This report documents the actions taken by transportation agencies in response to the August 14, 2003, blackout throughout the Northeast. It is part of a larger effort to examine the impacts of catastrophic events on transportation system facilities and services and the role that intelligent transportation systems (ITS) play in emergencies. It also highlights the importance of good communications between transportation agency staff and the public safety officials who are the first responders during catastrophic events.

To assist state and local transportation staffs in preparing for and respond to major incidents, the Federal Highway Administration Office of Transportation Operations and the U.S. Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office have commissioned a series of reviews to investigate the effects of catastrophic events on roadway and transit systems.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Intelligent Vehicle Initiative is focused on improving the safety of the nation's highways through the continued development and deployment of advanced-technology crash avoidance systems. This research furthers the understanding of the critical event dynamics that precede specific types of crashes and quantifies the crash contributing factors for the crash types. In particular, this report is focused on single vehicle offroadway, rear-end, and lane change crashes involving light vehicles (passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and pickup...

The purpose of the study documented in this report was to determine how transportation planning for special events is best conducted when mobility considerations are subordinated to security priorities. The subject of this study was the 2004 Democratic National Convention (DNC), held in Boston, Massachusetts, from July 26 through July 29, 2004. This event was designated a National Special Security Event by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. This designation established the U.S. Secret Service as the lead agency because security measures would take precedence over other actions, such...

In November 2000, Congress directed the Secretary of Transportation to develop a child restraint safety rating system that is practicable and understandable (Section 14 (g) of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act, November 1, 2000, Pub.L. 106-414, 114 Stat. 1800) and that will help consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing child restraints. The responsibility of this mandate fell to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which published a final rule on November 6, 2002 announcing its intent to establish a consumer...

On November 1, 2000, Congress passed the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act, Public Law 106-414 (114 Stat. 1800). Under that Act, the Secretary of Transportation was required to develop a child restraint safety rating that was practicable and understandable (Section 14 g) in order to help consumers make an informed decision in the purchase of a child restraint. In addition, Section 14(b)(9) of the TREAD Act required consideration for placing child restraint systems (CRS) in the rear seats of vehicles being crash tested under the New Car Assessment...

Since its founding, NASA has been dedicated to the advancement of aeronautics and space science. The NASA Scientific Technical Information Program Office plays a key part in helping NASA maintain this important role.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sponsored preparation of this report to support a rulemaking process about the use of locomotive horns and the accompanying environmental impact statement. This document reviews select current and past research on the effect of transportation noise on physiological and psychological health for both people and wildlife.

The United States Department of Transportation's (U.S. DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration's (RITA) John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), under the direction of the U.S. DOT Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Office of Research and Development (R&D), conducted a research study focused on collecting and analyzing data related to driver characteristics at or on approachtohighway-rail grade crossings. Volpe Center reviewed and coded 3,171 grade crossing events involving heavy vehicle drivers collected during a recent field operational test of...