Thursday, April 29, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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TIC3 From GEWI – It’s A Whole New Ballgame!  See why at ITS America in Houston.

TIC3 from GEWI is the latest generation of the globally popular traffic data processing software. TIC3 is a whole new approach to collecting, storing, creating, monitoring, viewing and distributing traffic (and other) data.  TIC3’s revolutionary new architecture allows for quick and easy configuration for any data type and data format.  With new technologies being created for generating traffic data including Bluetooth, GPS, camera-generated speed data, RFID and more, it’s critical that your system can accept these new data types.  TIC is a highly configurable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software platform proven in over 125 commercial and government projects operating worldwide.  COTS means TIC can be deployed more quickly and affordably than build-your-own solutions.   Visit GEWI in Houston in booth #333 ITS America, online at www.gewi.com, or to discuss your requirements, contact jim.oneill@gewi.com.

AVIATION

1) FAA Kills ‘Taxi to’ for Takeoff

Controllers will have to issue explicit runway crossing clearances.

Link to article on AVweb:

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/faa_taxi_to_change_crossing_air_traffic_202468-1.html

2) Hudson Crash Probe: Controller Missed Pilot Error

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i7snJnN8kUVlX69sAmaPg4IPi6aQD9FCAEEO0

3) A Glimpse of Coming Air Traffic Technology

Flight demonstrates NextGen system.

Link to article in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20100428_A_glimpse_of_coming_air-traffic_technology.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

4) Teamsters Campaign Targets FedEx Express Union Status

Link to Bloomberg article:

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-28/teamsters-campaign-targets-fedex-express-union-status-update1-.html

RAILROADS

5) Feds Chastise CN for Undercounting Rail Crossing Delays

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-04-28/news/ct-met-rail-crossing-delays-0429-20100428_1_cn-acquisition-crossings-for-long-periods-canadian-national-railway

ROADWAYS

6) Viaduct Gates to Quicken Closure of Seattle Roadway in Event of Quake

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011728723_viaduct29m.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Air Travelers Lead European Privacy Concerns

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/world/europe/28iht-privacy.html

8) New York City Police Fighting to Keep Traffic Stats from the Public

Link to article in the Staten Island Advance:

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/nypd_fighting_to_keep_traffic.html

9) RITA Speaks: What Technology Can do for Transportation Safety

Link to blog on Streetsblog Capitol Hill:

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2010/04/29/rita-speaks-what-technology-can-do-for-transportation-safety/

SPACE

10) FAA Close to Setting Up Commercial Spaceflight Center

Hub would develop technologies such as traffic management applications.

Link to article in NetworkWorld:

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/60587

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Auckland Operations Hub Will Monitor Highways Nationwide

Link to article in The New Zealand Herald:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10641714

12) Tibet Launches Emergency Traffic SMS Platform

Link to article in the People’s Daily:

http://chinatibet.people.com.cn/6967901.html

VEHICLES

13) House Panel Releases Auto Safety Proposals

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i3CZPJXvtZZ46SY9bcMupivluKswD9FCVC0O1

14) Computer Glitches in Toyota Cars Begin to Pile Up

Link to blog on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20003681-64.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0

15) Partners Lift Lid on Electric Networked Concept Car

Link to article in Engineering News:

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/automotive-industry-2010-04-30

News Releases

1) Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Egis Projects for Its Extraordinary Growth and Innovative Contributions to the Intelligent Transport Systems Industry

2) Northrop Grumman to Enhance Air Traffic Communications Across the Netherlands

Upcoming Events

Road Weather Policy Forum – Preparatory Workshop – May 25-26 – Washington, DC

http://webservices.camsys.com/RWMP/page.html

Today in Transportation History

1770 **240^th anniversary** James Cook made his first landing from the HMS Endeavour on the Australian continent.

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id=N0066

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Less than One Week to the ITS America Annual Meeting & Expo in Houston!

There’s still time to register for ITS America’s 20th Annual Meeting and Exposition, May 3 -5! The final program is now available, and includes more than 50 sessions filled with industry experts tackling the hottest transportation issues today. The conference will also feature a 150,000 square-foot exhibit hall featuring the best of ITS technology and products, and high-tech demos, including an 18-wheeler roll-over demonstrating the latest in incident response.

After the Closing Plenary, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will convene a U.S. DOT Surface Transportation Reauthorization Outreach Meeting to solicit the views of key stakeholders on ways to improve the delivery of surface transportation programs.  The meeting is scheduled from 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5. See you in Houston!

CAMERAS

1) New York MTA Test Cameras to Deter Illegal Use of Bus Lanes

Link to story and audio report on WNYC Radio:

http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/154074

CARTOGRAPHY

2) Maps Designed Specifically for Motorcyclists

Link to article on Examiner.com:
http://www.examiner.com/x-4702-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner~y2010m4d28-Maps-designed-specifically-for-motorcyclists

OTHER

3) 45% Call New York City Taxi TVs a Turnoff

Link to article in the New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/call_taxi_tvs_turnoff_Bw1aXZ2RZteG7da4Azt0XI

ROADWAYS

4) ITS Network Germany News: Intelligent Roads 2010 Report

Link to article from ERTICO:

http://www.ertico.com/en/news/ertico_newsroom/its_network_germany_news_intelligent_roads_2010_report.htm

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) US Transportation Secretary LaHood, American Idol Winner Team Up Against Texting and Driving

Link to article from Congressdaily:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100427_9807.php

TELEMATICS

6) Car Phones Getting Smarter

Automakers push tighter integration with devices, but safety concerns remain.

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704448304575196023825415844.html

VEHICLES

7) Your Car: There are Apps for That

Link to story on Fox Business:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/technology/car-apps/

News Releases

1) North American Traffic Working Group Releases Traffic Information Benchmarking Guidelines (Version 1.0)

2) TrafficLand Camera Feeds Now Available in TIC3 from GEWI

3) Iteris and Prime Report a 62% Reduction in Lane Departure Related Accidents

4) Automakers Say Technology Can Address Distracted Driving

5) Direct Line Motoring App for iPhone

6) FEMA Launches New Mobile Web Site for Smartphones

Upcoming Events

Talking Freight Seminar: Data for State and Local Freight Planning – May 19

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=632

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** French aviator Louis Paulhan won a $50,000 prize for a flight from London to Manchester.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9E07EFD7143BE733A2575BC2A9629C946196D6CF

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

The Transportation for America Campaign is seeking a smart and motivated individual to jump into a vibrant national campaign to be a high performing outreach director. The Outreach Director will direct the day-to-day expansion of a diverse coalition of prominent leaders from a multitude of constituencies working to reform federal transportation policy.

Experience managing coalition building or constituent services on a political or issue campaign is required. The Outreach Director reports to the Director and works with the 4 person outreach staff and over a dozen different national constituent caucus groups engaged in the campaign. The applicant must be a dynamic individual, prepared to speak to audiences, and recruit and organize both grasstops and grassroots leaders, work with NGOs, business leaders, and elected officials. The Outreach Director will also work closely with the Field, Legislative, and Communications teams.

Transportation for America (T4America) is a growing and diverse campaign of partner organizations, businesses and elected officials focused on creating a bold, new national transportation program that will take America into the 21st century by building a modernized infrastructure and healthy, equitable communities where people can live, work and play. Over 450 partners strong nationwide, the campaign is growing daily.

Responsibilities will include:

• Manage national partner engagement in Washington DC and on Capitol Hill.
• Develop tools and materials (in coordination with other campaign teams) to engage coalition partners in advocacy and media efforts in an expanding role over the course of the campaign.
• Manage implementation of outreach activities with targeted constituent groups both in DC and in other target locations, including partner summits, Hill briefings, and media opportunities.
• Coordinate with field team to engage local and state partners to shape outreach strategies appropriate for each state.
• Build a powerful national outreach operation consisting of leaders from the business community, union leaders, elected officials, real estate developers, equity and health groups, environmental organizations, affordable housing leaders, rural and small town leaders, bike and pedestrian organizations, transportation industry representatives and others.
• Train outreach staff on organizing, advocacy and messaging.
• Build the capacity of national partners to engage target members of Congress about the campaign’s legislative agenda.
• Report regularly to Director with written documentation of results.

This position requires a self-motivated and detail-oriented person with excellent organizational skills. The candidate must have good communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to work independently with minimal supervision. The candidate should have:

• Interest in transportation issues, or related areas. Experience doing organizing with a political campaign a MUST. Work with bicyclists, pedestrian, transit, union, business, rural, aging, or political organizing an asset.
• A minimum of six years of salaried management experience in organizing for a political or issue campaign.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and meet deadlines with willingness to be part of a team working towards a common goal.
• Availability for travel.
• Strong communication and writing skills and an ability to work with a diverse group of people and audiences.
• Ability to build and maintain coalitions on-line, in person or by phone.
• Proven ability to report on numbers, metrics and analysis of field capacity and activity success.

COMPENSATION: Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

TIME FRAME: Full-time.

HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, short writing sample and 3 references to jobs@t4america.org. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so it’s best to get your application in early.
Equal Opportunity Employment: Transportation For America is an equal opportunity employer. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Monday, April 26, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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One Week Away from the ITS America Annual Meeting & Expo in Houston!

There’s still time to register for ITS America’s 20th Annual Meeting and Exposition, May 3 -5! The final program is now available, and includes more than 50 sessions filled with industry experts tackling the hottest transportation issues today. The conference will also feature a 150,000 square-foot exhibit hall featuring the best of ITS technology and products, and high-tech demos, including an 18-wheeler roll-over demonstrating the latest in incident response.

After the Closing Plenary, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will convene a U.S. DOT Surface Transportation Reauthorization Outreach Meeting to solicit the views of key stakeholders on ways to improve the delivery of surface transportation programs.  The meeting is scheduled from 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5. See you in Houston!

AVIATION

1) FAA Wants No Pilot Distractions

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-04-25-pilots_N.htm

Link to news release from the Federal Aviation Administration:

http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=11338

2) Displays on Jets’ Windshields Boost Safety, Study Finds

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703441404575206573356759514.html

3) Atlantic City Airport Named Test Site for New System that Speeds Important Updates to Pilots

Link to article in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/atlantic/article_c9c72a98-50a2-11df-85c7-001cc4c03286.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) MapQuest Introduces Free GPS App for Apple iPhone

Link to article in The Christian Science Monitor:

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2010/0426/MapQuest-introduces-free-GPS-app-for-Apple-iPhone

RAILROADS

5) Satellite Navigation, Mobile Phone Network Can Enhance Trains’ Safety

Link to ANI article:

http://news.oneindia.in/2010/04/24/satellitenavigation-mobile-phone-network-can-enhancetra.html

6) Illinois Accident’s Lesson: Don’t Trust Railway Signals

Link to column in the Chicago Tribune:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-04-25/classified/ct-met-getting-around-0426-20100425_1_amtrak-train-tracks-crossing

ROADWAYS

7) Virginia Considers Banning Cell Phones in Work Zones

Link to article in Roads & Bridges:

http://www.roadsbridges.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=sni&nid=20522

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) 23 EU Countries to Join eCall Initiative, Malta Still Absent

Link to article in The Malta Independent:

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=105110

9) 3-D Technology Helps Emergency Responders Observe Origins of 911 Calls

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/756599?elq=54d933d6ee8c449981070c1dc1d117da

10) In Chicago Cabs, More Cameras Will be Along for Ride

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-cab-cameras-20100422,0,1240545.story

SPACE

11) Inside NASA’s World-Class Supercomputer Center

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20003333-52.html

TELEMATICS

12) Telematics Enable Smarter Driver and Auto Dealer Services

Link to article on SPEC:

http://smart-products.tmcnet.com/topics/smart-products/articles/83010-telematics-enable-smarter-driver-auto-dealer-services.htm

TRANSIT

13) ORCA Card Frustrates Some Puget Sound Transit Riders

Link to article on seattlepi:

http://www.seattlepi.com/transportation/418645_GettingThere26.html

14) Caltrain Joins Translink Regional Transit Ticketing System

Link to story and audio report on KCBS Radio:

http://www.kcbs.com/bayareanews/Caltrain-Joins-Translink-System/6886196

15) Cool Transit Apps Come Down the Pike as New York MTA Loosens Restrictions

Link to article in amNew York

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/cool-transit-apps-come-down-the-pike-as-mta-loosens-restrictions-1.1880694

16) Metra Derails Wi-Fi for Now

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-04-25/news/ct-met-metra-wifi-20100425_1_commuter-rail-long-island-rail-road-metra-and-amtrak

17) A Dashboard for DC’s Metro

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://techinsider.nextgov.com/2010/04/a_dashboard_for_metro.php

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

18) Smarter Highways – Information the Key to Keep Washington State Moving

Link to article and video in the Issaquah Reporter:

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/iss/news/92098184.html

19) Jakarta Traffic Police Getting Hip to Twitter, Facebook in Bid to Improve Services

Link to article in the Jakarta Globe:

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/traffic-police-getting-hip-to-twitter-facebook-in-bid-to-improve-services/371444

20) Canadian Oil Firm Uses Digital Signage to Give Ultra-Local Info to Heavy Vehicle Drivers

Link to article on Screens.tv:

http://www.screens.tv/article/111018/Oil_firm_uses_DOOH_to_give_ultra-local_info_to_drivers.html

VEHICLES

21) New Technology Lets Drivers Steer Car with Their Eyes

Link to AP article:

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/international/europe/view/20100424hands_off_that_steering_wheel

News Releases

1) FAA Controllers in Philadelphia Transition to Next Generation Air Transportation System Technology

2) Air Transport Association Launches Newly Redesigned Web Site

3) FCC Chairman Announces Launch of Spectrum Task Force

4) State Highway Safety Agencies Supporting Oprah’s ‘No Phone Zone’ Day

5) Deadline Extended – IRF Third LARC Call for Papers

Upcoming Events

ITS Canada Annual Conference 2010 – June 13-16 – Ottawa

http://www.itscanada.ca/ottawa2010/confEN.htm

Today in Transportation History

1860 **150^th anniversary** The steamboat Alfred T. Lacey, once piloted by Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), was destroyed in a fire.

http://www.twainquotes.com/Steamboats/LicensedPilot.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Friday, April 23, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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TIC3 From GEWI – It’s A Whole New Ballgame!

TIC3 from GEWI is the latest generation of the globally popular traffic data processing software. TIC3 is a whole new approach to collecting, storing, creating, monitoring, viewing and distributing traffic (and other) data.  TIC3’s revolutionary new architecture allows for quick and easy configuration for any data type and data format.  With new technologies being created for generating traffic data including Bluetooth, GPS, camera-generated speed data, RFID and more, it’s critical that your system can accept these new data types.  TIC is a highly configurable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software platform proven in over 125 commercial and government projects operating worldwide.  COTS means TIC can be deployed more quickly and affordably than build-your-own solutions.   Visit GEWI in Houston in booth #333 ITS America, online at www.gewi.com, or to discuss your requirements, contact jim.oneill@gewi.com.

AVIATION

1) EU Ministers to Meet on May 4 to Draw Lessons from Eyjafjallajökull Ash Crisis

Link to DPA article:

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/320202,eu-ministers-to-meet-on-may-4-to-draw-lessons.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

2) Ohio Turnpike Adjusts Scanners so Correct Toll Ticket Issued for Vehicles with Bicycles or Luggage on Roof

Link to article in The Plain Dealer:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/04/ohio_turnpike_adjusts_scanners.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Google Dashes Hopes of Free iPhone Turn-by-Turn GPS

Link to article in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9175953/Google_dashes_hopes_of_free_iPhone_turn_by_turn_GPS

RAILROADS

4) UK Train Tests Reveal Mobile Broadband Speeds

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8637241.stm

5) Library Saves the Railroads

When a fiber-optic cable was cut to a remote Colorado town, a local library provided a backup.

Link to column in the Highlands Ranch Herald:

http://coloradocommunitynewspapers.com/articles/2010/04/23/highlands_ranch_herald/opinion/29_hr_column_larue.txt

ROADWAYS

6) Virginia DOT to Open 800-Line to Report Road Hazards

Link to story on WTOP Radio:

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1941167

TELEMATICS

7) Two Paths to Similar Ends for In-Car Data Systems

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/automobiles/25STAR.html

VEHICLES

8) The Information Superhighway, On the Highway

Ford is trying to create an Internet that drivers can use.

Link to article in Forbes:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/04/22/cars-internet-twitter-technology-breakthroughs-ford.html

News Releases

1) IntelliStick Announces Enhancements to Its Engine Oil Condition Monitoring System

2) Western Kentucky Enhances Regional Transportation with ITS Technology

3) Research and Markets: Spending On Hardware, Software, and Services for 3D Visualization, Simulation, and Training in the Defense and Government Segment Will Reach $16.5 Billion In 2010

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Integrating Performance Measures into Traffic Incident Management Programs – April 27

http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=20061

Friday Bonus

I guess Ken should have taken the keys.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/man-convicted-for-driving-drunk-in-barbie-car

Today in Transportation History

1965 **45^th anniversary** The Gemini 4 capsule was mechanically mated to the Titan rocket.

http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/history/gemini/gemini-iv/gemini-iv.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Thursday, April 22, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Now for IBTTA’s Upcoming Summit: The Future of Tolling – Going Mainstream Through ORT and Interoperability, May 23-25, 2010 in Boston, MA

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association in Boston for the fourth Summit in a series of workshops focused on the hot topics of ORT and Interoperability.  This Summit will bring together transportation experts who will focus on lessons learned, case studies, business Rules and future decision-making about all-electronic toll collection, interoperability, violation enforcement, and implications for vehicle miles traveled charging.  Breakout sessions are divided into four main categories – On the Road and in the Car; Technology and Backroom Issues; Road Pricing and Financial Issues and In the Public and Policy Forum.  IBTTA is exploring opportunities to involve university students and faculty from the Boston area in research connected with the main topics of this Summit.  Click here for registration, hotel and travel information and to view the preliminary agenda. www.ibtta.org

AVIATION

1) Problems Plague New US Air Traffic Control Computers

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jUzZBZ4iGVmNZdu6BygXGzliy2OgD9F7O8V81

2) Airlines, in Flight Again, See Lesson in Crisis

Industry officials see response to ash cloud as haphazard and urge speed in creating “single sky.”

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704133804575197363596504510.html

3) Review: Many Sick Airline Passengers Aren’t Reported

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-04-21-sick-passengers_N.htm

4) FCC Claims Three Radio Stations Caused Interference with Lubbock Airport Landing System

Link to story on KJTV-TV:

http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/news/local/story/ILS-FCC/Tcj-wxe1zUWgrlz84RcYOQ.cspx

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Southwest Airlines Counts on GPS to Save Time, Money

Link to story and video on WFAA-TV:

http://www.wfaa.com/news/business/GPS-serves-up-precision-to-shave-off-time-for-Southwest-flights-91757794.html

OTHER

6) World’s First ITS-Specific Test Track Takes Shape

Link to article from ERTICO:

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

7) Los Angeles Metro Transportation Library Launches ‘Primary Resources’ Blog

Link to blog:

http://metrotransportationlibrary.blogspot.com/2010/04/as-many-of-you-know-metro-library.html

RAILROADS

8) Feds Say CN Underreported Blocked Illinois Rail Crossings

Link to article in the Southtown Star:

http://www.southtownstar.com/news/2187480,042210blockedcrossings.article

ROADWAYS

9) After Haiti, Chile Earthquakes, British Columbia Bridges Monitored for Seismic Events

An online system being developed with Chile to measure ground motion.

Link to article in the Daily Commercial News and Construction Record:

http://dcnonl.com/article/id38512

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) Do Databases Cross a Line in Border Checks?

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/surveillance/2010-04-21-canadawatch_N.htm

VEHICLES

11) Virginia Stamps Out License to Hate: DMV Recalls Plate with Coded Racist Message

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/21/AR2010042105132.html

News Releases

1) Metro Traffic Announces New Enhancements to Traffic Data Collection with Integration of TIC3 from GEWI

2) Tolling Industry Mourns Loss of Ed DeLozier, IBTTA Board Member, Officer and Leader

3) NCR Brings Digital Entertainment to Airport Travelers with First Major Kiosk Deployment

4) New Pennsylvania DOT Web Site Offers Ways to ‘Green’ Your Commute

5) Federal Highway Administration Proposes Revision of Rules to Make Roadway Markings Brighter

6) Amtrak Scores Big with Television Commercial Targeting Hispanic Audiences

7) Frost & Sullivan Recognizes TomTom for its Outstanding Achievements in the Automotive Navigation Market

Solicitation

–  Call for Abstracts – Poster Section – Naturalistic Driving Research Symposium – Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

http://www.cpe.vt.edu/ndmas/ndmas-call-abstracts.pdf

Upcoming Events

FISITA World Automotive Congress – May 30-June 4 – Budapest

http://www.fisita2010.com/

Today in Transportation History

1930 **80^th anniversary** The United Kingdom, Italy, France, Japan and the United States signed the London Naval Treaty to reduce and limit naval armaments.

http://www.microworks.net/pacific/road_to_war/london_treaty.htm

1970 **40^th anniversary** The first Earth Day was observed.

http://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/events/earthday/nelson_newsletter650.jpg

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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TIC3 From GEWI – It’s A Whole New Ballgame!

TIC3 from GEWI is the latest generation of the globally popular traffic data processing software. TIC3 is a whole new approach to collecting, storing, creating, monitoring, viewing and distributing traffic (and other) data. TIC3’s revolutionary new architecture allows for quick and easy configuration for any data type and data format.  With new technologies being created for generating traffic data including Bluetooth, GPS, camera-generated speed data, RFID and more, it’s critical that your system can accept these new data types.  TIC is a highly configurable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software platform proven in over 125 commercial and government projects operating worldwide.  COTS means TIC can be deployed more quickly and affordably than build-your-own solutions.   See TIC3 in GEWI’s booth #333 at ITS America in Houston May 3-5^th, or to discuss your requirements, contact jim.oneill@gewi.com

AVIATION

1) Would Better Integrated Air Traffic Management Have Improved the Ash Cloud Response?

Link to article in Computer Weekly:

http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/04/21/240982/Would-better-integrated-IT-have-improved-the-ash-cloud.htm

2) Next Generation Air Transportation System: Challenges with Partner Agency and FAA Coordination Continue, and Efforts to Integrate Near-, Mid-, and Long-Term Activities are Ongoing

Link to testimony from the Government Accountability Office:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10649t.pdf

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Google Maps Navigation Comes to UK and Ireland

Link to article on What Mobile:

http://www.whatmobile.net/News/Services/468835/google_maps_navigation_comes_to_uk_ireland.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

4) Cutting-Edge Traffic Safety Research in Israel

Link to article in the Jewish Journal:

http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/article/cutting-edge_traffic_safety_research_in_israel_20100420/

5) Innovation Takes Flight on TSA Blog

Link to story and audio report on WFED Radio:

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/?sid=1938195&nid=15

SPACE

6) Europe Keeping Increasingly Capable Eye on Orbital Debris

Link to article on Space News:

http://www.spacenews.com/civil/100421-europe-eye-orbital-debris.html

TELEMATICS

7) Telematics 2.0: Ford’s American Journey

Link to column on M2M:

http://m2m.tmcnet.com/topics/m2mevolution/articles/82599-telematics-20-fords-american-journey.htm

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) ‘Saher’ Traffic System Launched in Saudi Arabia

Traffic management system can monitor and track vehicles using license plate recognition technology.

Link to article in Arab News:

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article45412.ece

News Releases

1) TomTom’s Latest Traffic Study Reveals Most Polluting Roads in the United States

2) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Announces New Online Hazardous Materials Special Permit Application Process

3) ITS America’s Smart Solutions Spotlight: Avego’s Shared Transport Matches Drivers with Potential Riders Through iPhone

Upcoming Events

TransAction Conference – April 28-30 – Atlantic City, New Jersey

http://www.njtransactionconf.com/

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** The Holland-America freight steamer Sommelsdyk was destroyed by a fire in Rotterdam.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9D03E4DF1530E233A25751C2A9629C946196D6CF

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Now for IBTTA’s Upcoming Summit: The Future of Tolling – Going Mainstream

Through ORT and Interoperability, May 23-25, 2010 in Boston, MA

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association in Boston for the fourth Summit in a series of workshops focused on the hot topics of ORT and Interoperability. This Summit will bring together transportation experts who will focus on lessons learned, case studies, business rules and future decision-making about all-electronic toll collection, interoperability, violation enforcement, and implications for vehicle miles traveled charging. Breakout sessions are divided into four main categories – On the Road and in the Car; Technology and Backroom Issues; Road Pricing and Financial Issues and In the Public and Policy Forum. IBTTA is exploring opportunities to involve university students and faculty from the Boston area in research connected with the main topics of this Summit. Click here for registration, hotel and travel information and to view the preliminary agenda.www.IBTTA.org

AVIATION

1) PUFF, Just Like that US Air Force Predicts Volcanic Cloud Path

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100419_1592.php

CAMERAS

2) UK Speed Camera Can Track Cars for Miles

Link to article in The Sun:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2939119/Satellite-speed-camera-can-track-cars-for-miles.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

3) Troubling New Toll System in Japan

Link to editorial in The Japan Times:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ed20100421a1.html

MARITIME

4) Tracking of Ships Near Great Barrier Reef to be Extended

Link to article in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/7609104/Tracking-of-ships-near-Great-Barrier-Reef-to-be-extended.html

OTHER

5) Louisiana House Directs State Not to Share Driver’s License Info for National ID Card

Link to article in The Times-Picayune:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/04/use_of_drivers_license_informa.html

RAILROADS

6) CN Warning System Failed in Fatal Illinois Crossing Collision

Link to article in the Daily Herald:

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=374494&src=3

ROADWAYS

7) Next Up: A Smarter Streetlight

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/16/next-up-a-smarter-streetlight/

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Biometrics Make Headway with Distance Identification

Link to UPI article:

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/04/19/Biometrics-make-headway-with-distance-identification/UPI-60901271706525/

9) California to Track 911 Calls Statewide Through Centralized System

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/754469

TRANSIT

10) Red X’s Mark Atlanta Start to Transit Cut Protests

Link to AP article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/20/AR2010042002116.html

11) Virginia’s Hampton Roads Transit to Receive Online Performance Tracking Tool

Link to article in the Daily Press:

http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_hrt-dashboard_0420apr20,0,5506323.story

12) Los Angeles Metro: Promoting Mass Transit

Agency is marketing its services as if it were a private company.

Link to article and video on Vimeo:

http://vimeo.com/7984623

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Garmin Takes Real-Time Traffic to Germany

Link to article in the Kansas City Business Journal:

http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2010/04/19/daily12.html

News Releases

1) Sync AppLink to Launch on 2011 Fiesta, Making Ford First to Deliver Voice Control of Smartphone Apps

2) Twin Cities’ Metro Transit Unveils New Web Site

3) FAA Accepts FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure Outage Review Panel Recommendations

4) Hitachi Automotive and Airbiquity Partner to Provide Global Connected Services for Electric Vehicles

5) China TransInfo Announces Official Launch of Information and Control System for the World Expo in Shanghai

Upcoming Events

IntelliDrive for Transit 101 Workshop – May 4 – Houston

http://www.itsa.org/itsa/files/pdf/Flyer.pdf

Today in Transportation History

1980 **30^th anniversary** The Mariel boatlift was launched from Cuba to Florida.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21421.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Early Registration deadline extended to April 30!

This conference brings together more than a dozen TRB Energy and Environmental committees meeting jointly with the AASHTO Standing Committee on the Environment and serves as a platform to develop better transportation solutions through the integration of diverse environmental (human and natural) and transportation perspectives.

Join nationally recognized experts in transportation along with forward-thinking professionals in environmental, planning, community and economic analysis, environmental justice, land use, sustainability, climate change, and transportation fields in a frank and open discussion aimed at sharing experiences, examining the realities of major complex issues, and developing common sense approaches to environmental and transportation challenges.

A preconference workshop on Sunday, June 6, will provide participants with the opportunity to identify critical environmental research needs.

The Conference will be held at the Raleigh Convention Center, a beautiful new facility, centrally located in downtown Raleigh, NC.

Registration

• Early Registration has been extended!
• The conference registration fee of $350 will be in effect until April 30.
• After April 30, the fee will increase to $425.  Conference Participants should register now to save!

Conference Hotel

• A block of rooms will be reserved at the new Raleigh Marriott Hotel City-Center adjacent to the convention center. A conference rate of $92/night plus tax has been established but you must reserve your room by May 8, 2010.

Be a Sponsor

• Overall conference sponsorship provides significant opportunities for relationship building among agency, university, corporate, and non-governmental professionals. Let participants know who you are by getting your information prominently displayed. Find out how you can be a sponsor!

Click here to access the event website for preliminary program and other event related details.

Source: Prepared by the Office of Planning, Environment and Realty  – Federal Highway Administration (www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climate)

Recent Events

Obama Administration Officials Release Progress Report on Work of Climate Change Adaptation Task Force. On March 16, the CEQ, NOAA, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy released an interim progress report of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force.  The report recommends key components to include in a national strategy on climate change adaptation.  It calls for a national adaptation strategy that has a “flexible, forward thinking approach” shifting away from using past conditions to predict the future.  It also calls for adaptation responses to be included in current U.S. government plans, processes and approaches, so that adaptation and resilience approaches become part of existing activities.  Comments on the report are being accepted through May 15.  For full text of the report and to submit a comment, see the Interagency Adaptation Task Force website.

FHWA Posts Study of State Climate Action Plans. This study, completed last summer, reviews progress on state climate action plans in all 50 states.  The report provides a basic summary and analysis of the data gathered on transportation emission reduction strategies. It also assesses the level of certainty in estimates of strategies’ impacts on GHG emissions.  The report, accompanying data spreadsheet, and summary PowerPoint presentation are available on the research page FHWA’s Climate Change Website.

NCHRP Publishes Study on Mechanisms for Integrating Transportation-Related Greenhouse Gas Reductions into Transportation Decision Making. This study provides a factual basis for State DOTs and MPOs to weigh alternatives for managing GHG emissions from transportation.  The report covers five dimensions of GHG management policy: geographic level of implementation, target metric, sources covered, reduction target base, and regulatory nature of target (voluntary or mandatory).  The web-only study is available here.

Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis. The “social cost of carbon” (SCC) is an estimate of the monetized damages associated with an incremental increase in carbon emissions in a given year. It is intended to include (but is not limited to) changes in net agricultural productivity, human health, property damages from increased flood risk, and the value of ecosystem services.  The estimates presented in the report are meant to allow agencies to incorporate the social benefits of reducing CO₂ emissions into cost-benefit analyses of regulatory actions that have small, or “marginal,” impacts on cumulative global emissions. The report assists agencies in complying with Executive Order 12866, which requires a cost-benefit analysis of intended regulation. DOT Participated in the interagency process that produced this document.  The report is available here.

State and Local News

Oregon Legislation Calls for a Statewide Transportation Strategy to Achieve Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goals. On March 18, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed Senate Bill 1059 which calls for the Oregon Transportation Commission in consultation with MPOs, other state agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders to adopt a statewide transportation strategy to reduce GHG emissions. It also calls for the DOT and the Department of Land Conservation and Development to establish guidelines for alternative land use and transportation scenarios that may reduce GHGs.  The legislation also calls for the Department of Land Conservation to establish a light-duty vehicle GHG reduction target in each MPO Region.  Local governments within MPO areas will be required to consider how regional transportation plans could be altered to reduce GHG emission. Full details of the bill are providedhere.

North Carolina Holds Climate Change Adaptation Workshop. On March 2-3, the North Carolina Interagency Leadership Team hosted this workshop on how the state can increase its resilience to projected climate threats.  The workshop was sponsored in part by FHWA and NCDOT.  Presentations and additional information are available here.

Midwest Transportation and Air Quality Summit Conference Proceedings Posted.  On October 27-29, 2009, the Illinois Department of Transportation hosted this summit which included several presentations on climate change.  The proceedings are available here.

Announcements

2010 TRB Energy and Environment Conference, June 6-9 in Raleigh. This conference serves as a platform to develop better transportation solutions through the integration of diverse environmental and transportation perspectives.  Many conference sessions relating to climate change are planned:

• Addressing Climate Change Impacts at the Transportation Project Scale
• Integrating Climate Change Preparedness into State DOT Activities
• Impact of Climate Policy on Transportation
• The Global Supply Chain and Green House Gases
• Adapting Transportation to Climate Change
• Emerging State Approaches to Regulating Climate Change Impacts of Land Development
• How to Achieve a Low Carbon Transport System in 2050
• Multi-Pollutant and Other Co-Benefits of Climate Change Policy
• Balancing Energy, Security, Carbon Mitigation, and Sustainability
• Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Freight Transportation

An early registration rate is available until April 30.  Registration, an agenda, and additional conference information is available here.

Reminders

CEQ Draft NEPA Guidance on Considerations of Effects of Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Comments due May 24.  The guidance covers when and how Federal agencies should analyze the environmental impacts of GHG emissions and climate change when they describe the environmental impacts of a proposed action under NEPA.  Text of the draft guidance and a comment submittal form are available here on the CEQ website.

Note: If you have any suggestions for inclusion in future issues of Transportation and Climate Change News, or if someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you’d like to receive it directly in the future, please send your suggestions or request to Becky Lupes at Rebecca.Lupes@dot.gov.

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