(Source: The Telegraph, UK)

Living under a flight path with noisy planes whizzing over your head could jeopardize your heart health, according to a new study from Switzerland.

Researchers found that dying from a heart attack was more common among people with increased exposure to aircraft noise.

The group of experts, led by Dr. Matthias Egger from Univ. of Bern (Switzerland) identified 15,532 heart attack deaths among 4.6 million Swiss residents between late 2000 and the end of 2005 using detailed information from an ongoing mortality study called the Swiss National Cohort.

Some of the study results include:

• People exposed to a daily average of at least 60 decibels of noise had a 30 per cent greater risk of dying from a heart attack compared with those exposed to less than 45 decibels, the researchers report in the journal Epidemiology.
• Among those exposed to the higher decibel levels for 15 or more years, the risk was actually 50 per cent higher.
• The average of 60 decibels is about what you would expect in a crowded, noisy bar.

Living within 300ft of a major road also increased the risk of heart attack but the researchers found no impact of particulate-matter air pollution on the heart.  Mr Egger said road and air traffic produce different noise patterns that might not be easily comparable as road traffic noise was more constant and arguably easier to get used to.

Click here to read more.

Transportgooru Musings:  This makes rail travel to/near urban hubs (relatively) more appealing over aviation.  Propulsion systems technology in the commercial aviation sector is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels and conventional engines.  On the other hand, many new train sets in today’s rail market are amazingly quiet and smooth. This could be a good marketing point for many pro-rail advocates and politicians lobbying for big investments in High-speed rail  connecting the big cities.

Related articles

• ‘Want to live long: Stay away from noisy plane’s path’ (topinews.com)
• Noise from aircraft is bad for your health (telegraph.co.uk)
• Is Living Under a Flight Path Bad for the Heart? (nlm.nih.gov)
• Living under a flight path ‘can increase your risk of heart attack’ (dailymail.co.uk)
• Study: Manhattan Street Noise May Be Deafening (newyork.cbslocal.com)
• Study: Some NYC Street Noise Can Hurt Hearing (newyork.cbslocal.com)
• New York City noise may be deafening (msnbc.msn.com)
• Living under a flight path increases heart attack risk (physorg.com)
• Wind Power’s Foe: Wind Noise (247wallst.com)

Thursday, October 28, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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GPS / NAVIGATION

1) Russia Eyes Import Duty for Phones Without GLONASS

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE69Q1KX20101027

OTHER

2) News from US DOT at the ITS World Congress

Link to further information:

http://www.its.dot.gov/presentations/ITSWorld_Congress2010.htm

3) 20,000 Bloody Idiots on Facebook Drink-Driving Page

Link to article in the Geelong Advertiser:

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/10/29/221941_news.html

PARKING

4) Smart Transportation Software Developer Teams with SAP

Link to blog on ZDNet:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/green/smart-transportation-software-developer-teams-with-sap/14703

ROADWAYS

5) Department for Transport to Install New Motorway Technology

Link to article on Kable:

http://www.kable.co.uk/transport-dft-managed-motorway-hard-shoulder-27oct10

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) ‘Smart’ Transit Cams in New York City

Link to article in the New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/smart_transit_cams_4RUnm6C0rKcjC17Et1QJOO

7) Recommended Procedures for Testing and Evaluating Detectable Warning Systems

Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Recommended_Procedures_for_Testing_and_Evaluating_163989.aspx

TELEMATICS

8) Computer Car Crashes

Do automobile telematics boost reliability, or will the clock in the car soon be blinking midnight?

Link to article in Warranty Week:

http://www.warrantyweek.com/archive/ww20030113.html

9) GM Seeking Insurance Break for OnStar Subscribers

Link to blog on CNET:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20020955-48.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) High-Tech Solution Sought to Ease Traffic Congestion in Chennai

Link to article in TruthDive:

http://truthdive.com/2010/10/28/hi-tech-solution-to-ease-traffic-conjestion-in-chennai.html

VEHICLES

11) Singapore Group to Develop ‘Next-Generation’ Cars

Link to AFP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hLYOpc-h0Dn35GLINIAMKrZkxclw?docId=CNG.c8806b0465005156c3ed4b83c649cb5d.361

12) Deutsche Telekom: ‘In-Car Internet and Online Services are Becoming a Reality’

Link to interview in Telematics Update:

http://goo.gl/9wdX

13) Automakers Try to Stay as Smart as New Phones

Link to CNET blog:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20020602-48.html

News Releases

1) New VTT Test Equipment Enhances Police Traffic Surveillance of Seat Belt and Speed Compliance

2) Multi-State I-95 Corridor Coalition Steers Travelers on the 50-Year-Old Highway Into the Future

3) Continental Airlines’ New iPhone App Offers One-Touch Access to Travel Information

4) Vehicles Involved in a Collision to Automatically Alert Incident Managers

5) Samsung SDS and Taxi Magic Partner to Develop Next-Generation Passenger Device for Taxis

Upcoming Events

Webinar: IntelliDrive Applications for the Environment: Real-Time Information Synthesis (AERIS) – December 8

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/AERIS/intro.asp

Today in Transportation History

1995 **15^th anniversary** A fire in the Baku, Azerbijan metro killed approximately 300 people in the world’s deadliest subway disaster.

http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/34_folder/34_articles/34_metro.html

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

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

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

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is looking for an Intermittent Electronics Engineer/Operations Research Analyst.

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 Center of Innovation for Advanced Vehicles and Information Network Systems, at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA.

The Research Engineer/ORA will define, manage, conduct, and direct evaluation research efforts relating to safety critical performance issues in surface transportation systems, in the context of related technology policy considerations. Studies are related to vehicle and wayside navigation guidance and control system technologies relative to performance characteristics, potential vulnerabilities, and malfunction  modes  and mitigation methods, protection against electronic security threats and attacks, and preservation of personal; information and identification privacy.

This is a permanent, intermittent position; work will be performed on an as-needed basis, as projects arise; the number of hours will depend on the breadth and scope of assignments. The position may be filled as either an Electronics Engineer or an Operations Research Analyst.

If you know someone interested in this Cambridge, MA based position who has the experience and proven results, please encourage them to apply under the attached vacancy announcement.  We are looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.

The vacancy announcement can be found on:

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/JobTitle=ElectronicsEngineer+OperationsResearchAnalyst

Monday, October 25, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Disconnected

Attention passengers: It’s perfectly safe to use your cell phones.

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/10/24/disconnected/

CARTOGRAPHY

2) Google: We Collected E-mails, Passwords During Street View Photography

Link to column on CNET:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20020499-17.html

Link to Google blog post:

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/creating-stronger-privacy-controls.html

3) Virginia Company Creates Map Apps; No Refolding Required

Link to article in The Roanoke Times:

http://www.roanoke.com/business/wb/264815

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) GPS Speed Warning Device a Lifesaver

Link to AAP article:

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/gps-speed-warning-device-a-lifesaver-20101025-16zwd.html

5) Taiwan Tour Groups Urged to Use GPS-Equipped Buses in the Future

Officials continue looking for missing buses and passengers following typhoon.

Link to CNA article:

http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aALL&ID=201010250023

MARITIME

6) India Aiming for Real-Time Maritime Domain Awareness: Defense Minister

Link to article from ANI:

http://sify.com/news/india-aiming-for-real-time-maritime-domain-awareness-antony-news-national-kkzrEkbegca.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

7) Union’s Sign Campaign Takes Aim at Poor Bridges in Pennsylvania

Link to article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10298/1097821-147.stm

8) California Bullet Train Agency Can’t Document Details of Officials’ Foreign Trips

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-high-speed-disclosure-20101025%2C0%2C7950616.story

9) Hoboken, New Jersey Begins ‘Twenty is Plenty’ Driving Speed Campaign

Link to article on Planetizen:

http://www.planetizen.com/node/46559

10) Two Drinks Max: Sign Up and Make Us Safer

New Zealand newspaper begins campaign to encourage drinking and driving limits.

Link to commentary in The New Zealand Herald:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/transport/news/article.cfm?c_id=97&objectid=10682676

RAILROADS

11) Freight Railroads Weren’t In on New Ohio Passenger Rail Study

Link to article in The Columbus Dispatch:

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/10/24/railroads-werent-in-on-new-3c-rail-study.html

ROADWAYS

12) Michigan Company’s Signs Help to Generate and Control Traffic

Link to article in the Detroit Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/article/20101024/BUSINESS06/10240416/1019/Business06/Companys-signs-help-to-generate-and-control-traffic

Link to MDI Worldwide: http://www.mdiworldwide.com/

SAFETY / SECURITY

13) TSA Getting Even Nosier

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303436904575570682768670268.html

Link to further information from the Transportation Security Administration:

http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/secureflight/index.shtm

14) GIS-Based Interoperability System Alters How Virginia Manages Emergencies

Link to article in Emergency Management:

http://www.emergencymgmt.com/disaster/Virginia-Interoperability-Picture-Emergency-Response.html

TRANSIT

15) The World’s First ‘Transit Appliance’

Link to article and video on Streetfilms:

http://www.streetfilms.org/the-worlds-first-transit-appliance/

Link to additional information from Portland Transport:

http://portlandtransport.com/archives/2010/10/lessons_learned_1.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

16) Isfahan, Iran Reveals ICT Master Plan, Including Transportation Management

Link to article in FutureGov:

http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/2010/oct/25/iran-city-reveals-ict-masterplan/

VEHICLES

17) US DOT Approaches Deadline in Onboard Recorder Case

Link to article in The Journal of Commerce:

http://www.joc.com/trucking/dot-approaches-deadline-onboard-recorder-case

18) BMW’s Future Tech In-Depth

Link to article in Autocar:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/253599/

19) Is Facebook Just Too Much for Ford?

Link to commentary on Motley Fool:

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2010/10/23/is-facebook-just-too-much-for-ford.aspx

WEATHER

20) US Administration’s Plan to Reallocate Spectrum from Weather Satellites for Broadbandd Opposed Globally

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20101022_9041.php

News Releases

1) Alaska Airlines Launches In-Flight Wi-Fi in the State of Alaska

2) Michigan DOT Explains Flashing Yellow Arrow with YouTube Video

3) New Fog Warning System in Venice Region Pays for Itself Ten Times Over

4) MyFord Touch Wins ‘Outstanding Feature’ by Texas Auto Writers

5) Sensis Continues On-Time Deployment of ASDE-X – Now Operational at 32 Airports

6) TrafficLand to Provide Live Traffic Video for Visteon Mobile Application and In-Car Systems

7) 27^th European Regional Meeting Calls for a Safe, Resilient and Sustainable Aviation System

8) ITT-Deployed ADS-B System Cleared for Nationwide Rollout by the FAA

Upcoming Events

ROSATTE Final Workshop – November 23-24 – Malmö, Sweden

http://www.ertico.com/rosatte-final-workshop-project-results-and-next-steps-for-deployment/

Today in Transportation History

1935 **75^th anniversary** Rusty Schweickart, part of the third group of astronauts named by NASA, was born in Neptune, New Jersey.

http://www.well.com/~rs/

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

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

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

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

(Source: USDOT)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA)  and the U.S. Department of Transportation today announced the first national standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and buses. This comprehensive national program is projected to reduce GHG emissions by nearly 250 million metric tons and save 500 million barrels of oil over the lives of the vehicles produced within the program’s first five years.

EPA and DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are proposing new standards for three categories of heavy trucks: combination tractors, heavy-duty pickups and vans, and vocational vehicles. The categories were established to address specific challenges for manufacturers in each area.  For combination tractors, the agencies are proposing engine and vehicle standards that begin in the 2014 model year and achieve up to a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by 2018 model year.  For heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans, the agencies are proposing separate gasoline and diesel truck standards which phase in starting in the 2014 model year and achieve up to a 10 percent reduction for gasoline vehicles and 15 percent reduction for diesel vehicles by 2018 model year (12 and 17 percent respectively if accounting for air conditioning leakage). Lastly, for vocational vehicles, the agencies are proposing engine and vehicle standards starting in the 2014 model year which would achieve up to a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 2018 model year.

Overall, NHTSA and EPA estimate that the heavy-duty national program would provide $41 billion in net benefits over the lifetime of model year 2014 to 2018 vehicles. With the potential for significant fuel efficiency gains, ranging from seven to 20 percent, drivers and operators could expect to net significant savings over the long-term. For example, it is estimated an operator of a semi truck could pay for the technology upgrades in under a year, and save as much as $74,000 over the truck’s useful life. Vehicles with lower annual miles would typically experience longer payback periods, up to four or five years, but would still reap cost-savings.

EPA and NHTSA are providing a 60-day comment period that begins when the proposal is published in the Federal Register.  The proposal and information about how to submit comments is at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm and http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy .

Click here read the USDOT presser on this issue.

Related articles

• Government seeks truck fuel efficiency rules (msnbc.msn.com)
• Government to propose truck fuel efficiency rules (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Government to propose truck fuel efficiency rules (sfgate.com)
• Government to Propose Truck Fuel Efficiency Rules (abcnews.go.com)
• Proposal Pending on Mileage for Heavy-Duty Vehicles (nytimes.com)
• Federal Agencies Push Renewable Energy, Truck Fuel Efficiency (environmentalleader.com)
• Garbage Trucks Go Green (technologyreview.in)
• Gov’t calling for better gas mileage for trucks (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• EPA to propose truck fuel efficiency standards (marketwatch.com)
• Report: EPA poised to outline medium- and heavy-duty truck emissions standards (autoblog.com)
• EPA to Release Draft Greenhouse Gas Emission Limits for Heavy Trucks (nytimes.com)

Job Title: Internal Tolling Auditor

Opening Date/Time: Thu. 10/14/10 12:00 AM Pacific Time

Closing Date/Time: Fri. 11/19/10 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Salary: $57,384.00 – $73,596.00 Annually

Job Type: Full Time – Permanent

Location: Thurston County – Lacey, Washington

Department: Washington State Dept. of Transportation

In many jobs to be successful means following an already existing system. To be successful in this job, you will have to innovate and lead. Within the Agency, the Internal Audit Office works to help management evaluate and improve internal controls, risk management, and the internal governance processes. While tolling is a prominent part of transportation funding on the East Coast and in Europe, it is relatively new on the West Coast, especially in Washington State. WSDOT currently tolls the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the SR 167 HOT lanes. However, as the demand for increased traffic efficiency grows, WSDOT is significantly expanding its Tolling Program with preparations underway to toll SR 520, and develop a statewide Customer Service Center for all toll facilities. As tolling expands in Washington State, so too will the need for experienced audit professionals to advise management by independently planning, conducting, and managing accountability , financial and compliance audit engagements.

This position plays an important role in conducting or overseeing the risk-based internal audits of the Tolling Program and advises management of the impacts of internal control weaknesses and noncompliance and recommends alternative actions. Not just anyone can do this job. In the spirit of full disclosure, WSDOT auditors are tasked with helping to build and maintain an internal control system that demonstrates accountability to a somewhat skeptical public. This requires hard work, travel, acute attention to detail, innovation, and tenacity. However, the rewards of knowing that your work is helping to build successful and accountable tolling in Washington State and furthering the mission of WSDOT, is priceless. So ask yourself, are you ready to take on this role?

The successful candidate will perform the following tasks:

• Manage the Internal Audit Office’s Tolling Audit Program and serve as the primary auditor. This position works independently, reporting to the Assistant Director of Internal Audit.
• Plan and conduct individual audit and consulting engagements and prepare reports.
• Participate in preparing the annual work plan for the Internal Audit Office.
• Provide recommendations that will improve accountability or which will bring an organization into legal compliance.
• Evaluate actions determined by management to correct deficiencies identified in prior audit reports and management reviews.
• May direct the audit work of external audit firms. May act as the liaison from the Department to external audit groups.
• May oversee the work of subordinate audit specialists.
• Advise on Business Rules and Standard Operating Procedures, as necessary, for the Statewide Customer Service Center and Tolling Facilities.

At WSDOT, our top-performing employees come in many different forms; however an ideal candidate will look something like this:

• A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Audit, Business Administration or a closely related field.
• Information technology (IT) audit experience to include reviewing controls of IT processes, applications, networks, or platforms.
• Experience evaluating and communicating best practices in IT controls in environments similar to tolling.
• Certification in one or more of the following: Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Certified Internal Auditor (CIA); Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA); and by having a minimum of four years professional auditing experience demonstrating progressive development of skills and responsibilities.
• A master’s degree in a related field will also be given consideration.
• Experience with auditing practices and procedures, including principles and methods of effective internal controls .
• Knowledge of accounting theory and practice for governments and commercial enterprises.
• Fully understand the Institute of Internal Auditor Standards and Government Auditing Standards.
• Knowledge of techniques in management and supervision.
• Effective communication both orally and in writing.
• Ability to lead discussions and support audit staff presenting results of internal audit engagements to agency management or private firms.
• Acute attention to detail.
• Ability to travel to all areas in Washington State, and at times, outside of the state, remaining overnight for up to five consecutive days or longer. Arrange for transporting equipment and other items for work.
• A valid Washington State Driver’s License (or the ability to get one) and the ability to drive a state vehicle to meetings and events.
• Ability to work varied schedules.

Application assessment will be ongoing and the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant’s advantage to apply as early as possible.

Be prepared to provide references at the time of interview.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Friday, October 22, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Future Airport – Latest Issue Online

–  On the Same Wavelength – How NextGen will benefit airports and how delivery is progressing

http://viewer.zmags.co.uk/publication/e0b4f83d#/e0b4f83d/10

–  Log On, Check In and Fly Out – Ryanair tells how the airline has slashed use of terminal resources

http://viewer.zmags.co.uk/publication/e0b4f83d#/e0b4f83d/74

BICYCLES

2) A Smarter Model for Bicycle Sharing

Link to column in Next American City:

http://americancity.org/columns/entry/2687/

CARTOGRAPHY

3) Google: 244,000 Germans Say ‘No’ to Street View

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2010-10-21-google-germany_N.htm

4) China Unveils Own Mapping Service

Link to BBC News story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11605940

Link to Map World: http://www.tianditu.cn/

OTHER

5) Raymond deKozan, Founder of Cubic Transportation Systems, Dies

Link to article in Crain’s New York Business:

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20101022/FREE/101029939/0/REAL_ESTATE

6) Muscovites to Submit Transport Ideas to New Mayor on Web Site

Link to ITAR-TASS article:

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=15614161&PageNum=0

7) IEEE ITS Society Newsletter – October 2010

Link to newsletter:

http://herget.biz/ieeeitss/v12n4.pdf

PARKING

8) New iPhone App Could Solve Tel Aviv Dwellers’ Parking Woes

Link to article in Haaretz:

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/new-iphone-app-could-solve-tel-aviv-dwellers-parking-woes-1.320506

ROADWAYS

9) Planning and Deploying Transit Signal Priority in Small and Medium-Sized Cities: Burlington, Vermont Case Study

Link to article in the Journal of Public Transportation:

http://www.nctr.usf.edu/jpt/pdf/JPT13-3Vlachou.pdf

SPACE

10) Astronaut Posts First Foursquare Check-In from Space

Link to article in PC Magazine:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2371303,00.asp

TRANSIT

11) Software Glitch Costs DC Metro $500,000 in Revenue

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Software-glitch-costs-transit-agency-_500k-in-revenue-1292797-105478778.html

12) Bangalore Transit System Launching In-Bus Entertainment System

Link to article on SiliconIndia:

http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/BMTCs_cool_internet_service_on_wheels-nid-73009-cid-1.html

VEHICLES

13) Pandora’s Tim Westergren Goes After Radio Where It Matters Most: The Car

Link to blog in the Los Angeles Times:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/10/pandora-goes-after-radio-where-it-matters-most-the-car.html

14) Designing Infotainment Systems for the Connected Generation

Link to article in Automotive Industries:

http://www.ai-online.com/Adv/Previous/show_issue.php?id=3729

News Releases

1) TASC, Inc. Wins $827 Million SE-2020 Contract to Support FAA’s NextGen Program

2) Truckers Challenge Electronic On-Board Recorder Regulation

Upcoming Events

Webinar: ITS Professional Capacity Building (PCB) Program Outreach to University and Other Learning Providers – November 17

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/webmeeting/register.asp

Friday Bonus

Music in the subways?  Here’s a live performance with some rather unusual instruments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAllFWSl998

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** The Aéronautique Militaire, predecessor to the French Air Force, was formed.

http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air

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

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

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

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks an experienced Environmental Protection Specialist (GS0028-13) to join the Environmental Engineering and Remediation Division at the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center). 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 is one of eight Centers of Innovation (COI) at the Volpe Center whose function is to undertake transportation policy analysis and research that contributes to a compelling vision of the 21st Century transportation enterprise and supports decision making in the development, management, operation, and financing of an integrated multimodal national transportation system that meets 21st Century mobility needs for goods and people. The position is located at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA.

Working with the Environmental Engineering and Remediation Division you will have the responsibility for analyzing and interpreting the potential environmental impacts from Federal and state infrastructure projects and other activities. The work is principally focused on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental compliance regulations and Executive Orders (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Environmental Justice, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, etc).  The position focuses on using environmental analyses to identify and mitigate the potential impacts of transportation projects; although project outside DOT are likely.

The candidate will lead a team that presents their analyses in an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Environmental Protection Specialist is responsible for completing environmental analyses; mitigation plans; environmental permitting; environmental regulatory and compliance evaluations; remediation planning; and pollution prevention evaluation and planning. The projects are significant in scope and dollar value.

If you are an experienced professional, and have the expertise and the desire to influence the direction our nation’s policies and programs, then this job is for you!  You must have superb analytical, problem-solving and project management skills, and must be able to work in a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment.

This announcement is posted under both Merit Promotion procedures and to the Public on www.usajobs.opm.gov.

Applications will be accepted from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities.  Please know that Merit Promotion announcements are the vehicle through which Federal employees generally apply for Federal positions.

Merit Promotion; (RITA.VOLPE-2011-0004)  http://jobview.usajobs.gov/91624679 Environmental Protection Specialist Merit

Public: (RITA.VOLPE-2011-0005)  http://jobview.usajobs.govJobID=91624783-Environmental Protection Specialist-PUBLIC

Thursday, October 21, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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ITS America Webinar Series Continues with Nov. 9 Session on Greenhouse Gas Regulations and ITS

Jacqueline Glassman, a Partner at Hogan Lovells law firm and former Chief Counsel and Acting Administrator for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will address the latest developments in federal greenhouse gas regulations and the role of ITS during a webinar hosted by ITS America on November 9, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. EDT.  Glassman’s presentation is the third in a series of ITS America webinars dedicated to exploring the leading issues in intelligent transportation.  Previous webinar sessions are now available for download on the ITS America website.  Register today atwww.itsa.org/webinar_series.html! To learn more about the webinar series or ITS America membership, contact Member Services Coordinator Charlie Tennyson at ctennyson@itsa.org.

AVIATION

1) Smart Phone Apps for Aviation Find Fuel Cost, FBO Info and Much More

Link to article in Aviation International News:

http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/smartphone-apps-for-aviation-find-fuel-cost-fbo-info-and-much-more-26965/

2) A Passenger’s Wish List for Improving Airports

Link to column in The New York Times:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/travel/24prac.html

CAMERAS

3) Fleet of Private Vans to Join Blitz on Speeding in Ireland

Link to article in The Evening Herald:

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/fleet-of-private-vans-to-join-blitz-on-speeding-2389326.html

OTHER

4) US Customs to Test Ocean, Rail Manifest Systems

Link to article in The Journal of Commerce:

http://www.joc.com/government-regulation/customs-test-ocean-rail-manifest-systems

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

5) Idaho Transportation Department Agrees with PETA to Add Warning in Driver’s Manual About Pet Safety

Link to article in the Boise Weekly:

http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2010/10/20/itd-agree-with-peta-to-add-warning-in-manual-about-pet-safety

RAILROADS

6) Rail and the Media

Link to blog in Progressive Railroading:

http://myprogressiverailroading.com/blogs/ohiorailguy/archive/2010/10/15/rail-amp-the-media.aspx

ROADWAYS

7) ALL CAPS? Not OK on Road Signs, Federal Government Says

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-10-21-road-signs-all-caps-lowercase_N.htm

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Port of Providence Gets New Chemical Detectors

Link to article in The Providence Journal:

http://www.projo.com/news/content/Port_Chemical_10-21-10_KHKFO2D_v28.1de2aa8.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Voice of Vietnam Traffic Information Broadcasts on TV

Link to VOV News story:

http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/VOV-Traffic-Information-broadcasts-on-TV/201010/120654.vov

VEHICLES

10) Electronic Diaries Have Benefits, but Trucking Operators Face Higher Costs

Link to article in Supply Chain Review:

http://www.supplychainreview.com.au/news/articleid/70384.aspx

News Releases

1) Engineers Use Science to Create Warning Sounds for New Ford Focus

2) Ford Recognized at Auto Electronics Conference for Consumer-Driven Approach to Autonomous Car

3) Smarter Traffic Signals Will Reduce Delays for Atlanta Commuters

4) Alternative Positioning Technologies to Generate Over $2.5 Billion by 2015

5) US and Japan Agree to Cooperate on ITS Research

Upcoming Events

Smart Transportation Summit – December 7-8 – Toronto

http://www.smarttransportation.ca/

Today in Transportation History

1520 **490^th anniversary** Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Strait of Magellan connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans off the southern tip of South America.

http://libweb5.princeton.edu/visual_materials/maps/websites/pacific/magellan-strait/magellan-strait-maps.html

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© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net