Tuesday, February 1, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Discuss Federal Legislative Initiatives at IBTTA Legislative Conference – March 7-8, Washington, DC

The interest in new business approaches from all-electronic tolling to distance-based road charging will require new relationships and collaboration as well as new legislative and regulatory support.  Attend IBTTA’s Legislative Conference to better understand and influence federal and state policymaking.  Delegates will have the opportunity to visit with members of Congress during a reception at the U.S. Capitol.  Visit www.IBTTA.org to view the preliminary agenda, register, and learn about sponsorship opportunities. To view IBTTA’s entire 2011 Education Series, click here.

AVIATION

1) Airlines Offer Free In-Flight Facebook

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-02-01-facebook-inflight-wifi_N.htm

2) Companies Visit FAA Tech Center to Explore Role in NextGen Control System

Link to article in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_b7375796-2afd-11e0-b265-001cc4c03286.html

BUSES

3) The High-Tech Bus is the Fastest Growing Form of Intercity Transportation

Link to story on Transportation Nation:

http://transportationnation.org/2011/01/31/34737riding-under-the-radar-the-high-tech-intercity-bus/

Link to report from DePaul University:

http://las.depaul.edu/chaddick/docs/Docs/2010_Intercity_Bus_Study_12-29.pdf

CAMERAS

4) Study Puts Spotlight on Red Light Cameras

Link to article and video in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-02-01-redlight01_ST_N.htm

Link to news release from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr020111.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Data Shows Disastrous GPS Jamming from FCC-Approved Broadcaster

Link to article in GPS World:

http://www.gpsworld.com/gnss-system/news/data-shows-disastrous-gps-jamming-fcc-approved-broadcaster-11029

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) Technology Improving for Wireless Commercial Vehicle Inspections

Link to article in Transport Topics:

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=26025

TRANSIT

7) Are Super Bowl Planners Getting the Word Out on Transit Service?

Link to blog in The Dallas Morning News:

http://transportationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/01/are-super-bowl-planners-gettin.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) Voice of Vietnam Plans to Launch Traffic Channel for National Highway

Link to story on the Voice of Vietnam:

http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/VOV-plans-to-launch-traffic-channel-for-national-highway/20112/123593.vov

VEHICLES

9) US Proposes Electronic Onboard Recorders for All Interstate Trucks

Link to article in Transport Topics:

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=26021

Link to news release from US DOT:

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2011/fmcsa0111.html

10) In-Car Electronics Enter the Space Age, but Most Drivers are Still Cavemen

Link to commentary on BNET:

http://www.bnet.com/blog/auto-business/in-car-electronics-enter-the-space-age-but-most-drivers-are-still-cavemen/2250

11) Blurring the Line Between Luxury and Mainstream

Technology previously seen only on high-end vehicles now being offered in less expensive cars.

Link to blog in Automotive News:

http://www.autonews.com/article/20110201/BLOG06/110139978/1490

News Releases

1) inthinc Awarded Patent on Technology to Reduce Distracted Driving

2) Springfield, Missouri Airing Traffic Cameras on Government Access Channel

3) Wi-Fi Service Available on All Amtrak Cascades Trains

4) New York MTA Debuts BusTime, Providing Real-Time Updates

5) OnStar to Show Smart Energy Management Solutions

6) Toronto Transit Commission Improves E-alert Service to Include Route Filtering

7) First Nationwide GPS Guide to Offbeat US Tourist Attractions from RoadsideAmerica.com

8) Kapsch TrafficCom Names New CEO for Its North American Operations and Renames Mark IV IVHS

Upcoming Events

ITS Minnesota 17^th Annual Meeting & Information Exchange – March 8 – St. Paul, Minnesota

http://www.itsmn.org

Today in Transportation History

1911 **100^th anniversary** Explosives aboard the Katherine W exploded while cargo from the ship was being transferred to a freight car by the Central Railroad of New Jersey in Communipaw, New Jersey.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F70714FE3F5D16738DDDAA0894DA405B818DF1D3

1911 **100^th anniversary** The battleship HMS Thunderer was launched.

http://www.steelnavy.com/CombrigThunderer.htm

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© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net