This is what happens when folks don’t take education seriously. At least now we know that the folks who painted this sign in Greensboro, North Carolina didn’t stay in school long enough..
Gone are the ancient days of stodgy parking meters that ate coins and often malfunctioned. These days parking meters are getting some hi-tech love from Transportation Managers around many U.S.cities.
Apart from San Francisco, many U.S. cities are currently testing and trying out new methods to allow people to find and pay for parking. One among them is Washington, DC, which is now testing out a pilot program that allows for paying for parking via cellphones.
If that is not enough, hi-tech companies like Google are helping people land some good parking karma. Google’s Open Spot application for its Android-powered phones (running OS version 2.0 or higher) lets you know where people are leaving their parking spots.
At the end of the day, the general public should be feeling happy to know there have some help on the way to locate and pay for the much-vaunted parking spots in the busy downtown neighborhoods.
To reduce congestion, San Francisco is aiming to have one spot open at all times on every block. Here’s how the plan works: A network of wireless sensors lets the city keep track of which parking spots are empty. If a particular block never has available spots, the city raises the meter rates until it does. In places where parking is plentiful, rates fall. As an added bonus, this information-age system lets residents check the rates and availability of parking online before deciding to drive.
The system is expected to increase revenue from parking meters, but decrease revenue from traffic tickets. How this will balance out for the city budget is unclear. Also unclear: Just how high the prices will go. Will there be $10 per hour parking?
The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks a Transportation Industry Analyst to join our team. RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system.
This position is located within the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS), Office of Airline Information which collects on-time performance, financial, and operational data from the airline industry.
BTS is responsible for leading the development of high quality transportation data and information. As a federal statistical agency, BTS provides an objective source of statistical analysis for decision making at all levels.
RITA is looking for a motivated, self-reliant, dynamic professional who can apply their expertise in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of airline statistics. This includes managing large scale datasets, generating analysis, and applying the latest information technology to meet the Nation’s need for relevant, accurate, and timely airline statistics.
If you know someone interested this Washington, D.C. based position with relevant experience and proven results please encourage them to apply under the attached vacancy announcements. We are looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.
The vacancy announcements can be found on:
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=89882174 – All Sources
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=89882141 – Merit Promotion
Open period: Monday August 9, 2010 to Tuesday, August 24th, 2010.
Removing these subsidies should make automobile travel fairly expensive (plus adding the carbon taxes would make it even worse) and will enable a proper “apples-to-apples” comparison of all modes of transportation. It will be interesting to see how the arguments of high-speed rail will start to look more appealing.
The Guardian recently reported that Bloomberg New Energy Finance has issued a report that found government subsidies for fossil fuels around the world just plain blow out renewable energy subsidies ten-to-one. Yes, for every dollar the auto execs don’t want spent on plug-in vehicles, there are more than ten bucks given to keep the gas and oil companies in the crudeblack. The report found that governments spent somewere between $43 and $46 billion on renewable energy and biofuel industries in 2009. By comparison, governments gave $557 billion to the fossil fuel industry in 2008.Read more at green.autoblog.com
For Detroit residents who get power from DTE, the Michigan Public Service Commission announced this week that it has approved the state’s first experimental rate for residential customers to recharge their electric vehicles.
DTE will offer two rates, a low, off-peak rate to charge plug-in vehicles overnight or a monthly flat rate of $40 per vehicle (how will they identify a single vehicle, though?). Also, DTE will pay up to $2,500 for customers to get a “separately metered circuit with a charging station” installed or just pay for a station’s installation. MPSC approved the rate to let DTE see how plug-in vehicles will impact its grid. The experimental rate goes through the end of 2012 and will be available to the first 2,500 customers who sign up.
Read more at green.autoblog.com
Stupid. Plain stupid ..Well, you may ask how did this end: No serious injuries in either vehicle, and two 17-year-olds were charged with several crimes, including marijuana possession. STUPID! PLAIN STUPID!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057
Join your colleagues in 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! Breaking News! The Hilton San Diego Bayfront has reduced the contracted room rate from $241/night to $219/night. The new rate applies to all existing confirmed reservations and any new reservations. Customized sponsorship and exhibitor packages are available. Visit IBTTA’s website for details.
BICYCLES
1) Momentum Grows for Federal Policy Breakthrough that Would Fast-Track Bikeway Innovations
Link to blog on BikePortland.org:
CAMERAS
2) Maryland to Store License Plate Scanner Data at Intel Fusion Center
Link to blog from the Center for Investigative Reporting:
CARTOGRAPHY
3) As Google Street View Ramps Up in Germany, Korea Clamps Down
Link to article in The Christian Science Monitor:
ELECTRONIC TOLLING
4) Technology is Making Tolls (Almost) Painless
Link to article in the Reading Eagle:
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=240518
GPS / NAVIGATION
5) Putin Wants Russian Satnav System in New Cars from 2012
Link to AFP article:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gXennqUAYggivPoWReBOHGilIFhg
MARITIME
6) Vessel Traffic Management System May Get Some Blame for Indian Ship Collision
Link to article in the Bangalore Mirror:
7) Family of Fishing Guide Presumed Drowned Calls for GPS Locators
Link to article in the Times Colonist:
http://www.timescolonist.com/Family+fishing+guide+presumed+drowned+calls+locators/3380188/story.html
OTHER
8) Orange County Transportation Authority to Post Employee Pay, Benefits
Link to article in The Orange County Register:
http://www.ocregister.com/news/octa-261321-board-grand.html
9) New York Lauds Using Facial-Recognition for Driver’s Licenses
Link to article in The Washington Times:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/10/ny-lauds-facial-recognition-technology-licenses/
10) Commuter ‘Pain’ Fuels Smart Solutions
Link to article in InformationWeek:
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2010/08/commuter_pain_f.html
11) Can ‘Webinars’ Make Planning Workshops Obsolete?
Link to article on Planetizen:
http://www.planetizen.com/node/45478
PARKING
12) New Technology May Solve Your Parking Problems
Link to column in the Contra Costa Times:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/bay-area-news/ci_15722439
RAILROADS
13) Positive Train Control: Railroads, Suppliers Still Have a Ways to Go to Meet the 2015 Positive Train Control Mandate
Link to article in Progressive Railroading:
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/pr/article.asp?id=24053
ROADWAYS
14) Using Tech to Curb Deaths on Minnesota’s Roadways
Link to story and audio on Minnesota Public Radio:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/08/10/minnesota-traffic-deaths/
15) Seattle’s ‘Smart Highway Signs’ Go Online Today
Link to story and video on KING-TV:
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Seattle-Smarter-Highways-go-online-Tuesday-100320979.html
16) Vermont Shows Off New Signs Warning Drivers to Give Room to Emergency Vehicles
Link to article in The Burlington Free Press:
SAFETY / SECURITY
17) Driver Ed Battles Texting Obsession
Link to article on BrookfieldNOW:
http://www.brookfieldnow.com/news/100379259.html
TRANSIT
18) New York City Buses to Get Ads Opposing Islam Center
Link to article in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/10/nyregion/10mta.html
19) NTSB Criticizes DC Metro Board Over Fatal Crash in 2009
Link to article in The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/09/AR2010080905986.html
Link to news releases from WMATA:
http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4601
http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4602
TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
20) Drawls Welcome: Texas DOT Tests Phone Info Line
Link to AP article:
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wireStory?id=11367583
Link to news release from Texas DOT:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/news/035-2010.htm
21) Twin Cities Ahead of Curve in Managing Congestion
Link to article on Twin Cities Daily Planet:
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2010/08/09/twin-cities-ahead-curve-managing-congestion
VEHICLES
22) After 12 Years, EU License Plate Gets Traction
Link to AP article:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gsMi_PefCSEbXt0sO7Vfm6zzIZmAD9HGNJQ82
News Releases
1) Federal Highway Administrator Mendez Helps Launch Smarter Highways on I-5 in Seattle
2) Telvent to Implement Light Rail Priority System in Algeria
3) Automated Valet Creates Customized iPhone App for DFW Airport Valet
4) Lockheed Martin-Built GPS Satellite Surpasses 10 Years On-Orbit
5) Waze 2.0 Available for Download, Featuring New Driving Groups
6) ReportLinker Adds Collecting and Distributing Traffic Information in China
Upcoming Events
National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management Summit – September 21-22 – Linthicum Heights, Maryland
http://www.i95coalition.org/i95/Portals/0/Public_Files/Whats-New/NUG%20Summit%20updated.pdf
Today in Transportation History
1990 **20th anniversary** Magellan reached Venus to begin extensive radar mapping of the planet’s surface.
http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/magellan/
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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
Attend one of three FREE IntelliDrive workshops and inventors meetings at 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 be hosting on IntelliDrive(SM) Systems Engineering User Needs to obtain stakeholder input for the definition of the core IntelliDrive System.
User needs identified during these workshops will be critical to the development of the new IntelliDrive Concept of Operations (ConOps). The ConOps will describe the vision for how the IntelliDrive system will work, from the perspective of the user.
Each workshop, which is open to all interested transportation parties, will engage participants to identify their current vision for the IntelliDrive system. These workshops will provide an overview of the IntelliDrive concept definition process and include break out groups to explore specific operational needs in detail as well as concluding sessions that summarizes the findings from the workshops.
The agenda features:
The sessions and your participation are essential in assisting the ITS-JPO to advance transportation safety. Persons who cannot attend can pass this along to an interested colleague.
To see the full agenda for the meetings please click here: <http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2010/intellidrive_engineering.htm>
Registration and Venue:
This workshop is free of charge. Registration and venue information for:
Additional information will be available at: http://www.its.dot.gov/index.htm.
Please contact Brei Whitty at bwhitty@itsa.org or 202-721-4236 for any questions.
Inventors who have developed a software component, hardware device or other technology that can be used to help bring about safe, efficient, greener transportation should attend these first-ever IntelliDrive inventors meetings where innovators can meet others who might be looking for new technologies.
The meetings will be held at the end of the first day of the ITS-JPO Systems Engineering User Workshops in Detroit (August 25), San Jose (September 1) and Washington, DC (September 29).
Innovators can make a very brief presentation about their work and meet with potential users of their products. Interested innovators who want to attend and/or make a presentation at the meeting should register in advance.
Please send an e-mail with the inventor’s name, company, product and contact information to Delores Colbert at Delores.colbert@DOT.gov in order to obtain a five minute presentation slot. Presentations should be no more than three PowerPoint slides. Please use “Inventors Meeting” and which location (Detroit, San Jose or Washington, DC) in the subject line.
The IntelliDrive Inventors meetings are being held To learn more about the meeting e-mail Mike Pina at Mike.pina@dot.gov
To learn more about ITS-JPO and the IntelliDrive program log on to www.its.dot.gov.
Make your hotel reservations:
Be sure to reserve your room under the room block “Intellidrive” in order to receive government rate!
Detroit
Doubletree Hotel Detroit/Dearborn
5801 Southfield Expressway
Detroit, MI 48228
313-336-3340
http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/DTTDBDT-Doubletree-Hotel-Dearborn-Michigan/index.do
San Jose
Doubletree Hotel San Jose
2050 Gateway Place
San Jose, CA 95110
408-453-4000
http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/JOSE-DT-Doubletree-Hotel-San-Jose-California/index.do
Washington DC – Hotel TBD
Please contact Brei Whitty at ITS America at bwhitty@itsa.org or 202-721-4236 for any questions related to registration for the user needs workshops or hotel accommodations.
* – IntelliDrive is a service mark of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Yet another awesome info.graphic from our friends at GOOD.. This site keeps getting better and better with their info. graphics.. This info.graphic below looks at how people get to work in various states, alongside those states’ obesity rates. It is strikingly obvious, at least from this graphic, that driving plays a big part in the obesity factor. It will be great if someone can do a similar thing with commuting habits and healthcare spending (a larger subset of the Obesity epidemic)
Nice work, again, by our awesome folks at GOOD magazine.. This is probably the most direct correlation between gas prices & bike sales I’ve seen in a long time.. In a 2008 survey, 95 percent of bike store owners said customers cited high gas prices as a reason for their bike-related purchases
