3. 3
Internship Summary
I had the incredible opportunity to intern at the personal office of Senator Orrin Hatch
this summer. Through working in his office, I have been able to learn a great deal of things and
meet some very influential people. But what has been most enjoyable is learning how an
effective office functions, and how to act professionally. The internship has changed me for the
better in many other ways, and I am grateful.
When I first arrived to the Senate, I was not sure what to expect or what exactly I would
be doing. While I had no preconception of what my duties would be, I was willing to do nearly
anything that was thrown my way. On the first day, each intern was given assigned legislative
topics, and I was assigned to transportation, veteran affairs, aviation, and space. With a lifelong
interest in NASA and aviation, I was excited to work with those issues and learn more about
their relation to the government. Aside from this specific legislative assignment, I was given a
schedule of when I would be answering phones, giving Capitol tours1
, going through mail, and
archiving various items for the Senator. In addition to these assigned duties, I was expected to
assist any staff member in any way possible. Being more than willing to do what was expected of
me, I started the internship confidently and with much enthusiasm.
I quickly learned that it was an exciting time to be working on transportation issues. The
Senate was in the middle of a debate on infrastructure funding due to the distant deadline for
highway funding. Senator Hatch is the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which
approves the highway budget. This put my supervisor in a hectic situation, trying to strategize
1 Entry #1
4. 4
and prepare for a new highway bill. He would frequently send me reports2
and have me attend
hearings3
and other meetings that discussed aspects of funding infrastructure or transportation in
general. I would summarize and analyze the information by writing brief papers, and emailing
them back to him. This saved him a great deal of time, and he trusted the summaries that I was
providing him with. He was able to stay better informed because of my work, and I know that
made a big difference in the legislative processes he would conduct.
In addition to analyzing and summarizing hearings and reports, I would often write and
compile reports myself.4
I would first be given a topic related to transportation, and do a great
deal of research. Once I had a basic understanding of the topic, I would put together a detailed
report that would include my own work and the work of others. Sometimes the report would be
very long, and other times it would only be a few pages. I would always be sure to organize it
well with a table of contents and accurate footnotes. These reports taught me how to effectively
research and articulate information in my own writing. I knew that these reports would assist the
office staff in making important decisions, and I always completed them in a timely manner.
Apart from the help these papers provided my supervisor with, they also taught me many
skills. I learned how to write more concisely and depict difficult concepts using very few words.
I also learned how to go through a very long report and find the central themes and important
facts needed for a good summary. Once I knew what information was relevant and important, I
was able to analyze and describe it instead of simply copying it and pasting it in the summary.
This was greatly appreciated by my supervisor, who said he had a hard time with interns who
were not able to analyze information properly. I earned his trust, and was given more complex
2 Entry #7
3 Entry #2
4 Entry #4 & #6
5. 5
and important assignments. He frequently reminded me that this skill would come in handy in
future professional settings.
While writing these summaries from reports and hearings, I became more informed about
transportation policy in the United States than just about anyone I know. I spent a lot of time
researching these policies so I could adequately discuss them with my supervisor and others.
Topics such as drone legislation, port productivity for cargo ships, and the gas tax became
common knowledge to me. Any news that was related to transportation stood out, and I became
more concerned about the daunting task the United States faces with funding and maintaining the
highway system. This encouraged me to stay more informed about policy in general and other
current events. Before the internship, I would rarely read the news, especially beyond the
headlines. I now believe that staying informed in regards to current events and government is
vital for our democracy to function. If this was the only takeaway from the experience, I would
be satisfied.
However, being informed about issues usually leads to action. After learning about the
issues at hand, I began to think about possible solutions. As an intern, I did not feel experienced
enough to propose my solutions, but it created within me an interest in policy. Honestly, before
the internship I was not very interested in working for the government. I knew the internship
would give me valuable work experience, but I was not planning on using it as a stepping-stone
to launch a career in policy. That slowly began to change as I realized that I could truly make a
difference. I would frequently assist in writing decision memorandums, which would directly
advise the Senator on how he should vote. Unfortunately, I am not authorized to include those in
6. 6
the portfolio5
, but they taught me how influential and important the legislative staff is. I am still
not certain if I will pursue that path, but it is now an option that I had previously not considered.
I am very glad that I made the decision to pursue this internship. Although it was difficult
and challenging at times, I learned so much and had very valuable experiences. I gained an
appreciation for Congress, and a greater respect for the individuals who work so hard to keep the
government functioning. Many citizens of the United States are pessimistic of our leaders, but I
am confidant that they have our best interests in mind. I have changed for the better, and have
had a positive experience. I am better prepared to make a difference in the world and succeed in
my future career because of this summer internship for Senator Hatch.
5 Denied permission to include Decision Memos in the portfolio
7. 7
Entry 1: Constituent Emails Regarding Tours
Explanation:
Every week, I would give at least one tour to constituents. I would escort them to the
Capitol building, and show them the various historical sites and rooms. While guiding the
constituents around the building, I would tell stories and give information about the history of the
building. If the constituents enjoyed the tour, they would frequently write emails to the office
thanking us for the experience. These two emails were sent in regards to tours I personally gave.
I tried very hard to ensure they had a positive experience, and this is evidence of that.
Skills Acquired:
In preparation for these tours, I was given a few books and pamphlets about the history of
the Capitol. Once I had mastered the information in those, I found other stories and information
to make the tours more enjoyable and informative. I gained a great knowledge of our Capitol’s
history, and the many events that occurred there. In addition to this, I was able to improve my
people skills. I interacted with people from different backgrounds and beliefs, and was able to
give every one of them a positive experience.
Knowledge Gained:
Every tour, I would learn something new. Between tours, I would continue to read about
the history of the Capitol, and find interesting stories. Often, the constituents who came would
provide information that they had studied in the past, and it would teach me even more. One
thing I learned, for example, is how much the Capitol building has changed throughout the years.
As our nation expanded, so did the Capitol. Through terrible events like fires and wars, it
survived and evolved throughout the years. It stands as a great symbol of the United States and
the people who make up our country.
Questions or Ideas for Future Investigation:
I wonder how beneficial it would be if every American had the experience of a Capitol
tour. Every tour I gave, I was surprised at how little people understood our government. The tour
would give them a basic understanding of Congress, and they often gained an interest in current
events. I am curious how different people would react to happenings in Washington if they
understood the history and structure of our government.
10. 10
Entry 2: Transforming America’s Air Travel Hearing
Explanation:
The current air traffic control system in the United States is outdated and extremely
inefficient. There is a current movement to completely restructure the current system to a ‘next-
generation’ satellite-based system. Our current technology is already sufficient to make this
change, but funding and approval is needed. This hearing was held to explore such options, and
assess how we could make the necessary changes.
Skills Acquired:
Taking notes from these hearings was difficult, since I was not able to write as fast as the
speakers talked. I had to listen carefully, and pick what I thought was most important to include
in my notebook. Eventually, I became rather good at listening and focusing for up to three hours
at a time, and taking detailed notes. These notes then provided me with adequate information to
create a summary of the hearing for my supervisor. If I had not gained this skill, I would have
had a much harder time creating these summaries.
Knowledge Gained:
I previously had no idea that the FAA was considering a complete transformation of its
infrastructure. It was fascinating to me that current air traffic control systems date back to the
1950s. I learned about new technology that could possibly make air travel extremely efficient.
But most of all, I learned how careful and detailed the decision makers were about supporting
such a movement. Every detail, from the funding to the timeline was discussed. The
Representatives would ask intelligent questions to the panel in order to gain a better
understanding on what should be done. It impressed me, and I learned that this slow process is
important for all decisions made in government.
Questions or Ideas for Future Investigation:
One thing this hearing did not specifically address was drone regulations. With the
increase of drones and the lack of regulations, this new system must be equipped to deal with
drones, commercial planes, and military operations. This is a pressing matter, since there have
already been many close calls with drones in commercial airspace. I believe that the concept of
this new system is not yet ready to deal with drones, and that would have changed the course of
this hearing.
11. 11
Transforming America’s Air Travel
House Subcommittee on Science, Space and Technology
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Rayburn 2318
Opening Remarks:
Chairman Brian Babin (R-TX):
Aviation is extremely important to our economy. It can be considered a pillar of our
economy.
In order to stay ahead of other nations, research and development must continue to be a
priority in the aviation sectors of government and the private industry.
The activities and programs discussed today are almost completely run by NASA and the
FAA.
Next-Gen systems are vital to our aviation infrastructure, but many budget issues
continue to loom over the progress of these systems. Thus the Next-Gen systems must be
properly understood before we begin to work on implementing them.
Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-MD):
This committee has had a history of bipartisan work, and hopefully that will continue on
into the future.
Aviation is critical to the U.S. economy and gives jobs to countless Americans.
There are concerns that the current air traffic systems are nearly obsolete, which is why
Next-Gen systems are necessary.
The FAA has not yet given their research plans to Congress, which are very important to
the decision making process, and the reauthorization of the FAA.
Congressman Frank Lobiondo (R-NJ, Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee):
Appreciated the opportunity to attend this hearing, and hopes it will succeed in informing
those present what the best course of action is.
Dr. Jaiwon Shin, Associate Administrator of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate,
NASA:
NASA research directly benefits the commercial aviation industry and other companies
that rely on aviation.
The relationship between NASA and the FAA is extremely important to the research and
development of these new systems.
In the past, research and development expenditures have shaped current technological
systems. This process must continue if we are to improve.
Mr. Dennis Filler, Director of William J. Hughes Technical Center, FAA:
Aviation is a vital resource to the U.S., and advanced research and development will keep
the U.S. at the forefront of technology and innovation.
FAA research has made a huge impact on making aviation safer and more efficient. The
environmental footprint of planes has been drastically reduced, and with further
technology it will continue to go down.
UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) is the future of all aviation operations, and we need a
better understanding of how to adapt to this new system.
Mr. William Leber, Co-Chair of Committee to Review the Federal Aviation Administration
12. 12
Research Plan on Certification of New Technologies into the National Airspace System:
A new FAA research plan should be integrated with other organizations and companies.
These Next-Gen systems should be well thought out and planned to prepare for the future
of aviation.
Dr. R. John Hansman, Chair of FAA Research and Development Advisory Committee:
In regards to unmanned aircraft and cyber security, we need to understand where the
human fits in to the aviation system. We have to be sure that we have the proper
understanding of these new technologies to properly implement them.
Research must continue to increase understanding.
Dr. Greg Hyslop, Senior Member of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics;
Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Research & Technology:
Glad that Congress is making progress into reauthorizing the FAA.
When we fail to properly fund research and development programs, less students will
study science and technology, and we will lose jobs to foreign nations and organizations.
Another benefit of Next-Gen systems is the amount of carbon emissions released by the
aviation industry will be reduced.
The U.S. government must stay involved in these new systems to ensure success.
Research and development must be a national priority.
Questions:
Chairman Babin asked Mr. Filler about the money Congress has given to study the risks and
benefits of Next-Gen systems. He asked what the status was on these research projects and what
they have found.
Because the Next-Gen system will constantly evolve, we are constantly working with
NASA and other organizations to ensure that we are on the same page. Not tdsoo long
ago, the FAA and NASA did not work together as well, and the research products
suffered. Now we are working well with each other, and we better understand these
systems.
Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) asked Dr. Shin about any current efforts to reduce aviation
noise impact on residential areas.
We are working in accordance to international noise standards, and doing a lot of
research into how to reduce sound. Companies like Boeing have already designed
systems that drastically reduce sound.
Congressman Beyer also asked Dr. Hyslop about what is being done to reduce emissions in the
aviation industry.
We have been researching bio-fuels, different materials for planes, and many other
systems which will decrease emissions in the future. Many of the systems are close to
being used.
Congressman Steve Knight (R-CA) asked about any programs that are researching the possibility
of supersonic commercial flights.
It has been discussed, but it is currently against international law for a commercial flight
to break the sound barrier and travel at supersonic speeds. Unless this rule is changed, no
serious research can be done.
Congressman Lobiondo asked Mr. Filler about what is being done by his tech group in regards to
cyber security for aviation.
13. 13
Because cyber issues are ever changing, we have ongoing research to better understand
this issue. We have just created ‘Cytech’ a new facility designed to better understand and
protect against cyber attacks.
Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX) asked Dr. Shin how NASA contributes to the FAA in
regards to UAS studies and technology.
We complete many tests regarding UAS technology, and then provide the FAA with
large amounts of data. This data contributes to the safety and reliability of UAS.
Congressman Veasey asked Mr. Hansman about the challenges his organization has seen with
integrating unmanned aircraft and manned aircraft.
With smaller unmanned aircraft, it is quite simple. However with larger unmanned
planes, it becomes much more complicated. There is also debate for how we treat these
unmanned planes: whether they are treated the same as manned aircraft, or not.
Conclusion:
Some of those present have a difficult time understanding Next-Gen systems. Many think
it is a complete transformation, and others simply see it as making minor changes.
Most of the members of Congress were also concerned about education, and the current
lack of engineers and students studying aviation and space related topics. They want
more programs to encourage students to study these topics.
14. 14
Entry 3: Airline Cyber Security Project
Explanation:
Around the time I was given this assignment, there was a hacker who infiltrated the
avionics of a plane from the network onboard. It raised some serious concerns, and led many
organizations to make recommendations on how to improve security for these systems. My
supervisor asked me to compile and summarize these recommendations from whatever reports
and studies I could find. He would need this information to brief the Senator for upcoming
legislation for airline safety. He needed it quickly, and this is what I compiled.
Skills Acquired:
Due to the short notice of the assignment, I was in a big hurry to complete it. I did not
have the luxury of time to revise and modify what I wrote, so it had to be correct the first time.
Because of this, I learned how to stay calm and focused with time-sensitive projects. I did not let
the pressure influence the integrity of the work, and I still compiled a good amount of
information. Working on projects like this was very different from the regular assignments I was
given. It did not happen very many times after this, but the few times it did, I was well prepared.
This skill could be useful for a wide range of situations in future employment.
Knowledge Gained:
I had previously known about the dangers of cyber attacks, but I never considered
systems like avionics on airplanes to be at risk. Our world is so interconnected today, it seems
that anything plugged in can be hacked. This project led me to do more research on the dangers
of our interconnected world, and I found many disconcerting facts. Everything from modern cars
to home security systems can be hacked, and the government is currently working for a solution.
I shared these findings with my supervisor, and we discussed how to write a good briefing for the
Senator.
Questions or Ideas for Future Investigation:
It would be interesting to find all the occurrences of when transportation systems were
hacked throughout the years. I would suspect to find that it has risen exponentially recently due
to the integration of technology into transportation systems. I also wonder when the government
will move quickly to solve this crisis. It may take a serious cyber catastrophe to convince policy
makers to act in a timely manner. Currently, there does not seem to be enough motivation to
make necessary changes.
15. 15
Recommendations to Improve Cyber Security on Planes
July 21, 2015
GAO Report on Air Traffic Control
Use the ‘enterprise approach’ to connect and protect information systems enterprise-
wide. Under this approach, the subsystems can interoperate while an enterprise-wide set
of shared cyber security controls, called ‘common controls’, and a monitoring program
protect and increase the resiliency of the subsystems.
The NIST was mentioned in the report, and recommended organization-wide threat
modeling, assessment, and monitoring. An agency-wide threat model would help to
identify all know threats to information systems, allowing an agency to further identify
vulnerabilities in those systems.
A holistic, continuous-monitoring program which includes:
o Real-time monitoring of the enterprise system’s boundaries.
o Detection of would-be attackers probing for vulnerabilities.
o Real-time monitoring and investigation of internal user activity that is outside
expectations.
o Other continuous-monitoring activities such as incident detection, response, and
recovery activities and mitigations.
Ultimately, the report recommended that to better address cyber security threats to Next-
Gen systems, the Secretary of Transportation should instruct the FAA Administrator to
take the following three actions:
o Assess the potential cost and timetable for developing such a threat model and the
resources required to maintain it.
o Incorporate the Office of Safety into FAA’s agency-wide approach by including it
on the Cyber Security Steering Committee.
o Develop a plan to fund and implement the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) revisions within the Office of Management and Budget’s
(OMB) time frames.
In total, the report contained 168 specific actions the FAA should take to improve
information security. The FAA has already started working on some of the ones they
deem most important.
Security of Future ‘eEnabled’ Aircraft Ad hoc Networks
In preventing the corruption or attack of airplane systems, unauthorized access to
sensitive assets must be prevented. This means any manipulation of an asset must be
detected as soon as possible, while also eliminating or reducing false alarms.
All actions performed with relation to the systems of an airplane must be logged in a
database, in order to properly trace the source of the attack, and fix whatever damage has
been done.
Separation of critical flight systems from other systems such as entertainment and
connectivity.
ENO Center for Transportation Report
(https://www.enotrans.org/eno-brief/air-traffic-control-cyber-security-issues-whos-to-blame)
16. 16
In a recent report, ENO claimed the FAA’s problems are, “a direct result of its funding
and governance structures, which are imposed by Congress.” They recommended that
Congress first reform these structures before demanding an advanced cybersecurity
system.
Statement from John Craig, Boeing’s chief engineer of cabin and network solutions
(http://www.aircraft-commerce.com/conferences/Aircraft_Connectivity2013/Home.asp)
Craig’s advice to airline chiefs is to ensure that they understand their entire system, put in
place incident response plans, develop a security culture, and develop and incorporate
advanced security features.
INFOSEC Institute Report on Cyber Threats Against the Aviation Industry
(http://resources.infosecinstitute.com/cyber-threats-aviation-industry/)
In the conclusion of the report, they recommended the adoption of military environment
technologies for civil use.
17. 17
Entry 4: DCA Perimeter Exemption Project
Explanation:
This was one of the most interesting things I worked on during the internship. I was
asked to find any congressional action or language regarding slot exemptions to the Reagan
National Airport perimeter rule. The perimeter rule limits flights to or from the DCA airport to
1,250 miles. However, slot exceptions have been issued to several airlines, allowing nonstop
flights to cities beyond the limit. Many Senators are currently trying to add to these exemptions,
and this report was designed to provide precedence for such proposals. In addition to compiling
the congressional action, I summarized the DCA slot exemption rule, listed the current
exemptions, and provided a timeline of when the exemptions were made.
Skills Acquired:
When I was given this assignment, my supervisor introduced me to Congressional
Quarterly, an archive of congressional reports, language, floor records, and other forms of
congressional data. I used this to find the various times the topic was discussed in Congress. I
learned how to efficiently skim through mass amounts of information, and take out what was
relevant to the project. I could not simply search for every time the rule was mentioned. I was
able to find a good amount of language relevant to the DCA perimeter rule, which was similar to
what was being proposed.
Knowledge Gained:
I previously had no knowledge of perimeter rules at airports. Once I learned about the
many airports that have implemented perimeter rules, I began to research the exemptions created
and the reasoning behind them. It was fascinating to learn about Reagan National Airport, and
how it was designed for infrequent, regional traffic. The rules were implemented to prevent the
airport from having too much traffic. When the events of September 11th
occurred, the
justification for these rules increased with safety in mind. Now that things have settled down
since then, many want the airport less restricted and granted additional exceptions to current
rules. All that I learned about this topic was intriguing.
Questions or Ideas for Future Investigation:
I would like to do more research of the opposing side of the argument. I did not see much
language in objection to these exemptions, and I am curious how many are in opposition. I really
only researched the occurrences when members of Congress proposed additional exemptions. If
there is a good amount of opposition, then this could be an interesting debate once the
proposition comes to the floors of the House and the Senate. If not, it will pass fluidly without
any delay.
18. 18
Congressional Action/Language Regarding
DCA Beyond-Perimeter Slot Exemptions
July 2015
Background:
Reagan National Airport (DCA) is subject to a federally mandated perimeter limitation,
and may not accommodate nonstop flights to or from cities beyond 1,250-satute-miles,
with limited exceptions.
Congress first created slot exemptions to this perimeter limitation at DCA in 2000. These
‘beyond-perimeter slot exemptions’ allow specified carriers to operate daily round-trip
flights to cities outside the perimeter.
With the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, the Department of Transportation
has been authorized to award a total 40 exemption slots for beyond-perimeter flights,
which have permitted 20 new round-trip operations. (Two slots are needed for a round-
trip flight)
Timeline of perimeter rule and exemptions
1965 First version of the perimeter rule. The FAA limited flights to a 650-mile radius
of DC. Cities that already had non-stop service into DCA (such as Denver) were
granted exemptions.
1969 The FAA made the first slot rule, known as the High Density Rule (HDR),
which limited the number of landing and takeoff slots available at DCA.
1981 Perimeter was expanded to 1,000 miles.
1986 Perimeter was expanded to 1,250 miles
2000 Under AIR-21, 12 beyond-the-perimeter exemption slots were allowed for four
airlines: America West, Frontier, National Airlines, and TWA.
2001 TWA’s two slots were reallocated to Alaska Airlines after TWA went bankrupt.
2002 National Airlines’ two slots were reallocated to Delta after National Airlines
ceased operations at DCA.
2004 12 new slot exemptions were added for four airlines: Alaska, America West,
Frontier, and United.
2012 Under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 more slots were added,
bringing the total to 40 exemptions for 20 beyond-perimeter round trip flights.
Current exemptions for beyond-perimeter flights:
19. 19
Alaska Airlines 8 slots operating as 2x Seattle, 1x Los Angeles, 1x Portland
American Airlines 4 slots operating as 2x Los Angeles
Delta Air Lines 4 slots operating as 2x Salt Lake City
Frontier Airlines 6 slots operating as 3x Denver
JetBlue Airways 2 slots operating as 1x San Juan
Southwest Airlines 2 slots operating as 1x Austin
United Airlines 4 slots operating as 1x Denver, 1x San Francisco
US Airways 8 slots operating as 3x Phoenix, 1x Las Vegas
Virgin America 2 slots operating as 1x San Francisco
(Included in the original report were over 24 pages of Congressional
discussion I compiled)
20. 20
Entry 5: Historical Precedence for Space Day
Explanation:
This project was designed to find any kind of historical precedence for a space
exploration holiday. As it turns out, there have been many attempts to designate a day or an
entire week as a national holiday for space travel. However, the idea never gained enough
support, and after the space race with the Soviet Union ended, people lost a lot of interest in
space exploration. For the project, I looked for both public and private action, and found many
occurrences for both. The information would be used to help the Senator legitimize the holiday
through legislative action.
Skills Acquired:
I was requested to make this report easy to navigate and well organized. To do so, I
added a hyperlink for each listed action that took the reader right to the language of the action in
an index. This made it easy for my supervisor and others to browse through many pages of
legislation and other text. The index itself was over twenty pages. This was the first time I had
organized a paper like this, and it taught me a new way to organize a word document. Later in
the internship I used this same skill in other lengthy documents, and received great approval for
the organization.
Knowledge Gained:
Although I consider myself more interested than average about space exploration, I had
never heard of a space holiday before. It was a very popular idea shortly after the Apollo
missions, but many lost interest as the glory days of space exploration ended. However, there are
still politicians and private organizations that are still trying to make a national space day. I also
learned about the process by which the President or Congress can create a national holiday. It is
interesting that despite the great support by the government, a space holiday has still not caught
on.
Questions or Ideas for Future Investigation:
After discovering so much support for this holiday, despite never being made official, I
am curious how many other proposed holidays have lost support. It may happen more than we
think from executive orders and congressional action. In that case, I wonder what truly
legitimizes a national holiday. Would it be public support? Or can the government create a
holiday without any kind of approval from the citizens? This would be an interesting topic to
study.
21. 21
Historical Precedence for Space Day
Or Other Related Declarations/Proclamations
Government Action
Congress
o S. CON. RES. 47—United States Space Observance Period: July 16th
to July 24th
.
o H.J. RES. 555—Space Exploration Day: Designated as July 20. Became Public
Law No: 98-345.
o S.J. RES. 187—National Apollo Anniversary Observance: July 16th
to July 24th
,
1994.
Executive
o P. 4303 (Nixon) —United States Space Week: Proclaimed by President Nixon as
July 16th
to July 24th
, 1974.
o P. 4449 (Ford) – Space Exploration Day, 1976: Proclaimed by President Ford as
July 20th
, 1976.
o P. 4669 (Carter) – United States Space Observance 1979: Proclaimed by President
Carter as July 16th
to July 24, 1979.
o P. 5224 (Reagan) – Space Exploration Day, 1984: Proclaimed by President
Reagan as July 20, 1984.
o P. 6707 (Clinton) – National Apollo Anniversary Observance: Proclaimed by
President Clinton as July 16th
to July 24th
, 1994.
United Nations
o U.N. RES 65/271—International Day of Human Space Flight: Declared as April
12th
.
State
o State of Arizona Senate Resolution 1001—Arizona Space Observance Day and
Arizona Space Observance Week: July 20th
, and July 16th
through July 24th
of
each year.
o State of Kansas House Resolution 6066—Space Exploration Day and Kansas
Space Observance Week: July 20th
, and July 16th
through July 24th
of each year.
o State of Ohio Joint Resolution no. 35—Space Exploration Day and Ohio Space
Observance: July 20th
, and July 16th
through July 24th
of each year.
Industry Action
Lockheed Martin
o National Space Day—First Friday in May. Created in 1997 as a one-day event.
Later it gained popularity, and Senator John Glenn expanded it in 2001 to become
International Space Day.
Other Action
Space Exploration Day Holiday Website
o Official petition to declare July 20th
as a Space Exploration Day Holiday. Already
has 1,646 signatures. http://www.spaceexplorationday.us/
22. 22
National Air and Space Museum
o Space Day: Usually early in May.
National Museum of the US Air Force
o Space Day: Usually early to middle of May.
National Space Society
o Active in the observance of Space Day, early to middle of May.
http://www.nss.org
Yuri’s Night
o Global celebration of Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human to enter space.
Celebrated on April 12 of each year. https://yurisnight.net/about/
(A few of the documents included in the project)
(Many more documents were included in the original report)
23. 23
Entry 6: DOT University Transportation Centers Packet
Explanation:
Out of all the projects and reports I completed during my internship, this was by far the
longest and most difficult. I was asked to create a detailed packet about the University
Transportation Centers of the Department of Transportation. These centers are linked to
universities in the United States, and they promote the study of transportation and infrastructure
issues through government grants and funded research projects. The project had to include a
background of the organization, authorizing language from Congress, a list of reports done by
the centers, and a list of current and former centers authorized by the Department of
Transportation. The entire packet was 58 pages long.
Skills Acquired:
This project was unique from others because it would be much longer, but I had more
time to complete it. There were so many things to do, so I first made an outline of the
information that had to be included in the packet. I made a schedule of when I would complete
each one, and estimated when the packet would be finished. I let my supervisor know when he
could expect the final draft, and I got to work. The skill I gained was the ability to organize my
time effectively for a large task. I was able to estimate when it would be completed, and work on
the packet in an organized manner. If I was not able to do this, the project might have taken
much more time.
Knowledge Gained:
This project obviously taught me a lot due to the massive amount of information I
compiled. Specifically, I learned about the University Transportation Centers grant program, and
how concerned the Department of Transportation is for the future. They are investing massive
amounts of money to incentivize students who study transportation issues. This is due to a steady
decrease in individuals who pursue careers in transpiration policy or research. Additionally, I
learned about how the government organizes and awards grants. It was interesting to see how
much money the federal government spends on assisting students to study certain topics.
Questions or Ideas for Future Investigation:
I would like to do more research into the specific projects done by these centers. I wonder
how influential they have been to recent transportation policy. Or, these reports could be deemed
useless by the government, and only used to spark interest in transportation. I would also like to
study similar projects that other government departments have to influence the study of certain
topics by students. I’m sure there are quite a few, and it would be interesting to see how effective
they are.
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Table of Contents
I. Background...................................................................................................................................3
(a) Purpose ...........................................................................................................................3
(b) History........................................................................................................................ 3-4
(c) Mission ...........................................................................................................................4
(d) Goals........................................................................................................................... 4-5
II. Authorizing Language.................................................................................................................6
(a) TEA-21..................................................................................................................... 6-10
(b) SAFETEA-LU........................................................................................................ 10-11
III. UTC Selection..........................................................................................................................12
(a) Application Process......................................................................................................12
(b) Accepted UTCs and Funds..................................................................................... 12-13
IV. List of University Transportation Centers ...............................................................................14
(a) FY05-FY09............................................................................................................. 14-18
(b) 2012 UTC Competition Selections ........................................................................ 18-20
(c) 2013 UTC Competition Selections......................................................................... 21-26
(d) All Universities that Received UTC Grants, 1987-2012..............................................27
V. UTC Research and Reports.......................................................................................................28
(a) 2005-2007 Progress Report.................................................................................... 28-33
(b) 2008 UTC Spotlight Reports.................................................................................. 33-36
(c) 2009 UTC Spotlight Reports.................................................................................. 36-39
(d) 2010 UTC Spotlight Reports.................................................................................. 39-43
(e) 2011 UTC Spotlight Reports.................................................................................. 43-47
(f) 2012 UTC Spotlight Reports .................................................................................. 47-50
(g) 2013 UTC Spotlight Reports.................................................................................. 50-54
(h) 2014 UTC Spotlight Reports.................................................................................. 54-57
Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................58
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I. Background
(a) Purpose:
The Department of Transportation (DOT) invests in the future of transportation through
its University Transportation Centers Program, which awards grants to universities across
the United States to advance the state-of-the-art in transportation research and to develop
the next generation of transportation professionals.
Once selected, the UTCs are given funds from the DOT for specific projects chosen by
the Centers. The DOT does not fund the projects directly, but funds the UTCs to select
and complete their own projects and research.
These projects are focused on meeting U.S. DOT strategic goals, and creating potential
for deployment and commercialization.
(b) History:
The UTC program was initiated in 1988 under the Surface Transportation and Uniform
Relocation Assistance Act of 1987. The purpose was to establish federally funded
university-based transportation centers for research, education, and training/outreach
programs. The UTCs would receive grant funds from the U.S. DOT.
In 1998 the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st
Century (TEA-21) reauthorized the
UTC Program for an additional six years and increased the total number of Centers to 33.
It also established education as one of the primary objectives of a University
Transportation Center.
The Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011 (SAFETEA-LU) gave the U.S. DOT
discretion to redistribute funds allocated to specified research projects and programs for
the UTCs.
Most recently, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st
Century Act (MAP-21)
continued funding for the UTC, authorizing competitive selection of new groups of UTCs
to receive funding through FY2013 and FY2014.
The Research and innovative Technology Administration (RITA) of the DOT is running
the program, seeking applications and awarding grants.
(c) Mission:
“To advance U.S. technology and expertise in the many disciplines comprising
transportation through the mechanisms of education, research and technology transfer at
university-based centers of excellence.” (DOT)
The role of each Center shall be the following:
o Advance transportation expertise and technology in the many disciplines that
comprise transportation through research, education and workforce development,
and technology transfer;
o Provide a critical transportation knowledge base outside the US DOT; and
o Address vital workforce needs and educate the next generation of transportation
leaders.
(d) Goals:
1. Education: a multi disciplinary program of course work and experiential learning that
reinforces the transportation theme of the Center.
2. Human Resources: an increased number of students, faculty and staff who are attracted to
and substantively involved in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs of
the Center.
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3. Diversity: students, faculty and staff who reflect the growing diversity of the U.S.
workforce and are substantively involved in the undergraduate, graduate and professional
programs of the Center.
4. Research Selection: an objective process for selecting and reviewing research that
balances multiple objectives of the program.
5. Research Performance: an ongoing program of basic and applied research. The products
are judged by peers or other experts to advance the body of knowledge in transportation.
6. Technology Transfer: availability of research results to potential users in a form that can
be directly implemented, utilized or otherwise applied.
(These are just three of the 58 pages in the project)
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Entry 7: Mountain Accord Summary
Explanation:
The Mountain Accord is a group of over 20 organizations in Utah who share similar
agendas and values in regards to environmental issues. They frequently come out with reports,
which include various recommendations to Utah policy makers. This particular report was sent to
Senator Hatch, and I was asked to outline and summarize it. The report specifically makes
recommendations on land designation issues in the Central Wasatch mountain range, which was
coming up for a vote on the Senate floor.
Skills Acquired:
Similar to other projects I worked on, I had to summarize a very long and detailed report
in around one page. It was difficult to decide what should be included in the summary and what
should be left out, since all the information seemed important. I eventually learned how to
discern what information should be included. I also acquired the skill of condensing large ideas
into shorter sentences. I reworded and condensed complex recommendations and information
from the report that made it much easier to read in a short amount of time. If I were not able to
do this, the summary would be much longer, and not as helpful for my supervisor.
Knowledge Gained:
I do not have a particular interest in land issues, but I am an avid snowboarder and I
frequently visit the resorts that are discussed in this report. This made the report much more
interesting for me, and I learned more because of it. There are apparently frequent conflicts
between the resorts and other organizations with conflicting agendas for the land. The project
also gave me a sense of how land issues are solved, and how organizations like The Mountain
Accord assist in doing so.
Questions or Ideas for Future Investigation:
I am curious how a true compromise could be made between private entities like ski
resorts and environmental groups who want complete preservation of the land. It seems to me
that both parties would have a hard time reaching an agreement. I could possibly look at previous
agreements made in the past, and what compromises were made.
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Summary
The Accord
Mountain Accord, July 9, 2015
Background
This ‘Accord’ represents the culminating commitment of over 20 organizations that agree
to proceed with a suite of actions designed to preserve the watershed and natural
environment of the Central Wasatch mountain range.
It is a formal recommendation and documented reference for current and future decision
makers at the private, local, state, and federal level.
The geographic area for this Mountain Accord includes portions of Slat Lake County,
Summit County, and Wasatch County.
Notes from the Accord
“The intent of the Accord is to benefit current and future generations by establishing an
integrated, comprehensive, landscape-scale framework for the future of the Central
Wasatch Mountains that provides for the long-term protection of the region’s water,
lands, environment, recreational opportunities, and economic prosperity. The signers of
the Accord support a transportation system that serves these values.” (1.2)
The Accord is in support for passage of a comprehensive compromise conservation
package, carried out by Congress.
The signers of the Accord seek:
o Conservation of the natural ecosystem
o A convenient recreational system
o A multi-modal transportation system compatible with the Wasatch area
o Economic prosperity, while preserving natural and scenic resources
Proposed actions include:
o Land exchanges
Alta Ski Lift Company agrees to the exchange of 603 acres of Alta land
for 160 acres of U.S. Forest Service land.
Snowbird Resort agrees to the exchange of 1,100 acres of land in Little
and Big Cottonwood Canyons for 43 acres of U.S. Forest Service land.
Solitude Resort (owned by Deer Valley) agrees to the exchange of 240
acres of Deer Valley land in Big Cottonwood watershed for 50 acres of
federal lands, and a 15-acre expansion of Solitude’s special use permit.
Brighton Mountain Resort agrees to the exchange of 200 acres in the
upper watershed for 15 acres of U.S. Forest lands and a 100 to 170 acre
expansion of Brighton’s special use permit.
o Land designations
o Transportation improvements
Transportation alternatives that better connect the Salt Lake Valley and the
Cottonwood Canyons, such as an improved year-round transit service, a
non-auto tunnel connection between Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons,
improved cycling and pedestrian environments, and public transit stations.
Possible options to connect Park City with Big Cottonwood Canyon.
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An alternatives analysis, considering modes, corridors and termini
between Salt Lake County and the greater Park City area.
Potential shuttle in Millcreek Canyon.
Comprehensive trail and cycling plan for the Central Wasatch Mountains.
o Environmental monitoring
Landscape-level restoration and mitigation plan that addresses watershed protection,
contaminated soils/historic mining activities, lands with invasive weeds, impaired streams,
roadside mitigation/stabilization, safe passage for wildlife, and other areas of the environment
that are in a degraded condition.
