Tuesday, November 10, 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) Google’s Gift: Free Wireless Internet in 47 Airports

Link to CNNMoney article:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/10/technology/Google_free_wifi_airports/

Link to notice from Google:

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/wi-fi-wonderland-in-sky-and-on-ground.html

OTHER

2) Suit Against Wisconsin DOT for Selling Data Dismissed

Link to article in the Journal Sentinel:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/69627147.html

3) Rhode Island Governor Vetoes Bills to Limit Use of Tracking Devices

Veto message doesn’t address issue of data collected by electronic toll devices.

Link to article in The Providence Journal:

http://newsblog.projo.com/2009/11/carcieri-vetoes-bills-to-limit.html

Link to veto message:

http://www.projo.com/news/2009/pdf/veto_state_affairs.pdf

4) Wi-Fi for Travelers Becomes Web Marketing Lure

Link to AP article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/10/AR2009111009579.html

5) Transportation @ MIT Rethinks Everything

Link to article in ArchitectureBoston:

http://architectureboston.com/2009/11/09/transportation-mit-rethinks-everything/

Link to additional information on Transportation @ MIT:

http://transportation.mit.edu/

6) US DOT ITS Research Strategic Plan Update #3

Link to update:

http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2009/row_stakeholders3.htm

Link to additional information: http://www.its.dot.gov/spg/index.htm

ROADWAYS

7) Newspaper Calls for More Warnings on Bay Bridge S-Curve Following Fatal Crash

Link to editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/10/EDSB1AHHIF.DTL

TELEMATICS

8) Polish Association of Transport Telematics Holds Telematics Conference

Link to article from ERTICO-ITS Europe:

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

Link to PSTT: http://www.pstt.eu/

9) With Road Trains, Highways Become Public Transportation

Link to article in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/11/with-road-trains-highways-become-public-transportation/

TRANSIT

10) Serious Safety Fears as Number of New York City Bus Drivers Caught Texting While Driving Rises by 60% this Year

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/11/09/2009-11-09_bus_drivers_caught_texting_while_driving.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Clever Commute a Clever Idea for Easing Traffic Pains

Link to article on OhMyGov:

http://ohmygov.com/blogs/general_news/archive/2009/11/10/clever-commute-a-clever-idea-for-easing-traffic-pains.aspx

Link to Clever Commute: http://www.clevercommute.com/

VEHICLES

12) The Pikes Peak Audi TTS in Action

Link to article and video in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/video-of-the-pikes-peak-audi-tts-in-action

13) Connecting Cars to Avoid Speeding Tickets

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/connecting-cars-to-avoid-speeding-tickets

Link to further information on Coyote: http://www.coyotesystems.co.uk/

News Releases

1) Clear Channel Radio’s Total Traffic Network Launches First RDS-TMC Service in Mexico City

2) Ford Work Solutions and Sync Connectivity Systems Honored with CES Innovation Awards

Upcoming Events

Gulf Traffic – December 6-8 – Dubai

http://www.gulftraffic.com/

Today in Transportation History

1944 **65^th anniversary** – The USS Mount Hood exploded in Seeadler Harbor.  All aboard the ship, as well as others on nearby ships, were killed.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/logs/AE/ae11-Loss.html

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© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast