Tuesday, August 3, 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.

CARTOGRAPHY

1) Bing Maps Gets Taxi Fare Calculator

Link to blog on ARS Technica:

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2010/08/never-be-surprised-again-bing-maps-gets-taxi-fare-calculator.ars

OTHER

2) US DOT Employees Now Have an ‘IdeaHub’ to Voice Ideas and Concerns

Link to article in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_403636fa-9f05-11df-af2a-001cc4c002e0.html

3) Articles from Public Roads

–  IntelliDrive: Safer, Smarter, Greener

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/10julaug/04.cfm

– Transportation Lessons from Central Europe

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/10julaug/01.cfm

4) Give Me a Sign

A photographer’s artwork also serves as a fun game for truckers.

Link to article in RoadKing:

http://roadking.com/2010/07/give-me-a-sign-2/

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

5) Pennsylvania Governor to Take a Bus to Ask Citizen Support for Transportation Funds

Link to article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10215/1077147-147.stm

ROADWAYS

6) Will Texas Stadium Signs Lead to Super Confusion?

Texas DOT says the signs won’t be taken down anytime soon even though stadium was demolished over three months ago and Super Bowl happens in February.

Link to story on KXAS-TV:

http://www.nbcdfw.com/traffic/transit/Signs-Remain-Long-After-Stadium-Implosion-99844224.html

7) Keeping Roads Clear of Deer

Utah DOT implementing program that uses dual-sensory deterrents to keep deer from wandering onto roads while cars are driving by.

Link to article in Governing:

http://www.governing.com/idea-center/keeping-roads-clear-deer.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) ‘NEED Help!’: Biker’s Twitter Followers Call for Ambulance

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-08-03-twitterrescue03_st_N.htm

TRANSIT

9) DC Metro to Add Signs on How to Contact Cops

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Metro-to-add-signs-on-how-to-contact-cops-1006027-99662959.html

10) DC Metro Fare Hikes Delayed Until Fare Signs are Updated

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Metro-fare-hikes-delayed-until-fare-signs-are-updated-1006723-99801234.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Police Department Goes High-Tech in Hubli and Dharwad with Opening of Traffic Management Center

Link to article in The Times of India:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Police-dept-goes-hi-tech-in-twin-cities/articleshow/6253417.cms

12) Innovation, Technology Hold Promise for Cutting Congestion

Link to article by Texas Governor Rick Perry in The Steering Wheel:

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1ogph/TheSteeringWheelSpri/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F191722%2FThe-Steering-Wheel—Spring-Summer-2010-Issue (page 45)

VEHICLES

13) Volvo’s Self-Stopping Car

Automaker has a new system that automatically brakes before your car hits pedestrians.

Link to article in Forbes:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/02/autos-brakes-pedestrians-technology-volvo.html

14) Driverless Cars Just Around the Corner

Link to article in The Kansas City Star:

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/02/2124104/driverless-cars-to-hit-the-streets.html

15) Testing iPhone 4 FaceTime with Chrysler’s In-Car Wi-Fi

Link to blog on Cars.com:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2010/08/testing-iphone-4-facetime-with-chryslers-incar-wifi.html

News Releases

1) Navteq Launches Private Beta program for Next Generation Street-Level Imager

2) FMCSA Introduces Cargo Tank Driver Rollover Prevention Video

3) GPS Parking Using Your Mobile Phone

4) Australian Trucking Association: Electronic Truck Monitoring Must be Voluntary

5) CSX Presents $50,000 Gift to Marshall University for Research at the Rahall Transportation Institute

6) EnRoute Announces Strategic Partnership with TrafficLand

7) Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Calls for Greater Awareness of Digital Radio

8) One Week and Counting, Seattle: Get to Know Your Smarter Highway Symbols

9) US ITS Market to Top $1.4 Billion in 2010 According to IMS Research

10) US  Department of Transportation Teams with ESPN and State Farm to Go ‘On the Road’ to Wipe Out Distracted Driving

Upcoming Events

The Role of NextGen at Airports – October 3-5 – Denver

http://events.aaae.org/sites/101012/

Today in Transportation History

1900 **110^th anniversary** The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company was founded in Akron, Ohio.

http://bridgestone-firestone.ca/eng/history/default.asp

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, 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 at bernie@bwcommunications.net. 

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net

(Source: via Transportation Research Board Weekly E-Newsletter)

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released a report that explores the components of plug-in electric vehicle infrastructure, challenges and opportunities related to the design and deployment of the infrastructure, and the potential benefits.

Monday, August 2, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

The DSWW 2010 tool kit is available FREE from NETS now through Sept. 20 at www.trafficsafety.org.

The 2010 campaign materials focus on the dangers of distracted driving, particularly as related to the use of cell phones and texting.  The tool kit provides easy-to-use resources to support targeted activities for each day of the campaign week. These include interactive, electronic tools, downloadable graphics and daily communications messages.  DSWW 2010 is Oct. 4-8; however, materials are designed for use at any time throughout the year.  To preview the materials, go to:http://trafficsafety.org/drivesafelyworkweek.

AVIATION

1) GAGAN is Undergoing Final Operational Phase: Airports Authority of India

System will augment satellite navigation for flights over India.

Link to article in The Hindu:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article546009.ece

2) ’85 Delta 191 Disaster at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Gave Rise to Broad Safety Overhaul

Better weather threat detection and changes to how pilots communicate resulted from crash.

Link to article in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-delta191_02bus.ART.State.Edition1.3569cb4.html

3) Comair Mechanics Withdraw from Safety Program

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Comair-mechanics-withdraw-apf-2340998509.html?x=0&.v=2

BICYCLES

4) The Technology Behind the London Bicycle Hire Scheme

Link to article in The Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/7919285/The-technology-behind-the-London-bicycle-hire-scheme.html

CAMERAS

5) Swiss Test Traffic Super Cameras

Devices will be able to detect up to ten traffic offenses.

Link to AFP article:

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/swiss-test-traffic-super-cameras-20100801-111ci.html

6) Pennsylvania Governor’s Idea to Use Highway Cameras to Identify Uninsured Drivers Draws Criticism

Link to article in The Patriot-News:

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/07/gov_ed_rendells_idea_to_use_hi.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

7) China Launches New Global Positioning Satellite

Link to Reuters article:

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=11298077

8) Japan Mobile Phone Makers to Roll Out ‘Augmented Reality’

Phones will help users find their ways around large cities.

Link to AFP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iWCp-IQl65eCp7mavRx1gkLbqTKg

9) GPS May be Everywhere, but New York City EMS Crews Don’t Have Them

Link to article in amNew York:

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/gps-may-be-everywhere-but-ems-crews-don-t-have-them-1.2163027

OTHER

10) West Virginia Hosts National Rural ITS Conference

Link to AP article:

http://wvgazette.com/News/201008020198

11) In India, Using Facebook to Catch Scofflaw Drivers

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/02/technology/02traffic.html

12) Does Surveillance Make Us Morally Better?

Link to article in Philosophy Now:

http://www.philosophynow.org/issue79/79westacott.htm

13) Dude, Where’s Your Car?

How not having a car became Hollywood shorthand for loser.

Link to article in Slate:

http://www.slate.com/id/2262214/

14) Current Issue of Volpe Highlights

Link to newsletter:

http://www.volpe.dot.gov/infosrc/highlts/10/julaug/index.html

ROADWAYS

15) Chicago Not Amused by Radio Stunt

Construction ‘alerts’ promote WJMK-FM, concert.

Link to article in the Chicago Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/2552514,CST-NWS-jack31.article

SAFETY / SECURITY

16) Bipartisan Bill Would Block FCC from Seizing Spectrum

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100730_4887.php

17) For No Signs of Trouble, Kill the Alarm

‘Alarm fatigue’ blamed, in part, for DC Metro collision, airliner crashes.

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/weekinreview/01wald.html

18) Most Teens Still Driving While Distracted

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-08-02-teendrivers02_ST_N.htm

19) Rhode Island DMV Helps Finger a Criminal Without Prints

Link to article in The Providence Journal:

http://www.projo.com/news/content/no_fingerprints_07-31-10_U9JCTJA_v18.21cbbba.html

20) Senior Traffic Deaths Down, California DMV Cites Senior Driver-Oriented Web Links in Helping Keep Older Drivers Behind the Wheel

Link to blog in the Santa Cruz Sentinel:

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_15656544

21) YouTube Veil Video Sparks Airline Safety Probe

Link to CBC News story:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/windsor/story/2010/08/02/veil-video002.html

22) The TSA’s Secure Flight Initiative May be Making Your Privacy Less Secure

Link to column in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/30/AR2010073003907.html

TRANSIT

23) For Most Boston T Riders, the Long Wait for a Bus Location App is Over

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/08/01/for_most_t_riders_the_long_wait_for_a_bus_location_app_is_over/

24) Manchester’s Bus Timetable Data Sets Released

Link to article in The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/jul/30/manchester-gmpte-open-data-odm-bus-transport

25) Maryland Transit Administration Could Learn from Slaying

Better information, from signage to GPS-tracking, could make transit travel safer.

Link to column in The Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/commuting/bs-md-dresser-getting-there-20100802,0,5380901.story

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

26) Upgrade Will Improve Quality of Tennessee Traffic Cameras

Link to article and video in the Chattanooga Times Free Press:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/aug/01/zooming-camera-upgrades/

27) Smarter Highways Coming to Washington State’s I-5 August 10

Link to further information from Washington State DOT:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/smarterhighways/

VEHICLES

28) NPR Offers Video of Captioned Radio

Joint venture with Delphi develops dual-screen, in-vehicle unit that shows navigation to driver and captioning to passenger.

Link to article in Radio Ink:

http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=1895844&spid=24698

Link to video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70Mx8FnDd6g

29) Presentations from July 20 IntelliDrive Safety Workshop Now Available

Link to presentations:

http://www.its.dot.gov/presentations/Safety_workshop2010/safety_workshop_presentations.htm

News Releases

1) FHWA Announces $9.7 Million in Grants to Fund Innovative Approaches to Congestion

2) US and EU Announce Collaboration on the Use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems

3) PBSJ Announces Plans to Join with Atkins – PBSJ to Become Subsidiary

4) Miami Traffic Cameras Go Live with TrafficLand Service

5) US DOT, Seventeen Magazine, and AAA Launch  National Two-Second Turnoff Day Video Challenge

6) Ford Researchers Advancing Crash Avoidance Capability with Wireless Technology

7) ATX Transitions In-Vehicle Telematics Safety to Mobile Emergency Management of Crashes Across Emergency Response Chain

8) Vector Capital Announces Successful Close to Acquisition of Trafficmaster

Solicitation

–  Request for Letters of Interest – I-15 ITS Design-Build – Nevada Department of Transportation

http://www.nevadadot.com/business/contractor/consultant/pdfs/I-15_ITS_LOI.pdf

Upcoming Events

National Parking Association Annual Convention and Exposition – October 11-14 – Boston

http://npapark.org/events_convention.php

Today in Transportation History

1610 **400^th anniversary** Henry Hudson sailed into what is now known as Hudson Bay.

http://www.ianchadwick.com/hudson/hudson_04.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, 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 at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net