Tuesday, February 16, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Discuss Federal Legislative Initiatives at IBTTA Legislative Conference – March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association on March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC and participate in discussions on federal legislative initiatives with leaders in the transportation policy debate. Topics will include transportation authorization, electronic tolling interoperability, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) charging, the proposed Office of Public Benefit, and other important issues affecting tolling and road pricing. Participants will spend Tuesday afternoon visiting their congressional representatives to advance tolling initiatives on Capitol Hill. This meeting is ideal for toll industry professionals interested in US Federal and transportation legislation and regulations affecting the toll industry. Visit www.IBTTA.org for registration, hotel and travel information and to view the preliminary agenda. [More…]

ROADWAYS

1) A New Traffic Sign: ‘Take Turns’

Link to article in Good:

http://www.good.is/post/a-new-traffic-sign-take-turns/

SAFETY / SECURITY

2) Chicago-Area Slaying has Truckers, Cops, Lawmakers Talking Road Rage

CB radio is often used for taunting and threats.

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northnorthwest/ct-met-truckers-road-rage0216-20100215,0,145811.story

3) Allstate Report Says Girl Teen Drivers ‘More Distracted’ Than Boys

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-allstate-teen-report-feb16,0,3323131.story

4) Tiny Cameras Seen as Future in Police Work

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-02-15-head-cameras-police_N.htm

TRANSIT

5) New York City Transit Testing Subway Arrival Notification Program

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/02/16/2010-02-16_waiting_game_less_grating_message_boards_relay_arrival_times_at_subway_stops.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

6) Michigan DOT Director Says Owner of Ambassador Bridge Not Interested in Providing Real-Time Information

Link to column in the Detroit Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100211/COL04/2110557/1008/NEWS06/Trouble-with-Morouns-monopoly

VEHICLES

7) Toyota’s ‘Black Box’ Could Hold Accident Clues

Data can only be read by Toyota and company is sometimes reluctant to share information.

Link to article on DailyFinance:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/toyotas-black-box-could-hold-accident-clues/19359588/

8) Can Drivers Handle High-Tech Cars?

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703562404575067212753758680.html

News Releases

1) Frost & Sullivan: Demand for Integration and Efficiency Propels Global Commercial Aviation Software Market

2) Use Google Maps to Plan Your GO Trip

Upcoming Events

Joint Council on Transit Wireless Communications – February 22 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

http://www.npstc.org/transitCommunity.jsp

Today in Transportation History

1945 **65^th anniversary** – US forces land on Corregidor during World War II.

http://www.corregidor.org

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Monday, February 15, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Intelligent Transportation Society of America’s 20^th Annual Meeting & Exposition (May 3-5, 2010, Houston, Texas)

• Be sure to register by March 1 and save money!  Public sector and first-time attendees qualify for special discounts.  Save time and register through our website.   And remember to make your hotel reservations here.
• Exhibit space is still available.  Be a sponsor!
• Take a walk on the virtual side.  Check out more than 100 exhibitors. Click on their names; see what’s in store for you in May!
• Listen, look, stop.  For the first time ever, ITS America Forums feature exhibit hall theater briefings on safety, sustainability, personal mobility, commercial operations and cross-cutting issues, followed by topic-specific, guided tours of the exhibit hall.

AVIATION

1) Airlines Cancel Flights Before Storms Arrive, and E-mail the Passengers

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/business/13cancel.html

RAILROADS

2) Eurostar Falls Short on Emergency Plans

Information provided to passengers one of the areas faulted.

Link to article in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7f7ed766-17d0-11df-a74d-00144feab49a.html

Link to report: http://www.eurostarindependentreview.org/pdf/Eurostar%20Independent%20Review.pdf

ROADWAYS

3) Online Map Launched to Aid London Street Cleaning Teams

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8514930.stm

4) Most Adirondack Park Signage to Remain Unchanged

Link to article in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise:

http://adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/511311.html?nav=5008

TELEMATICS

5) Smart Roads: Driving Technology Accelerates

Link to article in the Deseret News:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700009394/Smart-roads-Driving-technology-accelerates.html

TRANSIT

6) SEPTA Moving to Drop Rail-Line Initials

Some say designations are too confusing.
Link to article in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/84275512.html?cmpid=15585797

7) Metra Considers Selling Naming Rights for Routes, Stations

Link to article in the Chicago Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/2045805,CST-NWS-metra13.article

8) Catching a Bus in Chicago? There’s an App for That

Link to article in the Chicago Flame:

http://media.www.chicagoflame.com/media/storage/paper519/news/2010/02/15/Features/Catching.A.Bus.Theres.An.App.For.That-3871669.shtml

9) Boston Commuters, Call and Get the Inside Track on Bus Schedule

Link to column in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/14/commuters_call_and_get_the_inside_track_on_bus_schedule/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Smart Sensors Start Going to Work

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/smarter-sensors-start-going-to-work

News Releases

1) The PBSJ Corporation 2009 Project Awards Presented

2) Navteq Announces Real-Time Traffic in the UK

3) Qualcomm and Audi to Make the Connected Car a Reality in 2010

4) Traffic Alerts on Your Phone – UK Highways Agency Tunes Into Latest Technology

Upcoming Events

Railway Engineering 2010 – March 25-26 – Paris

http://www.groupeactis.com/spip.php?rubrique48

Today in Transportation History

1935 **75^th anniversary** – Roger Chaffee, an astronaut who died in a fire on Apollo 1, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

http://www11.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/chaffee-rb.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Friday, February 12, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Bernie Wagenblast Voice Services

Need a professional voice for a transportation application?  I have experience with everything from a simple phone greeting to a complex train announcement system.  Unlike many other voice-over performers, I bring years of transportation experience and knowledge to each project.  Understanding the ins and outs of transportation systems translates to a recording that’s more authentic.  My resume includes clients such as the Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, the City of Laredo, TransCore and the New Jersey Department of Transportation. You can learn more and hear samples of my work at www.bwcommunications.net.  Let me know how I can help your organization sound its best.

BICYCLES

1) Finding a Guide to Cycling in Long Beach, California, Mapping the Bike Routes

Man sets out to map and mark bikeway.

Link to commentary on Everything Long Beach:

http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/guide-to-cycling-long-beach-map-the-bikeways/

OTHER

2) Wi-Fi Turns Rowdy School Bus Into Rolling Study Hall

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/education/12bus.html

3) Inaugural Issue of Intertraffic World Online

Link to magazine:

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/58440222

SAFETY / SECURITY

4) 10,000 TSA Staff to Get Secret Intel

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-02-11-TSA-security_N.htm

TRANSIT

5) MARTA ‘Yellow’ Line to be Renamed ‘Gold’ Following Complaints

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/marta-yellow-line-to-299283.html

6) Shutterbug Fights Bogus Ticket

Photo of New York City subway car lands man in cuffs.

Link to story and video on WNYW-TV:

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/investigative/100209-shutterbug-fights-nyc-subway-ticket

News Releases

1) Global Personal Navigation Device Shipments to Stagnate at 48 Million by 2015

2) Washington State DOT Breaks Out Traffic Tools to Help Get Drivers to the Olympics

Upcoming Events

MRO Middle East – February 28-March 1 – Dubai

http://www.aviationweek.com/events/current/mme/index.htm

Friday Bonus

In Hong Kong, escalators aren’t just part of the commute, in some cases they are the commute.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8441626.stm

Today in Transportation History

1960 **50^th anniversary** – Herman Beam became the first driver to be black flagged at the Daytona Motor Speedway.

http://www.legendsofnascar.com/Herman_Beam.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Thursday, February 11, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Discuss Federal Legislative Initiatives at IBTTA Legislative Conference – March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association on March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC and participate in discussions on federal legislative initiatives with leaders in the transportation policy debate. Topics will include transportation authorization, electronic tolling interoperability, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) charging, the proposed Office of Public Benefit, and other important issues affecting tolling and road pricing. Participants will spend Tuesday afternoon visiting their congressional representatives to advance tolling initiatives on Capitol Hill. This meeting is ideal for toll industry professionals interested in US Federal and transportation legislation and regulations affecting the toll industry. Visit www.IBTTA.org for registration, hotel and travel information and to view the preliminary agenda. [More…]

AVIATION

1) FAA Joins Search for Solution to Lubbock, Texas Airport’s Instrument Landing System Woes

Link to article in the Avalanche-Journal:

http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/021010/upd_561202506.shtml

CAMERAS

2) South San Francisco Owes More than $1 Million in Traffic Ticket Blunder

Link to article in the San Mateo County Times:

http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_14369101

3) Arizona Panel OKs Changes to Cameras

Link to article in The Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/02/11/20100211politics-speed0111.html

ROADWAYS

4) Don’t Rely on Volusia County, Florida Call Boxes for Help in Emergencies on I-4

Link to article in the Orlando Sentinel:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/volusia/os-callboxes-removed-20100205,0,2410027.story

5) Ohio Stimulus Sign Critic Backed 74 Other Namings

Link to AP article:

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100211/UPDATES01/100211007

6) Traffic Signal Systems 2009

Link to publication from the Transportation Research Board:

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Traffic_Signal_Systems_2009_162990.aspx

TRANSIT

7) In SEPTA’s Nerve Center: Problems

Link to article in the Philadelphia Daily News:

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20100211_In_SEPTA_s_nerve_center__Problems.html

8) Dayton RTA Creates New Customer Connection

Link to article in Mass Transit:

http://www.masstransitmag.com/publication/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=10689

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) New System Could Avoid Traffic Jams

Student’s thesis proposes using system to share information with motorists and authorities.

Link to article in The National:

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100212/NATIONAL/702119882/1010

VEHICLES

10) Toyota Dealers Pull Ads on ABC Stations for ‘Excessive Stories’ on Recalls

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/toyota-dealers-pull-ads-on-abc-for-excessive-stories-on-recalls/

11) Volvo Unveils New Infotainment System

Link to CNET News article:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10451701-48.html

12) Fast Forward 2020: The Real Car Tech of Tomorrow

Link to article in Car and Driver:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/10q1/fast_forward_2020_the_real_car_tech_of_tomorrow-feature

News Releases

1) Frost & Sullivan: Spate of Software Related Vehicle Recalls and the Future of Automotive Electronics

2) American Airlines Honors African-American Aviation Pioneers with Its New Virtual Museum

3) Winnipeg Transit Launches BUStxt

4) MBTA to Offer Real-Time Arrival Information on Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line

5) New California Public Awareness Campaign Aims to Reduce Train-Related Pedestrian Deaths and Injuries

6) Shaping Aviation Weather Services in the 21^st Century

Upcoming Events

Transport Science and Technology Congress – April 4-7 – New Delhi

http://www.ewebevolution.com/transtec/

Today in Transportation History

1960 **50^th anniversary** – NASA astronaut Richard Mastracchio was born in Waterbury, Connecticut.

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/mastracc.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Unspeakable Truths: Is Transforming Transportation A Key To Solving America’s Economic Crisis?

In his fourth book in four years, Professor Joseph M. Giglio argues that our thinking about Transforming Transportation in America must evolve to reflect how the Financial Meltdown and Economic Crisis have changed our world.

To help understand why, his book begins by reviewing how the Current Economic Crisis came about and what impact it’s likely to have on life in America. He provides clear, detailed explanations of the Great Financial Meltdown of 2008, the whys and wherefores of subjects like Oil Price Volatility, the Crazy World of Financial Derivatives, and the Housing and Mortgage Mess. Plus the down-and-dirty realities of Markets in the 21^st Century. Finally, he explores some of the things we’ll have to do to Make It Big in the much changed world of the 21^stCentury, such as transforming our Transportation Systems into Serious Economic Growth Generators. The book is available on Amazon and from the publisher, the Hudson Institute.

AVIATION

1) Free Airport Wi-Fi Takes Off

Link to column in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/baskas/2010-02-10-free-airport-wi-fi_N.htm

ROADWAYS

2) Kansas House Member Frustrated by Lack of Tourism, Business Promotion on Highways

Link to article from the Topeka Capital-Journal:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/feb/10/kansas-house-member-frustrated-lack-tourism-busine/

SAFETY / SECURITY

3) US Request for Foreign Fliers’ Data Meets Resistance

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-02-09-data-sharing_N.htm

4) Where’s that Snow Plow? Creepy Google Buzz Geo-tags Could Become a Public Safety Tool

Link to ZDNet blog:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=30663

TRANSIT

5) Airtrain Offering Free Countdown Monitors to Brisbane Businesses

Link to article on AirRail News:

http://airrailnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=439:airtrain-free-issue-countdown-monitors-to-brisbane-businesses&catid=905:news

6) Atlanta’s Yellow Line has Some Asians Seeing Red

Link to Fox News story:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,585412,00.html

7) Digital Chirps in Subway Tunnels

New York MTA moves aggressively into social media.

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/digital-chirps-in-subway-tunnels/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) State Center Monitors Roads Across Kentucky

Link to story and video on WLKY-TV:

http://www.wlky.com/news/22513462/detail.html

9) Five Questions About New Hampshire Traffic Tweets

Link to interview in the Concord Monitor:

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100210/NEWS01/2100308

News Releases

1) Human Factors and Safety Culture Should be Put at the Heart of the Air Traffic Management System

2) What Does the Electronic Future Look Like for Automakers?

3) Cell Phone Bans While Driving Have More Impact in Dense, Urban Areas

4) TMC’s New Social Media Site has Supply Chain Executives Talking – to Each Other

Job Postings

–  Intelligent Transportation Systems Specialist – Maricopa County DOT – Phoenix, Arizona

http://www.maricopa.gov/human_resources/jobs_index.asp

Upcoming Events

Talking Operations Webinar: Objectives-Driven, Performance-Based Planning for Operations – A New Resource – February 23

https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=19485

Today in Transportation History

1935 **75^th anniversary** – The Pennsylvania Railroad’s GG1 electric locomotives began revenue service.

http://www.spikesys.com/GG1/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Monday, February 8, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Early Registration Deadline Extended for ITS America’s 20^th Annual Meeting & Exposition

The early registration deadline for ITS America’s 20^th Annual Meeting & Exposition has been extended to February 12, 2010.

ITS America’s 20th Annual Meeting & Exposition from May 3-5, 2010, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX, will provide transportation professionals and policymakers the necessary tools and strategies they need to create communities that are safer, cleaner, more livable and less congested.

We will host several ancillary meetings held by such organizations as the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the Regional Safety Council.  Sam Palmisano, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of IBM, will close out the conference by sharing his vision for creating a smarter transportation network through technology innovations. Take advantage of the lowest registration rates by registering online by February 12. For the latest conference information and to view the preliminary program, click here or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itsam2010.

AVIATION

1) Delta Makes Software and Avionics Changes Prompted by Overflight Incident

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704533204575047981145838798.html

2) Traveling with Laptops Could Get Tougher

Link to article in PCWorld:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/188762/traveling_with_laptops_could_get_tougher.html

3) How Technology is Improving Air Traffic Control

Link to article in ComputerWeekly:

http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2010/02/08/240223/how-technology-is-improving-air-traffic-control.htm

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) Xerox, ACS Shareholders Say ‘Yes’ to $6.4 Billion Takeover

Link to article in the Democrat and Chronicle:

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100206/BUSINESS/2060333/1001/business

5) Massachusetts Governor Puts Toll Takers on Notice

Eyes electronic toll booths on Pike.

Link to article in the Boston Herald:

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20100208deval_patrick_puts_toll_takers_on_notice_governor_eyes_electronic_booths_on_pike/

MARITIME

6) Keeping an Eye on the Ocean

Radar: A major component in the counter-piracy mission is being able to see other vessels.

Link to article in The Daily Gleaner:

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/cityregion/article/947223

OTHER

7) Florida Transportation Chief Cleared in E-mail Inquiry

Link to article in The Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/legislature/story/1465919.html

8) Washington State Senator Backs Putting Ads on School Buses to Raise Money for Districts

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011004083_schoolbus07m.html

PARKING

9) Finding a Parking Space Could Soon Get Easier

Networking sensors attached to taxis could ease the hunt for street parking.

Link to article in Technology Review:

http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/24497/?a=f

RAILROADS

10) University of Nebraska-Lincoln Team Aims to Digitize Railroad History

Link to article in the Lincoln Journal Star:

http://journalstar.com/business/local/article_fa78ee8e-12a8-11df-b7e6-001cc4c002e0.html

ROADWAYS

11) Google Tapped for New 3D View of the Bay Bridge

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-27076_3-20000048-248.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission Electronic Surveillance System Wins Award

Link to article in The Warren Reporter:

http://www.nj.com/warrenreporter/index.ssf/2010/02/delaware_river_joint_toll_brid_5.html

13) What’s the Best Way to Curb Distracted Driving?

Link to commentaries in the National Journal Transportation Experts Blog:

http://transportation.nationaljournal.com/2010/02/whats-the-best-way-to-curb-dis.php

SPACE

14) UN to Discuss Air Traffic Control for Outer Space

Link to article in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7176943/UN-to-discuss-Air-Traffic-Control-for-outer-space.html

TELEMATICS

15) Progressive Rolls Out ‘Telematics’: Is Big Brother on Board?

Link to commentary on BNET:

http://industry.bnet.com/financial-services/10006718/progressive-rolls-out-telematics-is-big-brother-on-board/

TRANSIT

16) Disney, Google Eye Stake in China Bus Media Firm

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/08/AR2010020801383.html

17) San Francisco Muni Joins Twitter for Real this Time, but Won’t Offer Service Alerts

Link to commentary in the San Francisco Appeal:

http://sfappeal.com/news/2010/02/muni-joins-twitter-for-real-this-time.php

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

18) Intelligent Traffic Lights Point Way to Safer Future in Edinburgh

Link to article in the Edinburgh Evening News:

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Intelligent-traffic-lights-point-way.6051705.jp

19) Traffax Finds Success Overseas

Link to article in the Gazette:

http://www.gazette.net/stories/01292010/businew180402_32559.php

News Releases

1) Avego Powers VPSI Vanpooling

2) WebTech Wireless’ NextBus Real-Time Passenger Information Service Officially Launched in Laval, Quebec

3) See it First Hand—in Your Hand: Metro-North Train Time Gives Real-Time Train Status On Smart Phones and Computers

4) FEMA Releases Draft National Disaster Recovery Framework

5) Christie, Parker & Hale Obtains an Important Patent for Smart Cars

6) Ladbrook and Westcotec Collaborate on a New Generation of Electronic Traffic Signs

Upcoming Events

National Hurricane Conference – March 29-April 2 – Orlando, Florida

http://www.hurricanemeeting.com/

Today in Transportation History

1960 **50^th anniversary** – Construction began on what may be the most famous sidewalk in the world, the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/walk-of-fame-welcome

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Friday, February 5, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Bernie Wagenblast Voice Services

There may be plenty of voice-over artists but how many have worked in the transportation field for over 30-years?  With my experience you not only get a professional, personable voice but someone who knows the terminology and the demands of the transportation business. I’ve provided the voice for numerous transportation applications including Virginia DOT’s Smart Tag customer service phone system, highway advisory radio on the New York State Thruway, platform announcements throughout the PATH system, and NYC Transit’s new Public Address/Customer Information System.  If you’re a regular reader of the TCN you know I’m reliable coming through with an editionevery weekday.  I bring that same professionalism to my voice projects.  To learn more and to hear samples of my work, please visitwww.bwcommunications.net.  Let me know how I can help on your next project.

AVIATION

1) FAA Administrator Says Flight 253 Pilots Were Left in Dark

A communications gap kept the pilots unaware of the serious situation on Christmas Day.

Link to article in The Detroit News:

http://detnews.com/article/20100205/METRO/2050388/FAA-official-says-Flight-253-pilots-were-left-in-dark

2) What Noise Annoys a Passenger in an Airport?

Link to commentary in Passenger Terminal Today:

http://www.passengerterminaltoday.com/opinion.php?BlogID=324

CAMERAS

3) Stop-Light Cameras Cut Violations a Lot, Wrecks a Little, New Louisiana Study Says

Link to article in The Times Picayune:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/02/new_study_says_stop-light_came.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Is Navigation Nokia’s Road to Riches?

Link to article in Mobile News:

http://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk/Opinion/410978/cutting_room_is_navigation_nokias_road_to_riches.html

OTHER

5) New York City Names Winners of Apps Contest

One app allows users to find the closest subway entrance, another permits comments on cabs.

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/nyc-announces-winners-of-local-apps-contest/

6) Viral Element Spins Toyota Events Out of Control

Link to article in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ee2126fa-1281-11df-a611-00144feab49a.html

7) Toyota Builds DC Crisis Team

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703894304575047283289835448.html

ROADWAYS

8) California Governor Gearing Up to Sell Ads on Freeway Electronic Signs

Link to article in The Sacramento Bee:

http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/2514901.html

9) Storm to Test Improved West Virginia ‘Pike Emergency Plan

Link to article in The Register-Herald:

http://www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_035230226.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) US DOT Secretary Fears Spread of In-Car Technology

Link to article in The Detroit News:

http://detnews.com/article/20100204/AUTO01/2040353/1148/auto01/LaHood-fears-spread-of-in-car-technology

11) Virtual USA Enters Second Phase of Regional Operating Pilot

Program seeks to give first responders a real-time view of what’s happening.

Link to story on WFED Radio:

http://federalnewsradio.com/?nid=19&sid=1880255

VEHICLES

12) The Dozens of Computers that Make Modern Cars Go (and Stop)

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/05/technology/05electronics.html

News Releases

1) IRD Announces Hawaii Traffic Data Collection Award

2) Wisconsin DOT Ensures the Web Meets the Road – US 41 Project

3) Penn State Teams with Volvo as Academic Partner in Areas Including ITS and Safety Systems

Job Postings

–  Project Controls and Quality Assurance Coordinator – ITS/All Electronic Tolling (AET) – MTA Bridges & Tunnels – New York, NY

http://www.mta.info/bandt/employ/jobp999_r879.html

Upcoming Events

ITS Heartland Annual Meeting – March 29-31 – Omaha, Nebraska

http://matc.unl.edu/itsheartland/annualmeeting.php

Friday Bonus

Here are a few reasons states should think twice about closing their highway tourist information centers.

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/stupidest-travel-questions-shocking-mistakes-travelers-make-road/story?id=9516535

Today in Transportation History

1900 **110^th anniversary** The first Hays-Pauncefote Treaty was signed by the US and the UK.  The treaty gave the US the exclusive right to build and maintain a canal in Central America.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9C06E5DF1339E733A25755C1A9649C946197D6CF

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Thursday, February 4, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Discuss Federal Legislative Initiatives at IBTTA Legislative Conference – March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association on March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC and participate in discussions on federal legislative initiatives with leaders in the transportation policy debate. Topics will include transportation authorization, electronic tolling interoperability, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) charging, the proposed Office of Public Benefit, and other important issues affecting tolling and road pricing. Participants will spend Tuesday afternoon visiting their congressional representatives to advance tolling initiatives on Capitol Hill. This meeting is ideal for toll industry professionals interested in US Federal and transportation legislation and regulations affecting the toll industry. Visit www.IBTTA.org for registration, hotel and travel information and to view the preliminary agenda. [More…]

AVIATION

1) The Technology Driving Air Traffic Control

Link to pictures in Computer Weekly:

http://www.computerweekly.com/galleries/240179-1/Equipment-used-in-the-old-control-room.htm

CAMERAS

2) Investigators: Seattle Red-Light Cameras May Issue Illegal Tickets

Link to story and video on KING-TV:

http://www.king5.com/news/Red-Light-Cameras-May-Issue-Thousands-of-Illegal-Tickets-83501377.html

3) Camera Plan to Catch Speeders Stalls in California

Link to article in The Sacramento Bee:

http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/2511841.html

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Meet the Wikipedia of the Mapping World

Link to article in The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/feb/04/mapping-open-source-victor-keegan

5) There Will be Maps for People, and Maps for Cars

Link to article on GPS Business News:

http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/There-Will-Be-Maps-for-People,-and-Maps-for-Cars_a2011.html

OTHER

6) First Issue of CONDUITS Newsletter Online

EU project evaluates the impact of ITS in urban areas.

Link to newsletter:

http://www.conduits.eu/Documents/CONDUITS%20Newsletter%201.pdf

7) Seattle Using Special Radar to Save Trees

Link to story and video on KOMO-TV:

http://www.komonews.com/news/tech/83504982.html

ROADWAYS

8) ‘Smart Bridges’ Can Send Alerts on Salt Corrosion

Link to article in The Irish Times:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sciencetoday/2010/0204/1224263727650.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

9) Washington, DC Partners with Feds to Test 4G Technology for National Public Safety Network

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/743809

TRANSIT

10) ‘JakCard’ System Set to Make Travel Easier in Jakarta

Link to article in The Jakarta Post:

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/02/04/‘jakcard’-system-set-make-travel-easier.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) French Motorway and Orange to Develop Real-Time Traffic Info

Link to article in GPS Business News:

http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/French-Motorway-and-Orange-to-Develop-Real-Time-Traffic-Info_a2019.html

12) Nevada DOT Wants the Public to Evaluate Its Wind Warning System for Washoe Valley

Link to article in The Reno Gazette-Journal:

http://www.rgj.com/article/20100204/NEWS/100204023/1321/news

VEHICLES

13) Ford to Fix Brake Problem on Milan, Fusion Hybrids

Software problem can give drivers impression brakes have failed.

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Ford-to-fix-brake-problem-on-apf-2395284869.html?x=0&.v=4

14) Toyota Admits Software Problem with Braking System, Denies Withholding Information from Public

Link to ABC News story and video:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/toyota-recall-toyota-admits-2010-hybrid-prius-problems/story?id=9744744

News Releases

1) The Telecom Industry in Frenzy Over New ACTIVATE IT Application

2) ProTECTS Alliance Concludes First Organizational Meeting

3) US DOT Secretary Names ITS Advisory Committee Members

4) 15 Billion Tickets to be Delivered via Mobile Phone by 2014, According to Juniper Research

5) New Tallahassee Driver Information System Debuts

Upcoming Events

TRB Webinar: Helping Airport and Air Carrier Employees Cope with Traumatic Events – March 25

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/TRB_Webinar_Helping_Airport_and_Air_Carrier_Employ_162929.aspx

Today in Transportation History

1810 **200^th anniversary** – The Royal Navy seized Guadeloupe.

http://mappery.com/map-of/Guadeloupe-British-Military-Operations-1810-Map

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Florida Airport Changes Name, Increases Business

Link to story on WFTV-TV:

http://www.wftv.com/countybycounty/22412815/detail.html

CAMERAS

2) We Don’t Need Secret Surveillance Cameras

Unlike ordinary CCTV cameras, Britain’s 10,500 automatic numberplate recognition cameras are placed in secret locations.

Link to commentary in The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/feb/03/cctv-cameras-surveillance-police

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) ESA Puts Money Pen to Galileo Paper: Three Big Contracts

Link to article in GPS World:

http://www.gpsworld.com/gnss-system/galileo/news/esa-puts-money-pen-galileo-paper-three-big-contracts-9483

OTHER

4) Toyota’s Digital Disaster

In the Google era, how do you manage a product recall and a public-relations fiasco? Don’t do what Toyota’s done.

Link to article in Newsweek:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/232962

5) February Issue of Arizona DOT’s TRANsend Newsletter

–  Hazmat Matters: Department’s Hazmat Technicians Protect Employees, Roads, and Environment (page 3)

–  Winter’s Worst Brings Out the Best in ADOT (page 5)

http://www.azdot.gov/CCPartnerships/TRANsend/PDF/February_2010.pdf

RAILROADS

6) Waybill Change Would List All Toxic Inhalation Hazard Rail Movements

Link to article in Occupational Health & Safety:

http://ohsonline.com/articles/2010/02/03/waybill-change-would-list-all-tih-rail-movements.aspx

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Anti-texting Law Tough to Enforce Against Drivers, Illinois Authorities Say

Link to article in The State Journal-Register:

http://www.sj-r.com/carousel/x1878077565/Anti-texting-law-tough-to-enforce-against-drivers-authorities-say

TRANSIT

8) DC Metro’s Safety Office was Unaware of Red Line Accident for More Than 30 Hours

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/02/AR2010020203678.html

9) Toronto Transit Launches Beta Online Trip Planner, Still has Bugs

Link to CTV News story:

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100203/ttc_planner_100203/20100203/?hub=TorontoNewHome

10) BART Partners with Foursquare to Increase Ridership

Link to article in Governing:

http://now.eloqua.com/es.asp?s=1222&e=60472&elq=e9b64e7023604173bba706e546067600

11) RFID Data Reveals London’s Polycentric Pattern of Commuting

Link to article in Technology Review:

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/24737/?nlid=2707&a=f

12) Design of Transit Signal Priority at Signalized Intersections with Queue Jumper Lanes

Link to article in the Journal of Public Transportation:

http://www.nctr.usf.edu/jpt/pdf/JPT12-4Zhou.pdf

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Road Data Processor GEWI Enters US Poised for Location Market Apps

Link to blog from Strategy Analytics:

http://blogs.strategyanalytics.com/auto/?p=45

14) Grand Canyon National Park Dynamic Message Sign/Highway Advisory Radio Pilot Deployment/Evaluation

Link to final report from the Western Transportation Institute:

http://www.westerntransportationinstitute.org/documents/reports/4W2106_Final_Report.pdf

15) Deploying Portable Advanced Traveler Information Systems: Redding Deployment Evaluation

Link to final report from the Western Transportation Institute:

http://www.westerntransportationinstitute.org/documents/reports/4W2025_Final_Report.pdf

News Releases

1) Iteris Announces Cutting-Edge Advanced Wide Dynamic Range Traffic Video Detection Camera

2) Houston TranStar Introduces iPhone App

3) Mentor Engineering’s T-Box Annunciator Keeps Passengers Informed and Decreases Driver Distraction

4) Navteq Traffic Doubles In-Vehicle Use in North America in 2009

5) Electronic Toll Collection Systems – A Global Update of Market Trends & Opportunities – New Market Report Published

Solicitation

–  Proposals – TRB/SHRP 2 Travel Reliability IDEA Program

http://www.trb.org/IDEAProgram/IDEAReliability.aspx

Upcoming Events

Asia Pacific Maritime 2010 – March 24-26 – Singapore

http://www.apmaritime.com/

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** – The gunboat Ometepe bombarded the Nicaraguan city of Greytown.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9C04E0D61730E233A25756C0A9649C946196D6CF

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Discuss Federal Legislative Initiatives at IBTTA Legislative Conference – March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association on March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC and participate in discussions on federal legislative initiatives with leaders in the transportation policy debate. Topics will include transportation authorization, electronic tolling interoperability, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) charging, the proposed Office of Public Benefit, and other important issues affecting tolling and road pricing. Participants will spend Tuesday afternoon visiting their congressional representatives to advance tolling initiatives on Capitol Hill. This meeting is ideal for toll industry professionals interested in US Federal and transportation legislation and regulations affecting the toll industry. Visit www.IBTTA.org for registration, hotel and travel information and to view the preliminary agenda. [More…]

AVIATION

1) US 2010-11 Budget Aims to Boost NextGen Funding 32%

Link to article in Air Transport World:

http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=19252

CARTOGRAPHY

2) Mapping a City by the Sound of Its Streets

Link to blog on Streetsblog San Francisco:

http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/02/01/mapping-a-city-by-the-sound-of-its-streets/

OTHER

3) Idaho Transportation Department Spends $70,000 on Events

Link to article in the Idaho Statesman:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/idahonews/story/1064207.html

4) DC-Area Transportation Agencies Make Snow Videos Available on YouTube

Link to column in The Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2010/02/dc_transportation_agencies_mak.html

5) Intelligent Transportation Systems and Vehicle-Highway Automation 2009

Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Intelligent_Transportation_Systems_and_VehicleHigh_162861.aspx

6) February Issue of Florida DOT’s SunGuide Disseminator Online

Link to newsletter:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/TrafficOperations/Newsletters/2010/2010-002-Feb.pdf

PARKING

7) Boston’s Logan Airport Will E-mail Parking Alerts

Link to article in the Boston Herald:

http://news.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/20100202logan_will_e-mail_parking_alerts/srvc=home&position=recent

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Conference Addresses Social Media Use During Disasters

Link to article in Emergency Management:

http://www.emergencymgmt.com/disaster/Disasters-20-Conference-Social-Media-Use.html

TRANSIT

9) Bay Area’s TransLink Sees Its 16-Year One Card Goal Within Reach

Link to article in ContactlessNews:

http://www.contactlessnews.com/2010/02/02/bay-areas-translink-sees-its-16-year-one-card-goal-within-reach

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) UK Highways Agency Evaluating Mobile Phone-Based Driver Monitoring

Link to article in ComputerworldUK:

http://www.computerworlduk.com/management/government-law/public-sector/news/index.cfm?newsid=18582

11) Toronto’s Electronic Eyes Keep Traffic Flowing

Link to article in The Toronto Observer:

http://www.torontoobserver.ca/2010/02/02/toronto’s-electronic-eyes-keep-traffic-flowing/

12) Best Mobile Startups 2010 – Waze

Link to article in Laptop:

http://www.laptopmag.com/business/feature/best-mobile-startups-2010.aspx?page=7

VEHICLES

13) US Said to Probe Toyota’s Electronics as Acceleration Cause

Link to Bloomberg article:

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-02-02/u-s-said-to-probe-toyota-s-electronics-as-acceleration-cause.html

14) Iowa City, Iowa Considers Banning Electronic Ads on Cabs

Link to story on KCRG-TV:

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/83348402.html

News Releases

1) Sharjah International Airport Introduces the World’s First Arabic Self-Service Kiosks

2) Sleep Apnea & Trucking Conference Agenda and Advisory Board Announced

Upcoming Events

MetroRail 2010 – March 22-25 – London

http://www.terrapinn.com/2010/metrorail/

Today in Transportation History

1925 **85^th anniversary** – A dog sled relay reached Nome, Alaska with diphtheria antitoxin to halt a possible epidemic.  The relay became the inspiration for the Iditarod.

http://www.baltostruestory.com/serumrunsynopsis.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net