Category Archives: Bernie Wagenblast’s Transportation Communications Newsletter

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – September 24, 2009

September 24, 2009 at 7:34 pm

Thursday, September 24, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) French Air Controllers Endanger Passengers: Report

Link to AFP article:

http://news.my.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3603431

Link to story in Le Figaro:

http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2009/09/24/01016-20090924ARTFIG00461-aiguilleurs-du-ciel-la-dgac-a-remis-son-rapport-a-bussereau-.php (in French)

2) Speaker: Image is Biz Jets’ Challenge

Link to article in The Wichita Eagle:

http://www.kansas.com/business/industries/story/983556.html

CARTOGRAPHY

3) Google Maps of the Great Indoors?

Micello is mapping large indoor public spaces such as airports.

Link to article in Network World:

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/092309-demo-micello.html?fsrc=netflash-rss

Link to news release from Micello:

http://www.micello.com/files/Micello_Press_Release_Demofall09.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

4) US Government Weighs Cell Phone Ban for Bus, Truck Drivers

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5itUAWM_VRdpVFDqKHsVZgZnpvX_AD9ATHPRG0

5) Automakers Back Texting Ban

Link to article in The Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090924/AUTO01/909240427/1148/Automakers-back-texting-ban

6) Terror Probe: Why is the Threat Level Still Yellow?

Link to article in The Christian Science Monitor:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0924/p02s09-usgn.html

TRANSIT

7) Los Angeles MTA Fare System Runs Into Roadblocks

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-transit24-2009sep24,0,2912313.story

8) New York City Comptroller: MTA Information ‘Off Track’

Link to article in The Epoch Times:

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/22919/

9) MBTA Ad Aims to Reduce Fire Risk

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/24/mbta_ad_aims_to_reduce_fire_risk/

10) Boston T to Test Red, Orange Lines’ Crash Prevention System

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/24/t_to_test_red_orange_lines_crash_prevention_system/

11) DC Metro’s NextBus Still Working Out Kinks

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Metro_s-NextBus-still-working-out-kinks-8284672-60719372.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) Transportation Departments Burn Rubber on Twitter

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/726973

13) The Case for Open New York MTA Data: Transparency, Savings, and Easier Riding

Link to commentary in Streetsblog:

http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/09/23/the-case-for-open-mta-data-transparency-savings-and-easier-riding/

VEHICLES

14) Vehicles in Philippines Required to Install Microchips Starting in October

Link to article in BusinessWorld:

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW092409/content.php?id=073

News Releases

1) Intelligent Vehicles Tested Across European Roads

2) CN Announces Enhanced Calculator to Estimate Greenhouse Gas-Emissions for Multi-modal Shipments

3) Interactive Trip Planner Gets Users to Bay Area Park Sites via Public Transportation

4) Washington State DOT Launches ‘Ask the Traffic Team’ Site

5) Ford Motor Company Educates Teens on the Dangers of Distracted Driving

6) The eSafety Awards: Rewarding Excellence in the Deployment of Intelligent Vehicle Safety Systems

7) State-of-the-Art Digital Communications Network Installed in White Plains, New York

Upcoming Events

2009 ITS Forum – October 20 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

https://www.123signup.com/event?id=jcffp

Today in Transportation History

1929 **80th anniversary** – Jimmy Doolittle became the first pilot to takeoff, fly and land using only instruments.

http://www.oldbeacon.com/beacon/blind_flight-1.htm

1959 **50th anniversary** – The Atlas C Able rocket exploded on the launch pad during static testing at Cape Canaveral.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Atlas_C_Able.JPG

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – September 23, 2009

September 23, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Europe Orders Checks on More Airbus Speed Sensors

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSWEA199720090923

2) FAA System Helps Controllers Track Planes Out of Radar’s Reach in Colorado Mountains

Link to AP article:

http://www.kjct8.com/Global/story.asp?S=11178299

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Navteq Q&A: The Road Ahead

Link to interview in Mobile Entertainment:

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/features/200/Navteq-QA-The-road-ahead

OTHER

4) Tracking Stimulus Dollars: Dot-Com vs. Dot-Gov

Link to story and audio report on NPR’s Morning Edition:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112893572&ps=cprs

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) Idle Chatter Clogs Wireless System for Chennai Traffic Police

Link to article in The Times of India:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/chennai/Idle-chatter-clogs-wireless-system-of-traffic-police/articleshow/5045113.cms

6) Utah Tackles Texting and Driving Problem Head-On

Link to story and audio on NPR’s All Things Considered:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113035255

7) Emergency Evacuation: Get a Road of This

New technique monitors Bluetooth signals from commuter cell phones to derive travel times, road speeds and vehicle movements.

Link to article in Law Enforcement Technology:

http://www.officer.com/print/Law-Enforcement-Technology/Emergency-Evacuation–Get-a-road-of-this/1$48418

TRANSIT

8) National Transportation Safety Board Urges Transit Agencies to Address ‘Safety Glitches’

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-09-22-ntsb_N.htm

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) To Help Slow Traffic, San Francisco Planners Pick Beige

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/22/BARQ19QUGI.DTL

10) Speeding Up Interstate 15

Utah DOT to begin construction of electronic monitoring system.

Link to article in the Standard-Examiner:

http://www.standard.net/topics/news/2009/09/23/speeding-interstate-15

VEHICLES

11) The Deadly Silence of the Electric Car

Automakers propose adding some artificial vroom to alert pedestrians.

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/22/AR2009092204290.html

News Releases

1) New Study Reveals Benefits of the Parking Guidance System at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa

2) Volvo Cars Takes on Safety Challenges Involving Electric Cars

3) I-95 Corridor Coalition Launches I-95 Corridor Travel Information Time Web Site

4) DC Metro Already Taking Steps to Improve Track Circuit Reliability

5) BART Tests On-Demand Info by SMS Text Messaging

6) Intelligent Vehicle Safety Systems Awards Presented

7) Boeing Completes Ground Tests to Prepare for 1st GPS IIF Satellite Launch

8) New IBM Research Reveals Critical Gap for Managing Congestion Problems in Cities Worldwide

9) IBM Brings 50% Reduction in Waiting Time to the Morning Commute in Sweden’s Capital

10) Michigan DOT Asks for Public’s Feedback on Mi Drive Traffic Web Site

11) ITS America, IBM, Spencer Trask & Partners Announce the Winner in Challenge for Traffic Congestion Solutions

Upcoming Events

8th Annual Maritime Security Expo – October 20-21 – Long Beach, California

http://www.maritimesecurityexpo.com/

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50th anniversary** – The M/S Princess of Tasmania, Australia’s first roll-on/roll-off ferry, began service.

http://users.nex.net.au/~reidgck/shipping.htm#new-era

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – September 22, 2009

September 22, 2009 at 9:56 pm

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

GPS / NAVIGATION

1) Garmin Tries to Find Ways Around Smartphone Threat

Link to Dow Jones Newswire article:

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090921-703769.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

2) Patrol Vessels Make Waves with High-Tech Equipment

Link to article in the Detroit Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/article/20090922/NEWS05/909220309/1001/News/Patrol-vessels-make-waves-with-high-tech-equipment

Link to further information from US Customs and Border Protection:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/may_2009/05122009_4.xml

3) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is Increasing Use of GPS Logs for Hours of Service Audits, Qualcomm Exec Says

Link to article in Transport Topics:

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=22773

TELEMATICS

4) Ford Brings In-Dash Computers to the Next Level

Link to article from Driving Today:

http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=11176876

TRANSIT

5) Evaluation of Smart Video for Transit Event Detection

Link to report from the Florida Department of Transportation:

http://www.nctr.usf.edu/pdf/77807.pdf

6) Intercoms Coming to New York City Subway Platforms at All Future Station Rehabs

Link to article in the Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/09/22/2009-09-22_intercoms_coming_to_subway_platforms_at_all_future_station_rehabs_5_brighton_lin.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

7) Westwood One’s Metro Traffic Launches Smartphone Service

Link to article in Radio Online:

http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n19766

Link to news release from Westwood One:

http://images.WestwoodOne.com/images/pdf/pressreleases/PressReleaseTrafficontheGoFINAL9-22-09.pdf

8) Waze Rolls Out Crowdsourced Traffic Data App

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10357196-52.html

Link to further information on Waze:  http://www.waze.com

9) Group to ‘Tweet’ G-20 Traffic Updates

Link to story on KDKA-TV:

http://kdka.com/local/g20/twitter.traffic.updates.2.1200100.html

VEHICLES

10) Chrysler to Put Owner’s Manuals on DVD

Link to article in The Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090922/AUTO01/909220326/1148/Chrysler-to-put-manuals-on-DVD

11) Ford Promotes Taurus with Microsoft Tags

Link to blog in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/09/22/ford-and-microsoft-team-up-to-promote-the-new-taurus/

12) In-Car Tech Sales to Top $9.3 Billion

Link to article in the Detroit Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009909220328

13) Defensive Driving with Cop-Alert Device

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/22/MN7E19O36G.DTL

News Releases

1) Orange County Transportation Authority Launches Redesigned Web Site

2) TrafficTalk Announces Voice-Based Traffic Information Service at DEMOfall 09

3) Intelligent Transport Systems and Services to Improve Our Daily Lives

4) Cellular M2M Connections to Triple by 2014

5) Houston TranStar Adds Weather Radar to Traffic Map

6) New FAA System Improves Safety in Remote, Non-Radar Regions

Upcoming Events

Satellite and Content Deliver Conference & Expo – October 14-15 – New York

http://www.satconexpo.com/

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100th anniversary** – Ferdinand Ferber, a French Army captain, became the fourth person and the second pilot to die in a powered aircraft crash.

http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/ferber.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – September 21, 2009

September 21, 2009 at 5:59 pm

Monday, September 21, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Register Now for INRIX’s Free Webinar on the INRIX National Traffic Scorecard Special Report

Covered by CNN and hundreds of other news media, INRIX has just released the INRIX National Traffic Scorecard Mid-Year 2009 Special Report, calling a “bottom in traffic gridlock.” Traffic congestion across the country is rising due to signs of economic recovery, initial rollouts of highway construction projects funded by federal stimulus packages, and lower fuel prices.

By analyzing traffic in the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas, the Scorecard provides the most comprehensive and national scale glimpse into the intractable issues of urban traffic congestion. Additionally, INRIX analyzed information from its vast data warehouse to provide a snapshot of commercial freight traffic concentration. This webinar — hosted by Rick Schuman, INRIX VP of Public Sector — will provide an executive summary of the report findings.

Register now at https://inrixevents.webex.com/. Download the full Scorecard report at http://scorecard.inrix.com

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009 Time: 10:00AM-11:00AM (PDT); 1:00PM-2:00PM (EDT)

AVIATION

1) Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Starts Facebook Page

Link to article in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal:

http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2009/09/14/daily50.html

2) Charting a New Path for FAA

Link to commentary from FAA CIO in Federal Times:

http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=4284637

MARITIME

3) Pakistan Government to Establish Communication System for Port Security

Link to article in the Daily Times:

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C09%5C21%5Cstory_21-9-2009_pg7_14

OTHER

4) Intelligent Transport Innovations Center Being Built in UK

Link to article in The Engineer:

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/313238/Transport+innovations+centre.htm

5) Castrol Uses Cameras and Digital Billboards to Talk Directly to Motorists

Link to article in Brand Republic:

http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/939651/Castrol-cameras-digital-billboards-talk-directly-motorists/

RAILROADS

6) Lawsuit Threat Got Amtrak to Disclose Bridge Inspection Reports

Link to report in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20090920_Lawsuit_threat_got_Amtrak_to_disclose.html

ROADWAYS

7) Washington State DOT Report: ‘Rumble Strips’ on State Highways Cut Accidents by Nearly 60 Percent

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009895361_webroads18m.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Transportation Security Administration Privacy Stewardship

Link to report from the US Department of Homeland Security Inspector General:

http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_09-97_Aug09.pdf

TRANSIT

9) DC Metro Turns to Suicide-Prevention Groups for Help

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/18/AR2009091803429.html

10) Miami-Dade Transit Cards to Introduce No-Cash Fare Payments

Link to article in The Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/1239096.html

11) London’s Tube Puts Thames Back on the Map

Link to story on NPR’s Morning Edition:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112954006

12) Transit Advertising in Kenya Slows as Marketers Slash Budgets

Link to article in Business Daily:

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company%20Industry/-/539550/660956/-/u6m9xaz/-/

13) Seattle Transit Expands Smart Card System

Link to article in Metro Magazine:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2009/09/Seattle-transit-expands-smart-card-system.aspx

14) MBTA Updates System Maps, Signage

Link to article in Metro Magazine:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2009/09/MBTA-updates-system-maps-signage.aspx

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Real-Time Traffic Reporting, on Time

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/automobiles/20TRAFFIC.html

16) The National Incident Management System – A Workbook for State Department of Transportation Frontline Workers

Link to documents from the Federal Highway Administration:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/security/emergencymgmt/profcapacitybldg/docs/nims/nims_wkbk.htm

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/security/emergencymgmt/profcapacitybldg/docs/nims/sup_instruct.htm

(supervisor instructions)

VEHICLES

17) Building a Safer Car

Your next vehicle might automatically check your pulse, help with steering—and tell you to put down your cell phone.

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204830304574133422653706800.html

News Releases

1) FAA Approves 1st US Ground Based Augmentation System

2) Bridge Data Available On New Illinois Department of Transportation Web Site, Public to Get More Access to Bridge Information

Upcoming Events

International CTIA Wireless IT & Entertainment 2009 – October 6-9 – San Diego

http://www.wirelessit.com/

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50th anniversary** – The Ford Falcon was introduced in a closed circuit TV news conference.

http://www.falconregistry.com/history/history_non.cfm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast


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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – September 18, 2009

September 18, 2009 at 7:32 pm

Friday, September 18, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

CAMERAS

1) Lakeland, Florida, Camera Firm May Be Afoul of Law by Not Keeping Traffic Camera Video

Link to article in The Ledger:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20090917/NEWS/909175063/1338?Title=City-Camera-Firm-May-Be-Afoul-of-Law

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

2) Oklahoma Pikepass System Set to Use Stickers Instead of Transponders

Link to article in The Oklahoman:

http://www.newsok.com/oklahoma-pikepass-system-set-to-use-stickers/article/3401956

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Massachusetts Court OKs Secret Use of GPS Devices

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/18/sjc_oks_secret_use_of_gps_devices/

OTHER

4) Canadian Government Orders Individual Road Signs for Infrastructure Projects

Link to CBC News story:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2009/09/18/nb-highway-signs-541.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) States Offer Instant Traffic Updates via Twitter, Sending Mixed Message on Texting and Driving

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-texting-in-traffic,0,1178925.story

6) Kansas DOT Launches Traffic Safety Blog

Link to article in The Topeka Capital-Journal:

http://cjonline.com/news/state/2009-09-18/traffic_safety_blog_launched

News Releases

1) Autostrata.com Launched to Provide Online Portal for In-Vehicle Aftermarket Telematics Products

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Taking Proper Care of Pedestrians in Work Zones – September 30

http://www.workzonesafety.org/training/record/9856

Friday Bonus

Here’s one more way to keep the passengers’ attention during the airline safety announcements.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/business/30air.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50th anniversary** – Vanguard III was launched into Earth orbit.

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?Ry2366&id=6&asse&orse&qs=No%3D40%26Ns%3DPublicationYear%257c0%26N%3D4294967039

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast ati95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast


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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – September 17, 2009

September 17, 2009 at 6:29 pm

Thursday, September 17, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) FAA Approves Honeywell Airplane Safety Software

Link to article in The Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2009/09/16/20090916biz-honeywell0917.html

2) Wrong Frequency Contributed to Hudson River Air Disaster

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/09/17/2009-09-17_another_goof_in_the_hudson_river_air_disaster.html

3) All On Board to Shape EU Air Traffic Management

Link to article on EurActiv:

http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/board-shape-eu-air-traffic-management/article-185463

CAMERAS

4) Do Speed Cameras Make Roads Safer?

Link to story and audio from NPR’s Talk of the Nation:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112886619&ft=1&f=1003

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

5) New York E-ZPass Customer Service Workers Wary of Pay Change; From Hourly to per Call

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2009/09/17/2009-09-17_ezpass_crew_uneasy_over_pay_change.html#ixzz0RP33SusP

OTHER

6) Balfour Beatty to Buy Parsons Brinckerhoff for $626 Million

Link to Bloomberg News article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aY7Z0PCeCZ3s

7) Taxi Tidbits and Techno-Tales

Link to column in The New York Times:

http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/taxi-tidbits-and-techno-tales/

RAILROADS

8) How the Railroads Took Control of Time

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/nyregion/17rooms.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

ROADWAYS

9) US Senate Sticks with Stimulus Signs

Link to blog in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/09/16/senate-sticks-with-stimulus-signs/

10) ‘Intelligent’ Signs Help to Time Your Drive in South Carolina

Link to story and video on WIS-TV:

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11146115

11) Road Weather Resource Identification (RWRI) Tool Version 3.0 Now Available

Link to further information from FHWA:

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=580

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Illinois Secretary of State Compiles ‘In Case of Emergency’ Database

Plans to use it to contact relatives of those injured in auto crashes.

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-emergency-contactsep16,0,7288655.story

TELEMATICS

13) Toyota Uses Roadside Sensors to Warn Drivers

Link to article from Automotive News:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10352233-48.html

TRANSIT

14) Bus Smartcard Scheme Rolled Out in Wales

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8258542.stm

15) Audio Ads on Chicago Buses Touting Olympic Bid Anger Citizens

Link to story on WMAQ-TV:

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/City-Politicizing-Public-Transportation-With-Olympic-Support-Ads-58650762.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

16) Michigan DOT Hires Navteq to Collect Real-Time Traffic Data for 2,000 Miles of Roads

Link to article in Crain’s Detroit Business:

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20090916/FREE/909169990

17) What News Web Sites are Missing: Useful, Real-Time Municipal Traffic and Transit Reports

Link to article in OJR: The Online Journalism Review:

http://www.ojr.org/ojr/people/kathlynclore/200909/1778/

News Releases

1) Dubai RTA Launches Virtual Transport Portal

2) Scania Takes Eco-driving to a New Level with Its Latest Digital Performance Coaching Technology

3) Alliance to Facilitate Development of Two-Way Satellite Data Solutions for Improved Tracking, Messaging and Emergency Communications

4) FAA Announces New Efforts to Respond to Safety Concerns

5) FAA Launches New Accident Prevention Office

6) Traveller Information Services Association Announces Specifications and Guidelines Published

7) Denver Area Drivers Can Expect a Mountain of New Traffic Information from SpeedInfo Sensors Installed on Key Routes

8) Airbiquity’s aqLink Software Modem Selected by Denso Corporation

Upcoming Events

Webcast: Southeast Road Safety Audit Forum – September 21

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/web/se-road-safety-audit-forum?hl=en

Today in Transportation History

1939 **70th anniversary** – The British aircraft carrier, HMS Courageous, was sunk by a German U-boat, the first UK warship lost in World War II.

http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/great_britain/pages/aircraft_carriers/hms_courageous_50.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – September 16, 2009

September 16, 2009 at 5:15 pm

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) FAA Administrator Expresses Urgency for NextGen

Link to article on Aero-News Network:

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=9b3026af-0563-4b5b-96d0-52ea0ad48a4e

2) New Technology Could Prevent Air Collisions

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/nyregion/16crash.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

3) Budget Cuts to Silence BWI Voices

Communications center to close.

Link to article in The Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-md.airport16sep16,0,7249414.story

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) Complications Delay Start of Electronic Tolling on Seattle-Area Bridge

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/traffic/2009873777_520tolls16m.html

ROADWAYS

5) New York State May Replace Trademark Park Signs

FHWA wants yellow-on-brown signs to be changed to conform to federal rules

Link to article in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise:

http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/508649.html?nav=5008

6) Splatter Painting the Way to Safer Roads

Link to article in Road Talk:

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/transtek/roadtalk/rt15-3/b/#a9

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Panel Recommends 3-Level Alerts for Terror

Link to AP article:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-09-15-color-alert-terrorism_N.htm

8) Idaho County Eyes Call Boxes Near Galena Summit

Communications tower rejected in national forest.

Link to article in the Idaho Mountain Express:

http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005127881

9) Driving While Texting: Is It the New DWI?

Link to column in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052970203278404574415053448975972.html

TELEMATICS

10) Ford Vies for Sync Patents

Link to article in The Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009909160321

TRANSIT

11) Electronic Fare Card System in San Diego-Area Leaves Users Singing the Blues

Link to article in the North County Times:

http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/oceanside/article_471578ed-a796-529e-8ecd-f3ceb2b7f0a8.html

12) RATP to Test Technology Allowing Riders to Recharge Travel Cards from Home

Link to article in ContactlessNews:

http://www.contactlessnews.com/2009/09/15/ratp-selects-gemalto-for-online-top-up-of-navigo-passes

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Arkansas Highway Department to Tweet Roadway Conditions

Link to Arkansas News Bureau story:

http://arkansasnews.com/2009/09/15/highway-department-to-tweet-highway-conditions/

14) The Most Promising iPhone Apps for Drivers, Bikers, and Commuters

Link to article in Slate:

http://www.slate.com/id/2228109/

15) Fairfax County, Virginia’s Central Command for Emergencies

Link to article in the Springfield Connection:

http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=332751&paper=72&cat=104

16) Reliable Traffic Information is Possible

Link to blog from the Seattle Department of Transportation:

http://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2009/09/15/reliable-traffic-information-is-possible/

VEHICLES

17) Automakers, Tech Try to Dial Up Smart Cars

Link to article in BusinessWeek:

http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/sep2009/gb20090916_789145.htm

Upcoming Events

Green Fleet Conference 2009 – October 19-20 – Chicago

http://www.GreenFleetConference.com/

Today in Transportation History

1914 **95th anniversary** – The Canadian Aviation Corps, forerunner of the Canadian Air Force, was founded.

http://www.rcaf.com/archives/archives_features/history/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast


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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – September 15, 2009

September 15, 2009 at 5:14 pm

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Aircraft in Gulf of Mexico to be Tracked Using Satellites

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g2bh4PzyhCwTK0y8XwwSyH4rdyOAD9ANBIQ80

2) American Airlines Asking Fliers to Provide More Information

Link to article in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-aabooking_15bus.ART0.State.Edition1.3f67c24.html

3) US Senate Staff: Congress Reluctant to Fund ADS-B Equipage

Link to article on ATW Daily News:

http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=17863

4) Your Client at the Atlanta Airport

A review of advertising at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Link to article in Media Life Magazine:

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/Out_of_Home_19/Your_client_at_the_Atlanta_airport.asp

CAMERAS

5) Medina, Washington Installs Cameras to Keep Track of Visitors

Video will register every vehicle entering and leaving town.

Link to story and video on KOMO-TV:

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/59291652.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

6) E-ZPass Expansion Connects Midwest and East Coast

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-09-14-ezpass_N.htm

GPS / NAVIGATION

7) Global Positioning Without GPS

Software startup GloPos’ new technology allows cell phones to determine location with better accuracy than GPS.

Link to article in BusinessWeek:

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/sep2009/tc20090911_282448.htm

MARITIME

8) Emergency Sirens Installation Begins for Port of Providence

Link to article in The Providence Journal:

http://www.projo.com/ri/eastprovidence/content/Providence_Port_Sirens_09-15-09_S4FNIRA_v24.36f6014.html

OTHER

9) App for Avoiding Traffic Tickets Speeds Toward Smartphones

Link to article in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138019/App_for_avoiding_traffic_tickets_speeds_toward_smartphones

ROADWAYS

10) Council Blasted After Sixty Signposts and Signs are Put Up Around One Bus Stop

Link to article in the Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1213641/Council-blasted-SIXTY-signposts-signs-ONE-bus-stop.html

TRANSIT

11) Japan Launches Campaign Against Groping on Trains

Police are clamping down on Web sites that offer tips on how to grope women on trains without getting caught.

Link to article in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/6187328/Japan-launches-campaign-against-groping-on-trains.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) Google Maps, Finally with Aussie Traffic

Link to CNET Australia article:

http://www.cnet.com.au/google-maps-finally-with-aussie-traffic-339298530.htm

13) Bay County, Florida Traffic Management Facility Helps Ease Congestion

Link to story and video on WJHG-TV:

http://www.wjhg.com/news/headlines/59277227.html

14) Evaluation of Traffic Data Obtained via GPS-Enabled Mobile Phones: the Mobile Century Field Experiment

Link to paper from the UC Berkeley Center for Future Urban Transport:

http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=its/future_urban_transport

VEHICLES

15) Changes to Auto Industry to Have Lasting Impact on Vehicle Technology

Link to article from Aftermarket Business:

http://aftermarketbusiness.search-autoparts.com/aftermarketbusiness/Distribution/Changes-to-auto-industry-to-have-lasting-impact-on/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/626178?contextCategoryId=41884

Upcoming Events

International Conference for Sustainable Transport – October 12-14 – Mexico City

http://www.congresotransportesustentable.org/english/index.html

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100th anniversary** – The Ford Motor Company was found to have infringed on a patent which required all auto manufactures to obtain a license.  The decision was overturned in January 1911.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9807EFD9123EE733A25755C1A96F9C946897D6CF

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – September 14, 2009

September 14, 2009 at 5:23 pm

Monday, September 14, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

CAMERAS

1) San Francisco Muni to Conduct Routine Inspections of Cameras

Previously, problems only discovered following incidents.

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/12/MNI519LUE4.DTL

2) Arizona Driver Dons Monkey Masks to Elude Tickets

Link to AP article:

http://www.komonews.com/news/national/59172847.html

CARTOGRAPHY

3) GIS is the Big Winner in Push for Open Government

Link to analysis in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/722260

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Let Your iPhone Drive You

A review of driving-directions applications.

Link to article in PC Magazine:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2352763,00.asp

MARITIME

5) Washington State Considers Selling Company Naming Right on Ferries

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009850506_ferrynaming12m.html

OTHER

6) Latest Edition of Thinking Highways Online

Link to magazine:

http://www.thinkinghighways.com/#/224 (Europe/Rest of World Edition)

ROADWAYS

7) Scottish Political Party: Ministers Should Red Light ‘Unnecessary’ Road Signs

Link to STV News story:

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/122601-lib-dems-ministers-should-red-light-unnecessary-road-signs/

8) Minnesota Engineers Take a New Line on Road Safety

Wider stripes, reflective tape part of effort to reduce fatalities on rural roads.

Link to story on Minnesota Public Radio:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/09/13/highway-safety/

9) Billboards Spur a Fight in New York City – Free Speech vs. Beauty

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/14/nyregion/14billboards.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

10) Interstate Highway Signs in Chicago-Area Leave Drivers Guessing

Link to column in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/autocorner/chi-getting-around-14-sep14,0,3208128.column

SAFETY / SECURITY

11) How Can We Improve Transportation Security?

Link to comments on the National Journal Transportation Expert Blog:

http://transportation.nationaljournal.com/2009/09/how-can-we-improve-transportat.php

TRANSIT

12) Despite Hiccups, New Metra Web Site Records Record Numbers

Link to story on WBBM Radio:

http://www.wbbm780.com/Depsite-hiccups–new-Metra-Web-site-records-record/5203043

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Revamped Florida 511 Service Leaves Drivers with Phone Rage

Link to article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/sfl-511-travel-information-b091309,0,3324106.story

14) UK Highways Agency Fast Lane Traffic Monitoring Scheme Worth £200 Million

Link to article in CIO UK:

http://www.cio.co.uk/news/3201767/highways-agency-fast-lane-traffic-monitoring-scheme-worth-200m/

15) US 50 Sensors Gauge Ocean City, Maryland Beach Traffic

Link to article in The Daily Times:

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090908/NEWS/90908006/U.S.+50+sensors+gauge+O.C.+beach+traffic

16) India’s Union Ministry Frames Service Benchmark for Public Transport, Including ITS, for JNNURM Cities

Link to article in The Times of India:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/pune/Union-ministry-frames-service-benchmark-for-public-transport-for-JNNURM-cities/articleshow/5007069.cms

17) New Study Show Bay Area Drivers Upset at Congestion, but Unlikely to Change

Information that predicts traffic congestion would help.

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/New-study-shows-Bay-Area-drivers-upset-at-congestion-but-unlikely-to-change-59080342.html

VEHICLES

18) Disclosure Sought on ‘Opt Out’ for Side Airbags

Link to article in The Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090914/AUTO01/909140371/1148/Disclosure+sought+on++opt+out++for+side+airbags

19) Now, Technology is Job One

Ford shows off new gadgets, power motor.

Link to commentary on MarketWatch:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ford-shows-off-new-gadgets-powerful-motor-2009-09-11

20) Car Harnesses Fighter Jet Technology

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8249530.stm

News Releases

1) uLocate Launches Pioneering Mobile Traffic Service Nationwide Helping Drivers Save Time and Money

2) New Co-operative Detection System Developed by VTT

3) Tel Aviv University Invents a Digital ‘White Stick’ for the Visually Impaired

4) TransCore Broadens Portfolio of RFID Technology, Introduces Three New Toll Transponders and 5.9 GHz Adaptable Encompass 6 Reader

5) Unlimited Personalization with BMW ConnectedDrive

6) Telvent to Implement the First Open Road Tolling System in New Hampshire

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Aligning ITS Projects and Programs with Your Agency’s Strategic Goals – September 17

http://www.itsrm.org/events.htm

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50th anniversary** – Luna 2, a Soviet spacecraft, became the first man-made object to reach the Moon.

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1959-014A

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – September 11, 2009

September 11, 2009 at 8:38 pm

Friday, September 11, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) FAA Chief Questions Professionalism in New York Crash

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hw-2hzkelIPTV83q-bDZWseAJR9AD9AKN2502

2) ‘Global Safety Information Exchange’ Called for During FAA Aviation Safety Forum

Link to article in ATW Daily News:

http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=17830

CAMERAS

3) CCTV to be Used in Wellington, New Zealand to Prosecute Parking Offenses

Link to article from The Dominion Post:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/2857157/CCTV-to-snare-Wellington-drivers

CARTOGRAPHY

4) In These Woods, They Don’t Speak GPS

DeLorme’s Maine Atlas & Gazetteer still prized for detail it provides.

Link to article in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9137889/In_these_woods_they_don_t_speak_GPS?taxonomyId

MARITIME

5) ‘Routine’ Coast Guard Exercise on Potomac River Exercise Sparks Alarm

Other agencies not informed of training event.

Link to article in Government Executive:

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=43574

RAILROADS

6) Latest Edition of ERTMS’s Signal

Link to newsletter:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/interoperability/ertms/doc/014_signal_2009_09_en.pdf

ROADWAYS

7) Proposed National Signage Code: What It Would Look Like in a Real Community

Link to article on PhysOrg:

http://www.physorg.com/news171894885.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Software Tools Give Public Safety Agencies a Common View During Emergencies

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2009/09/14/emergency-comm-sidebar-common-view-tools.aspx

TRANSIT

9) Jerusalemites Launch Public Protest Against City’s Transportation System

Lack of information one of the complaints.

Link to article in Haaretz:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1113824.html

10) iPhone Apps Let Boston T Commuters Find Stations, Check Arrival Times

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/11/iphone_apps_let_t_commuters_find_stations_check_arrival_times/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) New Traffic Management Center Moves Game Day Traffic at University of Florida

Link to article in The Gainesville Sun:

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090911/ARTICLES/909119954/-1/NEWS1001?Title=New-center-moves-game-day-traffic-

12) Seattle Must Build a 21st Century Transportation Network

An intelligent transportation system would help ease congestion.

Link to commentary in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2009849252_guest13dietzel.html

VEHICLES

13) Ford Shows Off Its High-Tech Gadgetry

Link to article in the San Jose Mercury News:

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13318591

News Releases

1) Information Tackles the Traffic Jam – Overview of Real-Time Traffic Information Service Market in China

2) International Sign Association and US Sign Council Tell US DOT to Put Brakes on Flawed Research

3) Real-Time Public Transit Information Coming to Wellington, New Zealand

Upcoming Events

Smart Ticketing & Transport 2009 – October 5-6 – Paris

http://www.groupeactis.com/spip.php?article534

Friday Bonus

Moving sidewalks instead of subways?

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327200.200-how-the-moving-walkway-nearly-overtook-the-metro.html?full=true

Today in Transportation History

1609 **400th anniversary** – Henry Hudson’s ship the Half Moon makes the first recorded European visit to what will become New York City.

http://www.ny400.org

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast


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