Study Tours for the U.S. Department of Transportation

<CENTER> <H2>Study Tours for the U.S. Department of Transportation</H2> </CENTER> <hr> <B><P>	Technology Transfer (TTEC) Division</P></B> <P>The Technology Transfer (TTEC) Division of Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland is a division of Loyola's International Technology Research Institute (ITRI). It was originally established in April 1993 with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct a series of assessments of foreign transportation technology. Nine delegations of U.S. experts have visited developed countries in Europe and the Pacific Rim to gather information on technological innovations and research advancements. In 1996 TTEC broadened its scope to include a variety of foreign technology transfer services.</P> <B><P>Background</P></B> <P>The Department of Transportation developed the International Technology Scanning Program in response to Section 6003 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991. As indicated, "the Secretary is authorized to engage in activities to inform the domestic highway community of technological innovations abroad." As applied in this program, the term "scanning" refers to the approach of study generally known as benchmarking.</P> <P>The success of ITRI's benchmarking studies in Japan and the former Soviet Union was recognized by FHWA research and development experts who solicited the assistance of Loyola College to facilitate their scanning program.</P> <B><P>Scope and Method</P></B> <P>TTEC assembled delegations of U.S. professionals, composed of representatives from Federal, State, and city planning levels, from academia, and from the private sector. They identified foreign transportation experts in governments, universities, and the private sector, established contact, coordinate meetings, and provided logistical arrangements. Upon completion of the study tour, a member of the delegation compiled the information collected into a report of results. TTEC also disseminated the results to the highway community through workshops and technical presentations. </P> <B><P>Scanning Reviews Undertaken in 1993</P> </B> <I><P><a href= "http://www.bts.gov/NTL/DOCS/intrmdl.html">European Intermodal Programs: Planning, Policy, and Technology</a></P> </I><P>Four representatives visited Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany to discuss and report on European experiences with intermodal freight transportation policies and systems. The objective was to observe and document information on European Union methods and experiences in the planning and administration, system development, environmental compliance, financing, marketing, and operation of increasingly complex and capital-intensive intermodal freight systems and facilities. Gerhard Muller edited the report, which was published in September 1994. Publication FHWA-PL-94-038.</P> <I><P><a href= "http://www.bts.gov/NTL/DOCS/bikeped.html">Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety</a></P> </I><P>Seven representatives visited England, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland to learn practices and policies for improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety and promoting use of these modes. Topics covered included roadway facilities, educational and promotional programs, traffic enforcement issues, and relevant pedestrian and bicyclist research. Charles V. Zegeer edited the report, which was published in December 1994. Publication FHWA-PL-95-006.</P> <I><P><a href= "http://www.bts.gov/NTL/DOCS/catqest.html">Contract Administration Techniques for Quality Enhancement Study Tour (CATQEST)</a></P> </I><P>Fifteen representatives traveled to Germany, France, Austria, and Spain to evaluate European contract administration procedures. The primary objective was to link innovative contract administration practices with high-quality levels of highways in Europe; and, if such linkage could be verified, determine whether practices were potentially adaptable for use in the United States. Topics included bidding/award procedures, design issues, quality control, environmental impact, and acceptance of materials and products. Anthony Kane was the team leader, and the report was published in June 1994. Publication FHWA-PL-94-033.</P> <I><P><a href= "http://www.bts.gov/NTL/DOCS/surveys.html">National Personal Travel Surveys</a></P> </I><P>Six representatives traveled to the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, and Germany. The purposes of the visits were to seek out innovative methodological approaches to transportation survey design and operations, review European experiences with different kinds of institutional arrangements, and investigate new ideas in survey content and data collection methods. Allan Pisarski edited the report, which was published in September 1994. Publication FHWA-PL-95-003.</P> <I><P><a href= "http://www.bts.gov/NTL/DOCS/advtech.html">Advanced Transportation Technology</a></P> </I><P>Representatives visited Denmark, Germany, France, and the Netherlands to survey European technology and to observe and document developments in evolving computer-based technologies such as artificial intelligence, expert systems, neural networks, computer-enhanced inspection, modeling and test methodologies. In addition to assessing the state of ongoing research in evolving computer-based technologies, the delegation was to determine how European countries test innovations and put them into practice. James Wentworth was the team leader, and the report was published in December 1994. Publication FHWA-PL-95-027.</P> <B><P>Scanning Reviews Undertaken in 1994</P></B> <I><P><a href= "http://www.bts.gov/NTL/DOCS/sms.html">Highway Safety Management Systems (SMS)</a></P></I> <P>Six representatives traveled to Japan to examine safety management offices and research centers for information about cutting-edge technology concepts. They visited Australia and New Zealand to examine broad-based SMS initiatives and implementations, conducting interviews with those responsible for maintenance at all levels. The report was edited by John Zogby, and was published June 1995. Publication FHWA-PL-95-045.</P> <I><P>Issues and Options in Highway/Commercial Vehicle Interaction -- Phase I, North America</P> </I><P>This study was designed in two parts: Phase I, benchmarking in North America; Phase II, Europe. The team of experts visited Canada, Mexico, and the United States focusing on both current practices in truck components/pavement design and on new and emerging technologies that have potential for long-range application for extending pavement life and at the same time allow for increased productivity in terms of the amount of goods transported. Specific vehicle, vehicle component, and pavement designs having a negative impact on highway infrastructure were also evaluated. The primary objective is to determine relationships between trucks and pavement damage to support decisions for a national policy on truck size and weight, axle-tire-suspension characteristics, cost allocation, and alternative pavement design and rehabilitation strategies. Byron Lord was the team leader, and the report was published in 1996.</P> <B><P>Scanning Reviews Undertaken in 1995</P></B> <I><P>Issues and Options in Highway/Commercial Vehicle Interaction -- Phase II, Europe</P> </I><P>The delegation that visited North America in 1994 traveled to France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. See above description of objectives.</P> <I><P><a href= "http://www.bts.gov/ntl/DOCS/speed06.html">Speed Management and Enforcement Technology</a></P> </I><P>Twelve representatives visited the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and Australia to focus on the comprehensive development and implementation of speed management programs. Emphasis was placed on techniques to identify speed problems, efforts to establish speed limits, methods to inform the community of the dangers of speeding, techniques to involve the community, the judiciary, and the police in program development, and evaluation techniques and results. Application of automated enforcement technologies in comprehensive speed management programs were also reviewed. Report published April 1996.</P> </FONT> <hr> <center> <p><a HREF="http://www.ttec.org/directory.htm">Return to TTEC Directory</a></p> </center>