8/1/02

AU SPONSORS COURSE ON INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

AUBURN -- Auburn University's Center for Advanced Simulation and Technology will conduct a course on Intermodal Transportation Safety and Security Aug. 15-16 at Gulf Shores, Ala.

Intermodal transportation involves the physical movement of people, goods, resources and information by air, land and sea. It also includes telecommuting, electronic and satellite connectivity, distance collaboration and interconnected information systems technology.

"The total intermodal transportation system is all of the world's transportation system and includes everything from beasts of burden to the Space Transportation System, of which the shuttle is only a part," says John Cochran, program manager at CAST and professor and head of AU's Department of Aerospace Engineering.

The transportation industry, estimated to comprise one-third of the U.S. gross national product, employs 20 percent of the work force -- more than 56 million people.

"There is, in my opinion, no better way to learn how a system works than to model and simulate it," said Cochran. "The modeling process forces the collection of data and the investigation of how the processes already in place operate."

The focus of the course, says Cochran, is the safety and security issues that the government and industry are addressing.

"The airline security issues will be considered as well as the security issues faced by persons engaged in transporting goods by ship, railway and highway -- the classic intermodal transportation," he said.

The course is designed for transportation specialists and operators, planners, engineers, architects, emergency management and health care professionals, civil defense, police, fire, safety and security personnel, risk managers, military, educators, city managers, public administrators and elected officials involved with government, business and or academia.

Some of the goals of the course are understanding the potential threats and impact to national and international transportation safety and security; identifying and analyzing the variety of threats and mechanisms terrorists may use; methods of analysis and investigative techniques to detect weaknesses; measures that could be used by terrorists to impede the transportation system; the use of technology to overcome problems, including surveillance and biotechnology security measures; training and computer simulation; developing strategies and tactical plans to heighten the security and safety of all transportation systems; and understanding the policies and programs the government and Congress are enacting to stem the potential for terrorism.

In addition to Cochran, course instructors include Clifford Bragdon, Distinguished Visiting Professor at Florida Atlantic University and adjunct professor at AU, and Robert Ripley, associate professor of aviation management at AU.

Bragdon was the first dean of a school of aviation and transportation in the nation and was later vice president and director of the National Aviation and Transportation Center. He has written four books and more than 100 articles on transportation and land use and holds a U.S. Patent on Intermodal Transportation Simulation System, which Newsday ranked as the ninth most significant invention for the 21st century.

Ripley has concentrated his research and teaching in the areas of aviation law, airline operations and aviation human factors. He has published articles on flight safety and is a contributor to the Handbook of Airline Economics. A pilot with 7,300 hours, Ripley has been director of ground training at a top regional airline where he developed and taught an air carrier security program and has served as an Federal Aviation Administration designated pilot examiner.

Cochran has more than 30 years experience in teaching and research in the areas of dynamics, control, stability and simulation, and more than 20 years experience in providing technical support in litigation. He focuses his interest on modeling, simulation and analysis of transportation systems.

Speakers include Cmdr. Stephen Flynn, Senior Fellow, National Security Studies Council on Foreign Relations, and Harold Hudgins, manager of general cargo and intermodal transportation for the Alabama State Port Authority. Panel members will include representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation, FAA, FBI, Office of Homeland Security, University Aviation Association, National Transportation Safety Board and private industry.

AU faculty and consultants in CAST developed this course for AU's Business and Engineering Continuing Education. The course is being funded by the Department of Transportation through its Office of Operations Technology Services.

For registration information, contact the Office of Business and Engineering Continuing Education at 1-800-446-0382 or 334/844-4370. Prospective participants can also e-mail: eesv@eng.auburn.edu or visit the website at: www.eng.auburn.edu/eesv.

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aug02: AU-intermodal