July 2010 - Page 3 of 4 - TransportGooru

“Residents with an eye for detail will notice that the city’s newly designed bike rack, the NYC Hoop, is starting to make its presence felt on the streets, as the city tests various securing methods to both sidewalks and subway grates. Designers Ian Mahaffy and Maarten De Greeve (of Denmark’s Bettlelab) won the 2008 CityRacks Design Competition, coordinated by theNYCDOT in collaboration with the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum,Google, and Transportation Alternatives.” This beautiful, easy to use dye cast piece of work is not only easy on the eye but also comes with a very small foot print, making it very suitable for a space crammed uber-Urban environment like NYC.

Interestingly enough, the article posted by Laura Forde notes that the Big Apple is moving ahead with wide-spread deployment plans for the Hoop – nearly 3000 of them.. That must be good news for the ever growing biking population of New York, which has seen tremendous jump in biking recently.

Do-Good Design (tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com)
Bill’s Blog over at the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum (core77.com)
Design for the Other 90% (design-milk.com)
The Best of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt Design Triennial (inhabitat.com)
Cooper-Hewitt Showcases Design Projects That Could Change the World (treehugger.com)

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Join a live chat with leadership for the Obama Administration’s Sustainable Communities Partnership – Thursday July 15, 2010

July 14, 2010 at 3:19 pm

(Source: ITS America Newsletter & White House Office of Urban Affairs)

Photo: Shelley Poticha. (courtesy of Planetizen)

Shelley Poticha - Image Courtesy: Planetizen

On Thursday, July 15, the White House Office of Urban Affairs will host a live chat with the leadership of the Sustainable Communities Partnership, an agreement between HUD, Transportation, and EPA to coordinate federal housing, transportation, and environmental investments. Last month, the Partnership released a joint notice of funding availability — $35 million in TIGER II Planning grants and $40 million in Sustainable Community Challenge grants — for local planning activities that integrate transportation, housing, and economic development. And, HUD also announced $100 million in funding for Sustainable Communities Regional Planning grant program that will support regional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic development, and transportation.

What:
Sustainable Communities Live Chat

Who:
Shelley Poticha, Director of the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities, HUD
Beth Osborne, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy, Department of Transportation
Tim Torma, Deputy Director of the Office of Sustainable Communities, EPA
Moderated by Derek Douglas, Special Assistant to the President on Urban Policy, White House

When:
2:00PM EST, Thursday, July 15, 2010

How:
Watch and participate at www.whitehouse.gov/live
Send questions in advance to Planetizen.

For more information on the partnership, read their latest blog that summarizes their work and accomplishments.

Building Our Cities Greener (whitehouse.gov)
White House hosts web chat about urban sustainability- we urge you to join (agentgenius.com)
USDOT and HUD Launch Collaborative Effort to Create Sustainable, Livable Communities That Integrate Transportation, Housing and Economic Development (greencarcongress.com)
Grants Available For Sustainable Communities (cleantechies.com)
Watch and Engage: A Conversation on Sustainable Communities (whitehouse.gov)

Subway Starwars! Storm troopers & Darth Vader invades NYC Subway

July 14, 2010 at 12:08 pm

(Source: Mashable)

Those fun-loving & fun making folks at Improv Everywhere are at it again — this time they invaded a New York City subway car, treating passengers to a reenactment of the first Princess Leia/Darth Vader scene from Star Wars. Check this out:

It’s priceless to watch the reaction of fellow riders in the train. Good people of NYC seem to enjoy the fun ride! Why does this not happen in DC.. Argh! OUr boring (at times menacing) commutes could do a makeover like this once in a while!

Improv Everywhere: Star Wars Subway Car (laughingsquid.com)
VOTD: Improv Everywhere’s Star Wars Subway Car (slashfilm.com)
Improv Everywhere: Star Wars Subway Car Prank (urbanprankster.com)
Clip du jour: ‘Star Wars’ subway ride (popwatch.ew.com)
Video: Stormtroopers Storm New York Subway (wired.com)
Star Wars Subway Car (improveverywhere.com)
Improve Everywhere Takes Over Subway Car STAR WARS Style (geektyrant.com)
Improv Everywhere Brings “Star Wars” to NYC Subway Car [VIDEO] (mashable.com)
Star Wars in a Subway Car (wired.com)
Star Wars Subway Car (london-underground.blogspot.com)

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Career Opportunity: Senior Program Officer, Reliability, Strategic Highway Research Program

July 14, 2010 at 11:58 am

TRB’s second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) has an opening for a Senior Program Officer with knowledge in highway operations and/or traffic management and experience related to the implementation of innovative technologies or practices within transportation-related agencies or enterprises. Experience in research management is also desired. SHRP 2 is a congressionally authorized research program that addresses critically needed research in highway transportation including highway safety, infrastructure renewal, and congestion relief. This Senior Program Officer will be responsible for managing multiple and/or highly complex research and innovation programs and projects. They will develop program and project strategies, budgets, and resource requirements; and ensure that programs and projects meet their stated objectives. They will also act as a liaison between and coordinate with internal and external groups, organizations, and agencies. A listing of minimum requirements, full job duties, and application information for the opening is available on the National Academies’ Office of Human Resources Web page.

Click here to learn more about the organization and the position.

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Event Alert: IntelliDrive(SM) Safety Workshop – July 20-22, 2010 @Chicago, IL

July 14, 2010 at 10:51 am

The U.S. Department of Transportation‘s (USDOT) Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS-JPO), part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), will hold a three-day workshop to present and discuss IntelliDrive^SM*Safety program research roadmaps, including applications, technical and policy activities from July 20-22, 2010 in Chicago, IL.

Safety is critical to the mission of the transportation industry. This workshop is intended as an opportunity for stakeholders to review and provide feedback for refinement on the safety program roadmaps, including technical and policy issues.

There will also be a Professional Capacity Building Workshop (PCB) to engage stakeholders on setting a new strategic direction for the ITS PCB program considering the goals of the new ITS Strategic Research Plan, gather stakeholder input on learning needs, and discuss the future goals for the program.

The sessions and your participation are essential in assisting the ITS-JPO to advance transportation safety.

USDOT has adjusted the agenda based on stakeholder feedback from recent workshops. The new modified agenda features:

Tuesday, July 20 – 9:00-5:00 CDT (webinar available – See webinar info. below)
IntelliDrive Safety Program Roadmaps and Discussion (V2V, Safety Pilot, DSRC Device Certification, V2I Safety)

Wednesday, July 21 – 9:00-noon CDT

Professional Capacity
Building Workshop

Wednesday, July 21 – 9:00-noon CDT
DSRC Device Bidder’s Conference

Wednesday, July 21 – 1:00-5:00 CDT IntelliDrive Safety Policy Roadmaps Discussion focused on V2V and V2I

Thursday, July 22 – 8:30-2:30 CDT (webinar available – See webinar info. below)
Breakout Sessions on IntelliDrive Policy Topics and V2I Roadmap – A series of discussion sessions will be held on Thursday morning (July 22nd) to answer questions and elicit feedback on the Safety Program Policy Roadmap (presented on Wednesday afternoon). The discussion sessions will provide workshop participants with an opportunity to explore details and provide input on expected requirements. The workshop designers have identified two areas of interest for discussion that are described below. However, time will be set aside on Wednesday afternoon to identify additional discussion sessions based on the interest of participants.

Breakout 1. Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Roadmap Discussion – The focus of this discussion session is to carry forward questions from the Tuesday afternoon presentation on Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) and provide the time for an in-depth Q&A. The objective of this session discussion is to validate the technical roadmap and identify policy issues associated with moving the technical research forward.

Breakout 2. Cost-Benefit Analysis – Cost-benefit-analysis (CBA) is an essential step in deriving the societal benefits of IntelliDrive for the Nation. However, CBA is comprised of different types of analysis that, overall, provide stakeholders with an understanding how IntelliDrive benefits their organizations. The purpose of this breakout session is to present on the different approaches proposed for IntelliDrive CBA and to stimulate discussion with stakeholders on their perspective on the opportunities and direct financial impacts of IntelliDrive. The session will explore specific cases; for example, the case wherein IntelliDrive could enhance or substitute for older technologies such as loop detectors. The objective of this session discussion is to validate the CBA and seek input as to the most efficient methods of seeking data from stakeholders.

Policy Breakout Session Descriptions – DOC

Who Should Attend

Transportation Industry Professionals
Transportation System Operators
Government Transportation Specialists
Academia Transportation Specialists
Roadway Safety Activists
Wireless Communication Device Manufacturers
Auto Manufacturers
Anyone interested in learning about IntelliDrive safety practices and their practical implementation in improving transportation sector safety.

Registration Cost
All attendees FREE

On-site registration will be available but pre-registration is encouraged.

To Pre-Register contact:

ITS America Staff: Brei Whitty
E-mail: bwhitty@itsa.org
Fax: 202-484-3483
Website: www.intellidriveusa.org

Hotel Information/ Meeting Location

Participants are responsible for their own hotel reservations. Please mention the room block “IntelliDrive” when booking by June 28, 2010.

Hilton Chicago Northbrook
2855 North Milwaukee Avenue
Northbrook, IL 60062-6103
Phone: 847-480-7500
Fax: 847-480-0827
www.northbrook.hilton.com

WEBINAR Info:

Meeting Name: IntelliDriveSM Safety Workshop
When: Tuesday – 07/20/2010 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Thursday – 7/22/2010 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Time Zone: (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US and Canada)
Website: http://itsa.na5.acrobat.com/intellidrivews/
If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before:
Test your connection: http://itsa.na5.acrobat.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
Get a quick overview: http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview

AUDIO Conference Details:
Conference Number(s): 1-866-502-8312
Participant Code: 175569

Click here for our one-page workshop flyer.

*IntelliDrive is a service mark of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 13, 2010

July 14, 2010 at 10:26 am

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

IBTTA 78th Annual Meeting & Exhibition — Register Today! Early Bird Discount Ends August 22, 2010

Come to San Diego, September 12-15, 2010, for IBTTA’s 78th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, the year’s most highly-anticipated learning and networking event — attracting more than 700 toll industry experts and decision makers from across the globe. Under the theme, Sustainable Transportation, the technical program offers tracks focused on innovation, policy, the economy, and the California tolling experience. Hosted by the California Toll Operators Committee (CTOC), this event features interactive seminars, influential speakers, technical tours and special events, informative exhibits and more! Customized sponsorship and exhibitor packages are available. Visit IBTTA’s website for details.

AVIATION

1) Social Networking Takes Flight

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/13/business/13social.html

2) New Technology Training Twin Cities Air Traffic Controllers

Link to story and video on KSAX-TV:

http://ksax.com/article/stories/S1649140.shtml?cat=10230

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Articles from July Edition of GPS World

– Elbow Room on the Shoulder – DGPS-Based Lane-Keeping Enlists Laser Scanners for Safety an Efficiency

http://tinyurl.com/287ldye

– GNSS Vulnerability and Alternative PNT – A Backup is Needed as NextGen Air Traffic Management Increasingly Relies on GNSS

http://tinyurl.com/2cqvgrg

– Better Weather Prediction Using GPS

http://tinyurl.com/2cuswk6

MARITIME

4) Articles from Marine Technology Reporter

– Optics in the Subsea Environment (page 23)

– Special Section Dealing with Communications with Submarines (starting on page 33)

http://dwp.marinelink.com/pubs/nwm/mt/201006/

PEDESTRIANS

5) Legally Blind Blogger Working to Improve Pedestrian Safety in Montgomery County, Maryland

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/12/AR2010071202124.html

RAILROADS

6) July Edition of Signal, Newsletter of the European Rail Traffic Management System

Link to newsletter:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/interoperability/ertms/doc/019_signal_2010_07_en.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Oceanit Venture Could Make Amtrak More Secure

GIS software used to create computer applications to mimic undesirable events.

Link to article in the Pacific Business News:

http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2010/07/12/story6.html?b=1278907200%5E3628041

TRANSIT

8) Historic Preservation Commission Approves LED Signs and Speakers at West Virginia Rail Station

Link to article in The Journal:

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/540153.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) $100 Million Hawaii Traffic Center Gets Moving

Link to article in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/hawaiinews/20100713_100_million_traffic_center_gets_moving.html

10) ITS: The Newest Cameras Watching You on Cleveland Area Roads

Link to story and video on WKYC-TV:

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=139709&catid=3

VEHICLES

11) Autonomous Autos Play Well with Others

Link to article in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/07/us-air-force-autonomous-cars/

News Releases

1) Join the Smart+Connected Communities Transportation Discussion

2) Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Control Upgrades Support ADS-B Use in Alaska, Kentucky and the Gulf of Mexico

3) Microsoft Research Illuminates Night Sky and Mars in 3D with WorldWide Telescope

4) Navteq Selected by US DOT for the Advancement of Technology in the Transportation System

Job Postings

– State Maintenance Engineer (Position #22540) – Virginia Department of Transportation – Richmond, Virginia

http://www.vdot.jobs

Upcoming Events

Second International Symposium on Naturalistic Driving Research – August 31-September 2 – Blacksburg, Virginia

http://www.cpe.vt.edu/ndmas/

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** The dirigible Erbslöh crashed killing all five people aboard after the fuel tank exploded.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9C00E5DC1E39E333A25757C1A9619C946196D6CF

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

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 bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

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FHWA Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter – June 2010

July 12, 2010 at 5:45 pm

June 2010

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

To view PDF files, you need the Acrobat® Reader®.

Recent Events

Report Highlights Roadway Corridor Energy Efficiency Strategies. Environmental Corridor Management was prepared as part of the NCHRP 25-25 “quick turnaround” research. The chapter “the Energy Efficient Highway: How Efficient Are Our Corridors?” includes a lengthy and informative discussion of Oregon’s experiences implementing their Oregon Solar Highway program. Among numerous other sustainability strategies, the document also reports on experiences with:

wind generation in highway rights of way
solar powered LED and compact fluorescent lighting for signs,
LED luminairs and signals,
highly retroreflective sign material in place of sign lighting,
increased energy efficiencies from operations,
minimizing need for new construction via operational improvements,
more efficient fleets, and
recycled materials in roadway construction.

EPA Announces 2009 Clean Air Excellence Award Winners. Several of the 2009 winners have demonstrated or are working toward transportation greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The District Department of Transportation was recognized for launching the SmartBikeDC bike sharing program, and Car2Go and the city of Austin were recognized for their car sharing program. Sunline Transit Agency in CA was honored as the first agency to own and operate a hydrogen generating and dispensing station. They have upgraded the facility so that it can serve commercial customers as well as the transit agency’s own busses. More details on these and other award winning initiatives are available on EPA’s Clean Air Excellence Awards website.

FHWA/AASHTO Climate Change Adaptation Peer Exchange Report Released. FHWA with the support of AASHTO convened a peer exchange on current climate change adaptation activities and strategic needs in Schaumburg, Illinois, on December 8, 2009. This workshop included senior officials of state departments of transportation, FHWA headquarters and division offices and AASHTO. This report summarizes the results of the exchange, and is one of series of FHWA reports documenting the results of national peer exchanges on integrating climate change considerations into the transportation planning process.

State and Local News

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States Launch Transportation and Climate Initiative. On June 16, 11 Northeast states and the District of Columbia launched a Transportation and Climate Change Initiative “to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize our transportation system’s reliance on high-carbon fuels, promote sustainable growth, address the challenges of vehicle-miles traveled and help build the clean energy economy.” More information and a copy of the signed declaration of intent are available on the Georgetown Climate Center website.

MassDOT Announces Comprehensive Sustainable Transportation Initiative. On June 2, MassDOT launched GreenDOT, an effort to incorporate sustainability into all of the DOT’s activities. The initiative has a goal of reducing GHG emissions by over 2 million tons by 2020. The DOT aims to combat climate change by measures such as balancing highway expansion projects with projects that promote biking, walking, public transit, and smart growth. The DOT will also make investments in a green fleet and renewable power. The policy directive includes an illustrative list of the initiatives that MassDOT is implementing to achieve the GreenDOT goals. For more information, see the MassDOT Policy Directive or the press release.

New York City Panel on Climate Change Releases Adaptation Resources. The NPCC has released Climate Change Adaptation in New York City: Building a Risk Management Response, to provide a “foundation” for climate change adaptation in New York City and tools to start formulating an adaptation response. The document includes a brief analysis of NYC’s transit system vulnerabilities. NPCC’s eight step Adaptation Assessment Guidebook is included as Appendix B. And a workbook on “Incorporating Climate Change into Design and Performance Standards” is Appendix C.

California Air Resources Board Releases Draft Regional GHG Reduction Targets. CARB has released the draft GHG emission reduction targets for passenger vehicles for the state’s 18 MPOs as part of the implementation of SB 375. The 2020 and 2035 targets are expressed in per capita ghg emissions range compared to 2005 levels. The targets were informed by scenario planning analyses. As most of the infrastructure decisions affecting the 2020 network have already been made, the nearer term targets are based largely on operational improvements. Many MPOs also adjusted their 2020 forecasts to take the economic downturn into account. The four largest MPOs have a draft 2020 reduction target of 5-10 percent.

Announcements

FHWA Seeks Pilot Locations For Climate Vulnerability/Risk Assessment. FHWA is soliciting interested DOTs and MPOs to partner with us in piloting approaches to conduct climate change vulnerability and risk assessments of transportation infrastructure. The purpose of the pilots is twofold; 1) to assist State DOTs and MPOs more quickly advance existing adaptation assessment activities and 2) to assist FHWA in “test-driving” the model. Based on the feedback received through the pilots, FHWA will revise and finalize the model for national application. It is anticipated that 3-4 awards will be made at approximately $200,000 to $300,000 each. By Federal statute, a 50% non-Federal match is required for these funds to be awarded to the pilot areas. In-kind contributions such as staffing can be counted towards the match requirement. Applications are due to the relevant FHWA Division Office by July 30. For more information, see the solicitation announcement and the conceptual model which will soon be available on the FHWA Climate Change Activities Webpage.

FTA Seeks Applicants for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction Projects. FTA has $75 million in FY10 funds available in its Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) Program for grants to public agencies. The grants are for capital projects that reduce GHG emissions or energy use from public transit systems. Projects must request between $1,000,000 and $25,000,000. Applications for projects less than $1,000,000 may be applied for if they are part of a consolidated proposal submitted by the State DOT that, in total, meets or exceeds the $1,000,000 threshold. Applications are due August 11. For more information, see the announcement on the grants.gov website.

Northern Transportation and Air Quality Summit to be Held Aug 24-26 in Cambridge, MA. Registration is now open for NTAQS, the biennial Air Quality conference sponsored by FHWA and EPA Regions 1, 2, and 3. Several presentations on climate change are planned. The Boston MPO and NESCAUM are co-sponsors of this years’ event.

EPA Seeks 2010 Clean Air Excellence Award Nominations. In a June 21 Federal Register Notice, EPA issued a call for nominees to recognize efforts toward achieving cleaner air. These recognition awards are open to both the public and private sector. Applications must be postmarked by August 13.

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.

FHWA HQ Contacts in the Office of Planning, Environment & Realty:

Office of Natural and Human Environment, Sustainable Transport & Climate Change Team
Diane Turchetta, Acting Team Leader Diane.Turchetta@dot.gov
Kathy Daniel, Kathy.Daniel@dot.gov
John Davies, JohnG.Davies@dot.gov
Connie Hill Galloway, Connie.Hill@dot.gov
Robert Kafalenos, Robert.Kafalenos@dot.gov
Faiz Khan, Faiz.Khan@dot.gov
Becky Lupes, Rebecca.Lupes@dot.gov

Office of Planning
Robin Smith, Robin.Smith@dot.gov

Office of Project Development & Environmental Review
Shari Schaftlein, Shari.Schaftlein@dot.gov

AASHTO Launches Transportation and Climate Change Resource Center Website (greencarcongress.com)

Transportation Reboot – AASHTO Study: Growing Freight Demands Reaching Transportation Crisis

July 12, 2010 at 5:25 pm

(Cross posted on The Young Professionals in Transportation Blog)

Click the image to access the report

AASHTO released its latest report, Unlocking Freight, at a national news conference in Des Moines, Iowa, and at two regional news conferences in Tennessee and Pennsylvania on July 8th. The report includes new data, state examples of urgent capacity needs, and solutions to solve the pending transportation crisis in America’s freight system. The reports shows that investments are well below what are needed to maintain – much less improve – the movement of freight in this country. As a result, according to this report released, the transportation system that supports the movement of freight across America is facing a crisis.

The transportation system that supports the movement of freight across America is facing a crisis. Our highways, railroads, ports, and waterways require investment well beyond current levels to maintain – much less improve – their performance. Millions of jobs and our nation’s long-term economic health are at risk.

Significantly more freight will be moved across the country and around the world in the 21st century.
The current capacity of our nation’s roads, rails and seaports is not keeping pace with demand.
The nation’s freight transportation system directly affects economic development, current and future jobs, and the quality of life in our communities.
Greater investment, better planning and more highway and rail capacity are needed to address these problems.
– Expand the capacity of the Interstate Highway System.
– Create and fund a national freight program that could include multi-state freight corridor organizations at the state, regional, and multi-state level.
– Invest in Intermodal Connector Improvements.

In 10 years, an additional 1.8 million trucks will be on the road; in 20 years, for every two trucks today, another one will be added. Already bottlenecks on major highways used by truckers every day are adding millions of dollars to the cost of food, goods, and manufacturing equipment for American consumers.

Unlocking Freight finds our highways, railroads, ports, waterways, and airports require investments well beyond current levels to maintain – much less improve – their performance. The report identifies key projects in 30 states that would improve freight delivery and dependability, and offers a three-point plan to address what is needed to relieve freight congestion, generate jobs and improve productivity.

Despite more long-distance freight being moved by intermodal rail, the report finds that trucks will still carry 74 percent of the load. On average, 10,500 trucks a day travel some segments of the Interstate Highway System today. By 2035, this will increase to 22,700 commercial trucks for these portions of the Interstate, with the most heavily used segments seeing upwards of 50,000 trucks a day. Yet between 1980 and 2006, traffic on the Interstate Highway System increased by 150 percent while Interstate capacity increased by only 15 percent. The report identifies the 1,000 miles of most heavily traveled highways used by trucks.

Each year, 147 million tons of freight pass through Tennessee by way of trucks, rail cars and barges. Nearly half of Tennessee’s Gross Domestic Product comes from the movement of goods and more than half of the statewide employment is in goods-dependent industries. The segment of I-40 through Tennessee and Arkansas alone accounts for nearly one-third of the nation’s busiest truck miles.

A current strain on the movement of freight in the Tri-State region is the lack of vehicular and rail crossings along the Mississippi River, according to Nicely. Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas are currently working to develop a third Mississippi River bridge crossing – dubbed the Southern Gateway Project. Environmental studies on the project are now underway and include consideration of a multi-use bridge that would include both vehicle and rail access.

Unlocking Freight is the second in a series of reports generated by AASHTO to identify the need to increase capacity in our transportation system. For more information and to see state examples of freight capacity needs, go tohttp://expandingcapacity.transportation.org.

To view the first report in the series, Unlocking Gridlock, go to http://expandingcapacity.transportation.org.

Transportation officials in Memphis says nation needs 60,000 new miles of highway lanes (commercialappeal.com)
21 reviews of interstate highway system (rateitall.com)

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010 at 5:14 pm

Monday, July 12, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Float Plane Companies Slow to Distribute Safety Brochures

Transport Canada request to make information available to passengers treated lightly by some operators.

Link to article in The Vancouver Sun:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Float+plane+companies+slow+distribute+safety+brochures/3265381/story.html

2) Eastern and Southern Africa Ready to Liberalize Air Traffic Management

Link to article in East African Business Week:

http://www.busiweek.com/10/page.php?aid=888

CARTOGRAPHY

3) Indoor Map Apps Focus on Airports, Malls and Skyways

Link to article in the Pioneer Press:

http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_15479288

4) AOL Funds, Backs Open Source Mapping Tech for MapQuest

Link to ZDNet article:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/open-source/aol-funds-backs-open-source-mapping-tech-for-mapquest/6824

MARITIME

5) Philippine Coast Guard Pushes for More Responsive Maritime Traffic System

Link to GMA News story:

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/195696/rp-coast-guard-pushes-more-responsive-maritime-traffic-system

OTHER

6) Ohio Collects Millions Selling Driving Records with Your Personal Information

Link to article in The Plain Dealer

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2010/07/ohio_collects_millions_selling.html

7) Improving Energy Consumption and Safety with Smart Transportation

Link to article on TMCnet:

http://next-generation-communications.tmcnet.com/topics/application-enablement/articles/91604-improving-energy-consumption-safety-with-smart-transportation.htm

8) Updates from ERTICO

– ITS Italia

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

– ITS Japan

http://www.ertico.com/en/news/ertico_newsroom/its_japan_news_-_road_map_for_it_strategy.htm

ROADWAYS

9) Road Signs that Roll with the Crunches

Link to article in The Canberra Times:

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/road-signs-that-roll-with-the-crunches/1881774.aspx

10) Camera- and Laser-Equipped Van has been Taking Pictures of Rhode Island Roads

Link to article in The Providence Journal:

http://www.projo.com/projocars/content/CA-ARAN_07-10-10_L0J4U3I_v11.714bf4.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

11) US Airspace Rules Irk Canada

Any flyovers to require IDs.

Link to article in The Washington Times:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jul/11/us-airspace-rules-irk-canada/

12) Con-way Trucks Roll Out with New Safety Features

Link to article in The Cincinnati Enquirer:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100710/BIZ01/307100006/Con-way-trucks-roll-out-with-new-safety-features

13) More Accurate Information at West Virginia Traffic Stops

Electronic Insurance Verification Program lets police know if vehicle insurance is up-to-date.

Link to story on MetroNews:

http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=38040

TELEMATICS

14) Motolingo Wants to Make You a Savvier Driver

Mobile applications sends car data to smartphones.

Link to article on VentureBeat:

http://mobile.venturebeat.com/2010/07/12/mobilebeat-motolingo/

TRANSIT

15) Toronto Transit Commission Resurrects Plan to Wire Subways for Cellphone Service

Link to article in The Globe and Mail:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/ttc-resurrects-plan-to-wire-subways-for-cellphone-service/article1633868/

16) Online Calendar Lets DC Commuters Track Planned Disruptions

Link to article in The Transit Wire:

http://www.thetransitwire.com/2010/07/11/online-calendar-lets-dc-commuters-track-planned-disruptions/

17) Web Site to Help Tube Passengers Collect Refunds

Link to article in the London Evening Standard:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23855069-website-to-help-tube-passengers-collect-refunds.do

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

18) It’s Finally Here!

It’s taken nearly two decades, but intelligent transportation system technology is beginning to exert an influence.

Link to article in Better Roads:

http://www.betterroads.com/road-science-2/

19) A Closer Look at Southern California’s Go511

Link to blog on UCLA’s Be a Green Commuter:

http://www.beagreencommuter.com/blog/?p=2211

VEHICLES

20) Better Antitheft Technology, but Smarter Car Thieves

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/automobiles/11THEFT.html

21) The VisLab Intercontinental Autonomous Challenge

Link to further information from VisLab:

http://viac.vislab.it/

News Releases

1) 11 iPhone Apps for Drivers (and One Shameless Plug)

2) The Shocking Cost of ‘Free’ Navigation

3) Pennsylvania DOT Invites Motorists to Take Online Highway Safety Survey

4) Automotive Infotainment Hardware Enters Fourth-Generation Stage

Upcoming Events

10^th UITP Light Rail Conference and Study Tour – October 18-20 – Madrid, Spain

http://www.uitp.org/madrid2010

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** Charles Rolls, an automobile and aviation pioneer, died in an airplane crash. He was the first Briton to die in an aeronautical accident.

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/snapshotsofthepast/5062450.Centenary_flight_that_resulted_in_untimely_death_of_Mr_Rolls/

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