communicates the results of the initial review to the corresponding author indicated on the paper submission form.

Register Now for IBTTA’s Upcoming Meeting – Incident Management, Safety and Security, July 19-21, 2009, Denver, CO

http://www.ibtta.org/Events/eventdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3857

Category > Opportunity: May 20, 2009 (IBTTA)

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) in Denver, CO to learn about best practices from around the world in Incident Management and Emergency Response. Sessions will explore the most effective tools and communication methods available to promote toll facility safety and security; maintain operations in the face of disruption; and effectively communicate with customers during all phases of an incident, from prevention to recovery. Other topics include crisis management during special events, Post Traumatic Distress Disorder and psychological impacts to employees, the role of engineering and maintenance in prevention and safety, and business continuity during disasters. Visit the link above to view the preliminary agenda and register today!

ITS JPO Lesson of the Month

http://www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/WhatNewLessons?OpenForm&Seq=1&type=Lessons

Category > Now Available: May 20, 2009 (JPO)

 The ITS JPO Lesson of the Month for May 2009 is, “Use a common Concept of Operations for evacuation operations that clarifies stakeholder roles and defines coordination activities for all operational phases of the evacuation.” This lesson discusses the usefulness of a shared transportation operations plan in emergency evacuations with advance notice. To read the lesson, click on the link above.

Upcoming ITE Webinars

http://www.ite.org/education/clearinghouse/

Category > Opportunity: May 20, 2009 (ITE)

The Institute of Transportation Engineers is offering the following upcoming Webinars:

Access Management at Intersections Part II

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_accesste.asp#ACCESS_PART_II

Background: Building from the “Access Management at Intersections Part I” web seminar, this web seminar will highlight major classifications of access management techniques at intersections, such as objective of separating conflicts, geometric access management and operational techniques.

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern

Traffic Signal Operations Specialist® (TSOS) Refresher Courses

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_tsos.asp#TSOSSuite

Background: The suite of courses includes five (5) learning modules on traffic signal control, signal design and installation, signal phasing and timing, signal system timing and operations and signal operations and safety review. See individual modules below for course details and learning objectives.

Dates: Thursdays, May 28- June 25, 2009 (Modules 1-5 )

Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern

Professional Traffic Operations Engineer® (PTOE) Refresher Courses

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_ptoe.asp#PTOE__SUITE

Background: The suite of courses includes five (5) learning modules on traffic engineering studies, traffic operations analysis, operational effects of geometric design, traffic safety and traffic control devices. See individual modules below for course details and learning objectives.

Dates: Tuesdays, June 2-30, 2009 (Modules 1-5)

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Eastern

Traffic Operations Practitioner Specialist® (TOPS) Refresher Courses

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_tops.asp#Suite%20REFRESHER

Background: The suite of courses includes six (6) learning modules on traffic operations studies, traffic devices, elements of design, traffic safety, incident management and transportation management. See individual modules below for course details and learning objectives.

Dates: Wednesday, August 19 – September 23, 2009 (Modules 1-6 )

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Eastern

FHWA Exploratory Advanced Research Program: Broad Agency Announcement

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/index.cfm

Category > Opportunity: May 20, 2009 (FHWA)

 The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Exploratory Advanced Research Program has posted its spring Broad Agency Announcement covering 12 topics in four focus areas: nanoscale research; concepts for integrated highway safety and systems operations; new technologies and advanced policies for energy and resource conservation systems; and macro, mega and national scale modeling systems. Proposals are due Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Please see http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/index.cfm.

National Transportation Operations Caolition (NTOC) Newsletter – NTOC Talks: May 6, 2009

May 6, 2009 at 11:11 am

National Transportation Operations Coalition

Ensuring Work Zone Safety and Mobility:

NTOC Interview with the Maryland State Highway Administration

http://www.ntoctalks.com/articles/workzonesafety.php

Category > Now Available: May 6, 2009 (NTOC)

Each year, approximately 1,000 fatalities and 43,000 serious injuries occur in the United States as a result of vehicle accidents in work zones. NTOC Talks interviewed Jawad Paracha, Assistant Division Chief of the Traffic Development and Support Division, and Michael Paylor, Team Leader of the Traffic Policy and Management Team, from the Maryland State Highway Administration (MD-SHA) Office of Traffic and Safety to discuss the state’s work zone safety and mobility efforts.

To read the article about the office’s development of a Work Zone Safety and Mobility Policy, click on the link above. To listen to the audio recording of the NTOC Talks interview, visit:

http://www.ntoctalks.com/recordings/default.php

Talking Operations Webinar: Work Zone Performance Measurement

https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=17055

Category > Opportunity: May 6, 2009 (NTOC)

This free NTOC Webinar will address the rationale for work zone performance monitoring and discuss some specific measures, data, and methods that can be used to monitor work zone performance. Speakers will share examples and lessons learned from a pilot test of performance monitoring at five work zones and from several years of experience collecting and analyzing data at a State DOT. Presentations will include: Work Zone Performance Monitoring and the Safety and Mobility Rule (Tracy Scriba, FHWA); Results of Work Zone Performance Measures Pilot Test (Jerry Ullman, Texas Transportation Institute); and Collection and Use of Work Zone Performance Measurement Data in Ohio (Dave Holstein, Ohio Department of Transportation).

The Webinar will take place May 28 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Eastern Time. To register, click on the link above.

Work Zone White Paper Now Available

http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2009/road_construction_tech.htm

Category > Now Available: May 6, 2009 (U.S. DOT)

The U.S. Department of Transportation prepared a white paper titled, “Coordinating, Planning, and Managing the Effects of Roadway Construction with Technology,” to inform public agencies about the use of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to manage construction work zones. This is a particularly relevant topic given the large number of construction projects that are expected from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. The paper contains information about examples of ITS applications and their benefits in work zones. A number of resources are also referenced. The white paper provides information and does not reflect a U.S. DOT policy position.

 FHWA Exploratory Advanced Research Program: Broad Agency Announcement

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/index.cfm

Category > Opportunity: May 6, 2009 (FHWA)

 The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Exploratory Advanced Research Program has posted its spring Broad Agency Announcement covering 12 topics in four focus areas: nanoscale research; concepts for integrated highway safety and systems operations; new technologies and advanced policies for energy and resource conservation systems; and macro, mega and national scale modeling systems. Proposals are due Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Please see http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/index.cfm.

 FHWA Office of Operations Publishing Congestion Pricing Primer Series

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/

Category > Opportunity: May 6, 2009 (FHWA)

The FHWA Office of Operations has begun posting online a Congestion Pricing Primer Series. This series is part of FHWA’s outreach efforts to introduce the various aspects of congestion pricing to decision-makers and transportation professionals in the United States. The primers are intended to lay out the underlying rationale for congestion pricing and some of the technical issues associated with its implementation in a manner that is accessible to non-specialists in the field. Primers that provide a basic overview of congestion pricing, and the technology to enable congestion pricing, have been posted, with additional volumes to follow soon.

ITS Strategic Planning Workshop: June 4, 2009

http://www.itsa.org/ITS_Strategic_Planning.html

Category > Opportunity: May 6, 2009 (ITS JPO)

The ITS Joint Program Office and its modal partners are hosting a workshop at the ITS America Annual Meeting at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, to engage stakeholders in their strategic planning effort. The meeting will be held on June 4, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The goal of the workshop is to elicit discussion on the vision and direction for ITS research for the next five years and beyond. Specifically, the Department seeks input and insights into a proposed set of goals and objectives for the ITS Program. Additionally, the Department is interested in exploring new opportunities for research and development, technology transfer, and evaluation of next generation ITS technologies.

The workshop is designed to present the results-to-date of the strategic planning effort and to invite discussion from the public. Participants will be offered the opportunity for question and answer exchanges as well as engaged in break-out sessions. Feedback will be captured and incorporated into the ITS strategic planning effort.

Using this input, the Department expects to be able to develop a research agenda that reflects the critical role of advanced technologies in achieving transformative change in the areas of safety, mobility, environmental stewardship, and deployment policy; and to develop a Strategic Plan that reflects the current and future needs of the ITS industry.

There is a limited number of space, all participants must register prior to event. You can register at http://www.itsa.org/ITS_Strategic_Planning.html. There are also a limited number of grants for state and local agency public sector travel; these are available on a first come first serve basis, limited to one representative per agency. If interested and for more information please contact Chris Lane at clane@itsa.org or 202-721-4225.

 Glossary of Regional Transportation Systems Management and Operations Terms

http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=10302&utm_medium=etmail&utm_source=Transportation%20Research%20Board&utm_campaign=TRB+E-Newsletter+-+04-28-2009&utm_content=Customer&utm_term

Category > Now Available: May 6, 2009 (TRB)

 Now available from the Transportation Research Board, the Transportation Research Circular E-C133: Glossary of Regional Transportation Systems Management and Operations Terms is designed to provide clear definitions of terms as they are typically used in the context of regional transportation systems management and operations. To access the document, click on the link above.

 Presentations Now Available: ITE 2009 Technical Conference and Exhibit

http://www.ite.org/meetcon/2009TC/default.asp

Category > Now Available: May 6, 2009 (ITE)

 The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) 2009 Technical Conference and Exhibit, Transportation Operations in Action, took place March 22-25, 2009 in Phoenix, AZ, USA. Presentations from the technical sessions are now available online at http://www.ite.org/meetcon/2009TC/default.asp.

Presentations Now Available: Planned and Unplanned Events

http://www.ite.org/meetcon/2009TransOps/default.asp

Category > Now Available: May 6, 2009 (ITE)

 The 2009 National Conference on Transportation Operations for Planned and Unplanned Events specifically addressed nonrecurring congestion and its associated safety impacts as part of a Traffic Incident Management-Planned Special Events-Emergency Transportation Operations continuum. Presentations from the sessions are now available online at http://www.ite.org/meetcon/2009TransOps/default.asp.

Bottom Line Report Projects Price to Reduce Congestion, Improve Safety

Category > Breaking News: May 6, 2009 (AASHTO)

http://bottomline.transportation.org

 According to the Bottom Line Report, released by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the American Public Transportation Association, governments at all levels will need to more than double their spending on highways and bridges by 2015 to keep up with increased traffic; freight congestion; the demands of aging highways and bridges; and the growth of the nation’s population. Transit spending would need to quadruple to serve increased ridership. In exchange, smoother roads, less time lost to congestion, expanded transit service and substantial savings in vehicle owner costs are the benefits Americans can expect.

In addition, the report finds that another $13 billion would be needed annually for areas such as environmental mitigation, highway operations, safety programs and security. Using modeling techniques to project the impacts of highway improvement projects, the Bottom Line Report indicates that roads will be markedly smoother, speed levels will increase by about 5 percent and hours of delay will decline by 16.5 percent, meaning drivers will save about 12 hours per year they would otherwise spend sitting in traffic. User costs would drop by about $27 per 1,000 miles driven, for a savings of more than $400 per car each year.

The Bottom Line Report can be accessed on the AASHTO Web site at http://bottomline.transportation.org.

Traffic Signal Timing Ranked Among 20 Transportation Priorities for Stimulus Funding

http://stimulus.smartgrowthamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/20-projects-report-compressed.pdf

Category > Breaking News: May 6, 2009 (NTOC)

Smart Growth America’s report, Spending the Stimulus, lists 20 ways that state officials can spend the federal funding on ready-to-go projects that will address long-neglected transportation priorities while providing speedy and robust job creation and economic recovery. The report, which references ITE as a resource, lists improving traffic signal operations and implementing congestion management programs as part of the proposed investments.

Smart Growth America partnered with state and local groups across the country to release the report showing the many ways the money can be used in each state to address their citizens’ transportation priorities. The report is available at http://stimulus.smartgrowthamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/20-projects-report-compressed.pdf.

The Old Streetlamp of the Past Gets Updated for a Green Future

(Link to article by Rebecca Smith, Wall Street Journal)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124035903357241327.html

Category > Breaking News: May 6, 2009 (NTOC)

Streetlights were the first big users of electricity. Now, they are being re-engineered to improve efficiency, but at a cost that today’s municipalities might have a tough time covering. San Jose, CA, USA, in the heart of Silicon Valley, is testing a concept called “adaptive lighting,” in which streets can be made brighter, darker or even illuminated with flashing strobes upon command.

By summer, the city will have installed 125 streetlamps using LED technology, in one of the biggest urban tests of the science so far in the United States. The city hopes to cut down on energy use, and, hopefully, lower its utility costs, by tapping LED lighting’s greater flexibility. The test in San Jose coincides with a broad push by federal and state agencies to modernize the nation’s lighting infrastructure.

Unlike regular streetlamps, LED lights can be programmed to respond to specific commands. For example, a city could dim the lighting on commercial strips after business hours, or turn up the lights after bars close, says Jim Helmer, director of San Jose’s transportation department. Streets around Little League baseball diamonds could be made brighter as people walk to their cars, and then turned down afterward.

San Jose expects to spend $150,000 to $200,000 on a pilot project in its Hillview North neighborhood, and it is seeking an additional $2 million in federal stimulus funds to enlarge the test. The LED streetlights being tested in San Jose could save anywhere from 10 to 60 percent on energy use, depending on their brightness. The white LEDs will have a range of between one and 82 watts and will replace 55-watt, yellowish sodium-vapor lamps.

Detroit’s New Traffic Management System Up and Running

(Link to article in Traffic Technology Today)

http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=11585

Category > Breaking News: May 6, 2009 (NTOC)

Detroit’s new $3.6 million Traffic Management Center has been opened by Mayor Ken Cockrel. The center will be part of the city’s ITS system and will be operated under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering Division. Information from traffic signal-mounted cameras is transported via a wireless communications network to the center, where street conditions are monitored on six separate large screen monitors to provide a 3×1.5m videowall. The wall can also be configured to display up to 12 separate camera feeds from the city.

Phase I of the new traffic management system is now complete and includes the conversion of 30 selected traffic signals in the downtown area. Phase II is currently under way and involves the installation of ITS hardware at 29 traffic signals along East Jefferson from Rivard to Alter. Phase III will see the installation of ITS hardware at 65 traffic signals in the Wayne State University, Cultural Center and Detroit Medial Center areas. Phase III is expected to be completed during 2010. Future expansion of the system will include installing additional units on other major streets throughout the city.

Notice of Intent to Adopt ITE ITS Standard NTCIP 1103 v02

http://www.ite.org/standards/NTCIP_1103v02_RS.pdf

Category > Opportunity: May 6, 2009 (ITE)

The final draft version of the Recommended Standard of NTCIP 1103 v02, Transportation Management Protocols Version 02, has been approved by the National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol (NTCIP) Joint Committee of ITE, AASHTO and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). ITE intends to adopt this standard assuming no final appeals are received. When adopted, this standard will be jointly published by ITE, NEMA and AASHTO.

ITE intends to move to the next step of approval for this standard by seeking approval from the ITE International Board of Direction as of June 8, 2009, unless an appeal is received. The final draft version of the standard and the standards development report are available at http://www.ite.org/standards/NTCIP_1103v02_RS.pdf

If no appeals are filed, the ITE International Board of Direction will ballot the standard and it will be available for purchase from ITE.        

For information on filing an appeal, visit http://www.ite.org/standards/NOI%20-%20NTCIP%201103%20v02%20RS.DOC.

Upcoming ITE Webinars

Category > Opportunity: May 6, 2009 (ITE)

The following Webinars will be offered by ITE:

Access Management at Intersections Part I

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_accesste.asp#ACCESS_PART_I

Background: This web seminar will provide an overview of the principles of access management techniques as principally related to intersections. Participants will be introduced to the concepts of intersection physical and functional area and how to calculate and draw a schematic “windows of opportunity” for various access management intersection configurations along an arterial highway.

Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern

Intended Audience: Traffic engineers, transportation engineers and consultants

Access Management at Intersections Part II

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_accesste.asp#ACCESS_PART_II

Background: Building from the “Access Management at Intersections Part I” web seminar, this web seminar will highlight major classifications of access management techniques at intersections, such as objective of separating conflicts, geometric access management and operational techniques.

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern

Intended Audience: Traffic engineers, transportation engineers and consultants

Traffic Signal Operations Specialist® (TSOS) Refresher Courses

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_tsos.asp#TSOSSuite

Background: The suite of courses includes five (5) learning modules on traffic signal control, signal design and installation, signal phasing and timing, signal system timing and operations and signal operations and safety review. See individual modules below for course details and learning objectives.

Dates: Thursdays, May 28- June 25, 2009 (Modules 1-5 )

Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern

Intended Audience: Transportation Planners, Traffic/Transportation Engineers, Consultants and prospective TSOS exam takers

Professional Traffic Operations Engineer® (PTOE) Refresher Courses

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_ptoe.asp#PTOE__SUITE

Background: The suite of courses includes five (5) learning modules on traffic engineering studies, traffic operations analysis, operational effects of geometric design, traffic safety and traffic control devices. See individual modules below for course details and learning objectives.

Dates: Tuesdays, June 2-30, 2009 (Modules 1-5)

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Eastern

Intended Audience: Transportation Planners, Traffic/Transportation Engineers, Consultants and prospective PTOE exam takers

Traffic Operations Practitioner Specialist® (TOPS) Refresher Courses

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_tops.asp#Suite%20REFRESHER

Background: The suite of courses includes six (6) learning modules on traffic operations studies, traffic devices, elements of design, traffic safety, incident management and transportation management. See individual modules below for course details and learning objectives.

Dates: Wednesday, August 19 – September 23, 2009 (Modules 1-6 )

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Eastern

Intended Audience: Transportation Planners, Traffic/Transportation Engineers, Consultants and prospective TOPS exam takers

National Transportation Operations Coalition Newsletter – NTOC Talks: April 8, 2009

April 8, 2009 at 1:50 pm

National Transportation Operations Coalition

 

 

 

 

NTOC Web Cast Recording and Discussion Now Available

http://www.ntoctalks.com/web_casts_archive.php

Category > Now Available: April 8, 2009 (NTOC)

The recording and transcript of the April 1 Talking Operations Web cast on the 95 Express project in Miami-Dade County, Florida is now available at http://www.ntoctalks.com/web_casts_archive.php. This project converted a single High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane into 2 variably priced express lanes. The project also enhanced and expanded Bus Rapid Transit service on I-95 from I-395 in downtown Miami to Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, reducing congestion on that heavily traveled north-south artery.

The presentation yielded a lively discussion and answer period. Since time was limited to answer all questions, a thread has been added to the NTOC Talks Web forum for participants to continue to ask questions and give feedback. The thread can be found at: http://www.ntoctalks.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=20

Key Transportation Nominations Announced

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/04/02/transportation_and_education_d.html

Category > Breaking News: April 8, 2009 (U.S.DOT)

 On April 2, the White House announced two key nominations relevant to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration and Research and Innovative Technology Administration.

Victor M. Mendez is the nominee for Administrator, Federal Highway Administration. Mendez was a member of former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano’s Cabinet as the Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. He has extensive experience in transportation including innovations in the areas of funding and financing, technology, infrastructure, research, planning and internal operations. Mendez has served as a past president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and in 2008 he was selected as Leader of the Year in Public Policy in Transportation by the Arizona Capitol Times. Previously, Mendez was selected as the deputy state engineer to lead the implementation of the Phoenix area’s multi-billion dollar freeway system. Mendez earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Arizona State University and a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Peter H. Appel is the nominee for Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology Administration. Appel is a principal with the global management consulting firm of A.T. Kearney, Inc. He has led business improvement initiatives for clients in the private and public sectors, with a focus on transportation and infrastructure. Appel has over 20 years of experience in Transportation, and has supported organizations in the railroad, trucking, airline, and ocean shipping industries with growth strategy, supply chain improvement, post-merger integration, public-private partnerships, and other key business and policy issues. Previously, Appel served as the special assistant to the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and as assistant director for pricing and yield management at Amtrak. Appel earned his bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University in Economics and Computer Science with Highest Honors and received his Master of Science in Transportation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Transportation Funding Available Through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/

Category > Breaking News: April 8, 2009 (NTOC)

 Over $2.6 billion in formula grants are now available to states, U.S. territories, local governments and Indian tribes under the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Program. Federal grants may be used to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions and for improvements in energy efficiency.

Section 7 of the funding announcement states that these grants provide opportunities for the development and implementation of transportation programs to conserve energy used in transportation, including but not limited to:

  • development and promotion of zoning guidelines or requirements that promote energy efficient development;
  • development of infrastructure such as bike lanes and pathways and pedestrian walkways;
  • synchronization of traffic signals;
  • state/locals/regional integrated planning activities (i.e. transportation, housing, environmental, energy, land use) with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled;
  • incentive programs to reduce commutes by single-occupancy vehicles;
  • improvements in operational and system efficiency of the transportation system, such as implementation of intelligent transportation system (ITS) strategies;
  • idle-reduction technologies and/or facilities to conserve energy and reduce harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from freight movement; and
  • installation of solar panels on interstate rights of way to conserve energy in highway operations and maintenance activities.

Section 12 of the announcement pertains to traffic signals and street lighting, stating, “Entities may use grant funds to replace traffic signals and street lighting with energy efficient lighting technologies, including light emitting diodes; and any other technology of equal or greater energy efficiency.”

To learn more, go to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Web site at http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/.

ITS Research Results: ITS Program Plan 2008

http://www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/JPODOCS//REPTS_TE/14429.htm

Category > Now Available: April 8, 2009 (JPO)

The ITS Joint Program Office (JPO), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), is charged with researching and fostering the development and evolution of ITS and facilitating deployment and use of these technologies across the Nation. The ITS Program delivers on this charge by leveraging public, private, and academic research, testing, and commercialization efforts.

The ITS Research Results: ITS Program Plan 2008 describes the progress and changes in the ITS Program over the past two years. The ITS Program Plan 2008, builds on the previous 2006 Five-Year Plan to report on:

  • The status of the ITS Program and research initiatives in 2008.
  • Progress, accomplishments, and changes to the ITS Program since 2006.
  • How the ITS Program has and will fulfill the requirements of SAFETEA-LU.

Talking Freight Seminar on April 15, 2009: National Freight Performance Measurement Data Dissemination Tool

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/fpd/talking_freight.htm

Category > Opportunity: April 8, 2009 (FHWA)

This seminar will offer an informational presentation on a Web site developed by the FHWA to provide State DOTs, MPOs, and university personnel engaged in transportation research access performance data for freight significant highways. Developed by ATRI and Virginia Tech, the Web site is currently in a BETA version and due to be fully operation in the June 2009 timeframe. For more information and to register, click on the link above.

National Work Zone Awareness Week

http://www.atssa.com

Category > Breaking News: April 8, 2009 (ATSSA)

 April 6-10, 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of National Work Zone Awareness Week. The national campaign is conducted every year at the start of the construction season to call attention to the importance of slowing down through highway construction and repair sites. Each year, approximately 1,000 people are killed in roadway work zones. With the recent enactment of President Obama’s economic recovery package, a good deal of highway repair and construction will soon be underway, which means drivers should be more vigilant. The national kick-off media event takes place Tuesday, April 7, at 10:00 a.m. at the Columbia Island Marina just outside of Washington, DC. For information on the American Traffic Safety Services Association or the campaign, go to http://www.atssa.com.

National Summary Report for the Traffic Incident Management Self Assessment

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/timsa08/index.htm

Category > Now Available: April 8, 2009 (FHWA)

The Traffic Incident Management Self-Assessment (TIM SA) provides a means for evaluating progress in achievement of individual TIM program components and overall TIM program success. Now in its sixth year, the TIM SA also has allowed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to identify program gaps and target resources to TIM program advancement.

Climate Change: Current Issues and Policy Tools

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34513_20090306.pdf

Category > Now Available: April 8, 2009 (TRB)

This U.S. Congressional Research Service report explores the fundamentals of climate change policy, including current understandings and controversies, an update on the status of domestic and international policies, and available tools to address climate change. To view the report, click on the link above.

Efforts to Limit Cell Phone Use While Driving Grow

Link to article by Jayne O’Donnell, USA TODAY

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-03-29-driving-distracted-cellphones_N.htm?POE=click-refer

Category > Breaking News: April 8, 2009 (NTOC)

More than 250 bills prohibiting or restricting cell phone use while driving are pending in 42 state legislatures despite disagreement over the risks cell phones pose and the effectiveness of enforcement. The number is up from about 120 bills in 18 states just 10 months ago, according to an analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a safety research group funded by insurers. Four states-Georgia, Idaho, North Carolina and Texas-are considering banning all types of cell phone usage behind the wheel, including hands-free devices.

NTOC Talks Newsletter – March 25, 2009

March 25, 2009 at 12:06 pm

 

Highlights from the ITE 2009 Technical Conference and Exhibit
http://www.ite.org/
Category > Now Available: March 25, 2009 (ITE)

The ITE 2009 Technical Conference and Exhibit, “Transportation Operations in Action”, opened this week with a positive outlook on the ways the transportation engineering community can rise to today’s economic challenges by effectively managing and operating our transportation systems. While budget shortfalls and employee layoffs have had crippling effects on many state and local governments, transportation professionals stand poised to rebuild the United States’ economy and infrastructure through the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Keynote speakers Anthony (Tony) R. Kane, Ph.D., director of engineering and technical services for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and Randell (Randy) Iwasaki, chief deputy director for the California Department of Transportation, addressed the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities that ARRA funding presents to the transportation engineering community. While the challenges in obligating funding and executing projects in a short amount of time with a high level of transparency can be great, so can be the rewards. The speakers advised local jurisdictions to work with their state departments of transportation.

Immediately following the opening session, ITE Public Information Manager Michelle Birdsall interviewed keynote speakers Tony Kane and Randy Iwasaki, bringing together their main points and observations regarding transportation management and operations opportunities in relation to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Click here to listen to the interview: http://www.ite.org/Conference/Interview032309.wav

A New Approach to Traffic Signal Timing Education and Training: Mobile Signal Timing Training (MOST) Webinar
http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s090415_most.asp
Category > Opportunity: March 25, 2009 (FHWA)

This free T3 Webinar will take place April 15, 2009, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET. The Webinar introduces Mobile Signal Timing (MOST) training, an exciting new approach to learning traffic signal timing. MOST uses a simulated traffic signal environment to provide traffic engineers with immediate visual feedback on how changes to signal timing parameters affect the quality of traffic operations at a signalized intersection. This T3 Webinar will provide an overview of the tools and concepts used in the MOST training and will include demonstrations of the laboratories and the simulation software as it responds to real-world signal timing scenarios. The MOST training is currently being developed and is geared toward practicing traffic engineers in state or local transportation agencies, as well as toward new engineers embarking on their career.

This Webinar is an overview of the simulations and tools used in MOST training. It’s intended to highlight the unique delivery of MOST training. It is not the full MOST training course. The MOST training course, currently being developed, will expand significantly on the concepts presented in the Webinar. You can learn more about the MOST course at http://www.webs1.uidaho.edu/most/. To register for the Webinar, click on the link above.

Traffic Signal Timing Manual: Now Available for Order
http://www.ite.org/emodules/scriptcontent/Orders/ProductDetail.cfm?pc=TB-020
Category > Now Available: March 25, 2009 (FHWA)

In an effort to provide signal timing practitioners with resources to help them improve traffic signal timing, the Federal Highway Administration developed the Traffic Signal Timing Manual. The manual, a culmination of research into practices across North America, is intended to provide a comprehensive collection of traffic signal timing concepts, analytical procedures and applications contained within a single publication. FHWA developed the Traffic Signal Timing Manual in 2008 as an easy-to-use, concise, practical and modular guide. Focusing on the principles of traffic signal timing, the manual identifies sound timing practices and serves as a practical and comprehensive tabletop resource. Kittelson & Associates Inc., which led the work on this effort in association with the Texas Transportation Institute (ITE), the University of Maryland, Purdue University, Siemens ITS and the Institute of Transportation Engineers, noted that traffic signal timing practitioners previously lacked a comprehensive guide on traffic signal timing and operations, as traffic signal documentation was dispersed throughout various journals and texts.

This publication will ship in April 2009. Click on the link above to order.
Member Price: $ 50.00
Non-Member Price: $ 62.50
Item #TB-020

New Jersey’s I-295/I-76/Route 42 ‘Direct Connection’ Project Receives Green Light
http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot3309.htm
Category > Breaking News: March 25, 2009 (FHWA)

Plans for a $900 million upgrade to New Jersey’s I-295/I-76/Route 42 interchange can move forward now that federal officials have given final environmental approval, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today.

“This project will help the people of New Jersey and their economy,” said Secretary LaHood. “Infrastructure investment like this creates jobs and helps local businesses.”

“We are pleased with the Federal Highway Administration’s record of decision,” said New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine. “These are the kinds of infrastructure improvement projects that will get our economy moving and put our citizens back to work.”

The record of decision signed today by officials from the Federal Highway Administration allows the project’s right-of-way acquisition and construction planning to begin. When completed, the improved interchange will improve safety and relieve congestion significantly.    

The project – dubbed “Direct Connection” – calls for the reconstruction of the interchange to separate drivers on I-295 from local traffic.  It will include new roadway and bridges and completes a missing link on I-295 that will allow drivers to continue straight through on the interstate. Currently, I-295 drivers going through the interchange are forced to reduce speed drastically to merge onto 35-mph ramps also used by local traffic. The improvements will allow a safer drive without the dangerous merging and weaving movements on existing ramps.

New Publication: iFlorida Model Deployment Final Evaluation Report
http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop08050/index.htm
Category > Now Available: March 25, 2009 (FHWA)

This document is the final report for the evaluation of the U.S. DOT-sponsored Surface Transportation Security and Reliability Information System Model Deployment, or iFlorida Model Deployment.

Upcoming Talking Operations Web Cast: April 1
http://www.ntoctalks.com/web_casts.php
Category > Opportunity: March 11, 2009 (NTOC)
 
This Talking Operations Web cast on the 95 Express project in Miami, Florida, will take place on April 1, 2009, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT. The 95 Express opened in Miami-Dade County on December 5, 2008.  This project converted a single High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane into 2 variably priced express lanes. The project also enhanced and expanded Bus Rapid Transit service on I-95 from I-395 in downtown Miami to Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, reducing congestion on that heavily traveled north-south artery. Tolls will vary with level of congestion, the goal being to keep traffic in the express lanes moving at a minimum speed of 45 mph.  Registered vanpools, registered carpools of 3+, registered hybrid vehicles and motorcycles can use the lanes without paying a toll. Buses of several types can also use the lanes toll-free -Miami-Dade and Broward County express and regular transit, public school and over-the-road. Trucks of three or more axles will not be allowed to use the express lanes.
 
An update on the various aspects of this project will be provided. The presentation will provide information on traffic and revenue, operational statistics, toll-free registrations and lessons learned. Registration is available athttp://www.ntoctalks.com/web_casts.php.

South Florida Interstate 95 Express Project: Lessons Learned
http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/tolling_pricing/value_pricing/pubs_reports/projectreports/sfl_95express_proj/index.htm
Category > Now Available: March 25, 2009 (FHWA)

The Florida Department of Transportation has prepared a brief lessons learned document outlining their experience implementing the 95 Express Lanes UPA project.

Midwestern Governors Endorse VMT Tax
http://www.midwesterngovernors.org/Publications/Transportation_Recommendations.pdf
Category > Now Available: March 25, 2009 (AASHTO)

Taxing drivers per vehicle mile traveled rather than fuel consumption, public/private partnerships and congestion pricing are among the innovative highway funding mechanisms recommended in a report issued last week by the Midwestern Governors Association.

The report was drafted by an advisory group the 11 governors formed last year to help them coordinate recommendations to Congress on this year’s surface transportation authorization legislation. It suggests the federal government should maintain a “strong” role in funding surface transportation programs by ensuring federal investment levels do not decline. Federal priorities should focus on preservation, rural and urban access, and connectivity in addition to congestion reduction, according to the report. The 22-page report is available through the link above.

Research and Markets: Eco-driving-Harnessing the Potential of ITS – Available Now
http://www.live-pr.com/en/research-and-markets-eco-driving-harnessing-the-r1048266003.htm
Category > Now Available: March 25, 2009 (NTOC)

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the “Eco-driving-Harnessing the Potential of ITS” report to their offering. How can in-vehicle telematics and ITS systems reduce emissions? Increasing pressure from government and society on vehicle manufacturers to address the environmental impact of cars is one of the biggest industry challenges being faced today. “Eco-driving – Harnessing the green potential of ITS” provides an in-depth analysis of how the implementation of navigation, ADAS and telematics systems can be used to achieve true integrated eco-driving.

ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition: Early Bird Registration Ends March 31
http://www.itsa.org/amregistration.html
Category > Opportunity: March 25, 2009 (ITS America)

Registration for the 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) is now open. The three-day conference, held June 1-3, 2009 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland (just inside the Washington, DC metropolitan area), provides the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) industry with a forum to learn about and share insights on the latest advancements in ITS technologies. Don’t miss this opportunity to find answers to your toughest transportation challenges, meet your legislators on Capitol Hill, see ITS solutions in action, and take home ideas for implementation, and learn from your peers. Be sure to take advantage of the early-bird registration rates which are available through March 31. Click the link above to register at the early bird rate by March 31.

National Transportation Operations Coalition (NTOC) Newsletter – March 11, 2009

March 11, 2009 at 3:18 pm
National Transportation Operations Coalition


Upcoming Talking Operations Web Cast: April 1

Category > Opportunity: March 11, 2009 (NTOC)

 This Talking Operations Web cast on the 95 Express project in Miami, Florida, will take place on April 1, 2009, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT. The 95 Express opened in Miami-Dade County on December 5, 2008.  This project converted a single High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane into 2 variably priced express lanes. The project also enhanced and expanded Bus Rapid Transit service on I-95 from I-395 in downtown Miami to Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, reducing congestion on that heavily traveled north-south artery. Tolls will vary with level of congestion, the goal being to keep traffic in the express lanes moving at a minimum speed of 45 mph.  Registered vanpools, registered carpools of 3+, registered hybrid vehicles and motorcycles can use the lanes without paying a toll. Buses of several types can also use the lanes toll-free -Miami-Dade and Broward County express and regular transit, public school and over-the-road. Trucks of three or more axles will not be allowed to use the express lanes.

An update on the various aspects of this project will be provided. The presentation will provide information on traffic and revenue, operational statistics, toll-free registrations and lessons learned. Registration will be available later this week at http://www.ntoctalks.com/web_casts.php.

 Registration Now Open for ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition

http://www.itsa.org/amregistration.html

March 11, 2009 (ITS America)

 Registration for the 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) is now open. The three-day conference, held June 1-3, 2009 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland (just inside the Washington, DC metropolitan area), provides the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) industry with a forum to learn about and share insights on the latest advancements in ITS technologies. Don’t miss this opportunity to find answers to your toughest transportation challenges, meet your legislators on Capitol Hill, see ITS solutions in action, and take home ideas for implementation, and learn from your peers. Be sure to take advantage of the early-bird registration rates which are available through March 31. Click the link above to register at the early bird rate or here for more information on the 2009 Annual Meeting.

 Register Today and Prepare for the Approaching Recovery: IBTTA’s Workshop on Managing in an Era of Changing Economic Times

http://www.ibtta.org/Events/eventdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3613

Category > Opportunity: March 11, 2009 (IBTTA)

 Join IBTTA in San Francisco, CA on April 19-21, 2009 for power-packed educational sessions and walk away with a world of knowledge on better managing your organization today and preparing for the approaching economic recovery. Learn how global issues are affecting your organization and the toll industry, the goals and efforts of the U.S. stimulus program, how to build a cost-conscious culture and make tough decisions, how to position your agency for unique opportunities during this slowdown, solid financing strategies and more. This is one meeting you don’t want to miss! Visit IBTTA’s Web site through the link above to view the preliminary agenda, make your travel arrangements and register today!

 Position Announcements: ITS Joint Program Office

Category > Opportunity: March 11, 2009 (ITS JPO)

The following two positions within the U.S. DOT ITS Joint Program Office (JPO) are now available. The closing date is March 27, 2009. Click on the links below for more information and to apply.

Communications and Outreach Specialist, GS-301-14

Announcement No. FHWA-JPO-2009-0002: Open to current and former Federal employees with status (Qualified Government employees should apply under this announcement to ensure maximum consideration).

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=79753233&AVSDM=2009%2D03%2D06+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&q=federal+highway+administration&jbf574=TD04&lid=17514&FedEmp=Y&sort=rv&vw=d&ss=0&brd=3876&FedPub=Y&caller=/agency_search.asp&SUBMIT1.x=61&SUBMIT1.y=14

Announcement No. FHWA-JPO-2009-0003: Open to all U.S. citizens

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=79753342&AVSDM=2009%2D03%2D06+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&q=federal+highway+administration&jbf574=TD04&lid=17514&FedEmp=Y&sort=rv&vw=d&ss=0&brd=3876&FedPub=Y&caller=/agency_search.asp&SUBMIT1.x=61&SUBMIT1.y=14

Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program Manager, GS-301-14/15

Announcement No. FHWA.JPO-2009-0004: Open to all U.S. citizens

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=79753887&AVSDM=2009%2D03%2D06+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&q=federal+highway+administration&jbf574=TD04&lid=17514&FedEmp=Y&sort=rv&vw=d&ss=0&brd=3876&FedPub=Y&caller=/agency_search.asp&SUBMIT1.x=61&SUBMIT1.y=14

Announcement No. FHWA.JPO-2009-0005: Open to current and former Federal employees with status (Qualified Government employees should apply under this announcement to ensure maximum consideration).

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=79753929&AVSDM=2009%2D03%2D06+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&q=federal+highway+administration&jbf574=TD04&lid=17514&FedEmp=Y&sort=rv&vw=d&ss=0&brd=3876&FedPub=Y&caller=/agency_search.asp&SUBMIT1.x=61&SUBMIT1.y=14

Obama & Biden Visit U.S. DOT to Release Recovery Funding

http://www.transportation.org/?siteid=99

Category > Breaking News: March 11, 2009 (AASHTO)

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood last week to address more than 500 U.S. Department of Transportation employees and to formally release $27.5 billion in funding for highway and bridge projects provided by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. The transportation apportionments were issued to states and other parties eight days ahead of the deadline.

“This investment in highways will create or save 150,000 jobs by the end of next year, most of them in the private sector,” Obama said at U.S. DOT headquarters in Washington. “The jobs that we’re creating are good jobs that pay more than average; jobs grinding asphalt and paving roads, filling potholes, making street signs, repairing stop lights, and replacing guardrails.”

More than 100 transportation contracts funded by recovery dollars have already been awarded, with another 200 to be awarded in upcoming weeks. These projects vary greatly from state to state.

More information about the recovery legislation and states moving quickly to begin projects is available on AASHTO’s recovery Web site through the link above. Tables showing the apportionments to both state and local transportation agencies are available from the Federal Highway Administration at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices/n4510705t1.htm.

ATRI Releases Analysis of 30 National Freight Bottlenecks

http://atri-online.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=96

Category > Now Available: March 11, 2009 (ATRI)

 The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released the findings of its Freight Performance Measures Analysis of 30 Freight Bottlenecks. The research, which assesses the severity of 30 freight bottlenecks within the U.S. Interstate system, uses unique analysis methods and data to produce a severity ranking for each location. This research dovetails with the ongoing Freight Performance Measures initiative, which is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and managed by ATRI.

“ATRI’s report provides the first real-world analysis of the congestion that motor carriers experience every day,” said Tim Lynch, legislative affairs senior vice president for the American Trucking Associations. “ATRI’s ranking of freight bottlenecks fills a critical void in our arsenal of tools for identifying, prioritizing and addressing freight system deficiencies for the next surface transportation reauthorization.”

The ATRI analysis of 30 national bottlenecks prioritizes chokepoints on the highway system previously identified by the research community. ATRI researchers used GIS/GPS technology and truck-specific information, as well as sophisticated analysis techniques, to determine what time of day freight was affected by traffic congestion and where the results of such congestion were the most severe. A copy of the full report can be ordered from ATRI through the link above.

 2009 National Work Zone Awareness Week

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/outreach/wz_awareness.htm

Category > Breaking News: March 11, 2009 (FHWA)

The tenth annual National Work Zone Awareness week will be held April 6-10, 2009. The theme for this year is “Drive to Survive – Our Future is Riding On It!” The national kickoff for this event will be held April 7 at a location near the Boundary Channel Humpback Bridge Replacement Project between Washington, DC and Virginia. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

NADO Launches New Rural Transportation Newsletter

http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/nadort/issues/2007-02-28/

Category > Now Available: March 11, 2009 (NADO)

Click on the link above to view the inaugural issue of the National Association of Development Organizations’ (NADO) new Rural Transportation Newsletter.

Upcoming ITE Webinars

Category > Opportunity: March 11, 2009 (ITE)

The Institute of Transportation Engineers is offering the following upcoming Webinars:

Operational and Safety Effects of Geometric Design Web Seminar

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_FTE.asp#OSEGD

Background: The purpose of this module is to provide the audience with an overview of the primary geometric design principles necessary to develop safe and efficient roadway and intersection designs. At the conclusion of the module, participants should be able to:

1) Define functional classification of roadway systems.

2) Understand the relationship between geometric design controls and criteria and the safety and operation efficiency of the facility.

3) Understand the key elements of geometric design.

4) Describe traditional and non-traditional intersection designs and intersection layout techniques.

5) Recognize the safety impacts and tradeoffs of alternative geometric designs.

Date: Tuesday, March 17

Credit: 1.5 PDH/.2 IACET CEU

Time: 3:00-4:30 p.m. Eastern

Intended Audience: Traffic engineers, transportation engineers, consultants, recent graduates, and professionals new to the field or professionals looking for a refresher course

Traffic Operations Analysis Web Seminar

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_FTE.asp#TOE

Background: The purpose of this module is to provide the audience with an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of traffic operations analysis to provide for safe and efficient movement of people and goods.At the conclusion of the module, participants should be able to:

1) Understand traffic flow theory concepts and the relationships between speed, flow and density in uninterrupted flow.

2) Understand and be able to apply concepts of highway capacity analysis and level of service analysis for freeways and signalized intersections.

3) Understand basic principles of traffic signal phasing and timing and their effect on traffic safety and efficiency at intersections and in street networks.

4) Calculate appropriate timing of traffic signal phase change intervals and pedestrian intervals.

5) Understand concepts of speed zoning and be able to apply traffic engineering principles to determination of appropriate speed limits.

Date: Wednesday, March 18

Credit: 1.5 PDH/.2 IACET CEU

Time: 3:00-4:30 p.m. Eastern

Intended Audience: Traffic engineers, transportation engineers, consultants, recent graduates, and professionals new to the field or professionals looking for a refresher course.