60 guests viewed presentations from the California Fuel Cell Partnership, VTA, and Air Resources. Funding from the California EPA is now available.

The Hydrogen Highway is Coming – Fuel Cells are Driving the Future of Transportation
In an effort to provide Bay Area residents and community leaders with a better understanding of the progress of hydrogen fuel cell technology, the West Valley College Center for Advanced Transportation Technology (ATT) held a fuel cell vehicle workshop on October 26, 2005.  Through collaboration with the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CAFCP), the ATT presented an opportunity for discussion about hydrogen fueling stations and fuel cell fleet programs in the Bay Area a Ride & Drive.

Attendees learned about the technology that will reinvent the automobile - hydrogen fuel cells – and found out about fuel cell vehicle demonstration programs in California today and what is planned for the near future. Speakers included representatives from the CAFCP, Valley Transit Authority, and the California Air Resources Board. “The workshop was really interesting and test driving the fuel cell Mercedes made me realize that this new technology is really here,” said West Valley student Peter Davis, “I hope to have on of my own some day.”

After the workshop, guests enjoyed a ride on the new VTA Hydrogen Bus around campus. Afterward, everyone had the chance to take a spin behind the wheel of a one of a kind, hand built, million-dollar fuel cell vehicle. OEM’s from Daimler Chrysler and Toyota were present and engineers directly involved in the design & development of the projects were on hand to answer questions about the current technology and future of fuel cell vehicles.

Pictures Pres/ Bus D&S @ Booth, R&D cars

Agenda

The ATTi has a new contract agreement with California’s Department of Transportation (CalTrans). The contract that began in June 2005 includes a needs assessment, curriculum development, and training for CalTrans’ transportation planning staff. The ATT staff will travel throughout California to assess the regional training needs of their planners. Training that is developed will support specific regional characteristics, while identifying the core skill sets common to planners throughout California.

Based on the finding, the ATT and our partnering community colleges will deliver training courses throughout the State of California at some of the 110 California Community College campuses and at the Department’s 12 District metro area locations. Courses taught are likely to include, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Geographic Information Systems, Transportation Demand Management, Aeronautics, and Rail Technology.

Soft skills, such as math, English, economics will also be included to improve core competencies. In addition, the ATT will provide technical services to increase Cal Trans planning staff’s awareness of current transportation trends. The ATT will also conduct job analyses and surveys in preparation for developing new courses or modifying existing courses to meet the Department’s needs. According to Peter Davis, the ATT Statewide Director, “This contract increases the participation of community colleges throughout the state in economic development activities.”

Additionally, Cal Trans benefits by gaining access to the intellectual capital and resources of the largest system of higher education in the world – the California Community Colleges. This contract is the culmination of years of effort from many individuals within the ATT organization. City College of San Francisco’s Suzanne Korey was instrumental in developing the relationship with CalTrans that opened the door for this opportunity, while Phil Cypret (Sacramento City), David Esmaili (West Valley), and Peter Davis participated in years of discussions, meetings, and proposal development that ultimately secured the contract.

For the first time ever, we are offering an introduction to Pavement Management

West Valley ATT - Pavement Management Systems

The West Valley College ATT is expanding the realm of services it offers to include Pavement Management Systems training. Two classes have been designed to fulfill the needs for municipality training in Pavement Management. A third class is available for homeowners associations and other neighborhood groups that need a means to efficiently and cost effectively maintain their road systems. Classes are taught using software from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) of Oakland, California. Utilizing the MTC software, with curriculum developed by the West Valley ATT, the program will provide much needed training in California and nationally. ATT Pavement Management Systems Course include:

• Introduction to Pavement Management Systems Computer Applications - Pavement Management
• Pavement Management for Neighborhood s

Any municipality that receives Federal Transportation Funding is required to maintain a Pavement Management System. The MTC system is widely used throughout California and the Western U.S. The ATT Pavement Management classes allow municipal workers to acquire new skill sets or upgrade their existing skills. Currently, the only training for MTC Pavement Management is available in Oakland. Rather than traveling to Northern California to train, employees can attend specialized training right at their work-site. By bringing the training to our customers, the program dramatically lessens the costs to employers.

For the neighborhood associations, training to familiarize members with assessing roads and tracking changes in pavement conditions will be offered beginning in May 2005. The groups can use the Pavement Management techniques to optimize cost saving scenarios in maintaining their streets.

$17,000 in AB 2766 funding awarded for an outreach and training project for the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District.

Red Rover, Red Rover, Send West Valley Right Over You remember the Red Rover game when you were a kid. It encourages risk and strength - you have to approach the line of opposition and try to break through the blockade. West Valley College ATT, is using the principles from this kid's competition for a grownup issue: helping farmers improve their bottom line and at the same time benefiting air quality.

The Monterey Air District recently awarded West Valley College ATT a $17,000 grant for the Regional Outreach for Vehicle Emission Reductions (ROVER) project. ROVER will demonstrate how trying something new, biodiesel, will give farmers a stronger stance in the worldwide food market. Each year, the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District awards AB2766 grants to agencies serving Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties.  The funds are designated to promote efforts to reduce air pollution and are given for a variety of educational and demonstrative activities, as well as new alternative fuel vehicles, equipment purchases for emission reduction technologies, and other activities that reduce mobile source emissions.

The ATT will perform outreach, marketing, and training activities specifically focused on biofuels. Through demonstrating the environmental, health, and economic benefits of replacing petroleum diesel with biodiesel, West Valley ATT will help industry and public entities in their region realize the overall benefits that can be achieved. This project should provide an understanding that biodiesel is a viable alternative fuel choice.

Biodiesel is the cheapest possible way to reduce the most harmful diesel emissions. It is a non-toxic, biodegradable, renewable source of energy . Because biodiesel is produced from a variety of renewable sources, including soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, animal fats and even recycled restaurant grease, it can be made right here in California and emits about half as much carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulates as petroleum diesel.

In California, environmental degradation and market fluctuations are seriously impacting the agricultural economy, and farmers are taking a hard hit!  The California Air Resources Board attributes annual crop losses of 12% - 31% to air pollution.  Additionally, the global agricultural market is changing and California is seeing a much greater influx of imported produce and grain. These changes can lessen the value of California crops and shrink California's economy.

Fortunately, biodiesel popularity is growing rapidly with U.S. sales increasing from 2 million gallons in 2000 to 30 million gallons in 2004. The U.S. Department of Energy represents the United States as the second largest producer and user of biodiesel. T he National Biodiesel Board shows that in 2004, soybeans represented 57% of world oilseed production and 40% of those soybeans were produced in the United States.

We all need improved air quality and farmers need help with their business. Growing crops to produce biodiesel provides an opportunity for farmers to improve their bottom line by investing in a product that is less subject to market fluctuations and pressures and for everyone to benefit from cleaner air!

A handful of biodiesel distributors exist in California. In Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, residents may have it delivered and diesel vehicle drivers can pump their own biodiesel at the Mountain Feed and Farm on highway 9 in Ben Lomond, CA-- the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

West Valley College Certificate in Geographic Information Science

Geographic Information Science (GIS) at West Valley College is expanding faster than ever before. This is significant because in California, the job market for GIS specialists is escalating. According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), job growth in GIS positions is expected to increase 66.7% by 2008.

The EDD notes that local governments see numerous challenges in providing transportation, health, employment, welfare, education, and infrastructure management to an ever-growing population. Many of the decisions these agencies make are related to location, thus, the EDD states "Geographic Information is one of the most important and valuable factors in the areas of planning, public safety, urban renewal, and economic development issues". Additionally, GIS is an indispensable tool that can be used for business decisions related to marketing, location, and distribution decisions.

Currently, direct educational and training services are needed in the field of GIS to fill the gap between the number of trained GIS specialists and the increasing growth of the GIS job market. Considering that this is a high growth/high demand industry, West Valley's Center for Advanced Transportation Technology (ATT) intends to be a leader in providing training for California's workforce in this industry.

New programs are being developed that will allow students and incumbent workers to obtain training in GIS. "We definitely see GIS expanding at the College," says Chris Cruz, lead GIS instructor at West Valley College, "our certificate program has been state approved and we have an unlimited site license for on-line courses at ESRI." The GIS program has recently acquired two Trimble Navigation Geo XT Units, which are invaluable tools for field data collection.

Certificate Course Requirements
Earning the West Valley College GIS Certificate requires completing nine three unit courses for a letter grade or credit/no credit option. All courses are Acceptable for credit at California State Universities:

GEOG 1 Intro to Physical Geography
A survey of the physical earth and its impact upon human utilization of the environment.

GEOG 2 Intro to Cultural Geography
The study of systems of human technologies and cultural practices as developed in particular regions of the earth through time by human populations.

PKMGT 16A Introduction to GIS and GPS
Theory behind GIS and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and their application to spatial data.

PKMGT 16 B Intermediate Desktop GIS
This course introduces spatial analysis & querying and provides the oppor­tunity to utilize the GIS software’s advanced querying capabilities in analyzing spatial relation­ships.

PKMGT 16C Spatial Analysis for GIS
Examines spatial information systems and surveys quantitative techniques applicable to spatial data. Focuses on the functionality of GIS as an effective tool for modeling and analyzing complex spatial relationships

PKMGT 16 D Cartographic Design for GIS
A comprehensive study of GIS applicable cartography including cartographic principles, data acquisition methods used in map production, and methods of base map development. Includes the history & principles of cartography map projections, map scale, types of thematic maps and map accuracy; the production of professional quality maps; and hands-on work in computer assisted mapping projects.

PKMGT 16 E Database Design & Mngmt.
Examines the principles of database management and design including conversion fundamentals, modeling techniques and strategic planning. The needs, alternatives and pitfalls of database development and conversion are discussed. Students learn the appropriate methodology for developing a conversion plan and data quality assurance. This course includes hands-on practical exercises in database management skills.

PKMGT 16 FGIS Internship
A directed field study providing students with an opportunity to apply classroom instruction in GIS to real-world projects in their community.

PKMGT 16 HComputer Aided Design
An introduction to computer-aided drafting using AutoCAD. Emphasis is on the construction of both 2D and 3D drawings. In addition to basic AutoCAD techniques, topics will include problems using the Advanced Modeling Extension (AME).

GIS Technician Certificate Program

In 2005, the West Valley College ATT supported San Jose City College's Institute for Business Performance (IBP) in developing a Geographic Information System Technician Certificate program. The program is set up to train dislocated IT workers with skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

The first session began in April 2005 with eleven students enrolled in the 160 hour/12-week pilot

Six students graduated in July 2005. These successful graduating students went through an intensive 12-week training curriculum and spent over 40 hours each week with the instructors upgrading their skills in Math, English Writing/Communications, and GIS.

The students were required to prepare individual GIS project applications and successfully complete exams to assess their learning achievements. Their final assignment was to work as a group to design GIS applications to solve real-world challenges which were presented at an open forum before graduation. The program graduates followed up their studies with an internship at organization throughout the S.F. Bay Area. The City and County of San Francisco, ParkScan, Santa Clara County, City of San Jose, AMBAG, and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition are just a few of the GIS program internship sponsors.

One of the internship sponsors has already offered two of our graduating students a stipend for the 160 internship hours and another has expressed interest in hiring two of the graduating students right after their internships. Additionally, three of the graduating students have already applied for full-time GIS Technician vacancies with Google, Santa Clara County and Santa Cruz County.

The GIS Technician Certificate Program will be offered again in the 05-06 school year as more students are interested in getting involved with training and career opportunities in the ever expanding GIS field. Numerous organizations have contacted the program inquiring about the possibilities of setting up future internships with next round of graduates. Overall, the program has been a huge success and the graduating students have developed GIS skills necessary to compete strongly in today’s job-market.

CNG technician training for transit & school buses – December 19-20, 2005

Frank Nye is teaching motorcycle maintenance at the ATT for the third year. Classes will continue in Spring through Community Education at West Valley College.

West Valley Engineering department teaching Robotics Spring 2006

The ATT partners with PG & E’s Clean Air Transportation program http://www.pge.com/about_us/environment/clean_air/#topic2 to provide up to date information needed in numerous aspects of alternative fuel use. We worked closely with PG & E and Specialty Waste to Develop this website, specifically focused on the what fleet managers need to know about regulations, funding opportunities, and purchasing new vehicles.
http://cleanrefusetruck.com/fleet.html