Friday, April 8, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

GEWI News:  AGORA-C, Build vs. Buy, and more – Are you subscribed?

Six times annually, GEWI issues a FREE newsletter for North America, Europe, Asia, and Worldwide.  These newsletters provide updates on market and product technologies, customer projects and ideas being used by traffic professionals worldwide.  In the edition being released next week you can read about AGORA-C, an exciting location referencing method being used in next generation of navigation devices. “Build vs. Buy” is a decision that is faced by companies all over the world.  This edition of GEWI’s newsletter will take a look at key components in this decision.   It will also profile a new traffic service in Indonesia, and more.

To subscribe, just visit www.GEWI.com and click on “Newsletter Subscription” in the menu bar.  For more information how TIC is used for DOT Traveler Information Services, Work Zones and Road Conditions, Navigation and Connected Services, Radio and TV…and more, click on “Products” or contactjim.oneill@GEWI.com

AVIATION

1) AirTran Fined for Failing to Display Flight Delay Data

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/business/airtran-fined-for-failing-902314.html

2) How Southwest Airlines Makes Sure Every Employee Hears Its Message

Link to SmartBlog on Leadership:
http://smartblogs.com/leadership/2011/04/06/how-southwest-airlines-engages-its-large-and-diverse-group-of-workers/

CAMERAS

3) Eyes in the Sky

Newspaper says privacy concerns over roadway cameras are an overreaction by ACLU.

Link to editorial in the Burlington County Times:

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/opinion/editorials/eyes-in-the-sky/article_36d7b779-5655-52eb-8969-1eacdbba64f7.html

OTHER

4) US Government Shutdown

At press-time, the federal government was facing the possibility of a shutdown.  Here’s information on how several government agencies involved with transportation and communications are planning to handle a shutdown.

–  AASHTO Journal Summary

http://www.aashtojournal.org/Pages/040811appropriations.aspx

–  US Department of Transportation

http://www.dot.gov/docs/DOTOpsDuringFundingLapse.pdf

–  Federal Communications Commission

http://www.fcc.gov/FCC-Shutdown-Plan.pdf

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

5) California DMV’s Failure to Communicate is Appalling

Newspaper criticizes information provided about closing of office in Napa.

Link to editorial in the Napa Valley Register:

http://napavalleyregister.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_2fa41852-60d4-11e0-96a2-001cc4c002e0.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) US to Use Facebook, Twitter to Issue Terror Alerts

Link to AP article:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-04-07-terror-alerts_N.htm

TRANSIT

7) Budapest Public Transit Agency to Implement Passenger Information System

Link to article on Spanish Railway News:

http://www.spanishrailwaysnews.com/noticias.asp?not=59

8) £590,000 Plan for Real-time Bus Information Approved for Cambridge, England

Link to article in Cambridge News:

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/590k-plan-for-real-time-bus-information-approved.htm

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Pennsylvania DOT Expands Traffic Camera Network

Link to story and video on WPMT-TV:

http://www.fox43.com/news/dauphin/wpmt-penndot-expands-traffic-camera-network,0,2146016.story

10) Canadian Study Shows Importance of Traffic Reports

Link to article on All Access:

http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/89846/canadian-study-shows-importance-of-traffic-reports

11) Gainesville, Florida Introduces Website with Real-Time Traffic Updates

Link to article in the Alligator:

http://www.alligator.org/news/local/article_78cabf72-6188-11e0-a108-001cc4c03286.html

Link to site: http://gac-smartraffic.com/

VEHICLES

12) Ford, GM, Tech Firms Driving to ‘Smart’ Car Era

Link to article in Investor’s Business Daily:

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/568445/201104071711/Techs-Govt-Get-Behind-The-Drive-For-Smarter-Cars.htm

News Releases

1) Honeywell Teams with Boeing to Develop New System to Secure Airports, Other Facilities

2) Yokohama Tire Corporation Wins Silver ADDY Award fro iPad App

3) Real-Time Train Info Integrated with Display Monitors at Massachusetts Stations

Upcoming Events

Webinar: International Cooperation on ITS: The Viajeo Project and Beyond – April 19

http://www.ertico.com/fifth-i-mobility-network-webinar-international-cooperation-on-its-the-viajeo-project-and-beyond-2/

Friday Bonus

One reason carpooling may not be popular with some people.

http://goo.gl/cbo2v

Today in Transportation History

1911 **100^th anniversary** Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, a Dutch physicist, discovered superconductivity.

http://ilorentz.org/history/cold/DelftKes_HKO_PT.pdf

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© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net