  |
 |
|
Oak
Ridge National Laboratory Intermodal Network Mapping and GIS Integration Requesting applications from science or engineering faculty members at institutions serving students underrepresented in science, engineering, mathematics and technology to work on the following projects at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Project Description The intermodal transportation network is a key component in facilitating U.S. freight mobility. The network comprises multiple transport modes: truck, rail, and waterways and multiple component subnetworks, especially railroads. In turn, the intermodal system is integral to commodity flows through its connectivity to the North American port systems and, by extension, to international markets. One limitation on detailed studies of these connections is the lack of an updated geospatial database of North American intermodal facilities and ports. Oak Ridge National Laboratory has provided a domestic intermodal terminals database for several years in rudimentary GIS form, but it has not been updated or revised since 1998 and does not include facilities in Canada or Mexico.. This project will research the existing intermodal and port systems in all of North America, including Canada and Mexico, and develop a current, validated intermodal and ports network geodatabase. This database will be available to researchers at ORNL, other national laboratories, academia, and for state and federal agencies interested in intermodal freight network analysis. Laboratory Contact: Steven Peterson, petersonsk@ornl.gov Applicants’ Responsibilities and Relationship to Project Applicants will receive support under the Department of Energy Faculty Student Team Research Program (FaST) to work collaboratively with the project research team at the Laboratory for up to 10 weeks during the summer of 2010. The exact appointment period in the time frame of June to August will be scheduled by mutual agreement between the host divisions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the successful applicant. Faculty will be expected to identify two to three students from their campuses to participate in the FaST program. The faculty member will provide some mentorship to students during the summer research activities. The faculty and students must participate as a group and serve their appointments concurrently. It is expected that the faculty member and the students become an integral part of the research team working on this project and that opportunities for continued collaboration may be identified. Qualifications of Ideal Candidate Qualified candidates should be enrolled in a degree program in a discipline such as Geography, Transportation Engineering or Transportation Planning. Familiarity with relational databases and spreadsheets, geographic information systems, and statistical software such as R, MatLab, or Stata is expected. Persons specializing in economic, development, transportation or urban/rural geography are especially welcomed to apply. Support and Financial Commitments The successful candidate will receive a stipend based on the academic salary, travel expenses to and from the Laboratory, and a housing allowance. Students recommended by the faculty member for participation in the program will receive a stipend of $425/week for each week at the Laboratory, plus a housing allowance, and reimbursement for transportation expenses to and from the ORNL. Funds are provided for this program from the US Department of Energy, Office of Science in partnership with the National Science Foundation, from ORNL, and from other sources.
|
