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A Conversation About Federal TransportationOpportunities and Challenges

Robert C. JohnsDirector, USDOT Volpe Center

Humphrey School of Public Affairs University of Minnesota

April 18, 2012

U.S. Department of Transportation

Research and Innovative Technology Administration

John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

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OverviewVolpe The National Transportation Systems Center

U.S. Department of Transportation

Research and Innovative Technology Administration

John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

Updated March 2012

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Background Volpe established in 1970 Part of U.S. Department of

Transportation (DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA)

Named after former DOT Secretary and MA Governor John A. Volpe

Volpe supports DOT goals Safety State of good repair Economic competitiveness Livable communities Environmental sustainability

About Volpe

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Who we are

Our Purpose: Advancing transportation innovation for the public good

Our Mission: Improve the nation’s transportation system by serving as a center of excellence for informed decision making, anticipating emerging transportation issues, and advancing technical, operational, and institutional innovations

Our Values: Public service Innovative solutions Professional

excellence Collaboration and

partnering

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Our most important asset: dedicated transportation professionals

Over 550 federal employees representing a full spectrum of disciplines from engineering to physical and social sciences

More than 260 advanced degrees

Over 400 on-site contractors

Internship and student co-op programs: more than 40 years cultivating the next generation of transportation professionals

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What makes us unique

Multimodal, world-class resource

Decades of experience and expertise in every mode of transportation

Institutional knowledge of the global transportation system and its stakeholder perspectives

Experience in responding to large-scale global and national transportation challenges

Cross-disciplinary expertise

Knowledge in the full spectrum of technologies and disciplines relevant to transportation system improvements

Experience in assembling interdisciplinary teams to address technology and public policy innovations

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What makes us unique

Entrepreneurial, objective, efficient

Fee-for-service; no direct appropriations Flexibility and responsiveness of a consultant A trusted, objective advisor focused on safety and

the public good

Federal advantage

Guided by a deep understanding of federal responsibilities, objectives, and practices

Accessibility of a federal in-house resource that can partner on strategy, tactics, policy, and acquisitions

Driven by public interest—not profit

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Our sponsor base is broad and diverse

U.S. DOT

Federal Aviation Administration Federal Highway Administration Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Federal Railroad Administration Federal Transit Administration Maritime Administration National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of the Inspector General Office of the Secretary of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Research and Innovative Technology Administration Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

State and Local

• Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning• Massachusetts Port Authority • Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments• Minnesota Department of Transportation • New York State Thruway Authority • Orange County Transportation Authority• State of Arizona• University of Florida• Washington Metro Area Transit Authority

Other Federal

Central Intelligence Agency Department of Agriculture Department of Commerce Department of Defense Department of Energy Department of Homeland Security Department of the Interior Department of State Environmental Protection Agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration U.S. Access Board U.S. Postal Service

International

• International Civil Aviation Organization• United Kingdom Ministry of Defence

Others

• Boeing Commercial Airlines• MITRE Corporation

Continuous improvement through biennial customer satisfaction interviews

Annual obligations ~$250M

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A multidisciplinary set of skills and expertise

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Volpe Center organization

Technical Centers

SafetyManagement

SystemsRegina Houston, acting

SafetyManagement

SystemsRegina Houston, acting

Transportation Policy and Planning

Rachel Winkeller

Transportation Policy and Planning

Rachel Winkeller

Environmentaland Energy

SystemsGregg Fleming

Environmentaland Energy

SystemsGregg Fleming

Transportation Logistics and Security

Michael Dinning

Transportation Logistics and Security

Michael Dinning

Air Traffic Systems and OperationsSteven Lang

Air Traffic Systems and OperationsSteven Lang

InfrastructureSystems and EngineeringRobert Dorer

InfrastructureSystems and EngineeringRobert Dorer

Human FactorsResearch and

SystemApplications

Stephen Popkin

Human FactorsResearch and

SystemApplications

Stephen Popkin

AdvancedTransportationTechnologies

Gary Ritter

AdvancedTransportationTechnologies

Gary Ritter

Chief Financial OfficerWilliam Henrikson

Chief Financial OfficerWilliam Henrikson

Chief CounselMonica Conyngham

Chief CounselMonica Conyngham

EEO Officervacant

EEO Officervacant

Director and Associate Administrator

Robert C. Johns

Director and Associate Administrator

Robert C. Johns

HumanResources

Susan Connors

HumanResources

Susan Connors

AcquisitionsMary DohertyAcquisitions

Mary Doherty

InformationTechnology

Eric Frykenberg

InformationTechnology

Eric Frykenberg

Facilities ManagementDavid Duncan

Facilities ManagementDavid Duncan

Communication and Knowledge Management

Marc Mandler

Communication and Knowledge Management

Marc Mandler

Director Emeritus Richard John

Director Emeritus Richard John

Organizational Cultureand Development

Helen Blackman

Organizational Cultureand Development

Helen Blackman

Strategic Initiatives for Research and Innovation

Ellen Bell

Strategic Initiatives for Research and Innovation

Ellen Bell

Deputy Associate Administrator for Research and Innovation

Anne Aylward

Deputy Associate Administrator for Research and Innovation

Anne Aylward

Deputy Associate Administrator for Operations David Ishihara

Deputy Associate Administrator for Operations David Ishihara

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Technical Centers

SafetyManagement

Systems

SafetyManagement

Systems

Transportation Policy and Planning

Transportation Policy and Planning

Transportation Logistics and

Security

Transportation Logistics and

Security

Economic Analysis

Economic Analysis

TransportationPlanning

TransportationPlanning

OrganizationalPerformance

OrganizationalPerformance

Safety Information

Systems

Safety Information

Systems

Safety Measurement

and Analysis

Safety Measurement

and Analysis

Aviation Safety

Management

Aviation Safety

Management

EnvironmentalMeasurement and Modeling

EnvironmentalMeasurement and Modeling

EnvironmentalScience and Engineering

EnvironmentalScience and Engineering

EnergyAnalysis Energy

Analysis

Security andEmergency

Management

Security andEmergency

Management

Situational Awareness and

Logistics

Situational Awareness and

Logistics

Structuresand Dynamics

Structuresand Dynamics

InfrastructureEngineering

andDeployment

InfrastructureEngineering

andDeployment

Systems Safety and

Engineering

Systems Safety and

Engineering

Surface TransportationHuman Factors

Surface TransportationHuman Factors

Aviation Human Factors

Aviation Human Factors

TechnologyInnovation and

Policy

TechnologyInnovation and

Policy

Advanced Vehicle

Technology

Advanced Vehicle

Technology

CAFE Program

Office

CAFE Program

Office

Environmentaland Energy

Systems

Environmentaland Energy

Systems

Air Wakes andWeather

Air Wakes andWeather

Air Navigationand

Surveillance

Air Navigationand

Surveillance

Air TrafficManagement

Systems

Air TrafficManagement

Systems

Aviation Systems

Engineering

Aviation Systems

Engineering

Aviation Facilities

and BusinessServices

Aviation Facilities

and BusinessServices

NextGenProgram

Office

NextGenProgram

Office

Air Traffic Systems and Operations

Air Traffic Systems and Operations

Human FactorsResearch and

SystemApplications

Human FactorsResearch and

SystemApplications

InfrastructureSystems and Engineering

InfrastructureSystems and Engineering

AdvancedTransportationTechnologies

AdvancedTransportationTechnologies

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Transportation Policy and Planning

Focus Transportation policy and economic

analysis and research that contribute to a compelling vision of transportation

Guidance that helps decision-makers make smart investments in the planning, development, management, operations, and financing of transportation systems and agencies

Example projects Transportation planning for national parks and public lands – FHWA, FTA,

National Park Service Implementation of Strategic Highway Research Program initiatives – FHWA Understanding effects of policies and economics on traveler behaviors – FHWA,

ITS JPO

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Safety Management Systems

Focus Application of safety management

principles to the transportation enterprise Acquisition, maintenance, distribution,

and analysis of safety data Development of large-scale IT solutions

to support safety inspection, enforcement, and compliance

Example projects Safety Performance Analysis System (SPAS) – FAA Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program – FMCSA Vehicle defects reporting and tracking (safercar.gov) – NHTSA

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Environmental and Energy Systems

Focus Measurement, analysis, and modeling of

energy consumption, climate variability, air quality, and noise

Research and analyses of data to provide scientific basis for energy and environmental policy

Example projects Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) – FAA, NASA Fuel economy research, analysis, and modeling (CAFE) – NHTSA Environmental compliance – FAA, EPA, NPS, PHMSA

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Transportation Logistics and Security

Focus

Transportation security assessment

Deployment and evaluation of security

technologies

Cyber security vulnerability assessment

and solution development

Logistics and supply chain analysis

Example projects Maritime Safety and Security Information System (MSSIS) – DoD Cyber security of transportation infrastructure – FAA, DHS, NHTSA Real-time active management of cargo operations worldwide – UK Ministry of

Defence

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Infrastructure Systems and Engineering

Focus Engineering and systems analysis of

guideways (e.g., tracks), vehicles, vessels, ports, systems, and facilities

Application of state-of-the-art infrastructure engineering expertise

Modeling of the dynamics and interactions of vehicles and guideways

Example projects Rail passenger equipment crashworthiness and occupant protection – FRA Improving grade crossing safety – FRA Marine engineering, fire system design and development, and life-cycle cost

analysis – U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, MARAD, NOAA

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Air Traffic Systems and Operations

Focus Development of aviation systems that

alleviate air traffic congestion, improve safety, and mitigate environmental impacts

Planning, testing, research, and evaluation in support of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)

Development and assessment of real-time operational communication, navigation, surveillance, and decision support systems

Example projects Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) – FAA Aircraft wake turbulence program – FAA NextGen modeling and simulation – FAA Air traffic facilities support – FAA

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Human Factors Research and System Applications

Focus Provide internationally recognized human

factors research and development capabilities supporting all modes of transportation

Pioneer new insights about the relationships between humans and policies, processes, automation, and technologies

Example projects Confidential Close Call Reporting System – FRA Improving safety culture in rail – FRA Human system interaction and cockpit displays – FAA

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Advanced Transportation Technologies

Focus Explore advanced communications,

navigation, and information technologies Assess crash avoidance and electronic

systems safety and resilience Perform field tests, evaluations, strategic

planning, and research program management

Example projects Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program – DOT Connected vehicles evaluation and safety assessment – ITS JPO, NHTSA Intelligent Transportation Systems policy and planning – ITS JPO

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End-to-end project support

Acquisitions Develops innovative contract vehicles with

high performing vendors to meet our customer requirements

Conducts large and multifaceted procurements for our customers

Human Resources Advances training and professional

development of our workforce Recruits aggressively to ensure skilled, diverse workforce

Information Technology End-to-end customer IT support services, including internet and intranet, IT

program/project management, and computer security

Facilities Management Ensures our facility meets the needs of a 21st century workforce Award-winning sustainability programs

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Volpe is a good citizen

One of Cambridge’s 10 largest employers Twenty years as volunteer organizer of the

Kendall Square Learning Project, which offers free ESL classes

Nearly 100 staff volunteer as reading buddies at Kennedy-Longfellow School

Over $1.3 million donated to the charities of the Combined Federal Campaign since 2000

Continuing investments in “greening” initiatives for Volpe facilities

Member of Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Greater Boston Federal Executive Board, and Kendall Square Association

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Transportation thought leadership

Speaker series that brings together thought leaders from across the global transportation enterprise

International relationships in areas of common interest Knowledge management to support knowledge

retrieval, knowledge sharing, and collaboration Leadership and technical contributions to many

transportation scientific and standards committees

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Volpe and DOT Jobs: How to Apply

For Volpe Center Jobs visit Careers Website: www.volpe.dot.gov/careerFor internships

Visit the Student Employment websiteSubmit resume, cover letter, unofficial transcripts to volpestudentjobs@dot.gov

For jobs after graduationVisit the Professional Jobs websiteClick on a position and apply via www.usajobs.gov

For all U.S. DOT jobs visit Careers-In-Motion website: www.dot.gov/careersStay tuned for brand new Pathways Programs available government-wide

Targeted towards hiring students and recent graduatesVisit www.opm.gov/hiringreform/pathways to learn more

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Contact us

Phone: (617) 494-2000 www.volpe.dot.gov Questions askvolpe@dot.gov Subscribe to E-news:

http://www.volpe.dot.gov/infosrc/highlts/subscribe.html