25th Annual International Bridge Conference
4/30/2008

TRB is cosponsoring the 25th Annual International Bridge Conference on June 2-4, 2008, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The conference will include more than 80 technical presentations in areas such as design, geotechnical, inspection and analysis, long span bridges, accelerated bridge construction, construction, historic structure, rehabilitation, seismic, and more.  The conference will also feature several workshops including one that will explore bridge related renewal research taking place as part of TRB's second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2).  In addition the conference will include a workshop, sponsored by TRB's Committees on Steel Bridges, and Dynamics and Field Testing of Bridges, which will examine the evaluation and rehabilitation of steal bridges for safety.  TRB's Subcommittee on Bridge Aesthetics will be meeting in conjunction with the conference as well.  [More]

Bus Rapid Transit Workshop: An Introduction to the Euclid Corridor BRT
5/5/2008

TRB is sponsoring the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Workshop: An Introduction to the Euclid Corridor BRT on  July 21-22, 2008, in Cleveland, Ohio.  The workshop will focus on the history, design, construction, operations, safety, real estate and economic development, and project oversight associated with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Euclid Corridor BRT system.  [More]

FY 2009 National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Projects
5/2/2008

Preliminary descriptions of projects expected to be undertaken as part of TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) fiscal year 2009 activities are available for review.  These projects do not represent the entire NCHRP FY 2009 program, only those for which requests for proposals are expected to be issued during August and September of this year.  Deadlines for proposals vary, but are generally in October and November.  Announcements of the requests for proposals on these projects will be included in future issues of the TRB E-Newsletter.  [More]

FY 2009 TCRP Problem Statements Sought
5/1/2008

This is a reminder that TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program has issued a request for problem statements identifying research needed for TCRP’s FY 2009 program.  Research problem statements for the TCRP FY 2009 program are due June 15, 2008.  These submittals form the basis for selection of the annual TCRP research program.  The TCRP undertakes applied research and technical activities focusing on the needs of transit operating agencies.  Research is conducted in all areas of public transportation, including operations, policy, planning, service configuration, engineering of vehicles and facilities, maintenance, human resources, and administration.  If you have submitted a research problem statement in a previous year that was not selected, but is still a relevant transit research topic, please feel free to resubmit the problem statement for consideration. There are many good research topics that are not selected each year simply due to the level of funding available. Research problem statements must be resubmitted each year to receive further consideration.  Submitting a research problem statement is easy. So, if you have any potential research topics, TRB would welcome your submission. New projects will be selected in the Fall of 2008.  [More]

Representing Freight in Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Models
4/30/2008

TRB’s National Cooperative Freight Research Program (NCFRP) has released a request for proposals to evaluate the current methods used to generate air emissions information from freight transportation activities and determine their suitability for purposes such as in health and climate risk assessments, the prioritization of emission reduction activities, and in public education activities.  [More]

Upcoming TRB Webinar: Accommodating Pedestrians at Signalized Intersections
4/30/2008

TRB will conduct a web briefing or “Webinar” on Thursday, May 8, 2008, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EDT that will explore issues and recent research findings related to pedestrians at signalized intersections.  The webinar will focus on ways to accommodate pedestrians at signalized intersections as a result of changes in pedestrian walk times as well as the increased use of pedestrian countdown timers.  The webinar replicates a session held during TRB’s 2008 Annual Meeting on accommodating pedestrians at signalized intersections, which was sponsored by TRB’s Traffic Signal Systems and Pedestrians committees.  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.  [More]

Airport Economic Impact Methods and Models
5/1/2008

TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Synthesis 7: Airport Economic Impact Methods and Models explores how airport economic impact studies are currently conducted.  The report examines the methods and models used to define and identify, evaluate and measure, and communicate the different facets of the economic impact of airports.  The report also highlights the various analysis methods, models, and tools that are available for local airport economic studies, as well as their applicability and tradeoffs, including limitations, trends, and recent developments.  [More]

Development of a Comprehensive Modal Emissions Model
5/6/2008

TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web-Only Document 122 explores development of a modal emissions model that reflects light-duty vehicle emissions produced as a function of the vehicle’s operating mode.  [More]

TRB Publications Catalog: All 2007 Titles
4/30/2008

The TRB Publications Catalog: All 2007 Titles lists all publications produced by TRB for calendar year 2007.  Titles of publications are listed in this catalog in alphabetical order under subject area. Many titles are listed under several subject areas.  The catalog also includes information on the Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board TRR Online service and subscription prices.  A form for ordering the Highway Capacity Manual 2000 and a general publication order form are provided in the back of the catalog.  For a list of all titles in print, visit the TRB Bookstore online; write to the TRB Business Office, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001; call 202-334-3213; or email TRBSales@nas.edu.  [More]

What You Need to Know About Energy
5/2/2008

The National Academies have released an informational booklet that explores the issue of energy in terms of sources and uses, supply and demand, efficiency, and emerging technologies.  The publication is one in a series of informational booklets designed to engage readers in current topics in science, engineering, and medicine.  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.  [More]

Consolidated Federal Funds Report: 2006
5/5/2008

The U.S. Census Bureau has released a report that provides a broad overview of how and where the federal government allocates funds. Statistics are provided for each federal department and agency, and are presented by state, county, and subcounty area.  [More]

Energy Market and Economic Impacts of S.2191, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2007
5/2/2008

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration has released a report that explores the greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program that would be established by the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2007 (S.2191).  The legislation would regulate emissions of greenhouse gases through market-based mechanisms, energy efficiency programs, and economic incentives.  [More]

Federal Aid to States for Fiscal Year 2006
5/5/2008

The U.S. Census Bureau has released a report that contains data on fiscal year 2006 federal grants to state and local governments.  [More]

Status of Implementation of GAO Recommendations on Evacuation of Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations and Patients and Residents of Health Care Facilities
5/2/2008

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released a letter report that explores progress the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Health and Human Services have made on implementing six recommendations GAO made in two 2006 reports that addressed the evacuation of transportation-disadvantaged populations and patients and residents of health care facilities.  [More]

Evaluation of Long-Term Pavement Performance and Noise Characteristics of Open-Graded Friction Courses
5/2/2008

The Washington State Department of Transportation has released a report that explores the performance and noise impacts of pavements that have an open-graded friction course (OGFC) modified with an asphalt rubber binder or an OGFC with a styrene-butadiene-styrene polymer asphalt binder.  [More]

Impact of New Diesel Fuels Used in Port Operations on Subsurface Quality
5/2/2008

The California Department of Transportation has released a report that explores how diesohol might affect the movement and fate of contaminants in the aqueous phase of the subsurface.  [More]

Illinois Center for Transportation Newsletter: Spring 2008
5/5/2008

The Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT), a partnership between the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), has released the latest issue of its quarterly newsletter designed to keep interested parties informed of current research and news at the ICT.  [More]

Phase Two Report: Development of a Large Bus/Small Bus Decision Support Tool
5/5/2008

The National Center for Transit Research at the University of South Florida has released a report that explores the research effort, details the process of developing the bus size evaluation tool (BSeT), and is designed to serve as a user guide for BSeT.  According to the National Center, the BSeT comprises a life-cycle cost calculator and a template of weighted factors designed to help transit agencies select buses that may be best suited to satisfy their obligations.  [More]

USF Journal of Public Transportation: Volume 11, No. 1, 2008
5/2/2008

The University of Southern Florida (USF) has released the latest issue of its Journal of Public Transportation.  Articles in this issue include the following:
* Qualitative Research to Assess Interest in Public Transportation for Work Commute
* Managing Limited Access Highways for High Performance: Costs, Benefits, and Revenues
* Demand-Responsive Route Design: Geographic Information Systems Application to Link Downtowns with Expansion Areas
* Does Government Structure Matter? A Comparative Analysis of Urban Bus Transit Efficiency
* Encouraging Sustainable Campus Travel: Self-Reported Impacts of a University TravelSmart Initiative
* Faith-Based Organizations: A Potential Partner in Rural Transportation  [More]

Fatal and Serious Road Crashes Involving Motorcycles
5/5/2008

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released a report that explores fatal and serious motorcycle crashes by road user groups, crash type, national and international jurisdictions, road type, weather, rider age, helmet use, and main contributory factors.  [More]

Rail Safety and Standards Board Research and Development E-Newsletter: April 2008
5/5/2008

The U.K. Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has released the latest issue of its monthly electronic newsletter that provides information on current projects as well as access to completed research. RSSB manages a program of research and development on behalf of government and the railway industry. The program is funded by the Department for Transport and is designed to assist the industry and its stakeholders in improving performance (in terms of health and safety, reliability, and punctuality), increasing capacity and availability, reducing cost, and delivering a sustainable future for the railway.  [More]

Review of the Literature on Coffee Stops as a Road Safety Measure
5/2/2008

The Centre for Automotive Safety Research at the University of Adelaide, Australia, has released a report that explores current research regarding the road safety benefit of providing caffeine at ‘coffee stops’ as a countermeasure for driver fatigue or sleepiness.  [More]

2008 Traffic Safety Culture Index
5/2/2008

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has released a report that examines the results of a survey designed to identify the attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and experiences of the American public related to traffic safety.  The report also explores information gathered during the survey in terms of future research, educational outreach, and a potential dialogue on the nation’s traffic safety culture.  [More]

Directions in Road Safety Newsletter: April 2008
5/2/2008

The Transportation Safety Planning Working Group (TSPWG) has released the latest issue of its quarterly newsletter.  TSPWG is an informal, ad hoc partnership of select U.S. Department of Transportation agencies and associations representing safety, traffic engineering, and planning professionals as well as state departments of transportation.  [More]