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Volpe The National Transportation Systems Center

Overview of the Volpe Center 

Aviation Human Factors Division

Maura Lohrenz

July 2013

U.S. Department of Transportation

Research and Innovative Technology Administration

John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

Volpe The National Transportation Systems Center

Advancing transportation innovation for the public good
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Outline

 Overview of Volpe

 Aviation Human Factors 

Division

 Research Staff

 Current Volpe Project Teams

 Questions
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Outline

 Overview of Volpe

 Aviation Human Factors 

Division

 Research Staff

 Current Volpe Project Teams

 Questions
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Transportation Professionals

• 570 Federal Employees 

representing a full 

spectrum of disciplines 

from engineering to 

physical and social 

sciences

• 263 Advanced Degrees 

• >60 Federal Career 

Interns and Co-op 

Students

• >1,000 contractors 
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Mission, Vision, Capabilities 

 Mission

 To improve the Nation's transportation systems

 Vision

 To be the leading Federal Center of Excellence for innovative 

transportation systems solutions

 Capabilities

 Institutional knowledge of the global transportation system and 

its stakeholder perspectives

 Awareness of Federal responsibilities, objectives, and activities 

in the public interest

 Experience with the full spectrum of technologies and 

disciplines relevant to transportation system improvements
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Centers of Innovation

 RVT-20 Transportation Policy and Planning (Rachel Winkeller)

 RVT-30 Safety Management Systems (Stephen Popkin)

 RVT-40 Environmental and Energy Systems (Gregg Fleming)

 RVT-50 Transportation Logistics and Security (Michael Dinning)

 RVT-60 Infrastructure Systems and Engineering (Robert Dorer)

 RVT-70 Air Traffic Systems and Operations (Steven Lang)

 RVT-80 Human Factors Research & System App. (S. Popkin, act.)

 RVT-90 Advanced Transportation Technologies (Gary Ritter)
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Centers of Innovation

 RVT-20 Transportation Policy and Planning (Rachel Winkeller)

 RVT-30 Safety Management Systems (Stephen Popkin)

 RVT-40 Environmental and Energy Systems (Gregg Fleming)

 RVT-50 Transportation Logistics and Security (Michael Dinning)

 RVT-60 Infrastructure Systems and Engineering (Robert Dorer)

 RVT-70 Air Traffic Systems and Operations (Steven Lang)

 RVT-80 Human Factors Research & System App. (S. Popkin, act.)

 RVT-90 Advanced Transportation Technologies (Gary Ritter)
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Centers of Innovation

 RVT-20 Transportation Policy and Planning (Rachel Winkeller)

 RVT-30 Safety Management and Human Factors (Stephen Popkin)

 RVT-40 Environmental and Energy Systems (Gregg Fleming)

 RVT-50 Transportation Logistics and Security (Michael Dinning)

 RVT-60 Infrastructure Systems and Engineering (Robert Dorer)

 RVT-70 Air Traffic Systems and Operations (Steven Lang)

 RVT-90 Advanced Transportation Technologies (Gary Ritter)
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Safety Management and Human 

Factors (RVT-30, Stephen Popkin)

RVT-31 Safety Information Systems (Bob Berk)

RVT-32 Aviation Safety Management 

(Regina Houston)

RVT-33 Safety Measurement and Analysis 

(Nancy Kennedy)

RVT-34 Surface Transportation Human Factors 

(Mary Stearns)

RVT-35 Aviation Human Factors (Maura Lohrenz)
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Outline

 Overview of Volpe

 Aviation Human Factors 

Division

 Research Staff

 Current Volpe Project Teams

 Questions
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Aviation HF Research Staff

 Division Chief: Maura Lohrenz

 Principle Technical Advisors

 Judith Bürki-Cohen

 Kim Cardosi *

 Divya Chandra *

 Scientific and Technical Staff

 Alison Bisch

 Stephanie Chase

 Caroline Donohoe

 Rebecca Grayhem

 Young Jin Jo

 Andrew Kendra *

 Students

 Emma Levitt

 Katarina Morowsky

 Tracy Lennertz

 Amanda Mattson

 Andrea Sparko

 Alan Yost *†

 Michael Zuschlag

* Licensed pilot

† Former Air Traffic Controller
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Aviation HF Research Staff

Engineering

Psychologist (0180)

IT Specialist (2210)

Student Trainee

(0899, 0199)

Operations Research

Analyst (1515)
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PhD

MS

BS

Aviation HF Research Staff
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GS-4

GS-7

GS-11

GS-12

GS-13

GS-14

GS-15

Aviation HF Research Staff
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Outline

 Overview of Volpe

 Aviation Human Factors 

Division

 Research Staff

 Current Volpe Project Teams

 Questions
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Current Project Teams

 NextGen - Instrument Procedures*

 NextGen - Low Visibility Operations (LVO) / Surface Movement 

Guidance and Control Systems (SMGCS)*

 C/NG - Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)*

 CORE - Head-Up and Head-Mounted Displays (HUD/HMD)

 CORE - Airport Moving Maps

 CORE - Electronic Flight Bags (EFB)

 CORE - General Guidance Document

 NextGen - Data Communications (DataComm)

 NextGen - Aural DataComm / Auxiliary Synthetic Speech

*Deep-dives presented during REDAC meeting
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Instrument Procedures

 Volpe Team 

Divya Chandra

Rebecca Grayhem

Andrew Kendra

Caroline Donohoe

 FAA program manager

Dan Herschler (ANG-C1)

 FAA technical sponsors

Kathy Abbott (AVS), Mark Steinbicker (AFS-470)

 Purpose

(NextGen) Help FAA develop human factors guidelines for 

the design, depiction, usability, and flyability of instrument 

procedures and associated charts. 
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LVO/SMGCS Usability

 Volpe Team

Stephanie Chase

Andrea Sparko

Katarina Morowsky

Young Jin Jo

 FAA program manager 

Michelle Yeh (ANG-C1)

 FAA technical sponsors

Bruce McGray, Terry King (AFS-410)

 Purpose: (NextGen) Provide data to support development 

of best practices for current and proposed Low Visibility 

Operations (LVO) / Surface Movement Guidance and Control 

System (SMGCS) chart layout and symbology.
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ADS-B Program

 Volpe Team

Tracy Lennertz

Kim Cardosi

Stephanie Chase

 FAA program managers

Colleen Donovan and Michelle Yeh (ANG-C1)

 FAA technical sponsors

Cathy Swider (AIR-120), Kathy Abbott (AVS), 

Don Walker (AIR-130), Paul VonHoene (AFS-410)
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ADS-B Program

 Core Program

 Purpose: Determine current state of Cockpit Displays of 

Traffic Information (CDTI), and examine CDTI symbology and 

display management.

 Projects:  ADS-B industry survey 

 ADS-B symbology study

 Use of color on Airport Moving-Maps and CDTIs

 NextGen Program

 Purpose: Provide support to the FAA for operational 

evaluations and input on relevant ADS-B literature. 

 Projects:  Flight Interval Management (FIM) literature review

 CDTI operational evaluation for Merging & Spacing

 Support for In-Trail Procedure (ITP)
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HUD/HMD Human Factors

 Volpe PI: Mike Zuschlag

 FAA program manager 

Steve Plishka

 FAA technical sponsors 

Kathy Abbott (AVS), 

Terry King (AFS-410), Cathy Swider (AIR-120)

 Purpose

(Core) Support the development of criteria and guidelines for 

approving HUDs/HMDs, focusing on flight information 

representation, such as symbology standardization, color 

coding, alerting, installation-related issues, and integration.
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Airport Moving Map

 Volpe Team

Stephanie Chase

Danielle Eon (CTR)

Andrew Kendra

 FAA program managers

Michelle Yeh and Colleen Donovan (ANG-C1)

 FAA technical sponsor

Cathy Swider (AIR-120)

 Purpose

(Core) Support development of FAA guidelines and approval 

criteria for Airport Moving Map displays depicting ownship 

and traffic information. Identify human factors issues with 

evolving displays. 
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Electronic Flight Bags (EFB)

 Volpe Team

Stephanie Chase

Danielle Eon (CTR)

Andrew Kendra

 FAA program managers

Michelle Yeh and Colleen Donovan (ANG-C1)

 FAA technical sponsors

Cathy Swider (AIR-120), Brad Miller (AIR-130), 

Ricky Chitwood (AFS-220), Brian Hint (AFS-430)

 Purpose

(Core) Identify, understand, and help the FAA address human 

factors issues related to EFB technology.
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General Guidance

 Volpe Team

Young Jin Jo

Stephanie Chase

FAA program manager

Michelle Yeh (ANG-C1)

 FAA technical sponsors

Cathy Swider (AIR-120) and Colleen Donovan (formerly AIR-120)

 Purpose

(Core) Identify and compile FAA HF regulatory and guidance 

material, industry recommendations and best practices, and 

other HF research on a variety of flight deck systems (e.g., EFB, 

GPS, electronic map displays) in one document.
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Data Communications

 Volpe Team

Kim Cardosi, Tracy Lennertz

 FAA program manager

Dan Herschler (ANG-C1)

 FAA technical sponsors

Trent Bigler (AFS-470), Christophe Hamel (AIR-130)

 Purpose: (NextGen) Provide human factors support for the 

use and implementation of Data Comm, including 

development of the message set, crew procedures, and crew 

training. Support RTCA SC-214, Global Operational Data Link 

Document (GOLD) flight crew and ATC procedures, the 

Operational Data Link Panel (OPLINKP), and the Data Comm 

Implementation Team (DCIT, funded separately by ATO/PMO).
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Auxiliary Synthetic Speech

 Volpe Team 

Judith Bürki-Cohen,

Tracy Lennertz, Andrea Sparko

Andrew Kendra, Alan Yost, 

Amanda Mattson, Mike Zuschlag

 FAA program manager 

Dan Herschler (ANG-C1)

 FAA technical sponsors

Christophe Hamel (AIR-130),

Trent Bigler (AFS-470)

 Purpose: (NextGen) Examine suitability and 

recommend minimum requirements for using synthetic 

speech in flight-deck Data Comm as an auxiliary display 

modality in a NextGen environment.
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Outline

 Overview of Volpe

 Aviation Human Factors 

Division

 Research Staff

 Current Volpe Project Teams

 Questions
Questions?
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Backup Slides
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Business Model

 Volpe is a unique, not-for-profit, federal agency that is 100% 

funded by sponsored projects:

 US DOT fee-for-service research & innovation center

 Authorized by Congress to conduct business via a Working Capital Fund 

 Maintain own facility in Cambridge, MA

 Receive no Congressional appropriations, base funding, or agency 

support to offset facility operations and maintenance costs

 Volpe employees are compensated the same as other federal 

employees (labor and benefits).

 Volpe admin (e.g., HR, IT, legal services, facilities, utilities, etc.) 

covered through overhead charges, shared among all projects.

 Volpe costs compare favorably with other service providers.

 See http://www.volpe.dot.gov/withus/project_cost.html for details.
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Selected Publications (1/2)

Bürki-Cohen, J. (2010). Technical challenges of upset recovery training: Simulating the element of 

surprise. Proceedings of the AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, 2-5 August, 

Toronto, ON, AIAA-2010-8008.

Bürki-Cohen, J., Kendra, A., Kanki, B. & Lee, A. (2000). Realistic Radio Communications in Pilot 

Simulator Training. (DOT/FAA/AR-00/62, DOT-VNTSC-F-00-13).

Bürki-Cohen, J. & Sparko, A. (2008). Airplane upset prevention research needs. Proceedings of the AIAA 

Modeling & Simulation Technologies Conference. 18-21 August, Honolulu, HI.

Bürki-Cohen, J. & Sparko, A. (2012). Validation of loss-of-control (LOS) simulations, training programs, 

and systems. Proceedings of the AIAA Guidance, Navigation, & Control Conference. 13-16 August, 

Minneapolis, MN.

Bürki-Cohen, J., Sparko, A., & Bellman, M. (2011). Flight simulator motion literature pertinent to airlinepilot recurrent training and evaluation. Proceedings of the AIAA Modeling and Simulation 

Technologies Conference, 8-11 August, Portland, OR, AIAA-2011-6320. 

Bürki-Cohen, J., Sparko, A., Go, T. H. & Jo, Y. J. (2009). Effects of visual, seat, and platform motion during 

flight simulator air transport pilot training and evaluation. Proceedings of the 15th International 

Symposium on Aviation Psychology. 27-30 April, Dayton, OH.

Cardosi, K. (1995). Human Factors in the Design and Evaluation of ATC Systems. (DOT/FAA/RD-95/3.1)

Cardosi, K. (2001). Runway Safety: Its Everybody’s Business (DOT/FAA/AR-01/66)

Cardosi, K., Chase, S., Eon, D. (2010). Runway Safety. Air Traffic Control Quarterly, 18(3), 303-328.

Chandra, D. (2009). Utility and Recognition of Lines and Linear Patterns on Electronic Displays Depicting 

Aeronautical Charting Information. (DOT/FAA/AR-09/01, DOT-VNTSC-FAA-09-03). 

Chandra, D. & Kendra, A. (2010). Review of Safety Reports Involving Electronic Flight Bags. 

(DOT/FAA/AR-10/5, DOT-VNTSC-FAA-10-08). 
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Selected Publications (2/2)

Chandra, D. & Yeh, M. (2007). Pilot Identification of Symbols and an Exploration of Symbol Design Issues 

for Electronic Displays of Aeronautical Charting Info (DOT/FAA/AR-07/37, DOT-VNTSC-FAA-07-07).

Chandra, D., Yeh, M., Riley, V. & Mangold, S. (2003). Human factors considerations in the design & 

evaluation of EFBs, V2. DOT-VNTSC-FAA-03-07.

Grayhem, R. (2010). Early Scotopic Dark Adaptation (Dissertation). Northeastern University, Boston, MA.

Lennertz, T., Bürki-Cohen, J., Sparko, A., Macchiarella, N., Kring, J., Coman, M. Haritos, T. & Alvarado, J. 

(2012). NextGen flight deck data comm: Auxiliary synthetic speech – Phase I. Proceedings of the 

Human Factors and Ergonomic Society 56th Annual Meeting. 22-26 October, Boston, MA. 

Neiderman, E., Popkin, S., Donovan, C., Philips, B., Chappell, S., Monk, C. & Lohrenz, M. (2012). 

Transportation Research into Practice: A Multi-Agency Government Perspective. Proceedings of the 

Human Factors and Ergonomic Society 56th Annual Meeting. 22-26 October, Boston, MA.

Raudenbush, B., Grayhem, R., Sears, T., & Wilson, I. (2009). Effects of peppermint and cinnamon odor 

administration on simulated driving alertness, mood and workload. North American Journal of 

Psychology, 11. 245-256.

Sparko, A., Bürki-Cohen, J., & Go, T. (2010). Transfer of training from a full flight simulator versus a highlevel flight-training device with a dynamic seat. Proceedings of the AIAA Modeling and Simulation 

Technologies Conference, 2-5 August, Toronto, ON, AIAA-2010-8218. 

Zuschlag, M., Chandra, D. & Grayhem, R. (2011). The use and understanding of the proximate status 

indication in traffic displays. Proceedings of the 30th Digital Avionics Systems Conference. 16-20 

October 2011, Seattle, WA.

Zuschlag, M., Chandra, D., Helleberg, J. & Estes, S. (2010). Symbols for Cockpit Displays of Traffic 

Information. (DOT/FAA/AR-10/4, DOT- DOT/FAA/AR-10/4, VNTSC-FAA-10-07).