Monday, November 30, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Support for the TCN

It’s been over a year since I last came to the readers of the TCN to ask for your support.  It seems like this is a good time to come back.  At the end of December I’ll have the hours at my day job cut to part-time.  In the long-run I expect this to be good news.  It will allow me to devote more time to the TCN and other newsletters I edit and it will permit me to become move involved in my voice-over work.  It will also mean considerably less income for the short-term.  In the days and weeks ahead I’ll be telling you more about ways you can support the TCN, but here’s a quick overview.  The first is contributions to the TCN.  More information on this is available at the bottom of today’s issue.  Other ways to support the TCN include purchasing ads, using my voice services, having your own customized newsletter or simply telling others about the TCN.  Thank you in advance for your support.

AVIATION

1) Airline Safety: The Next Generation of Smart Planes

Link to article in The Christian Science Monitor:

http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2009/11/23/airline-safety-the-next-generation-of-smart-planes/

2) Delta to Close Call Centers in London and Montreal, Bring Jobs Back to the US

Link to article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle:

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/11/30/daily8.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

3) Cashless E-470 Takes Toll on Rental Car Drivers in the Form of Fines

Link to article in The Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13886500

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

4) West Virginia DOT Launches Improved Web Site

Link to story on WHSV-TV:

http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/78160032.html

Link to site: http://www.wvdot.com/

ROADWAYS

5) Wildlife Warnings Go Infrared in Idaho

Link to article in The Spokesman-Review:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/nov/30/wildlife-warnings-go-infrared/

6) New Publications from US DOT

–  Truck Size and Weight Enforcement Technology – State of the Practice of Roadside Technologies

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=592

– Truck Size and Weight Enforcement Technologies – Implementation Plan

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=591

–  Concept of Operations for Virtual Weigh Station

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=593

TRANSIT

7) Caltrain to Offer Real-Time Delay Data

Link to article in the San Mateo County Times:

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_13881434

8) Pittsburgh-Area Port Authority Set to Get Smarter with New Technology

Link to article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_655327.html

9) Five Commuter iPhone Apps You’ve Gotta Try

Link to article in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/11/commuting-iphone-apps/

10) Laughter on the Go

Transit TV Comedy entertains bus riders in the Los Angeles area.

Link to article in the Santa Monica Daily Press:

http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2009-11-29-65677.113116_Laughter_on_the_go.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Surface Transportation: Efforts to Address Highway Congestion Through Real-Time Traffic Information Systems are Expanding but Face Implementation Challenges

Link to US Government Accountability Office report:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10121r.pdf

VEHICLES

12) Personalized Texas Plates Can Now Carry Firms’ Logos

Link to column in the Houston Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6744388.html

News Releases

1) Near Real-Time Traffic and Weather Data from Traffic Info Map USA 1.2

2) SpeedInfo Earns Patent for Breakthrough Solar-Powered Doppler Radar Sensor Technology

Upcoming Events

Border Wait Time Measurement Technology Test, Evaluation and Deployment Project – Vendor Information Session – December 14

http://www.itsa.org/industry_member_news_content/c91_a3179/News_and_Events/Industry_and_Member_News/Industry_Member_News_Archive.html

Today in Transportation History

1934 **75^th anniversary** – The Flying Scotsman became the first steam locomotive to officially travel at 100 miles per hour.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nationonfilm/topics/railways/background_rise.shtml

Contributions for the TCN

Contributions to the TCN are greatly appreciated.  You can mail a contribution to me at:

Bernie Wagenblast

1 Aberdeen Ct.

Cranford, NJ  07016-2911

You may also contribute through PayPal.  Just go to:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10069680

Thank you!

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

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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Friday, November 27, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Pilots of Errant Northwest Flight Cite Distraction in Transcript

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125934128806566563.html

Link to transcripts: http://www.faa.gov/data_research/accident_incident/2009-10-23/

2) Chicago Airport Music Helps Frazzled Fliers Connect with City

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-music-tracker-city-zonenov27,0,6104510.story

Link to further information from the Chicago Music Commission:

http://www.flychicago.com/terminaltunes/

MARITIME

3) New Port Community Information System for Australia

Link to article in Seatrade:

http://www.seatradeasia-online.com/News/4908.html

Link to further information from Tradegate Australia:

http://www.tradegate.org.au/news/14/

4) GPS Tagging for Children on Oasis of the Seas

Link to article in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/cruise-news/6669230/GPS-tagging-for-children-on-Oasis-of-the-Seas.html

OTHER

5) Traffic-Weary Kids Develop Web Site to Help Neighbors Share Rides

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/25/AR2009112501951.html

RAILROADS

6) Free Wi-Fi Awaited in Moscow Railroad Stations in December

Link to article on Russia-InfoCentre:

http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/9282/

Link to further information from Russian Railways:
http://www.rian.ru/moscow/20091126/195609387.html (in Russian)

SPACE

7) A Wild Ride on NASA’s Massive Flight Simulator

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10404808-52.html

Link to further information from NASA:

http://www.aviationsystemsdivision.arc.nasa.gov/facilities/vms/index.shtml

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) Signal Fading on Radio Traffic Reports

Link to AP article:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TRAFFIC_WATCHERS

VEHICLES

9) Toyota Acts to Keep Its Grip on the PR Wheel

Link to column in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a02a2bc2-da78-11de-9c32-00144feabdc0.html

Upcoming Events

Digital Signage Expo – February 23-25 – Las Vegas

http://www.digitalsignageexpo.net/DigitalSignageExpo/DSE.aspx

Friday Bonus

If you thought your daily commute was only fit for a dog, maybe you’re right.

http://image.examiner.com/x-9231-Denver-Dog-News-Examiner~y2009m8d15-Stray-dogs-learn-how-to-ride-subway

Today in Transportation History

1964 **45^th anniversary** – The Pennsylvania Railroad ended Pittsburgh commuter service.

http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/burnham/burnham5.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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Thursday, November 26, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) FAA to Improve Landing Operations at Newark Airport Two Years After Whistle-Blower Detailed Safety Risks

New software will give controllers a better picture of when planes will land at converged runways.

Link to article in The Star-Ledger:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/faa_to_improve_landing_pattern.html

Link to news release from the US Office of Special Counsel:

http://www.osc.gov/documents/press/2009/pr09_21.pdf

Link to report:

http://www.osc.gov/FY2010/Scanned/DI-07%20DI-08-2225/DI-08-2225%20Agency%20Report%20(Part%201).pdf (part 1)

http://www.osc.gov/FY2010/Scanned/DI-07%20DI-08-2225/DI-08-2225%20Agency%20Report%20(Part%202).pdf (part 2)

Link to letter to the president:

http://www.osc.gov/FY2010/Scanned/DI-07%20DI-08-2225/DI-08-2225%20President%20Letter.PDF

2) Complaints Against Airlines Fall Sharply

Critics say the reason isn’t better service; it’s that frustrated passengers have given up voicing grievances.

Link to Tribune Newspapers article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tc-biz-trav-complaints-1121-nov26,0,421005.story

Link to Air Travel Consumer Report from US DOT:

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports/2009/November/200911ATCR.PDF

3) FAA Foregoes Public Process in Test Program at Santa Monica Airport

Link to article in the Santa Monica Mirror:

http://www.smmirror.com/MainPages/DisplayArticleDetails.asp?eid=11364

Link to further information from the City of Santa Monica, California:

http://www.smgov.net/departments/cmo/content.aspx?id=2029

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Is It the End of the Line for London’s Iconic Tube Map?

Link to article in the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/nov/26/london-tube-map-design

MARITIME

5) South Korea, US Adopt Joint Maritime Safety Declaration

Link to Yonhap article:

http://balita.ph/2009/11/26/s-korea-u-s-adopt-joint-maritime-safety-declaration/

OTHER

6) European Parliament Rubberstamps Law on Tire Labeling

Link to article on EurActiv:

http://www.euractiv.com/en/energy-efficiency/parliament-rubberstamps-law-tyre-labelling/article-187693

Link to news release from the European Parliament:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/051-65051-327-11-48-909-20091123IPR65050-23-11-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm

RAILROADS

7) November Issue of Signal, the Newsletter of the European Rail Traffic Management System

Link to newsletter:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/interoperability/ertms/doc/015_signal_2009_11_en.pdf

ROADWAYS

8) Graffiti on Highway Signs Costing Utah DOT Big Money

Link to story and video on KSL-TV:

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8807401

9) Solar-Powered Sensor Controls Traffic

Link to article in EDN:

http://www.edn.com/article/CA6707783.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) US Transportation Security Administration Launches Airport Security Innovations Project

Link to article on AviationNews.net:

http://www.aviationnews.net/?do=headline&news_ID=173927

TELEMATICS

11) ARENA Trial in Sweden

Link to article from ERTICO – ITS Europe:

http://www.ertico.com/en/news/ertico_newsroom/arena_trial_in_sweden.htm

TRANSIT

12) Pilot Project Starts in Ontario for ‘Smart’ Transit Cards that Load Online

Link to article in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/731022–pilot-project-starts-for-smart-transit-cards-that-load-online?bn=1

13) Portland’s TriMet Fires MAX Operator Who Ignored Father’s Calls for Help

Link to article in The Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/11/trimet_xxxx_max_operator_who_i.html

14) AC Transit Cuts a Model for Public Input

Link to blog in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/inoakland/detail?&entry_id=52362

Link to commentary on A Better Oakland:

http://www.abetteroakland.com/ac-transits-extensive-service-reduction-planning-process-yields-great-results/2009-11-25

Link to further information from AC Transit:

http://www2.actransit.org/news/articledetail.wu?articleid=0d1850ca&PHPSESSID=7c448dea44ded466173a3b52e170d3a2

15) The Zoo that is Grand Central, at Full Gallop

Coordinating trains on its busiest day of the year requires improvisation.

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/nyregion/26gct.html

16) Tunisia Promotes Use of Information Technology and Communication in Public Transport

Link to story and video on Tunisia Online News:

http://www.tunisiaonlinenews.com/?p=29995

Upcoming Events

NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Show– April 10-15 – Las Vegas

http://www.nabshow.com/2010/default.asp

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50^th anniversary** – Pioneer P3, a lunar probe, was launched.  The flight failed 45 seconds after launch.

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/masterCatalog.do?sc=PIONX

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

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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Happy Thanksgiving!

AVIATION

1) Aviation Groups Tell Congress NextGen Will Spur Jobs

Link to article in The Wichita Eagle:

http://blogs.kansas.com/aviation/2009/11/24/aviation-associations-tell-congress-nextgen-funding-will-spur-jobs/

Link to further information from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association:

http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/articles/2009/091124nextgen.html

ROADWAYS

2) Maryland State Highway Administration Pilots State-of-the Art Variable Speed Advisory Technology

Link to story on WBAL Radio:

http://wbal.com/apps/news/templates/story.aspx?articleid=40528&zoneid=3

Link to news release from Maryland SHA:

http://www.marylandroads.com/Pages/release.aspx?newsId=543

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

3) Traffic-Time Signs Going Statewide in North Carolina

But some commuters don’t find them useful.

Link to article in The Herald:

http://www.theherald-nc.com/front/story/12335.html

4) Intelligent Roads: Several Approaches to Keeping Streets Clearer

Link to article in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c758d0e2-d7bf-11de-b578-00144feabdc0.html

5) Beware, Big Brother is Watching

A look behind-the-scenes of the Bangalore Traffic Management Centre.

Link to article in the Bangalore Mirror:

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=10&contentid=20091124200911241229152504848a683

Link to further information from the Bangalore City Traffic Police:

http://www.bangaloretrafficpolice.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&btp=87

VEHICLES

6) Traffic Accident Avoidance Technology Advances

Link to story on Minnesota Public Radio:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/11/24/crashreduction/

7) GM to Work with National Federation of the Blind on 2011 Chevy Volt Sounds

Link to article in The Car Connection:

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1039004_gm-to-work-with-national-federation-of-the-blind-on-2011-chevy-volt-sounds

Link to news release from General Motors:

http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2009/Nov/1125_Chevy_Volt

News Releases

1) Closer Links for ITS United Kingdom and ITS Australia

2) New Real-Time Interactive Traffic Map Aims to Help Connecticut Travelers

3) European Project for Integration of UAS: Unmanned Aircraft to Conquer the Skies

Job Posting

–  Executive Director – E-ZPass Interagency Group – Wilmington, Delaware/Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Area

http://www.e-zpassiag.com/executive_director_ad.pdf

Upcoming Events

Texas Transportation Forum – January 6-8 – Austin, Texas

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/ttf/

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100^th anniversary** – Edvard Rusjan made the first successful flight in an Eastern European airplane.

http://www.earlyaviators.com/erusjan.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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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IBTTA Summit to Explore Transformational Changes in Transportation Funding System — December 13-15, 2009 in Washington, DC

If you are responsible for funding or operating surface transportation infrastructure at the state, regional, county or municipal level, we invite you to attend IBTTA’s Transportation Policy and Finance Summit and explore the transformational changes that must take place to create a sustainable and efficient transportation funding system. CFO Roundtable on December 13, 2009: This Summit will include a special CFO roundtable for chief financial officers from toll agencies, state departments of transportation, and individuals in similar positions to share knowledge and ideas, network, and learn from one another. For registration, hotel and travel information or to view the preliminary agenda, visit www.IBTTA.org.

AVIATION

1) India, EU to Cooperate Closely in Aviation Sector

Link to Press Trust of India article:

http://www.ptinews.com/news/392414_India–EU-to-cooperate-closely-in-aviation-sector

Link to news release from the Government of India:

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=54512

2) How Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Safety is Unique – In the Tower

Link to story and video on KNXV-TV:

http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoenixmetro/central/story/Exclusive-How-Sky-Harbor-safety-is-unique-in-the/Yp2bx2LN6U2CoFHa0qvpPg.cspx

CARTOGRAPHY

3) Iowa Cities Discover Mapping Devices Lagging Behind Rapid Growth

Link to article in The Des Moines Register:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20091124/NEWS/911240306/1125/

OTHER

4) Pressure Grows for IT Inclusion in Copenhagen Agreement

Link to article in Computing:

http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2253895/top-level-pressure-grows-ict

RAILROADS

5) Amtrak Promoting ‘Green’ Tourism in Illinois

Link to article in The State Journal-Register:

http://www.sj-r.com/business/x441552799/Amtrak-promoting-green-tourism-in-Springfield-elsewhere

ROADWAYS

6) Quick Way to Weigh

Trucks monitored in motion on Delaware highway.

Link to article and video in The News Journal:

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20091124/NEWS/911240347/Quick-way-to-weigh

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

7) I-95 Relief for East Coast Holiday Travelers

Link to article in the Washington Business Journal:

http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/11/23/daily18.html

Link to I-95 Corridor Travel Time Information: http://www.i95travelinfo.net/

8) A National Action Plan for Safer More Efficient Transport in Australia

Link to article in Transport & Logistics News:

http://tandlnews.com.au/2009/11/24/article/A-national-action-plan-for-safer-more-efficient-transport/XTGZDKIKKJ.html

News Releases

1) Seattle Adding 57 More Traffic Cameras in 2009

Upcoming Events

Transportation Research Board 89^th Annual Meeting – January 10-14 – Washington, DC

http://www.trb.org/AnnualMeeting2010/AnnualMeeting2010.aspx

Today in Transportation History

1969 **40^th anniversary** – Apollo 12 splashes down in the Pacific Ocean.

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo12info.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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

(Source: NPR)

The government is imposing fines for the first time against airlines for stranding passengers on an airport tarmac, the Department of Transportation said Tuesday.

The department said it has levied a precedent-setting $175,000 in fines against three airlines for their role in the stranding of passengers overnight in a plane at Rochester, Minn., on Aug. 8.

For those unaware of the issue, here is a wonderful write-up , courtesy of Wall Street Journal Blog, that gives you a good understanding of the incident that prompted this Fed action and a breakdown of the DOT penalties for each of the involved parties.

Flight 2816 from Houston to Minneapolis was diverted to Rochester at 12:30 a.m. and passengers were held onboard until 6:15 a.m., when they were finally allowed into a terminal, DOT said. ExpressJet, which operated the flight on behalf of Continental, had contacted Mesaba, the only airline with ground handling at Rochester, before the plane landed. Mesaba agreed to provide ground services. But shortly after the flight arrived, a Mesaba employee told the flight’s captain passengers couldn’t deplane because there were no Transportation Security Administration screeners on duty. That didn’t matter—TSA rules don’t prohibit people from deplaning without screeners on duty.

DOT fined Continental and ExpressJet $100,000 for engaging in unfair and deceptive trade practices because they violated Continental’s customer service commitment, which promises that passengers will be allowed off a plane after it has been sitting for three hours. Mesaba was fined $75,000 for an unfair and deceptive practice when it provided inaccurate information to ExpressJet about deplaning passengers from Flight 2816, the DOT said.

Continental and ExpressJet, which each were fined $50,000, both said in statements that they agreed to the DOT’s consent order to avoid costly litigation. They both noted that ExpressJet had worked throughout the night to deplane passengers but was blocked by Mesaba. Mesaba said in a statement it believes it “operated in good faith by providing voluntary ground handling assistance to ExpressJet,’’ but is re-evaluating policies and procedures because of the event.

Secretary LaHood followed-up on this issue with a blog post, expressing his support for the passengers: “Look, this is just no way to treat passengers, customers, or anyone. You can’t strand people overnight without access to the basics. It’s not right; it’s against the rules.”

Click here to read the entire article.

Transportgooru Musings: Thank you, Secratary LaHood.  Your actions reaffirm that our Government is  indeed “for the people, by the people, of the people.” Interesting enough, the NPR story also notes that the department’s action comes at a time when the Congress is weighing legislation that places a three-hour cap on how long airlines can keep passengers waiting on tarmacs before they have to offer them the opportunity to deplane or return to a gate. The measure would give a flight’s captain the authority to extend the wait an additional half hour if it appears that clearance to takeoff is near. As one would expect, the Air Transport Association (ATA), which represents major airlines, is opposing this measure.  According to the ATA,  a three-hour limit could create more problems than it alleviates by increasing the number of flights that are canceled and leaving passengers stuck at airports trying to make new travel arrangements.

How is that the European airlines are able to successfully operate without encountering such problems?  I’ve not seen anyone from an European airline complaining about the EU regulations (at least after it had become a law).  The European Union, which caps the acceptable delay at 2 hrs,  has successfully enacted the Passenger Bill of Rights that has some reasonable points that tells you how much they care about a passenger stuck in a metal tube with no access to basic necessities such as food. The following summary of the EU law, courtesy of Airsafe.com, gives you a good idea of what the European value system looks like:

Delays and Cancellations for European Union Related Flights

In most, but not all, cases involving a delay or cancellation of a flight, a passenger is entitled to compensation under European Parliament Regulation (EC) 261/2004 for delayed and cancelled flights. There are three levels of compensation:

• in the event of long delays (two hours or more, depending on the distance of the flight), passengers must in every case be offered free meals and refreshments plus two free telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or emails;
• if the time of departure is deferred until the next day, passengers must also be offered hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and the place of accommodation;
• when the delay is five hours or longer, passengers may opt for reimbursement of the full cost of the ticket together with, when relevant, a return flight to the first point of departure.

This regulation applies to all airline flights departing from an EU airport or to any airline licensed in the EU if that flight is departing from an airport outside the EU to a destination at an airport in an EU member state.

Delays and Cancellations for Other International Flights

(Source: New York Times)

Day after day, night after night, Francisco Hernandez Jr. rode the subway. He had a MetroCard, $10 in his pocket and a book bag on his lap. As the human tide flowed and ebbed around him, he sat impassively, a gangly 13-year-old boy in glasses and a redAfter getting in trouble in class in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and fearing another scolding at home, he had sought refuge in the subway system. He removed the battery from his cellphone. “I didn’t want anyone to scream at me,” he said.

All told, Francisco disappeared for 11 days last month — a stretch he spent entirely in subway stations and on trains, he says, hurtling through four boroughs. And somehow he went undetected, despite a round-the-clock search by his panicked parents, relatives and family friends, the police and the Mexican Consulate.

Since Oct. 26, when a transit police officer found him in a Coney Island subway station, no one has been able to fully explain how a boy could vanish for so long in a busy train system dotted with surveillance cameras and fliers bearing his photograph. hoodie, speaking to no one.

Francisco told the paper that he spent his time on three subway lines, the D, F and 1, and would ride the trains until the last stop then hop on the next one going back the other way.  He ate whatever he could afford from subway newsstands, like potato chips and jellyrolls, then neatly folded the wrappers and saved them in his backpack, while drinking bottled water. He drank bottled water. He used the bathroom in the Stillwell Avenue station in Coney Island.

Otherwise, he says, he slipped into a kind of stupor, sleeping much of the time, his head on his book bag. “At some point I just stopped feeling anything,” he recalled.

SALARY RANGE: 102,721.00 – 133,543.00 USD /year	OPEN PERIOD: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 to Friday, December 11, 2009
SERIES & GRADE: GS-0301-14/14	POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 14	DUTY LOCATIONS: 1 vacancy(s) in one of the following locations:   Washington, DC
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: To qualify, you must either: Be a current or former federal employee with status OR Be a veteran who qualifies under VEOA	TARGETED WORK ENVIRONMENT(S): Mission Focused: Attracting applicants who want a work environment that welcomes all motivations, from general service commitment to a specific passion. Flexible Arrangements: Attracting applicants who want a work environment that welcomes and accommodates traditional and flexible work arrangements.

JOB SUMMARY:

Real solutions to meet genuine challenges. Innovative ideas to take on growing realities. That’s the Federal Highway Administration – Leaders in Paving the Way on the Road to Success.

This position is located in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), and serves as the Communications and Outreach Specialist within the ITS Knowledge Transfer and Policy (KTP) Team. As such, you will be responsible for and will be a national expert in leading and coordinating communications and outreach activities for the ITS JPO as a whole and advising and assisting individual program managers with related activities for their programs. Maintaining liaisons and networks with national transportation trade press and outreach communities and helping research program managers build and coordinate stakeholder relationships are important aspects of your responsibilities. You will coordinate all publications, web publishing, articles, press releases, conference events, and other external communications activities of the ITS JPO. You will work with the RITA’s Government, International and Public Affairs Office (GIP), supporting Administration-wide communications initiatives for the ITS JPO. Responsibilities support the ITS JPO in accomplishing core objectives of transferring research results into practice.

The Communications and Outreach Specialist will work with the other members of the KTP Team, including the Team Lead and the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program Manager, to execute a coordinated program of knowledge transfer, policy, and communications for the Office, and has primary responsibility for communications and outreach related activities. Works through contracts, agreements, and liaisons with other offices and program managers to accomplish the program of work. Ability to work in a matrixed team environment and with external stakeholders and to manage and oversee contracts are critical components of the position.

The ideal candidate has experience supporting communications and outreach in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) industry such as for a Federal agency, State Department of Transportation with a major ITS program or for a national association with a related focus. Experience should include dealing with unique challenges, key stakeholders, and terminology used within the ITS industry.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• You must be eligible for status consideration & meet specialized experience
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• Provide ALL required documents by closing date (see How to Apply Tab)
• Position is telework eligible.
• Job also advertised open to all U.S. Citizens see FHWA.JPO-2010-0002
• Job announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days.

Click here to learn more about the position.

Monday, November 23, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Airline Web Sites Battle for Fewer Customers

Link to article on MarketWatch:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/airline-web-sites-battle-for-fewer-customers-2009-11-20

2) United’s LineBusters Keep Lines Moving

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-11-20-airportcheckin23_ST_N.htm

OTHER

3) Lack of Backup Foils Virginia’s New IT System

State DMV and DOT suffer numerous outages.

Link to article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/business/local/article/DMVV21_20091120-222606/307063/

RAILROADS

4) Marketing Helps Vermont Train Ridership

Link to article in the Burlington Free Press:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20091121/NEWS02/911210307/Marketing-helps-Vermont-train-ridership

Link to further information from Vermont Rail Action Network: http://www.railvermont.org/

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) High-Tech Babysitters Get Drivers Off Phone

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/technology/22distracted.html

6) Intelligent Transportation System Hits Roadblock in Kansas

Link to story and video on KAKE-TV:

http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/70679812.html

7) Shortage Slows a Program to Detect Nuclear Bombs

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/us/23helium.html

8) New Web Site Launched for Forth Road Bridge

Link to article in Queensferry Today:

http://www.queensferrygazette.co.uk/news/New-website-launched-for-Forth.5844719.jp

Link to site: http://www.feta.gov.uk/

TRANSIT

9) Overland Trains to Accept Oyster Card

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8373913.stm

Link to news release from the City of London:

http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=24359

10) Zambian Transporters Urged to Display RTSA Number to Facilitate Passenger Communication

Link to article in the Times of Zambia:

http://www.times.co.zm/news/viewnews.cgi?category=6&id=1258954716

11) The Days May be Grim, but Here’s a Good Word to Put In Your Pocket

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/nyregion/20metrocard.html

Link to further information from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority:

http://www.mta.info/mta/aft/about/optimism.html

12) Eyes on the Street: Is This Our Stop? Signage Shortcomings on Muni Metro

Link to blog on Streetsblog San Francisco:

http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/11/23/eyes-on-the-street-is-this-our-stop-signage-shortcomings-on-muni-metro/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Dublin Firm Starts Ireland’s First Real-Time Traffic Information System

Link to article in The Sunday Business Post:

http://www.sbpost.ie/news/ireland/get-traffic-info-by-text-45803.html

Link to further information from iTraffic:

http://itraffic.ie/ProductsPageMED.html

14) Australian Government to Begin ‘Smart Infrastructure’ Inquiry

Link to article in the Queensland Business Review:

http://www.qbr.com.au/news/articleid/61171.aspx

VEHICLES

15) How Crash Tests Help Bring Traffic Deaths Down

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

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120628434

16) New Custom Texas Car Plates Offer Range of Colors, Themes

Link to article in the Star-Telegram:

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/1773760.html

Link to news release from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles:

http://www.myplates.com/Press20091029.aspx

News Releases

1) Successful eCall Demonstration by Qualcomm and Hughes Telematics

2) NOAA Installs System to Improve Safety and Efficiency of Ships along the Cherry Point Reach in Washington State

3) FAA Takes Aim at Icing with New Ice Protection Proposal

4) Beat the Traffic Announces New BlackBerry Application

5) Web Site Spells Relief for Holiday Travelers on the East Coast

6) United Airlines Introduces Try-Before-You-Buy Wi-Fi Promotion

7) Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Introduces Online Noise and Flight Tracking Tool

8) GE Aviation Acquires Leader in Performance-Based Navigation

Solicitation

–  Request for Proposals – Safety Patrol – E-470 Public Highway Authority

http://www.e-470.com/Default.aspx?pn=Requests%20For%20Proposals

Upcoming Events

Consumer Telematics Seminar 2010 – January 6 – Las Vegas

http://www.telematicsupdate.com/cts/

Today in Transportation History

1809 **200^th anniversary** – Pirate Edward Jordan was hung in Nova Scotia.

http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/events/pirates.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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Friday, November 20, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Coverage of FAA Computer Problems

–  FAA Glitch Impacted Military Air Defense

Link to ABC News story and video:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/faa-glitch-impacted-military-air-defense/story?id=9132323

–  FAA Computer Failure Reflects Growing Burden on Systems

Link to article in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/11/19/update-faa-software-hackers-delays.aspx

–  FAA Glitch Shines Spotlight on Troubled Telco Project

Link to article in Computer World

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9141195/FAA_glitch_shines_spotlight_on_troubled_telco_project

–  FAA or Your Car: Whose Computer Has More Muscle?

Link to ABC News story and video:

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Travel/BusinessTraveler/air-traffic-control-system-overhaul-years/story?id=9131728

2) FAA: Unmanned and Commercial Aircraft Don’t Mix

Link to article in Network World:

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/111909-layer8-faa-civilian-unmanned-airspace.html

3) Bill Seeks to Allow Airlines Access to Cockpit Conversations

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125866886792856401.html

4) Air Canada Tests In-flight Internet Service

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSN1918222220091119

Link to news release from Air Canada:

http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi?rkey=1711193027&view=13213-0&Start=0&htm=0

CARTOGRAPHY

5) Bing Maps China Grows with New Features

Link to article on Softpedia:

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Bing-Maps-China-Grows-with-New-Features-127545.shtml

Link to further information from Microsoft:

http://www.bing.com/community/blogs/maps/archive/2009/11/19/bing-maps-china-expands-reach.aspx

Link to Bing Maps China: http://cn.bing.com/ditu/

6) The Art of Maps

What can artists do with maps? What makes maps such a unique art form?

http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=18828

Link to audio recording of Weekday on KUOW Radio:

http://www.kuow.org/podcast/WeekdayA20091119.mp3

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

7) Seattle DOT Talks Snow on Facebook

Link to article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/transportation/archives/185838.asp

Link to SDOT Winter Weather Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seattle-WA/SDOT-Winter-Weather/169438402522

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) US Government Wants Speedy Screening at More Airports

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jKiEV7AXabtsUR09J62q4Y4R3iFgD9C2SN483

Link to notice in the Federal Register:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27774.pdf

9) Tiburon, California to Record Every Car Coming and Going

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/19/BAP71ANBF4.DTL&tsp=1

Link to further information from the Town of Tiburon:

http://www.ci.tiburon.ca.us/news/images/SECURITY-CAMERA-FACT-SHEET-Nov-09.pdf

http://www.ci.tiburon.ca.us/government/town%20council/staff%20reports/2009/council-staff-report-nov18.pdf

TRANSIT

10) Why Weren’t Toronto Transit Riders Alerted to Shutdown?

Link to article in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/ttc/article/728462–why-weren-t-ttc-riders-alerted-to-shutdown

11) Feds Publish New Special Education Transportation FAQs

Link to article in School Transportation News:

http://www.stnonline.com/home/latest-news/1545-feds-publish-new-special-education-transportation-faqs

Link to questions and answers from the US Department of Education:

http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cdynamic%2CQaCorner%2C12%2C

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) Bob Marbourgh is Still Driven by His Passion

Veteran DC traffic reporter marks 30-years on-the-air.

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/19/AR2009111904267.html?hpid=dynamiclead

13) Speech by Australian Minister for Transport to Australian ITS Summit

Link to speech on Australia.TO:

http://www.australia.to/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16554

VEHICLES

14) Volt Drive: Great Ride, Interesting Interior and a Friendly Chirp

Electric vehicle is virtually silent so a chirp sound warns pedestrians of the vehicle’s presence.

Link to column on CNBC:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/34062113/

Link to video:

http://gm-volt.com/2009/11/20/worlds-first-journalist-test-drive-of-the-chevy-volt-in-charge-sustaining-mode-occurs-and-isnt-described/

News Releases

1) National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management Celebrates Second Anniversary

2) Bus Users Get Mobile with Arriva M-ticketing Launch

3) North Dakota DOT Provides Wireless Internet at Visitors’ Centers and Rest Areas

4) Smart Cities and Communities, Performance-Based Transportation System Needed to Solve US Congestion, Safety and Environmental Challenge

5) US and EU Join Forces for Cooperative Systems

6) TNO’s Connected Traveler Workshop

Upcoming Events

Electric Drive Transportation Association Conference & Annual Meeting – January 26-28 – Washington, DC

http://electricdrive.org/index.php?ht=d/sp/i/13273/pid/13273

Friday Bonus

Signs which have lost their original meaning.

http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/04/16/gallery-amusingly-defaced-street-signs/

Today in Transportation History

1984 **25^th anniversary** – The SETI Institute was founded.  The institute searches for extraterrestrial intelligence by listening for radio signals from space.

http://www.seti.org

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

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.