Subject: TRB Transportation Research E-Newsletter - August 7, 2007
Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2007 12:10:47 -0400

Please forward this newsletter to others you think might find it
interesting and/or useful.

An HTML version of this E-Newsletter is available at
-> http://trb.org/news/browse_newsletters.asp

*****************************************
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH E-NEWSLETTER
Transportation Research Board
of The National Academies
8/7/2007
*****************************************

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS

***** TRB NEWS *****

* 2008 TRB 87th Annual Meeting: JetBlue Founder and Chairman David
Neeleman, Chairman's Luncheon Featured Speaker

* Sharon D. Banks Award for Innovative Leadership in Transportation -
Nominations Due August 31, 2007
* TRB's SHRP 2 Contractor Expression of Interest Website

* RFI: ACRP FY 2008 Projects: Oversight Panel Nominee Solicitation -
Nominations Due September 17, 2007
* RFP: Improved Mix Design, Evaluation, and Materials Management
Practices for Hot-Mix Asphalt with High Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement
Content - Proposals Due September 26, 2007

***** RECENTLY RELEASED TRB PUBLICATIONS *****

* Cooperative Research Programs Security Research Status Report
* Transportation Security: A Summary of Transportation Research Board
Activities
* Transit-Oriented Development -- Traveler Response to Transportation
System Changes
* Appendixes to TCRP Report 118: Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner's Guide
* Intercity Rail Passenger Systems Update: Summer 2007

***** FEDERAL RESEARCH NEWS *****

* Successes in Stewardship Newsletter: August 2007
* Review of Planned Airport Development Costs and Funding Levels, and
the Administration's Proposed Changes in the Airport Improvement Program
* Review of Aviation Security
* Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE): A Comparison of Selected
Legislation in the 110th Congress
* Review of Vehicle Fuel Economy Standards
* Communicating with the Public Using ATIS during Disasters - A Guide
for Practitioners
* Work Zone Best Practices Fact Sheets Available
* A Decade of Growth in Domestic Freight Rail and Truck Ton-Miles
Continue to Rise
* SAFETEA-LU Planning: Illustrative Examples
* Durability of Segmental Retaining Wall Blocks: Final Report

***** STATE RESEARCH NEWS *****

* Economics of Travel Demand Management: Comparative Cost Effectiveness
and Public Investment
* Development of Alternative Measures of Transit Mode Share
* Investigation of Materials for Thin Bonded Overlays on Bridge Decks
* Assessment of Local Models and Tools for Analyzing Smart-Growth
Strategies

***** IN THE KNOW *****

* Assessment of the Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System
* Hearing on Challenges Facing the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Program

--------------------------------------------------------------
TRB News
--------------------------------------------------------------

2008 TRB 87TH ANNUAL MEETING: JETBLUE FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN DAVID
NEELEMAN, CHAIRMAN'S LUNCHEON FEATURED SPEAKER
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7977

David Neeleman, Founder and Chairman of JetBlue Airways, will be the
featured speaker at the Wednesday, January 16, 2008, Chairman's Luncheon
at the TRB 87th Annual Meeting. A premier event and the largest single
gathering at the Annual Meeting, the Chairman's Luncheon is attended by
leaders in the transportation field from the United States and abroad.
David Neeleman--an innovator in air reservation and electronic ticketing
systems and the founder of three successful aviation businesses,
including two low-fare startup airlines--is expected to share his unique
perspective on the future challenges and directions for the U.S.
aviation industry. The 2008 Chairman's Luncheon will be held in the Omni
Shoreham Hotel.

SHARON D. BANKS AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP IN TRANSPORTATION -
NOMINATIONS DUE AUGUST 31, 2007
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=1335

The Transportation Research Board is seeking nominations for the Sharon
D. Banks Award for Innovative Leadership in Transportation. This TRB
award was inaugurated in 2002, and it may be presented biennially. The
next presentation of the award will be made during the Chairman's
Luncheon on January 16, 2008, during the TRB 87th Annual Meeting.

Sharon D. Banks was the General Manager of AC Transit, Oakland,
California, from 1991 to 1999 and served as Chairwoman of the TRB
Executive Committee in 1998. She died in 1999. She was nationally known
for her personal integrity, for nurturing and mentoring young
transportation professionals, and for bringing together people of
diverse backgrounds and commitments in the pursuit of organizational
excellence.

Sharon Banks led by example, and this award is intended to honor others
who exemplify her ideals of humanity and service. The award recipient
will have a documented record of successful and innovative leadership in
areas such as community-sensitive transportation facilities and
services; the education, training, and mentoring of transportation
professionals; and other initiatives that bring together people of
diverse backgrounds in the pursuit of excellence.

TRB'S SHRP 2 CONTRACTOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST WEBSITE
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7983

Research projects conducted under TRB's Strategic Highway Research
Program 2 (SHRP 2) are often larger and more complex than those
typically seen in highway research. As a result, proposals are
frequently submitted by collaborative teams drawing on the skills and
facilities of multiple organizations. In response to requests from the
research community, SHRP 2 established the Contractor Expression of
Interest website where research organizations can signal their interest
in participating in collaborative teams to pursue specific SHRP 2
research. Since SHRP recently released its latest round of requests for
proposals, this would be an excellent time for interested organizations
to add information to the website. The list of organizations on the
site is intended solely as a resource for researchers. SHRP 2 does not
verify the information or use it in any way.

RFI: ACRP FY 2008 PROJECTS: OVERSIGHT PANEL NOMINEE SOLICITATION -
NOMINATIONS DUE SEPTEMBER 17, 2007
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7979

TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) is soliciting
nominations of individuals to serve on oversight panels for new projects
being established under ACRP's fiscal year 2008 program. Nominees should
have expertise directly relevant to the proposed project topic. To help
identify candidates who are members of historically underrepresented
groups, TRB encourages the nomination of women and members of minority
groups. Panels for the new research projects are scheduled to meet
starting in November 2007. Panel members are prohibited from submitting
or participating in preparation of proposals on projects under their
jurisdiction.

RFP: IMPROVED MIX DESIGN, EVALUATION, AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
FOR HOT-MIX ASPHALT WITH HIGH RECLAIMED ASPHALT PAVEMENT CONTENT -
PROPOSALS DUE SEPTEMBER 26, 2007
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7984

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a
request for proposals to develop a mix design and analysis procedure for
hot-mix asphalt (HMA) containing high reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP)
content that provides satisfactory long-term performance. The project
will also propose changes to existing specifications to account for HMA
containing high RAP content.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Recently Released TRB Publications
--------------------------------------------------------------

COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMS SECURITY RESEARCH STATUS REPORT
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=5078

TRB's Cooperative Research Program produces a table summarizing more
than 80 security and emergency preparedness projects representing over
$11 million in the contract research programs for state departments of
transportation and the public transportation industry. Updated monthly.

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY: A SUMMARY OF TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
ACTIVITIES
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=5079

A slideshow summary of the Transportation Research Board's pre- and
post-September 11, 2001, transportation security activities is updated
monthly.

TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT -- TRAVELER RESPONSE TO TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEM CHANGES
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7937

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 95: Traveler
Response to Transportation System Changes, Chapter 17--Transit-Oriented
Development explores the transit-oriented development (TOD) land use
strategy and its transportation impacts in terms of regional context,
land use mix, and primary transit mode. TOD generally refers to
higher-density development, with pedestrian priority, located within
easy walking distance of a major public transit station or stop.

APPENDIXES TO TCRP REPORT 118: BUS RAPID TRANSIT PRACTITIONER'S GUIDE
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7933

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Web-Only Document 39,
Appendixes to TCRP Report 118: Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner's Guide
includes the appendixes to TCRP Report 118. The appendixes contain
summaries of research that analyzed the ability of express bus and bus
rapid transit services to attract riders relative to the ability of rail
transit to attract riders, describes key ridership studies, and includes
the survey and responses used to help developed the report.

INTERCITY RAIL PASSENGER SYSTEMS UPDATE: SUMMER 2007
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7970

TRB has released the latest issue of Intercity Rail Passenger Systems
Update. This issue includes information on California's preparations
for implementation of its transportation bond program, the benefits of
intercity rail, rail news from Europe, and more.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Research News
--------------------------------------------------------------

SUCCESSES IN STEWARDSHIP NEWSLETTER: AUGUST 2007
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7975

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released the latest issue of
its Successes in Stewardship monthly newsletter that highlights current
environmental streamlining practices from around the United States.
This issue explores the assumption by state departments of
transportation of National Environmental Policy Act compliance
responsibilities.

REVIEW OF PLANNED AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND FUNDING LEVELS, AND THE
ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7978

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released a report that
explores current federal funding levels for airport development and the
sufficiency of those levels to meet planned development costs. The
report examines capital development estimates made by the U.S. Federal
Aviation Administration and the Airports Council International, analyzes
how much airports have received for capital development, and summarizes
the effects of proposed changes in federal funding for airport
development.

REVIEW OF AVIATION SECURITY
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7985

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released a letter report
that explores the ability of the federal government to respond to actual
or potential security threats while a commercial aircraft is in flight.

CORPORATE AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY (CAFE): A COMPARISON OF SELECTED
LEGISLATION IN THE 110TH CONGRESS
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7986

A U.S. Congressional Research Service report compares several bills in
the 110th Congress of the United States that address passenger vehicle
fuel economy in general and the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)
program specifically. The report explores CAFE-related federal
legislation that would explicitly increase passenger vehicle fuel
economy standards. The report also compares provisions in bills that
would establish greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger cars
outside of the CAFE structure.

REVIEW OF VEHICLE FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7997

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released a report that
explores how Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards are
designed to reduce fuel consumption. The report also examines the
strengths and weaknesses of the CAFE program and assesses market-based
policies that could complement or replace CAFE standards.

COMMUNICATING WITH THE PUBLIC USING ATIS DURING DISASTERS - A GUIDE FOR
PRACTITIONERS
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7987

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released a report that
explores the use of Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) during
disasters.

WORK ZONE BEST PRACTICES FACT SHEETS AVAILABLE
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7988

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has added four new fact sheets
to its work zone fact sheet series. The latest fact sheets highlight
state departments of transportation practices on work zone impacts
analysis, training, tracking work zone performance, and collaborative
work zone working groups.

A DECADE OF GROWTH IN DOMESTIC FREIGHT RAIL AND TRUCK TON-MILES CONTINUE
TO RISE
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7990

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics has released a special
report that explores domestic freight traffic carried by air, truck,
rail, water, and pipeline from 1996 to 2005.

SAFETEA-LU PLANNING: ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7993

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released a report that is
designed to help support the accommodation of the new and revised
planning provisions created by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
The report includes examples of current practice from metropolitan
planning organizations and state departments of transportation in an
attempt to illustrate a range of approaches for addressing several
selected planning provisions.

DURABILITY OF SEGMENTAL RETAINING WALL BLOCKS: FINAL REPORT
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7994

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released a report that
explores the causes and extent of segmental retaining wall (SRW) block
distress, and examines pertinent test methods and specifications to
ensure the long-term durability of SRW blocks in highway applications.
The report also includes guidance on producing durable SRW blocks.

REVIEW OF PLANNED AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND FUNDING LEVELS, AND THE
ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7972

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released a report that
explores current federal funding levels for airport development and the
sufficiency of those levels to meet planned development costs. The
report examines capital development estimates made by U.S. Federal
Aviation Administration and Airports Council International; analyzes how
much airports have received for capital development and if sustained,
whether it can meet future planned development; and summarizes the
effects of proposed changes in federal funding for airport development.

--------------------------------------------------------------
State Research News
--------------------------------------------------------------

ECONOMICS OF TRAVEL DEMAND MANAGEMENT: COMPARATIVE COST EFFECTIVENESS
AND PUBLIC INVESTMENT
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7980

The Florida Department of Transportation has released a report that
explores a methodology combining academic and practitioner experiences
within a theoretical framework that attempts to capture consumers' price
responsiveness to diverse transportation options by embracing the most
relevant trade-offs faced under income, modal price, and availability
constraints.

DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE MEASURES OF TRANSIT MODE SHARE
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7981

The Florida Department of Transportation has released a report that
explores a framework for considering the measurement of transit mode
share, analyzes the relationship between transit's usual and actual mode
shares, and assesses the sensitivity of transit mode share to a variety
of controversies raised about using the census journey-to-work data for
measuring transit mode share. In addition, the report examines
area-wide and sub-area measurements of transit mode share.

INVESTIGATION OF MATERIALS FOR THIN BONDED OVERLAYS ON BRIDGE DECKS
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7982

The Kansas Department of Transportation has released a report that
examines a durable thin bonded overlay with chloride resistance to
protect the reinforcing steel of the bridge deck.

ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL MODELS AND TOOLS FOR ANALYZING SMART-GROWTH
STRATEGIES
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7992

The California Department of Transportation has released a report that
explores models and tools available for use by cities and counties in
California for assessing the potential effects of smart-growth land-use
and transportation strategies designed to provide mobility options and
reduce demand on automobile-oriented facilities.

--------------------------------------------------------------
In The Know
--------------------------------------------------------------

ASSESSMENT OF THE NATIONWIDE DIFFERENTIAL GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7991

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) Research and Innovative
Technology Administration has published a notice in the Federal Register
assessing the current user requirements for the inland (terrestrial)
component of the Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System
(NDGPS). The assessment is in preparation for making a recommendation to
the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Executive
Committee on the need to continue to operate inland NDGPS, and to make a
decision on funding the NDGPS. If no transportation requirements or
other federal user requirements are identified as a result of the needs
assessment, and if there are no other federal or other funding sources
willing to sponsor or partner in sponsoring NDGPS, DOT would develop a
decommissioning plan for NDGPS.

HEARING ON CHALLENGES FACING THE COAST GUARD'S MARINE SAFETY PROGRAM
-> http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7989

On August 2, 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation held a hearing to explore the state of the Coast
Guard's Marine Safety Program. Additional background, prepared opening
remarks by members of the subcommittee, and the submitted testimony of
witnesses are available on line.

=============================================================
RECENTLY ADDED PROJECTS TO THE RESEARCH IN PROGRESS DATABASE

The Research In Progress (RiP) Database contains more than 9,500 records
of current or recently completed transportation research projects.
-> http://rip.trb.org/browse/additions.asp?days=7
=============================================================

TO BEGIN RECEIVING the E-Newsletter send an e-mail note to
rhouston@nas.edu with "TRB E-Newsletter" in the message's subject field.
-> mailto:rhouston@nas.edu?subject=TRB_E-Newsletter

TO END THIS SERVICE send an e-mail note to rhouston@nas.edu with "End
TRB E-Newsletter" in the message's subject field.
-> mailto:rhouston@nas.edu?subject=End_TRB_E-Newsletter

Suggestions or comments on content of the TRB Transportation Research
E-Newsletter may be sent to Russell Houston, Senior Program Officer,
Communications, Transportation Research Board at rhouston@nas.edu.

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is a division of the National
Academies, which include the National Academy of Sciences, National
Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research
Council. The mission of TRB is to promote innovation and progress in
transportation through research. In an objective and interdisciplinary
setting, the Board facilitates the sharing of information on
transportation practice and policy by researchers and practitioners;
stimulates research and offers research management services that promote
technical excellence; provides expert advice on transportation policy
and programs; and disseminates research results broadly and encourages
their implementation.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES: Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering,
and Medicine

The nation turns to the National Academies - National Academy of
Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and
National Research Council - for independent, objective advice on issues
that affect people's lives worldwide.
-> http://www.national-academies.org

The TRB Transportation Research E-Newsletter regularly covers
transportation research developments in the United States and abroad.
All articles appearing in the E-Newsletter are also available on TRB's
web page http://www.TRB.org. This document is not a report of the
National Research Council or of the National Academies. The opinions
expressed in reports highlighted in TRB's Transportation Research
E-Newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the
views of the Transportation Research Board.

If you like the Transportation Research Board's (TRB's) Transportation
Research E-Newsletter, why not check out the National Academies'
electronic newsletter to keep up on what's new on the Web from the
National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the
Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council.

-> http://nationalacademies.org/mail.html

Transportation Research Board
of The National Academies
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
www.TRB.org