Thursday, April 23, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Registration is now open for IBTTA’s Upcoming Summit – The Future of Tolling:  ORT and the Path to Interoperability, June 14-16, 2009 in Tampa, FL 

Join IBTTA in Tampa, FL and receive cutting-edge information from agencies and toll service providers around the globe on the latest in all-electronic tolling, toll traffic management, and achieving full interoperability. This is the only Summit in the world in 2009 focused on the critical topics of Open Road Tolling, All-Electronic Tolling and Interoperability and will feature more than 100 of our industry’s most experienced and knowledgeable speakers, panelists and exhibitors. What matters most is your customer’s experience driving your roads, the quality of service they receive during the payment process and your success in collecting those payments. Are your customers satisfied? Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary agenda and register today! 

AVIATION

1) FAA Plan Would Require Alarms on Air Ambulances

Would warn pilot if helicopter is in danger of hitting the ground.

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-04-23-air-ambulance_N.htm

Link to FAA testimony at congressional hearing:

http://www.faa.gov/news/testimony/news_story.cfm?newsId=10497

BUSES

2) Taiwan Lawmakers Criticize ‘Smart Bus’ Plan

System to inform riders of arrival times called a waste of money.

Link to story in the Taipei Times:

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2009/04/24/2003441897

CAMERAS

3) Traffic Camera Lawsuit Could Force Cleveland to Refund Millions in Fines

Link to story in The Plain Dealer:

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1240475581234500.xml&coll=2

4) Legislation Introduced in Ohio to Ban Red Light Cameras

Link to story in the Dayton Daily News:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/ohiopolitics/entries/2009/04/22/legislation_introduced_to_ban.html

5) Wisconsin Highway 172 Cameras Proving Useful in Emergencies

Link to story on WBAY-TV:

http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=10233347

6) Pennsylvania DOT Adds Traffic Cameras on I-79

Link to story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09113/964884-454.stm

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

7) Cities Track Stimulus Money on New Web Sites

Link to story in Washington Technology:

http://washingtontechnology.com/articles/2009/04/23/city-web-sites-are-tracking-stimulus-funds.aspx

RAILROADS

8) Remote Control is a Failure for Railroads

Link to commentary on Seeking Alpha:

http://seekingalpha.com/article/132466-remote-control-is-a-failure-for-railroads

ROADWAYS

9) Eye-Catching Highway Billboards in Newfoundland and Labrador to be Trashed

Link to CBC News story:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/04/22/highway-billboards-422.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) Satellite Tracking for School Buses in North Wales

Parents will be able to use satellite tracking to check their children are on the school bus, as part of a new pilot project.

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8009624.stm

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Beat the Traffic Embraces Bluetooth

Uses Wii remote for interactive reporting.

Link to story and video in Broadcasting & Cable:

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/209798-NAB_2009_Beat_the_Traffic_Embraces_Bluetooth.php

VEHICLES

12) European Parliament Backs Strict Labeling for Tires

Link to story on EurActiv:

http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/parliament-backs-strict-labelling-tyres/article-181540  

News Releases

1) US DOT Requests Public Comments on ITS Program

2) ‘Intelligent Transport Systems’: Using Technology to Make EU Roads Safer

3) Urban Mobility: More EU Funding Wanted for Inner-City Transport Systems

4) SITA and Appear Deploy First Context-Aware Mobile Platform for Airlines and Airports

5) Kansas City Royals Enhance Fan Experience in New Kaufmann Stadium – Cisco StadiumVision System Will Include Traffic Updates

6) NTSB Acting Chairman Praises DOT Secretary for Release of Bird Strike Data, Suggestion for Mandatory Reporting

7) Ford’s MyKey Teen Safety Technology Honored, Praised for Potential Life-Saving Benefits

Upcoming Events

FTA’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program Strategic Planning Workshop – May 6 – Chicago

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications-add/message/38

Today in Transportation History

1949 **60^th anniversary** – The People’s Liberation Navy was founded in China.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_366419.html

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Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast