Could the satnav (Satellite Navigation, for those not in know) – the saviour of many a long car journey – about to be consigned to the dustbin of history, alongside Betamax tapes and HD-DVDs?

After enjoying years of seemingly unassailable popularity with gadget fans and travelling salesmen, those little gadgets hanging on your vehicle’s Dashboards could become redundant excesses because of the threat from a new breed of mobile phones that feature the sort of mapping technology that wouldn’t look out of place on the most expensive TomTom. Google just released a beta version of Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0. operating system, a new tool, based on Google’s existing road maps platform, that will provide turn-by-turn directions, automatic re-routing and 3D street-level views. In short, pretty much everything your satnav can do, but without the need to worry about an extra bit of kit when you load up the car.

The share prices of leading satnav manufacturers, such as TomTom and Garmin, nosedived on the news. Garmin’s share price dipped by 18 per cent, TomTom’s by 13 per cent – a huge hit, and a clear sign that the market is taking the threat posed by Google very seriously indeed.

Here’s a quick overview of the features:

Search in plain English – quickly search and navigate to places, businesses, landmarks

Search by voice

View of live traffic data over the Internet.

Search along route – find locations near your current path

Satellite view – you can view the same satellite imagery you’ve seen Google Maps, on your phone

Street View – check out what the exact surroundings of a location look like

Car dock mode – when you place certain devices in a car dock, a special mode activates that enables easier operation

GPS turn-by-turn navigation has historically always been something you had to pay for. Creating and maintaining a map of the entire world, together with points of interests and traffic info, plus developing the algorithms that make sure you don’t take a wrong turn, costs millions of dollars. But Google is now offering it for free. The result was devastating for shares of GPS navigation companies: Garmin’s shares fell by 16.4%; TomTom’s by 20.8%. We’re talking billions of dollars of market capitalization, gone in one day, just because Google presented another free product (they release new products on a monthly, if not weekly basis).

It’s certainly an ambitious idea – the Google Maps Navigation tool will draw upon several areas of Google expertise, such as search and location-based services, to deliver clear views of the best routes, complete with finest restaurants, cosiest hotels and cheapest petrol stations along the way.

Live traffic information will be pushed directly to your Android phone, helping you to avoid jams. And users will be able to wave goodbye to the annual hassle of the satnav map update – the latest, most accurate maps will be sent to Android phones by Google over the mobile phone network, which means there won’t be any of the nasty surprises so common with stand-alone sat-navs, such as being directed down a newly designated one-wastreet.

Street View – real, street-level photography that shows the roads, buildings and landmarks around you – will also be an excellent feature, enabling you to quickly and easily pinpoint your location in an unfamiliar neighbourhood, and visualise the remainder of your route.

Guardian says “Converged devices, though, are undoubtedly the future, and the all-singing, all-dancing phones we’re starting to see growing in popularity are set to be the ultimate multitasking gadget, handling everything from social-networking to email, playing music or taking photos, and guiding us around town, be it on foot or in the car.

Google Maps Navigation may very well prove to be a satnav killer in time, but don’t throw out your TomTom just yet.

Click here or here to read the entire article.

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – October 29, 2009

October 29, 2009 at 6:11 pm

Thursday, October 29, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Register for IBTTA’s Toll Road Summit of the Americas — November 15-17, 2009 in São Paulo, Brazil

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association at the Toll Road Summit of the Americas and examine an array of methods to design, finance, operate and maintain user financed surface transportation facilities. The second day of this meeting will be held in conjunction with TranspoQuip 2009, Latin America’s biggest event for the transportation infrastructure industries in Latin America. Featured speakers include Cesar Queiroz, Consultant, Roads and Transport Infrastructure, World Bank, and Roberto Lucas, Jr., Author and Urban Planning Consultant. Meeting hosted by ABCR and CCR. For registration, hotel, travel and visa information, or to view the preliminary agenda, visit www.IBTTA.org.

AVIATION

1) US Transportation Secretary Promises Scrutiny of ‘Distracted Flying’

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/28/AR2009102803824.html

2) FAA Reacted Slowly to Errant Jet

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125677288976914581.html

3) Aviation Expert: Flight Automation Leads to Boredom

Link to story and audio report on NPR’s Morning Edition:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114262744

4) Panel: $11 Million Air Safety Study Not Worth Much

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gCiRedzPiEzMIsP7x3Ma0zfTEdKAD9BK75B80

Link to news release from the National Research Council:

http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=12795

5) European Area Control Centers Get Communication Network

Link to article in Flight International:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/10/29/334132/european-area-control-centres-get-communication-network.html

6) Canadian Reporters Grounded by US DOT Travel Restrictions

Link to article in the Ottawa Citizen:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Reporters+grounded+travel+restrictions/2153255/story.html

CAMERAS

7) ‘Intelligent’ Speed Cameras in UK

Link to article on Autocar:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/244374/

8) Virginia DOT Completes Installation of Traffic Cameras in Central Virginia

Link to story on WVIR-TV:

http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=11408788

GPS / NAVIGATION

9) Winking Robot Nav Head Knows Where You’re Going

Link to CNET News blog and video:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10386183-48.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

10) Education Key for Bus-Stop Safety

Link to article in the News Herald:

http://www.newsherald.com/news/parent-78639-bus-safety.html

Link to School Bus Stop Safety: http://www.schoolbusstopsafety.net/

ROADWAYS

11) Pennsylvania DOT: ‘Go Yankees’ Sign Inappropriate for Interstate

Link to story and video on WNEP-TV:

http://www.wnep.com/wnep-luz-yankees-sign-interstate-81-penndot,0,6977134.story

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Penalties, Perks in Texting-While-Driving Bills

Link to article in PC Magazine:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354921,00.asp

TELEMATICS

13) GM’s OnStar Live in China in December

Link to article on just-auto:

http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=101833

14) Students Help Ford Bring the Cloud to Cars

Link to article in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/10/ford-michigan/

15) In-Car Wi-Fi Puts ‘Infobahn’ on the Autobahn

Link to article in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/10/in-car-internet/

TRANSIT

16) SEPTA Guide Prepares Commuters for Possible Strike

Link to article in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20091028_SEPTA_guide_prepares_commuters_for_possible_strike.html

Link to news release from SEPTA:

http://www.septa.com/news/press_releases/20091028_plan.html

17) Re-Stalinization of Moscow Subway Sparks Debate

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gTpm5znGibnm2u7dOkN1DrK-rhBQD9BJKR3O1

18) More on DART: Sometimes an Explanation Isn’t Enough

Transit agency needs to better acknowledge service problems.

Link to blog in The Dallas Morning News:

http://transportationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/10/more-on-dart-and-the-texas-ou.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

19) Traffic Management: New Internet Coming to Your Local Roads

Link to article on ZDNet:

http://government.zdnet.com/?p=5920

20) Electronic Signboards in Kuala Lumpur Not Serving Their Purpose

Link to article in The Star:

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/10/29/central/4994573&sec=central

21) Smart Signs Being Wasted in Queensland

Link to commentary in The Gympie Times:

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2009/10/30/still-waiting-safety-message-hold/

22) ASEAN Meeting Focuses on ‘Harmonious’ Transport Links

Need to use technology to improve mobility.

Link to article in The Brunei Times:

http://www.bt.com.bn/en/news-national/2009/10/29/asean-meet-focus-harmonious-transport-links

VEHICLES

23) Institute Researchers Develop New Way to Test Tires

Link to article in the Boston Herald:

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view/20091029institute_researchers_develop_new_way_to_test_tires/srvc=home&position=recent

News Releases

1) Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Receives Inaugural CAPA Air Navigation Services Provider of the Year Award

2) NASA App Now Available from App Store

3) Berg Insight Says Over 3.5 Million Cars in Europe Have a Telematics Device

4) American Airlines and Lexus Team Up to Offer Free Wi-Fi in the Sky

5) IBM Global Trucking Study: Fuel Efficiency, High-Tech Features More Important than Brand Name

6) Navigation Market Leader Telmap Brings Navigation to iPhone with Navteq

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Talking Operations Performance Journalism: Improving Your Ability to Build Operations Program – November 10

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=586

Today in Transportation History

1969 **40^th anniversary** – The first computer-to-computer message was sent over ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:First-arpanet-imp-log.jpg

======================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: i95berniew@aol.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

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

Lawmakers hear that Texting while Driving is the “perfect storm” of Driver Distraction

October 29, 2009 at 5:57 pm

(Source: Wired)

The senate, the Department of Transportation and the FCC want you to stop texting while driving, and on Wednesday, they all but declared a war on texting, promising education campaigns and laws to convince you to put your phone down — at least while you are piloting a two-ton SUV going 70 mph.

In a Senate hearing Wednesday, using a mobile phone while driving was said to be more dangerous than drunk driving, the cause of 16 percent of fatal accidents in the United States and a “perfect storm” of distraction.

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood concluded his testimony by calling texting while driving a “menace to society,” saying the department’s research showed that 6,000 people a year died because it distracted drivers of all kinds. Here are some excerpts from the Secretary’s blog on this topic:

Here’s a start: Experts agree that there are three types of distraction–

Visual – taking your eyes off the road;

Manual – taking your hands off the wheel; and

Cognitive – taking your mind off the road.

While all distractions can adversely impact safety, texting is particularly troubling because it involves all three types of distraction. In the words of Dr. John Lee of the University of Wisconsin, this produces a “perfect storm.”

Not convinced? Our latest research shows that nearly 6,000 people died last year in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million people were injured.

At issue is the Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2009 (.pdf) that Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-West Virginia) and Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) introduced Wednesday that seeks to ban texting while driving, a category that includes using a PDA, checking e-mail on a BlackBerry or manipulating a GPS unit with your hand. The bill (S. 1938) also targets drivers who make calls without using a headset. Texting or calling while pulled over on the side of the road is fine, but not while at a red light.

Rockefeller noted “Nowadays, you have to text or you are not with it — you are not educated. But it’s lethal behavior when you get in a car.” He wants some sort of phone-blocking device installed in cars, presumably one that knows the difference between a driver’s phone and passengers’ phones.

Rockefeller seemed to recognize that perhaps the only thing more dangerous than texting while driving is trying to take the media spotlight from Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), and so let him testify at the hearing on the Rockefeller-Lautenberg bill because Schumer had introduced the Alert Drivers Act earlier this year.

By contrast Schumer’s bill would withhold 25 percent of federal transportation funding from states that don’t implement strong anti-texting while driving rules, a tactic Congress has used in the past to force states to lower their speed limits and raise the drinking age to 21.

A bill, possibly a combination of the two, is likely to pass eventually, given that President Obama just unilaterally banned federal employees from texting while driving federal vehicles (starting in 2010) and even mobile carriers like Sprint support the idea.

For all those interested, Secretary LaHood has been doing rounds in the hill ever since he held that Distracted Driving Summit. Today he went back to Congress to talk about distracted driving. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee wanted information on the dangers of distracted driving, and he was more than willing to talk to them about this issue which he calls an “epidemic.” You can hear he the Secretary’s input on the Committee’s website.

Click here to read the entire article.

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Alarm bells ringing in American oil companies; Climate Bill battle heats up in the Senate as the clock ticks closer to the Copenhagen Climate Summit

October 28, 2009 at 7:05 pm

(Sources contributing to this hybrid report: The Hill, Guardian, UK & NY Times)

Refiners Warn of ‘Staggering’ Costs, Job Losses From Senate Climate Bill

A Senate climate change proposal could add 77 cents a gallon to the price of gasoline, according to Domestic oil refiners. A group of refiners used the possible price hike on Wednesday to launch the latest in a series of attacks against the proposal. The CEO of refining giant Valero Energy Corp. also warned today that the Senate climate legislation would give a competitive advantage to foreign refiners and cost U.S. jobs.

But Democrats on a key Senate panel shot back, saying the industry’s estimate is based on an inflated projection of the price of permits companies will have to hold to cover their carbon emissions. A cost containment mechanism will keep the price from approaching the industry’s estimate, supporters said.

The lawmakers said the bill will spur industry innovation and that will create millions of new “green” jobs. The chief complaint from refiners is that they wouldn’t get enough free pollution allowances to cover emissions they are on the hook for under the legislation. The Senate bill would give refiners 2.25 percent of the allowances available to cover emissions at their plants. But the industry is also responsible for the emissions from vehicle tailpipes.

To make up the difference, refiners would have to buy emission permits on the market created under the legislation.

Addressing the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Valero’s Bill Klesse alleged that the Senate bill and its House counterpart would create large new costs that would drive domestic gasoline and diesel production offshore, cause job loss, and reduce U.S. energy security. He spoke on behalf of the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, the industry’s main trade group.

“You must remember we are a global business,” Klesse said. “You will simply be driving the carbon dioxide emissions overseas.”

Klesse said Texas-based Valero — a large independent refiner with 16 refineries in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean — would face “staggering” costs even at a carbon price of $20 per ton, he said.

For instance, he said the company’s Corpus Christi, Texas, plant would face costs of up to $92 million per year. The industry as a whole, if held responsible for its process emissions and consumer emissions of its products, would face more than $67 billion in annual costs, he said.

But EPW Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), a co-sponsor of the bill (S. 1733 (pdf)), attacked Klesse’s conclusion that the bill would harm U.S. security. “The opposite is true,” Boxer said. She cited multiple analyses that conclude global climate change creates national security risks.

The bill would set up a cap-and-trade system under which facilities that produce carbon dioxide emissions must obtain permits for their emissions. Boxer said the bill includes provisions to cushion the effects on refiners. The bill provides 2.25 percent of the free emissions allowances to the refining sector.

Overall, Reicher and other backers of the congressional energy and climate efforts say the effort will increase jobs. “The job creation potential in energy efficiency is extraordinary,” Reicher said.

A major provision is the authorization of so-called border adjustments, or carbon tariffs, on imports from countries that do not adhere to emissions-cutting measures.

The provisions, a priority for lawmakers from manufacturing states, are aimed at preventing “carbon leakage,” in which energy-intensive manufacturing and jobs migrate to countries that do not impose emissions-cutting mandates.

The Senate bill also joins the House bill in providing free allowances to these trade-exposed, energy-intensive industries, although the formulas differ slightly.

The Senate plan provides these sectors with 4 percent of the cap-and-trade program’s freely distributed allowances in 2012 and 2013, rising to 15 percent in 2014 and 2015 and then phasing down after that.

The epic confrontation about how America will power the economy of the future formally got underway on October 27 amid stark warnings from the Obama administration of the costs of inaction on energy reform.

The first of three blockbuster sessions in the Senate held on Oct 27th can be held as a last heave by administration officials and Democratic leaders to advance a bill to reduce America’s greenhouse gas emissions before an international climate change meeting at Copenhagen, now just six weeks away.

American legislation on climate change is seen as essential to reaching a meaningful deal at Copenhagen. But the White House held up action in the Senate on a climate change bill to focus on healthcare reform. The proposed law, which now stretches for more than 900 pages, would cut America’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20% over 2005 levels by 2020 and encourage the development of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Democratic leaders in the Senate are now struggling to advance a bill – which does not have solid support even among their own party – before the meeting in Copenhagen.

Click here to read more on this topic.

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – October 28, 2009

October 28, 2009 at 6:31 pm

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Incident Highlights Outdated Air-Traffic Control System

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-10-27-outdated-air-traffic-system_N.htm

2) Extensive Failures Found in Maryland Medevac Crash

NTSB faults air-traffic controllers and Maryland State Police efforts to track and search for chopper.

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/27/AR2009102702111.html

Link to news release from the National Transportation Safety Board:

http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2009/091027.html

3) Next Generation Air Transportation System: FAA Faces Challenges in Responding to Task Force Recommendations

Link to testimony from the Government Accountability Office:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10188t.pdf

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Bill to Expand Geospatial Imagery Passes US House

Link to article in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/10/28/web-geospatial-mapping-bill.aspx

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Google Maps Navigation Takes a Mobile Turn

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10384544-265.html

MARITIME

6) Traffic Control Faulted in Ship Crash

Link to article in The Japan Times:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20091029a1.html

7) Malacca, Singapore Straits Can Handle Rise in Vessel Traffic

Link to article in The Business Times:

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/shippingtimes/story/0,4574,356796,00.html

OTHER

8) Australian Communications and Media Authority Prepares for Intelligent Transport Systems

Link to article on iTWire:

http://www.itwire.com/content/view/28885/127/

SAFETY / SECURITY

9) Maryland Company Develops ‘Whisper’ Technology for TSA

Radios can send pre-programmed text messages to discreetly share information.

Link to article in The Capital:

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/bus/2009/10/27-37/Small-county-contractor-helps-TSA-whisper.html

10) Stop Texting-Drivers – Or Lose Highway Funds

Link to debate in BusinessWeek:

http://www.businessweek.com/debateroom/archives/2009/09/stop_texting-dr.html

TRANSIT

11) Take Notes, MTA: NY Waterways to Give Real-Time Bus Arrival Info on Web Site

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/10/27/2009-10-27_take_notes_mta_ny_waterways_buses_to_give_realtime_bus_arrival_info_on_web_site.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) Traffic Reports to be Boosted on Ho Chi Minh City Radio Station

Link to Viet Nam News Agency article:

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=05SOC281009

News Releases

1) Navteq Traffic Patterns Saves Drivers Up to 22 Hours per Year in North America

2) Navteq Traffic Patterns Saves Drivers Up to 42 Hours per Year in Europe

3) Follow the US DOT’s ITS Joint Program Office on Twitter

4) New Technology Enables Traffic Management Improvements in Boston Neighborhood

5) The Internet of the Future to Make Europe’s Systems Smart and Efficient

6) New Travel Conditions Map Available on Wyoming DOT 511 Web Site

Upcoming Events

ITS-CT Annual Meeting – November 2 – Cromwell, Connecticut

http://www.its-ct.org/annual.htm

Today in Transportation History

1949 **60^th anniversary** – Dr. Wernher von Braun, and other German rocket scientists, were transferred to the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.

http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/orghist/welcome.html

======================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: i95berniew@aol.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

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

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – October 27, 2009

October 27, 2009 at 6:15 pm

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Register for IBTTA’s Toll Road Summit of the Americas — November 15-17, 2009 in São Paulo, Brazil

AVIATION

1) New Safety Worry: Laptops, Devices in the Cockpit

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hSofDoT5LyX3TkJEaFHEJPNHSALAD9BJKE980

2) Aircraft Electronics Association Says Safety Management Systems Unwieldy

Link to article on AVweb:

http://www.avweb.com/avwebbiz/news/AEA_Safety_Management_Systems_Unwieldy_201404-1.html

Link to FAA’s Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-17553.pdf

Link to AEA response:

http://www.aea.net/governmentaffairs/regulatoryupdates.asp?ID=28

CAMERAS

3) Half of San Francisco Muni Surveillance Cameras Fail in Audit

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/27/MN7M1AAV6E.DTL

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Telling the User Where to Go

Link to article on Telecoms:

http://www.telecoms.com/15405/lbs-telling-the-user-where-to-go

MARITIME

5) Report Finds September 11 US Coast Guard Potomac River Exercise was a Bad Idea

Link to AP article:

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=43886

OTHER

6) Flu Pandemic Could Overwhelm Internet Capacity, GAO Warns

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2009/10/27/internet-capacity-threat-flu-pandemic.aspx

Link to report from the Government Accountability Office:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d108.pdf

ROADWAYS

7) Washington State Viaduct Disaster Flick Released; Political Motive?

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2010141929_viaductvideo27m.html

TELEMATICS

8) Will High-Tech Trucks Save Big Rig Industry?

Link to column in Network World:

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/46784

TRANSIT

9) Confessions of a Spatial Navigator

Link to Human Transit blog:

http://www.humantransit.org/2009/10/global-impositioning-systems.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Oklahoma DOT Pays Thousands for Twitter Account

Link to story and video on KFOR-TV:

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-odot-twitter-thousands-story,0,7753383.story

11) Radio Station Introduces Real-Time Traffic Report for Cayman Islands

Link to Cayman News Service article:

http://www.caymannewsservice.com/local-news/2009/10/27/radio-station-introduces-real-time-traffic-report

12) Microsoft Will Shut Down MSN Direct

Datacasting service provides location-based traffic reports and weather information.

Link to article in Radio World:

http://www.rwonline.com/article/89374

VEHICLES

13) Texas Drops Phone Numbers from Accident Reports

Link to AP article:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6688454.html

News Releases

1) PrePass Weigh Station Technology Blazes Solar Trail

2) AASHTO Report Highlights Smart Solutions: 50 Transportation Projects that Have Made America Better

Upcoming Events

ITS Texas Annual Meeting – November 11-13 – Galveston, Texas

http://www.itstexas.org/Meetings/2009meetingoverview.stm

Today in Transportation History

1994 **15^th anniversary** – L École des métiers de l’aérospatiale de Montréal opened.

http://www2.csdm.qc.ca/emam/anglais/home.htm

======================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: i95berniew@aol.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

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

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – October 26, 2009

October 26, 2009 at 10:15 pm

Monday, October 26, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Download the free INRIX TRAFFIC! for iPhone or Android today

INRIX, the leading provider of traffic and navigation services, recently introduced a free, ad-free, and highly acclaimed traffic app for iPhone and now for Android. INRIX TRAFFIC! uniquely helps drivers reduce the time they spend in traffic through a better understanding of current AND future traffic conditions. It is the only mobile phone app that combines real-time, “crowd sourced” traffic information from more than 1.3 million vehicles with data from hundreds of public (including DOTs) and private sources to reliably deliver current and expected traffic conditions. Covering more than 160,000 miles of freeways, interstates and highways in 126 cities across the U.S. and Canada, INRIX TRAFFIC! provides drivers with insight into how conditions will evolve over time helping them avoid traffic jams and reach their destination the fastest way possible.

Download at the App Store or Android Market today. More info at www.inrixtraffic.com.

AVIATION

1) Northwest Pilots Were Using Personal Laptops, NTSB Says

Link to article in the Star-Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/business/65982292.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUq9_b9b_jEkP:QUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU7DYaGEP7vDEh7P:DiUs

2) In Airline Industry, Social-Media Marketing Takes Flight

Link to article in the Star-Telegram:

http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/1709786.html

CARTOGRAPHY

3) Google Maps’ Appearance Takes New Direction

Link to blog on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13515_3-10382579-26.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) Florida’s Turnpike to Go Cashless as It Switches to Electronic Tolling

Link to article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-turnpike-sunpass-102609,0,7442287.story

OTHER

5) Dallas Police Ticketed 39 Drivers in 3 Years for Not Speaking English

Link to article in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/DN-citations_23met.ART.State.Edition2.4bac015.html

6) Augmented Reality to Alter How We See the World

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/10/26/MNCR1A9B5S.DTL

7) TechPlan Researchers at University of Minnesota Probe Privacy Implications of ITS

Link to article in CTS Research E-News:

http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchENews/2009/09/index.html#techplan

RAILROADS

8) Communication Glitch Leads to Amtrak Ticket Problems

Link to story on WABC-TV:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=resources/traffic&id=7082718

ROADWAYS

9) Washington Governor Announces Monitoring System for Seattle Viaduct

Link to article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/411509_viaduct24.html

Video Visualizes Viaduct Collapsing

http://blog.seattlepi.com/transportation/archives/183191.asp

10) Will Smarter Roads Save Us More Money?

Link to blog in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/will-smarter-roads-save-us-more-money/

TRANSIT

11) New York MTA Yanks Ads Warning of Germ Dangers on Subways

Link to article in amNew York:

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/mta-yanks-paid-sick-time-ads-1.1548183

12) Columbus, Georgia Bus Signs Aid the Homeless

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/news/columbus-bus-signs-aid-170643.html

13) Electronic Fare Collection Options for Commuter Railroads

Link to report from the Federal Transit Administration:

http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/ElectronicFareCollectionOptionsforCommuterRailroads.pdf

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) New Hampshire Offers Real-Time I-93 Traffic Data

Link to article in The Eagle-Tribune:

http://www.eagletribune.com/punewsnh/local_story_297214252.html

15) Interim Panel on Road Safety and Traffic Management Set Up in India

Link to article in The Hindu:

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article38285.ece

News Releases

1) Idaho Transportation Department Installs New Highway Cameras in Eastern Idaho

2) Newly Formed US DOT Safety Council to Take Safety Commitment to Next Level

Upcoming Events

ITS Texas Annual Meeting – November 11-13 – Galveston, Texas

http://www.itstexas.org/Meetings/2009meetingoverview.stm

Today in Transportation History

1859 **150^th anniversary** – The Royal Charter was wrecked off the coast of Anglesey with the loss of approximately 459 lives.

http://www.royalcharterchurch.org.uk/wreck.html

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The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: i95berniew@aol.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

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

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Southwest aims to paint the skies green with its “Green Plane” initiative

October 23, 2009 at 11:10 pm

(Source: PR News Wire)

Hotels on southwest.com

Yesterday Southwest announced at its annual Media Day a “green plane,” an innovative idea that marries efficiency, environmentally responsible products, Customer comfort, and reduced waste and weight. This plane, a Boeing 737-700, will serve as a test environment for new environmentally responsible materials and Customer comfort products. All of the initiatives being tested on this Green Plane, when combined, will equate to a weight savings of almost five pounds per seat, thus saving fuel and reducing emissions, along with adding recyclable elements to the cabin interior and reducing waste.

“Southwest is committed to continuing to lead the industry in emissions reductions through fuel efficiency. Efficiency in fuel consumption benefits our Company as well as the environment, and this has been part of our business model since the beginning,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest’s Chairman, President, and CEO. “As we look to the future, we know climate change remains of vital importance to our industry, our Company, and our Customers, so Southwest works hard every day in every area to be a responsible steward of the environment.”

Southwest has designated one aircraft to serve as a test for eco-friendly products, which include:

InterfaceFlor Carpet – reduces labor and material costs because it is laid in carpet squares, thus eliminating the total replacement of areas such as aisles. The carpet is totally recyclable and the manufacturing process is dedicated to being completely carbon neutral.
Seat covers – offers more than twice the durability than the current leather seats as well as a weight savings per seat of almost two pounds. They are recyclable and have an environmentally- friendly manufacturing process.
Life Vest Pouch – more environmentally friendly because it offers a weight savings of one pound per passenger. The smaller pouch creates more room under the seat for carryon items.
Foam Fill – A lighter weight fill from Garnier PURtec in the back of the seats that reduces weight while providing increased customer comfort.
Wind Screen – bulkhead product that lasts longer than the current leather product, thus reducing labor costs and waste.
Aisle Rub Strips – switching from plastic to aluminum will help with durability, which reduces waste, as well as being recyclable.

In addition to the green plane, Southwest also announced the Nov. 1 kickoff of its more robust onboard recycling program, which is a co-mingled system that will allow the airline to capture more recyclable material and divert it from the waste stream. This 18-month process involved team work from all areas of the Company to implement the program on the ground at its Provisioning Bases and re-working of waste collection procedures in the cabin. The following are what Southwest calls “Doing the Right Thing”, published on their website:

Recycling And Waste Recovery: Southwest is implementing a more robust, systemwide recycling program. This systemwide co-mingled recycling program will take our current recycling efforts to the next level. By identifying opportunities to reduce, eliminate, or recover energy from our waste streams, we improve our waste management efficiencies and divert a substantial amount of material from landfills.

Water Conservation: Water is one of our most valuable resources and reducing our consumption is important to Southwest Airlines. We implement water savings ideas, including low flow water saving plumbing, auto shutoff water faucets, meeting LEED™ standards for efficient water use at new facilities, landscaping with native and drought-tolerant plants, and recycling the water used in our engine wash program. Along with reducing our water use, it is important that we keep water sources pure and support pollution prevention by reducing the chance of contamination.

Energy Savings: We are committed to pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) standards in new construction. By taking steps to reduce the amount of energy we consume, and to purchase our energy from renewable resources. We are proud to be a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Leadership Club for our purchase of renewable energy credits.

Noise Reduction: Southwest strives to be a good neighbor in every community we serve. We have taken steps to mitigate noise by ensuring our entire fleet meets current aircraft noise standards. The addition of our winglets and engine modifications have yielded a quieter aircraft that creates less noise when taking off and landing, plus our Pilots typically use noise abatement procedures that enable us to minimize noise impact in communities near the airports we serve.

Click here to read more. Also, click here for an interesting Green Plane FAQ published on the airline’s website.

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – October 23, 2009

October 23, 2009 at 10:26 pm

Friday, October 23, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Pilots Who Overflew Airport Should Have had Numerous Warnings of Approach

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jx2fJRl2HA8EkI9Zi8Qa1yuvjYdQD9BGMEB02

2) Feds Look at Instruments, Approach Lights in Atlanta Taxiway Landing

Link to CNN story:

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/10/21/taxiway.landing/

3) Still ‘Dragging the Chain’ on ATC Modernization

Link to blog in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2009/10/22/still-dragging-the-chain-on-atc-modernization/

4) E-News Media

Airport e-newsletters: a comparative analysis.

Link to article in Airport Business:

http://www.airportbusiness.com/print/Airport-Business-Magazine/E-News-Media/1$31735

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Loran Gets Three Month Reprieve

Link to column on Nextgov:

http://whatsbrewin.nextgov.com/2009/10/loran_gets_3_month_reprieve.php

6) Study Backs GPS Use for Harbor Trucks

Pilot shows use of GPS technology by harbor trucking companies can improve freight flow and contribute to reduced congestion and pollution in port cities.

Link to article in The Journal of Commerce:

http://www.joc.com/node/414176

OTHER

7) Computer Model Predicts Hurricane Power Outages

Link to article in USA Today:

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sciencefair/2009/10/computer-predicts-hurricane-power-outages.html

Link to news release from Johns Hopkins University:

http://releases.jhu.edu/2009/10/20/researchers-say-they-can-predict-hurricane-related-power-outages/

ROADWAYS

8) EU and Ricardo Launch SARTRE Road-Train Project

Project will develop and test technology for vehicles that can drive themselves in long road trains on motorways.

Link to article in Traffic Technology International: