Laboratory Information:
RITA - Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Kendall Square
55 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02142-0193
Website: http://www.volpe.dot.gov
Technology Transfer Website: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/ourwork/techtrns.html
Agency/Department: Dept. of Transportation
Region: Northeast
FLC Laboratory Representative:
Dr. Aviva Brecher
Phone: (617) 494-3470
Fax: (617) 494-3260
Email: aviva.brecher@dot.gov
Background/History of the Laboratory:
The John A. Volpe National Transportation
Systems Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an internationally
recognized center of transportation and logistics expertise. Through research and development, engineering,
and analysis, the Volpe Center helps decision-makers define problems and pursue solutions to lead
transportation into the 21st century. In essence, the Volpe Center is a catalyst for innovation a source
of critical
insight necessary to realize transportation's promising future. Our work includes a broad mix of projects
that cut
across traditional transportation modes and technical disciplines. We are well known internationally
for our
transportation expertise, and our highly skilled staff of experts is respected for their comprehensive
knowledge
and understanding of the transportation system. The Center has also successfully implemented several
major
programs such as the Federal Aviation Administration's Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS) and
Safety Performance Analysis System (SPAS), and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's SafeStat
Online. The Center assists federal, state, and local governments, industry, and academia in a number
of areas,
including human factors research, system design, implementation, and assessment, global tracking, strategic
investment and resource allocation, environmental preservation, and organizational effectiveness. In
these and
other areas, the Center provides its customers with valued policy support and strategic planning and
analysis.
The Volpe Center is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology
Administration. However, we differ from most federal organizations in that we receive no direct appropriation
from Congress. Instead, we are funded 100 percentthrough a fee-for-service structure in which all of
our costs
are covered by sponsored project work. Our entrepreneurial, market-driven organization supports approximately
$200 million annually in project work.
Mission of the Laboratory:
To anticipate future national, state, local,
and international transportation and logistics issues and
requirements, to develop tools and technologies addressing them for our clients, and to be a catalyst
for
innovation in transportation technologies and management processes to make the transportation system
safer
and more effective and efficient. In carrying out this mission, we support national transportation-related
initiatives and understand, anticipate, and create awareness of national and international transportation
trends
and issues. We serve as a federal bridge for transportation expertise between industry, academia, and
other
government agencies so as to enhance the nation's capabilities to meet future transportation requirements.
Technology Transfer Mechanisms:
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)
- Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- Conferences, symposia, seminars
Technology Areas of Expertise:
- Aviation Safety
- Environmental Measurement & Modeling
- Environmental Preservation & Systems Modernization
- Information Integration
- Operator Performance & Safety Analysis
- Railroad Systems
- Safety & Security
- Surveillance & Assessment
