Date: December 13th 2012

Friends of AR010,

Every three years TRB’s standing committees are required to perform a membership rotation in order to broaden opportunities for committee participation and to refresh the flow of new ideas for transportation research. This rotation will occur for Intercity Passenger Rail in 2013.

I am heartened by the strong interest in passenger rail transport and the volunteer efforts made by so many “friends” of our committee during my chairmanship over the past two years. Many of you have written or called me to express your interest in full membership. Asking folks to step down from the committee and selecting nominees for new membership is one of the most challenging aspects of my role.

Committee members are each expected to contribute to the success of our collective agenda according to your skills and interests. A core contribution for every member is participation in the annual review of research paper submissions, absent unusual or extenuating circumstances.

If you would like to be considered for full committee membership please complete the attached “interest survey” and send it to me no later than December 22nd at my business e-mail address:
simpsonconsult@comcast.net. Kindly copy Camille Tsao on your transmission: ctsao@hntb.com.

If you are eligible to be considered for “young member” membership status (age 35 or younger as of 14 April 2013) please so indicate.

If you are satisfied with your status as a committee “friend” no action is required on your part at this time. If you wish to be removed from the “friend” roster please let us know.

Thanks to all of you and best wishes for the holiday season.

DAVID