This is a highly recommended viewing material if you are a transportation professional  (or from any industry that touches up on transportation of people and goods). Why? Because it will help you understand what the future of transportation looks like and get you a glimpse of the challenges we will be tacking. Stimulating would be an understatement if you are a geek like me and this video gives you a lot to think about in terms of how to prepare yourself as a professional to operate/practice in this new paradigm.

Many of our decision-makers and old-school professional grunts, don’t have a clue of the seismic shift underway in the world of industry, dominated by the rapid advancement of automotive technology.  Advanced technology-driven concepts such as connected vehicles, automated vehicles, Internet of Things, etc, that are already appearing on the horizon, we are about to experience something special. and these industry experts, in a very adorable and casual fashion, discuss some of the emerging trends and pressing issues (i.e, cyber security, customer acceptance, etc) over a beer. You may have already witnessed glimpses of this future with Tesla pumping our over-the-air updates to the vehicles, much like the updates for your cellular phone, to improve their performance.    To summarize what’s ahead according to these guys,, the embedded software in a vehicle of tomorrow will be as much important as engine (or even more).   So, if you are a transportation professional better learn to think like a software developer (and get yourself exposed to some programming languages while you are at it).

This chart was included as part of a brilliant blog post by our friends at TransitLabs, which analyses the various issues surrounding the perennial shortfalls that dog the highway trust fund (aka Gas tax).  Highly recommend reading the entire blog titled “Why the Trust Fund Keeps Running Out” and explore the beautiful visualizations that accompany the story.

Image courtesy: Transitlabs

Strongtowns.org has a compelling piece that explains the funding crisis in transportation and why the U.S. transportation system is going broke. This Strongtowns article points to the set of graphics below, which are actually part of a lengthy write-up on Star Tribune that dissects the state of Minnesota’s transportation funding issues.  In all, you get a good understanding of the fundamental disparities when it comes to the state of our unsustainable transportation financing methods and how badly we need a dramatic shift in our approach (H/T Streetsblog for sharing this article via Facebook).

Image Courtesy: Star Tribune. Click on the graphic to be linked to the source story

Image Courtesy: Star Tribune via Strongtowns.org. Click on the graphic to be linked to the source story

Image Courtesy: Star Tribune. Click on the graphic to be linked to the source story

The Department of Transportation is seeking qualified applicants to perform difficult professional and administrative work involving planning, organizing, administering, and providing technical guidance for major transportation Capital programs, including VDOT and NVTA financed road projects under agreement, utility relocation and right-of-way acquisition.

Work involves:

• supervising and managing subordinate staff;
• formulating the Division budget;
• participate in the development of overall policy for the Transportation Department and in the development and maintenance of the CIP;
• participating in the development and implementation of County-wide policies and procedures.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Director of Transportation. Supervision is exercised over subordinate professional and technical staff. Prince William County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity.

To apply click on this link http://agency.governmentjobs.com/pwcgov/default.cfm

This graphic puts the use of space by each surface transportation mode in perspective.. and it is quite obvious that cars eat up a lot of space in our urban environments.

Automobile, defined: a really poor use of space to move people thru the city. (Like, the worst.) h/t @jen_keesmaat pic.twitter.com/ZwgdCPvWbv

— Taras Grescoe (@grescoe) December 29, 2014

via USDOT/ITS JPO

The USDOT’s connected vehicle program has identified many safety applications and here is an important one – curve speed warning. This application warns a truck driver if the truck is traveling too fast for an approaching curve and potentially avoid a rollover. To learn more about connected vehicles click here.

With gas prices falling faster than a drop of water from the sky (as we speak, the national average is well below $3 – the 1st time since Dec 22, 2010), you can expect more Americans tempted to drive instead of opting for other modes of transportation.  AAA expects the travelers to spend an average of $573 over the course of their holiday travels.  Click here to view the complete AAA/IHS Global Insight 2014 Thanksgiving Travel Forecast.

Image courtesy: Newsroom.AAA.com via cspnet.com

Related articles

• Marylanders traveling for Thanksgiving to reach seven-year high
• 4.2% more Americans will travel this Thanksgiving – AAA
• AAA: Gas Prices At 46 Month Low

Present your ideas for smarter mobility and urban development at Transforming Transportation 2015

Transforming Transportation 2015 (#TTDC15) is the annual conference co-organized by EMBARQ, the sustainable urban transport program of the World Resources Institute, and the World Bank. This year’s conference will focus onSmart Cities for Shared Prosperity, and will examine how smart, connected urban mobility can improve quality of life in cities.

We’re inviting YOU to become a presenter! Pitch your ideas to present on either “Innovations in Urban Development for Smart Cities” or Innovations in Mobility for Smart Cities.” Presentations will follow the PechaKucha format and must be submitted by December 2, 2014 at 11:59pm EST. Those interested can consult the detailed submission guidelines.

For any questions or comments, please contact embarq@wri.org. Tune in for regular updates at www.TransformingTransportation.org and on social media by following #TTDC15.

Now that the mid-term election is over and everybody is debating the performance of candidates, it is time to take a look at how the public reacted to a slew of transportation ballot measures across the country.  Our friends at AASHTO has pulled together a nice summary of articles that explain how these transportation issues played out. One important item that caught my eye was the defeat of Nick Rahall, a top Democrat (from West Virginia) on the transportation committee, lost his seat after 38 years. These midterm election results are plain c

Photo by hjl

razy! Anyways, check out the list below:

• Wisconsin Voters Approve State Transportation Fund Amendment
  Link to article in the Journal Sentinel
• Maryland Voters Approve Transportation Lockbox
  Link to article in The Baltimore Sun
• Traffic-Tied Texans Tap Oil and Gas Taxes for Transportation
  Link to article in Governing
• Voters in Austin, Texas Defeat Urban Rail Transportation Bond
  Link to story on KXAN-TV
• Transportation Measures in San Francisco, Alameda County Win Support
  Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle
• Seattle Voters Approve Public Transit Package, Reject Monorail Extension
  Link to article in the Puget Sound Business Journal
• Atlanta Transit Expansion Overwhelmingly Approved
  Link to article in The Hill
• Mass Transit Initiative in Tampa Bay Area Fails
  Link to article in The Tampa Tribune
• Transportation Tax Soundly Defeated in Alachua County, Florida
  Link to article in The Gainesville Sun
• Forsyth County, Georgia Voters Approve Transportation Bond Referendum
  Link to article in Forsyth County News
• Driver Cards Rejected by Wide Margin in Oregon
  Link to article in the Statesman Journal
• Cleveland, Maple Heights Voters Smack Down Red-Light Cameras
  Link to Northeast Ohio Media Group article
• Rep. Nick Rahall, Top Democrat on Transportation Committee, Loses Seat After 38 Years
  Link to article in The Hill

Related articles

• Seattle voters approve public transit package, preschool funding
• Austinites defeat urban rail transportation bond
• Highway funding gets overwhelming support from voters

The FHWA Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty is pleased to announce the opening of a “Senior Transportation Specialist” position that will serve as the Planning Capacity Building Team Leader in the Office of Planning.  The Office of Planning is responsible for the development and implementation of national policies, regulations, guidelines, standards, procedures, techniques, and initiatives to comply with the transportation planning and programming provisions.  The position will:
·         Serve as an authoritative advisor on a national basis within a wide area of transportation planning and capacity building issues and, as such, plays a major role in FHWA in developing and promoting national policies, programs, and procedures on numerous transportation and community planning and policy issues, and for providing authoritative advice, counsel, and interpretation of FHWA policies, procedures, and regulations.
·         Provide leadership, coordination, and support for existing program activities and assessment of program direction in response to changes in internal and external needs.
·         Possess a mastery of advanced concepts, principles and practices and serves as the national expert in the application of a variety of program focus areas within the Office of Planning.
·         Coordinate and communicate with others on work activities within the Office’s area of responsibility.

The ideal candidate is a mid to senior level professional who functions independently and demonstrates leadership in team environments and managing people.  You should also have strong analytical, strategic planning, and communication skills.  Experience should also include analytical expertise and/or project/program oversight in capacity building and administering transportation planning projects, programs and processes.  Experience in the analysis and/or improvement of transportation policy and an ability to meet organizational goals is also desirable.

·         Open Period:  Tuesday, October 28, 2014 to Monday, November 10, 2014
·         Series and Grade:  GS-2101-15
·         Duty Location:  One vacancy in Washington, DC

For those interested in knowing more about the position or applying, please see job announcement numbers FHWA.HEP-2015-0001 or FHWA.HEP-2015-0002:
·         Open to all U.S. Citizens – https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/384978000
·         Merit Promotion Vacancy (Open to all current Federal employees, those prior Feds with re-instatement eligibility rights & VEOA applicants) – https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/384977600

Should you have any questions regarding this position, please send an email to transjobs@dot.gov or contact the Automated Staffing Office at 202-366-1298.