Dynamics of land use, noise and local development

Although the number of people exposed to significant aircraft noise levels in the U.S. was reduced by about 90% between 1975 and 2005, airport noise restrictions and public complaints continue to grow. In fact, while U.S. Federal investment in local noise mitigation has increased five fold, at the same time airport noise restrictions have grown ten fold. Land-use planning and encroachment are important factors that influence community noise impacts and complaints. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is pursuing research under the Partnership for Air Transportation Noise and Emissions Reduction (PARTNER) Center of Excellence to gain a better understanding of airport encroachment patterns, determine factors which fuel encroachment, identify factors which influence the generation of noise complaints, and explore the feasibility of defining an "encroachment metric" for use in predicting community noise concerns. The project involves extensive field study and subject interviews. This research may result in a set of recommended encroachment metrics and recommendations that must be subjected to peer-review as the findings are expected to have a clear and substantial impact on important public policies or private sector decisions of high public interest, the definition for influential scientific dissemination.

A work product on land use should be available to initiate the peer review process in FY 2007. Additional products on other metrics may be available for peer review in FY 2008-2009.

Dr. Lourdes Q. Maurice, Ph.D., P.E.

(202) 493-4293

lourdes.maurice@faa.gov

The FAA has contracted with Sandia National Laboratories to conduct an independent study the "Fuel Tank Safety Study") to validate FAA assumptions regarding the effectiveness of SFAR 88.  The goal of this project is to assess the overall and individual effectiveness of the FAA Airworthiness Directives (ADs) contained in SFAR 88.  This study will also identify the significance of unsafe fuel tank flammability conditions and any remaining risks from those design and maintenance issues not addressed by the ADs.

The FAA developed a fuel tank flammability assessment method (“Monte Carlo Model”) for industry to use when determining compliance with FAA flammability requirements.  The goal was to provide standardized engineering assessment method for determining the flammability exposure of airplane fuel tanks.  An industry advisory group initially developed the Monte Carlo Model in 1998.  The FAA incorporated changes to the model to address issues with the original model and to reflect additional fuel tank flammability data developed since 1998.  The FAA produced a draft Fuel Tank Flammability Assessment Method User’s Manual that documents the FAA model and provides instructions using the model.

The Peer Review will measure the design, administration, and findings of the Fuel Tank Safety Study and the Fuel Tank Flammability Assessment method.

John Linsenmeyer,

202-267-5174

john.linsenmeyer@faa.gov

Enhanced Night Visibility—Executive Summary

The Enhanced Night Visibility (ENV) Project provides a comprehensive evaluation of evolving and proposed headlight technologies under various weather conditions. The individual studies within the overall project are documented in an 18 volume series of FHWA reports, of which the Executive Summary is Volume I.

The peer review of the Executive Summary (Volume I) is scheduled to be completed before March 1, 2006

Carl Anderson

202-493-3366

Carl.Anderson@fhwa.dot.gov

202-493-3365

thomas.granda@
fhwa.dot.gov

Violations Severity Assessment Project

This project will reassess the appropriate levels of severity that should be assigned to violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).  Currently, a subset of FMCSR violations are classified as critical or acute through a qualitative methodology.   New levels of severity will be explored for violations of the FMCSRs, based upon a quantitative analysis of each violation’s potential impact upon highway safety.   The benefit will be more effectively removing unsafe motor carriers from our highways.

The peer review is scheduled for FY 2006 or FY 2007.

Richard Gruberg

202-366-2959

Richard.gruberg@fmcsa.dot.gov

Crashworthiness of Cargo Tanks equipped w/Rollover Protection Devices and Cargo Tank Stability

These two research studies include research on the crashworthiness of cargo tanks and the performance of typical cargo tank design against rollover and tank stability.  There will be a 24-month research project to study crashworthiness of cargo tanks and forces encountered during severe rollover events using crash simulation software and non-linear finite element code.  In addition, a study will be performed to review the stability of cargo tanks.  Studies have demonstrated that in a majority of serious hazardous materials incidents, the first harmful event is a rollover of a cargo tank.  More likely than not, these rollovers occurred while the driver was performing evasive maneuvers and/or speeds were too fast for conditions while approaching and departing highway entrance and exit ramps.  This can be due to the inherent instability of the cargo tank and the tendency of the product surge to exacerbate the sudden movements that result in a loss of control and rollover.  Upon completion of the crashworthiness research, FMCSA should have sufficient information and technical support for the development of performance based rollover protection devices.  Also, the tank stability study will provide recommendations to improve the lateral stability of cargo tank motor vehicles, which may include speed sensors, lateral stability sensors, forward looking sensors, product stability devices designed in the cargo tank and improvement of current cargo tank baffles.  The benefit will be a reduction in fatalities and crashes as a result of reducing cargo tank motor vehicle rollover crashes.

The peer review is anticipated for FY 2007.

Danny Shelton

202-366-0476

danny.shelton@fmcsa.dot.gov

Hazardous Materials (HM) Cargo Tank Service Life Study

FMCSA will be conducting a new study to examine performance and safety issues with cargo tanks as they age.  The project will study the effects of external factors that determine the life of a cargo tank, including:  level of maintenance, quality of maintenance, type of HM service, design of cargo tank, inspection intervals and severe weather conditions.  The study will seek to develop recommended inspection and safety standards that may be incorporated into regulation.  By determining the limits of cargo tank service life and the effects of external conditions, this could reduce the number of cargo tank failures and allow proactive measures to be taken to prevent failures.

The peer review is anticipated for FY 2008.

Danny Shelton

202-366-0476

danny.shelton@fmcsa.dot.gov

Hazardous Materials (HM) Routing Safety and Security Risk Analysis

This study will provide a comprehensive analysis of safety and security concerns related to HM routing in the US.  Guidance documents and tools to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities of HM routes will be developed.  An evaluation of current routing activities and creation of best management practices may be used as recommendations to state governments.  The results of this study could determine safer routes for the transportation of HM, therefore reducing the potential for HM accidents and security issues.

The peer review is anticipated for FY 2007.

Loretta Bitner

202-366-2884

loretta.bitner@fmcsa.dot.gov

Testing and Evaluation of Stationary and Mobile Radiation Detection Devices and Vehicle Disabling Technologies

These congressionally mandated projects are to perform testing and evaluation of mobile and stationary radiation detection devices to be used on truck traffic, and to conduct research on cost and benefits of using industry-standard truck disabling technologies.  The Stationary and Mobile Radiation Detection Devices (RDD) test will evaluate RDD’s capability to detect undeclared loads of hazardous materials; specific isotopes present in shipments—including the evaluation of the feasibility of using isotope data and dispersion of radiation to determine what type of load is being transported.  Testing will also determine the level of hazard communication to be applied to shipments (marking, labeling, etc...) and if radioactive shipments exceed the U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulatory limits.  The vehicle disabling study will establish best practices for safety and security applications of remote vehicle disabling technologies, and will involve conducting field operational testing of this technology. 

The goals of these studies are to determine best management practices for the use of radiation detection devices at weigh stations and on the road, and to evaluate existing vehicle disabling technologies in an effort to determine potential security initiatives.  Detection of undeclared shipments of radioactive materials has both public safety and national security benefits, while vehicle disabling technologies can be used to reduce the potential for HM shipments to be stolen or used as weapons of mass destruction. 

The peer review is anticipated for FY 2008.

Ryan Paquet

202-366-1705

Ryan.paquet@fmcsa.dot.gov

National Registry Role Delineation and Medical Examiner Performance Studies

FMCSA estimates that there are approximately 7-9 million drivers subject to FMCSA’s medical standards and advisory criteria.  A medical certificate is typically valid for 2 years after the date of examination, so it is estimated that a minimum of 3-5 million medical examinations are conducted a year.  Medical examinations may be performed more frequently if deemed necessary by the medical examiner or required for the CMV driver who holds a Federal medical exemption, intrastate medical exemption or other special status.  There has been no research to date that directly correlates the role and performance of medical examiners who determine the physical qualifications of CMV drivers in the United States.  Additionally, there has been no research to date that directly correlates the safety role and performance of medical examiners.  Medical examiners are the medical and osteopathic doctors, physician assistants, chiropractors and advance practice nurses who perform these driver examinations.  The National Registry study will also examine the role of medical examiners to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively determine if a CMV driver’s health meets federal physical qualifications standards.  The data obtained from the Role Delineation Study and other sources would be used to support the development of the National Registry program.  

The project goals are to improve scientific guidance on medical certification and medical examiner performance issues that impact interstate CMV operator health and safety, and to inform associated agency policies and programs.   There is some evidence that improvement in the physical qualification of CMV drivers may reduce CMV crashes, fatalities and injuries.  This study will improve credibility of the CMV examination process in the medical ands scientific communities. This study may also improve public confidence in the CMV driver medical qualification process. 

The peer review is anticipated for late FY 2006, early FY 2007.

Mary D. Gunnels

202-366-4001

maggi.gunnels@fmcsa.dot.gov

Medical Research Panels (FY2007-FY2008)

The Panels will include medical research topics – 15-20 comprehensive or expedited scientific reviews, including those scheduled a follows::

Quarter 1 2006 – Drug/Alcohol (comprehensive); Diabetes Mellitus (expedited); Quarter 2 2006 – Sleep; Neurology (comprehensive); Cardiovascular (expedited); Quarter 3 2006 –  Musculoskeletal (comprehensive); Vision (expedited);Quarter 4 2006 –   Psychiatry; Renal (comprehensive); Infectious Disease (expedited); Quarter 1 2007 –  Injury (comprehensive); Hearing; Post Surgical (expedited); Quarter 2 2007 –  Medicolegal; Pulmonary (comprehensive).   This research will define medical standards for CMV drivers in the United States. 

The goals are to provide scientific guidance on critical medical issues that impact interstate CMV operator health and safety, and to inform associated agency policies and programs, including rulemakings to revise and develop new driver medical standards.  There is significant evidence that improvement in the physical qualification of CMV drivers may reduce CMV crashes, fatalities and injuries.  This study will improve credibility of the CMV examination process in the medical and scientific communities. This study may also improve public confidence in the CMV driver medical qualification process.

The peer review is anticipated to begin FY 2006, and continue through FY 2008.

Mary D. Gunnels

202-366-4001

maggi.gunnels@fmcsa.dot.gov

Driver Safety Performance Improvement via Onboard Monitoring

The goal of this program is to lower the amount of commercial motor vehicle driver errors which could improve driver performance through commercial motor vehicle monitoring systems.  One of eight traffic fatalities results from collisions involving large trucks.  This equates to more than 5,000 deaths a year.  This underscores the fact that reduction of commercial motor vehicle crashes should be an essential element of highway safety.  European studies have shown up to 30 percent reduction in crash rates for vehicles equipped with on-board recorders.  This experience could be adapted to the US trucking industry.  On-board monitoring may provide a mechanism to encourage good driving behavior by recognizing and correcting self-induced hazardous driving situations. 

The peer review is anticipated for FY 2008.

Martin Walker

202-385-2364

martin.walker@fmcsa.dot.gov

Fatigue Management Program for Motor Carriers

The Fatigue Management Program encompasses three studies on Commercial Driver Fatigue, Shift Changes in Driver Fatigue and a Napping Study.  Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) driver fatigue has been identified as an important commercial vehicle safety area by FMCSA, NTSB, and others.  FMCSA Hours of Service regulations are an attempt to address this issue by setting limits on driving, on-duty, and off-duty times.  The Fatigue Management Program (FMP) complements and goes beyond the regulation to provide guidance and educate drivers on the necessity to obtain adequate sleep when off duty and use fatigue management techniques when on duty.  It also provides motor carrier management (safety officers and schedulers) with guidance on developing biocompatible schedules to help ensure driver alertness.   Additionally, hours-of-service initiatives in both the United States and Canada have highlighted scheduling issues closely related to shift changes; in particular, the issue of “weekend” recovery from cumulative fatigue. Although drivers may take their “weekends” on any day of the week, the issue of concern is the recovery process that occurs during these days off. Given that some degree of sleep deprivation occurs during the workweek for most drivers (especially when that week has involved night driving and/or shift changes), it is critical that drivers have sufficient time off during their “weekend” to recover full alertness and physical vitality.   Furthermore, strategic napping, i.e., napping during specified times of day and period within a work shift has been shown to be one of the most effective fatigue countermeasures, and are employed in the airline, rail, and maritime transportation industries.  The napping study determines napping strategies for CMV drivers and explores the feasibility of its application in the motor carrier industry.

The goals from these research studies are to reduce fatigue-related incidents and decrease the personal and economic cost to drivers, companies, workers’ compensation programs and insurance carriers. Also, to lower the risk of fatigue-related crashes and fatalities by helping to ensure that drivers have sufficient time to recover from any cumulative fatigue incurred during a “weekly” work shift and by incorporating napping strategies into a fatigue management program, and thereby ensuring that fatigued drivers can restore a level of alertness to safely complete their tour of duty.  The benefit would be fewer fatigue-related crashes and fatalities.

The peer review is anticipated for FY 2008.

Robert Carroll

202-385-2388

robert.carroll@fmcsa.dot.gov

Truck Simulator Validation (Sim Val) Study

The principal purpose of FMCSA’s Truck Simulator Validation (Sim Val) is to examine whether simulator based training, as compared to conventional training in a tractor-trailer, can enhance truck driver training and improve longer term driver safety performance.  In addition, the study will showcase the advanced capabilities of a simulator to replicate emergency and evasive maneuvers.  The study will compare the driving skills and longer term safety performance of drivers trained conventionally in a tractor-trailer to drivers trained principally in a truck driving simulator.  The design of the study will also allow FMCSA to understand the value of training in and of itself (a question long unanswered in the literature).  Furthermore, the study will compare the driving performance of students that successfully completed a truck driver training program of longer duration (8 weeks) to students successfully completing a training program of shorter duration (1 to 3 weeks).   The goal is to improve driver safety performance.

The peer review is anticipated for FY 2008.

Jerry Robin

202-385-2395

Jerry.Robin@fmcsa.dot.gov

Wireless Truck and Bus Safety Inspection Study

This study focuses on developing and analyzing various concepts of operation that would link on-board safety data, and the associated sensors and monitoring technologies, together with a means of wirelessly communicating that data to inspection sites, and thereby improving the quality and/or quantity of commercial vehicle inspections completed annually in the U.S.  The information would be in the form of a safety data message set and could include driver hours of service and vehicle brake and tire information.  The goal is to reduce crashes through improved roadside inspections using wireless technologies that will be able to inspect trucks and buses in a more effective and efficient manner.  The concept of conducting frequent wireless inspections of driver logs and basic vehicle fault code information for all trucks has the estimated potential for saving lives, preventing injuries, and avoiding property damage crashes.

The peer review is anticipated for FY 2006.

Jeffrey Loftus

202-385-2363

Jeff.loftus@fmcsa.dot.gov

Road Departure Crash Warning Field Operational Test

As part of the Intelligent Vehicle Initiative of the USDOT, this project will place a new crash avoidance system into normal passenger car service so as to evaluate its performance, accelerate its commercial deployment, and assess its benefits on the basis of naturalistic, empirical evidence.  The system in question is intended to reduce the disproportionate toll in death and injury that is claimed each year through road-departure crashes.

The peer review is anticipated for FY 2006.

Lloyd Emery

202-366-5673

Lemery@nhtsa.dot.gov