Department of Transportation

Trucking Towards a Virtual World:The Development and Utilization of FMCSA’s “Transportation Nation” Second Life Island
Adam Schlicht
Management AnalystIT Planning & Project Management, FMCSA
January 11, 2010

What is Second Life?
A Web 2.0 technology and virtual world accessible via the internet
An interoperable, educational and collaborative tool currently used by many government agencies
Air Force, NASA, NIH, NDU
Offers worldwide access to information and a unique, creative platform for interaction with the public
Air Force’s “MyBase” Second Life site
NASA’s “CoLab” Second Life site

Introduction to Transportation Nation
FMCSA’s Second Life-based virtual world “island”
An online-meeting place for FMCSA employees across the country
FMCSA employees use avatars to access functionality from their desktop
An FMCSA employee “flies” in Transportation Nation, visiting several training, informational, and collaborative sites across the island.

Development of Transportation Nation
Envisioned by senior staff within FMCSA’s Office of Information Technology
Collaboration between modal administrations, including DOT’s CIO Council
Contract with USCA International for island development
Development of the “Social Media Extreme Team”
Interaction with FMCSA’s National Training Center
A replica of the DOT Headquarters features teleconferencing rooms, a library, and instructional lecture halls.

Current Functionality of Transportation Nation
Consolidated Information and External Collaboration
Teleconferencing, Instruction, and Training
Video & PowerPoint
Virtual Safety Investigations
Video and PowerPoint demonstrations can be displayed to multiple participants via screening areas.

Ongoing Challenges
The Second Life environment can be unwieldy; requires some restrictions
Technical requirements to fully operate Transportation Nation for all FMCSA employees
Costs associated with development and ongoing maintenance of Transportation Nation
A replica motor carrier has an examinable chassis, including the engine, transmission, and axel, for online investigation demonstrations.

Impact of Virtual Worlds on Open Government
Collaboration
Participation
Quality & Availability of Information
Training & Engagement
Links to external information from DOT and FMCSA websites is accessible, including detail information from all FMCSA field offices.

For More Information
Contact:Adam Schlicht, Management AnalystIT Planning & Project ManagementFederal Motor Carrier Safety AdministrationPhone: 202-366-4441Email: adam.schlicht@dot.govDesk: W66-445 (USDOT Headquarters)

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Department of Transportation

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