Candidate Qualifications
Candidates should have a strong interest in transportation policy. Because Eno has a small staff, interns are expected to take on a variety of tasks to support the overall organization.

What is the Eno Transportation Foundation?
We are a nonprofit operating foundation recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation’s programs cover all modes of transportation, public and private sectors, and carriers as well as passengers and shippers. To enhance its effectiveness, the Foundation often conducts its activities in partnership with others in government, industry, or academia. The Foundation engages in three primary activities:

•    It conducts policy forums with transportation leaders to discuss emerging issues and to assist in building the understanding needed to address them effectively.
•    It tailors leadership development programs to prepare public- and private-sector professionals with the skills needed to understand and manage our most pressing transportation issues.
•    It publishes research materials on transportation and the challenges the sector faces.

Salary
Interns will be paid a stipend of $2,000 per month toward their living expenses and/or to reimburse the cost of credit hours earned by the internship.

How to Apply
Please send resume and cover letter to lrobertson@enotrans.com by April 22, 2011.

(Source: Gas 2.0)

One of the biggest hurdles for market penetration for the Electric Vehicles (EV) is the charging times associated with the batteries in the vehicles. Some of these batteries take up to several hours (4hrs to 8hrs) for a full charge , a.k.a Top off, and continues to remain a big challenge for the manufacturers to convince their buyers. Looking at the existing fleet of vehicles in the market, some question the wisdom behind the EV charging investments. If you pulled up at a gas station along the way it takes roughly 5 minutes to “top off” or fill up your gas tak and get back on the road quickly. With the existing EVs in the market placethis is not possible, at least at this moment. That’s where Shai Agassi’s Better Place excelled with a marvellous idea. Why not just swap the batteries like you would do in a household device. And do it as quickly as you buy a burger at a drive through. Combining the two ideas results in what you can call the Battery Swap Station. For those who wondered aloud about the viability of a business model proposed by Project Better Place, the recent deployment of its Battery-Swap station in Israel should be worth taking note.

Image Courtesy: Better Place on Flickr

Batter Swap Infrastructure - Image Courtesy: Better Place on Flickr

Gas 2.0 notes the following:

Project Better Place’s Israeli facility released this video of the battery swapper in action, effectively “topping off” the electric car with a simple swipe of a card in about the same time it would take to top-off a conventional ICE car.  The stations themselves are designed to be modular in construction, and compatible with several different EVs – although they are presumably leaning heavily towards batteries powering Renault/Nissan’s EVs.

The Truth About Cars blog reports that 8 more Better Place battery-swap stations are currently in construction, and the company hopes to eventually have 40 similar stations operational throughout Israel.

Click here to learn more about the project.

Editor’s note: Until the battery technology is refined to the point where charging times are on par with the time it takes for filling up a gas tank in the conventional car, this approach seems prudent and better suited for rapid deployment.  Oh, on a related note – if this model were to be deployed in the US, I presume it would have a slight twist.  The stations will be designed to sell you a burger while you swap the batteries, which means you can see an integrated refueling station for the vehicle and the driver, just like how we have it now in the Gas Stations with convenience store options. Wouldn’t that be ironic to have a Better Place  Charging Station co-located with a burger joint like Burger King or McDonalds? Haha!  Oh,  come on.  I know you not heard many people say that: McDonalds is not a Better Place.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Countdown to IBTTA’s Organization Management Workshop ― April 10-12, Jersey City, NJ

Register today for IBTTA’s Organization Management Workshop and keep current on the latest industry trends in building a better organization. If you are responsible for the communications, marketing, HR, finance, and administration in your organization, this meeting is for you! This popular workshop will focus on emerging issues and practical solutions related to advancing your organization and keeping stakeholders satisfied. Meeting highlights include Gerard Braud, Keynote Speaker and Crisis Communications Expert; general session on regional mobility challenges featuring a power panel of transportation executives and commissioners; communications open house, and more. Visit www.IBTTA.org/JERSEYCITY to view the brochure, register, and learn about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. To view IBTTA’s entire 2011 Education Series, click here.

AVIATION

1) Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air Presidents Post Video Apology for Computer Problems

Link to blog and video on seattlepi.com:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/2011/03/28/alaska-horizon-presidents-post-video-apology-for-delays/

CAMERAS

2) Florida MPO: Hit ‘Record’ Button on I-75 Cameras

Link to article in the Bradenton Herald:

http://www.bradenton.com/2011/03/29/3068917/mpo-hit-record-button-on-i-75.html

CARTOGRAPHY

3) Can and Should Online Mapping Services Match the Paper Map?

Link to podcast in Directions Magazine:

http://www.directionsmag.com/podcasts/podcast-can-and-should-online-mapping-services-match-the-paper-map/171624

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) More Than 200 Trucking Companies Sued for GPS Patent Infringement

Link to article in Commercial Carrier Journal:

http://www.ccjdigital.com/more-than-200-carriers-sued-for-patent-infringement/

5) Men Don’t Trust GPS, Study Finds

Link to article in the Calgary Herald:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/trust+study+finds/4521592/story.html

Link to news release from Swinton:

http://www.swinton.co.uk/press/article/default.aspx?articleid=573

OTHER

6) Florida DOT, Transportation Consultants Get an Earful Over Fiber Optics Access at MPO Meeting

Link to article in The Bradenton Times:

http://www.thebradentontimes.com/news/2011/03/29/local_government/state_transportation_consultants_get_an_earful_over_fiber_optics_access_at_mpo_meeting/

7) Maryland Rail Deal Would Put Holocaust Records Online, MARC Contractor Would Have to Disclose Ties

Link to AP article:

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/69781bcfcd434cb984ccf4d6ce76452e/MD-XGR–Holocaust-Train-Records/

8) Family of Ambassador Bridge Owner Leads Image Redo

Link to article and video in The Detroit News:

http://detnews.com/article/20110329/METRO/103290369/Bridge-ambassadors–Moroun%E2%80%99s-family-leads-image-redo

RAILROADS

9) Indian Railways to Use Satellite-Based System for Tracking Trains

Information will be provided to customers through a variety of means.

Link to article in The Economic Times:

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-27/news/29194787_1_freight-trains-stations-satellite

10) Intercity Passenger and Freight Rail: Better Data and Communication of Uncertainties Can Help Decision Makers Understand Benefits and Trade-offs of Programs and Policies

Link to report from the US Government Accountability Office:

http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-290

ROADWAYS

11) Know Your Traffic Signs with iOS Apps

Programs provide directory of road signs in US and UK.

Link to review on Product Reviews:

http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/29/know-your-traffic-signs-with-ios-apps/

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) A New Twist on Disaster Response

An earthquake simulation demonstrated how government could harness social media in an emergency.

Link to article in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2011/03/28/feature-bressler-george-customs-and-border-protection.aspx

TRANSIT

13) New Colorectal Cancer Awareness Transit Ads Hit Roadblocks in Canada

Link to article in Marketing Magazine:

http://www.marketingmag.ca/news/marketer-news/new-colorectal-cancer-awareness-transit-ads-hit-roadblocks-25099

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) New Hampshire Hangs Up on Its 511 System

Link to article in The Telegraph:

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/913898-196/state-hangs-up-on-its-511-system.html

15) Keeping an Eye on the Traffic in York County, Pennsylvania

Link to article in the York Daily Record:

http://www.ydr.com/ci_17721124

16) First Look at Columbia County, Georgia’s New Traffic Control Center

Link to story and video on WJBF-TV:

http://www2.wjbf.com/news/2011/mar/29/first-look-columbia-countys-new-traffic-control-ce-ar-1644590/

17) Delivering Critical Information to Drivers

Utilized correctly, new technology can provide timely info, reduce driver distraction.

Link to white paper from HNTB:

http://www.hntb.com/sites/default/files/issues/MobileTrafficTechnology_2011.pdf

VEHICLES

18) Ford’s Focus on Technology

Link to commentary on just-auto:

http://www.just-auto.com/comment/fords-focus-on-technology_id109965.aspx

News Releases

1) Amtrak to Notify Northeast Corridor Passengers of Major Service Disruptions via Twitter

2) American Express Announces Serve, the Next Generation Digital Payment Platform

3) DART RideShare Delaware Launches Interactive Ridesharing and Commute-Tracking System

4) Roadify Adds a Social Side to Transit and Traffic Reports to Create New York City’s First Dynamic Commuting Platform

5) TrafficLand Launches First Unified Traffic Camera Coverage of St. Louis Market

6) Texas DOT Warns Texans: Talk. Text. Crash.

Upcoming Events

Center for Transportation Studies Transportation Research Conference – May 24-25 – St. Paul, Minnesota

http://www.cts.umn.edu/Events/ResearchConf/

Today in Transportation History

1941 **70^th anniversary** The Royal British and Royal Australian navies sank or severely damaged several ship of the Italian Regina Marina in a World War II battle off Greece’s Peloponnesian peninsula.

http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-cape-matapan-world-war-ii-italian-naval-massacre.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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

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

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

ICLEI is a worldwide association of more than 1200  metropolitan regions, cities, towns, counties and municipal associations in 70 countries that are dedicated to implementing sustainable development.  We work in a highly multicultural environment and in a truly global fashion with partners around the globe. We are offering a post-graduate internship in the field of EcoMobility. The intern will be part of ICLEI World Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. The World Secretariat also serves as the Secretariat for the Global Alliance for EcoMobility. For more information, visit http://www.ecomobility.org.

Monday, March 28, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Experience the Ultimate in Technology at the 18^th World Congress on ITS this October

Cutting-edge ITS technology solutions will come to life in real time at the 18^th World Congress on ITS and ITS America’s Annual Meeting on October 16-20, 2011 in Orlando.  Set up in the large parking lot adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center, the Technology Showcase consists of live demonstrations by leading transportation agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, and private sector companies like Toyota and Econolite.  This year, the Technology Showcase is organized by themes or “villages” that highlight a specific use or application: Safety, Mobility, Environment/Sustainability, and Pricing.  It will position central Florida as a “National Test Bed” for connected vehicles, people and infrastructure, with a large-scale demonstration using roadside devices along Orlando’s major corridors and a fleet of test vehicles.  The Technology Showcase is the most dynamic way to experience the World Congress—make plans now to attend! For more information and to register visitwww.itsworldcongress.org.

AVIATION

1) Airport Apps Guide Travelers from Security to Takeoff

Link to article in USA Today:

http://travel.usatoday.com/digitaltraveler/story/2011/03/Airport-apps-guide-travelers-from-security-to-takeoff/45417268/1

MARITIME

2) Port and Terminal Operating Systems Coordinate Services

Link to article in Port Strategy:

http://www.portstrategy.com/features101/port-operations/planning-and-design/tos-vs-pos/all-systems-go

OTHER

3) Automobile Magazine Founder David E. Davis, Jr. Dies

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Auto-magazine-founder-David-E-apf-559078173.html?x=0&.v=6

ROADWAYS

4) I-75 in Florida in Line for ‘Smart’ Upgrade

Link to article in the Bradenton Herald:

http://www.bradenton.com/2011/03/27/3064935/i-75-in-line-for-smart-upgrade.html

5) FHWA MUTCD Manual Needs to Modernize ‘Freeway’ and ‘Expressway’ Definitions

Link to commentary on TOLLROADSnews:

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/5225

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) Public Safety Experts Gather in Phoenix for Lifesavers Conference

Link to story and video on KTVK-TV:

http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Public-safety-experts-gather-in-Phoenix-for-Lifesavers-conference-118788364.html

7) Technology Key to Road Safety

Link to editorial in The Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2011/03/28/20110328mon1-28-road-safety.html

TRANSIT

8) UK Readies Underground Wi-Fi for 2012 Olympics

Link to article in PCWorld:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/223428/uk_readies_underground_wifi_for_2012_olympics.html

9) Google Sets Role in Mobile Payment

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703576204576226722412152678.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) A COMPASS to Divert Drivers Through Traffic

High-tech traffic management system helps guide drivers in Toronto area.

Link to article in The Globe and Mail:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-tips/safety/a-compass-to-direct-drivers-through-traffic/article1955312/

11) High-Tech Solutions Sought for Auckland Traffic

ITS summit takes place in New Zealand.

Link to article in The National Business Review:

http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/high-tech-solution-sought-for-auckland-traffi/19725/1/

VEHICLES

12) Wi-Fi Cars are Hitting the Information Superhighway

Link to AFP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iLhMIDcyzJ-mZI28N4j5AR6oIwLA?docId=CNG.82fce0d1e069b2865b114176f57c0264.d41

13) Ten Golden Rules for Happier Drivers

Netherland’s agency comes up with rules to help drivers use the road network.

Link to commentary in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/10-golden-rules-for-happier-drivers/2011/03/23/AF1ZbKfB_story.html

14) Tax per Gallon, or per Mile?

Link to blog on CNET:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20047354-48.html

News Releases

1) SITA and Copenhagen Airport Launch World’s First Indoor Augmented Reality Application

2) Torrance Transit Joins Google Transit to Offer Patrons Better Trip Planning Tool

3) University of New Hampshire Gets OK for Real-Time Transit Information Project

4) AAA’s Free App Helps Motorists Compare Gas Prices Close to Home and on the Road

5) TRANSCAER Rolling Out Nationwide Safety Training Tour

6) TagMaster Announces Collaboration with Siemens Mobility on Selective Vehicle Detection in Traffic Management Systems

Job Postings

–  Post-Graduate Internship: EcoMobility – ICLEI – Bonn, Germany

http://www.iclei.org/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/Global/About_ICLEI/vacancies/Call_for_internship_ecomobility_2011.pdf

–  Operations Director – State Road & Tollway Authority – Atlanta, Georgia

https://www.careers.ga.gov/jobsearch/jobdetail.asp?ReqNum=927-A0117ag

Upcoming Events

2011 International Transportation Economic Development Conference – May 1-3 – Charleston, West Virginia

http://www.ited2011.org

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50^th anniversary** Air Afrique was founded.

http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/rk.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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

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

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

(Source: Jalopnik)

The story goes like thiss:  Back in the 70s Libya’s new-embattled ruler – Gaddafi – pays millions of dollars for some 8 US built planes. He never got full possession of the machines due to various geo-political games that got played over the decades, leading up to the machines rotting away in an airfield in Georgia. Now the dictator wants his money back and the US is saying a big, Thanks but No Thanks. Read up the full story here.

Eight U.S.-built C-130 Hercules military transports bought by Libya are sitting in a field on the grounds of Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia. Moammar Gaddafi bought the planes but, when politics shifted, the U.S. military grounded them. Now the crazy dictator wants a $70 million refund.

The planes are the ultimate ran-when-parked proposition, appearing to have not been used in the last 30+ years. Though they technically belong to the Libyan government, who purchased them in the early 1970s, the current military action in the country and the “no fly zone” make it unlikely they’ll be leaving any time soon.

(Source: USA Jobs)

Dedicated to delivering results that matter to the American people, the FTA supports, improves, and promotes effective public transportation, the Nation’s fastest growing mode of travel. Through the administration, management, and oversight of a $10 billion annual grant program, FTA supports the development and construction of subway, light rail, and bus systems to help communities provide travel choices; improve access to jobs and health care; drive economic growth; and protect the environment.

This position is located in the Office of Transit Programs of the Office of Program Management (TPM). The Office is responsible for the development and management of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) formula and discretionary grant programs, oversight of regional office capital and formula grant making processes, and management of FTA’s electronic grant making system as business process owner.

You will serve as the director of the Office of Transit Programs and will be personally responsible for the supervision, management, and execution of all activities of the Office. You also will represent and negotiate for FTA in meetings in Washington and the field with top level representatives of Federal, State, regional and local agencies, organizations, and transit operators.

This position is ideal for a Senior Level, professional transportation program specialist who has excellent communication skills, analytical skills, and leadership skills.

Click here for additional information and to apply.

(Source: Orlando Sentinel via Yahoo News)

True to its tag line, NBA Cares, the residents of Miami got a chance to witness one of NBA’s best in action.  Seven time all star, Alanzo Mourning jumped out of his SUV to assist a citizen on wheelchair cross a busy highway in Miami, FL. Read up:

Mourning’s vehicle had been sitting in traffic on the right lane, when he spotted a disabled person sitting in a motorized wheelchair along the curb. Mourning jumped out of his SUV, stood in the road and stopped traffic by raising his long arms, while the wheelchair-bound pedestrian made it to the median. Then, the seven-time NBA All-Star immediately went to the southbound lanes and raised his arms to command stunned drivers to stop. All traffic movement instantly stopped, and the wheelchair safely made it to the other side.

After making sure the citizen was safe on the other side of the road, Mourning lowered his arms and headed to his SUV to the sound of cheering fans, who recognized the 6-foot-10 temporary crossing guard.

What a really caring gentleman and a wonderful citizen!  NBA ought to have more such example-setting characters who are so genuine! Way to go, Zo!

(Source: USAJOBS)

Job Description

Dedicated to delivering results that matter to the American people, the FTA supports, improves, and promotes effective public transportation, the Nation’s fastest growing mode of travel. Through the administration, management, and oversight of a $10 billion annual grant program, FTA supports the development and construction of subway, light rail, and bus systems to help communities provide travel choices; improve access to jobs and health care; drive economic growth; and protect the environment.

You will serve as Director, Office of Transit Safety and Security (TPM-30) within the Office of Program Management.

You will carry out the duties and responsibilities outlined in this position description and reports to the FTA Associate Administrator of Program Management and Deputy Associate Administrator of Program Management. The duties and responsibilities include functioning as advisor in safety security matters to the FTA Administrator, and Deputy Administrator. You will serve as Director of the TPM-30 leadership team, which includes team leaders for security and safety. As a senior FTA expert in safety and security, you will represent FTA in promoting transit safety and security and is a focal point for all related programs and issues. You will also serve as a key liaison for FTA with other elements of the Department and other Federal agencies for transit safety and security matters.

You will be responsible for establishing the framework for coordinated and cooperative safety and security activities within FTA, with relevant DOT agencies, with other Federal agencies, and with concerned national organizations and State agencies. Ensures that safety and security is a priority with FTA grantees and contractors, the transit industry, and concerned interest groups. Responsible for directing, coordinating, controlling, and ensuring the adequacy of short- and long-range FT A plans and programs on all transit safety and security matters as they relate to the FTA strategic plan, its missions, programs, and objectives. Keep the FTA Administrator, and Deputy Administrator informed of emerging and controversial issues.

This position is ideal for a Senior Level professional with a broad range of transit safety and security matters and functioning as an advisor in such matters.

Click here for more information and to apply