Friday, July 24, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) EU Ombudsman Urges Air Passenger Language Provision

Link to story on EurActiv:

http://www.euractiv.com/en/culture/ombudsman-urges-air-passenger-language-provision/article-184356

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Nissan Car Monitors GPS for Road Dangers Ahead

Link to IDG News Service story:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135881/Nissan_car_monitors_GPS_for_road_dangers_ahead

SAFETY / SECURITY

3) US Transportation Security Administration Deploys New Screening Pilot Technology on Connecticut-Long Island Ferry

Link to UPI story:

http://www.upi.com/Security_Industry/2009/07/24/TSA-deploys-new-screening-tech-for-pilot/UPI-18341248450159/

4) Cash-Strapped States Raid 911 Funds

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iHDteg76KJLCUu-wFV8VBrOpIJFQD99KB2T80

TRANSIT

5) Circuit at DC Metro Crash Site Began Malfunctioning in Late ’07, NTSB Says

Link to story and video in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/23/AR2009072301575.html

6) DC Metro Response Undermines Rider Confidence

Agency is focused on engineering in response to crisis but vastly underestimating the amount of information they need to share with the public.

Link to column in The Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/07/metro_creating_morale_problem.html?hpid=topnews

VEHICLES

7) Virtual Co-driver Means Safer Trucks

Link to story on Transport News Network:

http://www.tnn.co.uk/Manufacturers/plonearticle.2009-07-24.2284464932

News Releases

1) BART Includes Train Lengths on Real-Time Arrival Sites

Job Postings

– Transportation Specialist, GS-2101-13/14 EG – Federal Highway Administration – Washington, DC

http://tinyurl.com/nqp25k

Upcoming Events

GIS in Transit Conference – November 16-18 – St. Petersburg, Florida

http://www.urisa.org/gis_transit

Friday Bonus

Here’s the 21^st Century version of Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal.

http://manhattanairport.org/

Today in Transportation History

1969 **40^th anniversary** – Apollo 11 splashes down in the Pacific Ocean.

http://space.about.com/library/video/blvidapollo11_reclip02.htm

=========================================================================TheTransportation 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 ati95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Join ITS America and AAAE at the Intersection of Intelligent Transportation Systems and Aviation!

The 2^nd Annual Use of Intelligent Transportation Systems in Airport Environments Conference, August 4-5, 2009, Salt Lake City, Utah will feature high-level industry personnel in the Intelligent Transport Systems industry who are currently providing solutions for airport landside management. The agenda will also include airport personnel sharing real world results, lessons learned, and success stories with using ITS products and services.  Registration discounts are available to members of ITS America and AAAE. To view the final program and to register, visit http://www.itsa.org/itsairports.html.

CAMERAS

1) Nearly 20% of New York City Red-Light Cameras Stolen

Link to story in the New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07222009/news/regionalnews/brooklyn/spy_camera_snatch_shot_180660.htm

OTHER

2) Costly Weather Satellites May Get More Funds

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-07-21-satellite_N.htm

RAILROADS

3) Latest Issue of Signal, the Newsletter of ERTMS

Link to newsletter:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/interoperability/ertms/doc/013_signal_2009_07_en.pdf

ROADWAYS

4) Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Archives Highway Plans Online

Link to story in Business First of Louisville:

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2009/07/20/daily4.html

Link to KYTC Projects Archive: http://kytcgis.ky.gov/projectarchive/viewer.htm

5) High-Tech Highway Funding

Link to commentary in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/07/22/high_tech_highway_funding/

TRANSIT

6) DC Metro Discovers Problems in Additional Track Circuits

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/21/AR2009072102479.html

7) Practical Measures to Increase Transit Advertising Revenues

Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:

http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=10700

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) FHWA Office of Operations Current News Now Available Via RSS

Link to further information from the Federal Highway Administration:

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/rss/opsnewsrss.htm

News Releases

1) Nissan’s New Navigation System Emphasizes Safer, Greener Driving

Solicitation

– Program Opportunity Notice – Solicitation Seeks to Improve Transportation Corridor Efficiencies – NYSDOT, NYSERDA

http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1554pon.asp

Upcoming Events

ITS Pennsylvania Annual Meeting – August 27-28 – Pittsburgh

http://www.itspennsylvania.com/Portals/0/2009%20ITSPA%20Annual%20Meeting%20Program.pdf

Today in Transportation History

1869 **140^th anniversary** – John Augustus Roebling, designer of the Brooklyn Bridge and other suspension bridges, died.

http://en.structurae.de/persons/data/index.cfm?ID=d000030

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

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 ati95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Join IBTTA in Chicago for the Transformation of Transportation!

IBTTA’s 77th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, September 13-16, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois, is the most significant gathering of toll industry professionals in the world. Attend this meeting and interact with the most influential experts and decision makers from around the globe and discuss ideas and solutions about transportation financing strategies, the future of tolling and paying for mobility, AET and Interoperability, new ideas for the new economy and sustainable transportation. Register by August 14 and receive a $100 discount off your registration fee. This meeting is hosted by the Illinois Tollway and will be held at the Hyatt Regency. For information on registration, hotel reservations, exhibiting or sponsorship, visit IBTTA’s website at www.ibtta.org. Register today!

AVIATION

1) UK Airports Deploy New Technology to Monitor Passenger Movement

System anonymously tracks cell phone signals as passengers move through terminals.

Link to story on Airport Technology:

http://www.airport-technology.com/news/news60000.html?WT.mc_id=DN_News

2) Airport Maps iPhone App: Does It Really Help You Navigate Your Way Around North American Airports?

Link to review on Examiner:

http://www.examiner.com/x-14813-iPhone-Apps-Examiner~y2009m7d20-Airport-Maps-iPhone-app-does-it-really-help-you-navigate-your-way-around-North-American-airports

3) The Race to Provide Wi-Fi While Flying

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/business/21road.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) EZ Tags Pull Double Duty as Traffic Monitors

Link to story in the Houston Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6537163.html

PARKING

5) Are Even Higher Meter Prices in Your Future? Report Says They Should be

Report recommends higher rush hour parking rates, technology improvements to ease San Francisco’s pervasive parking problems.

Link to story in the SFAppeal:

http://sfappeal.com/alley/2009/07/are-even-higher-meter-prices-in-your-future-report-says-they-should-be.php

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) US Withheld Data Showing Cell Phone Driving Risks

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/technology/21distracted.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

7) The Color of Safety

An expert symposium, cosponsored by FHWA, looked at the use of color in conveying safety messages.

Link to story in Public Roads:

http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/09julaug/02.htm

TELEMATICS

8) New OnStar Tech Keeps Stolen Vehicles from Starting

Link to review from CNET News:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10291032-48.html

TRANSIT

9) Maryland Transit Authority Reins in Audio Surveillance Proposal

Link to story in The Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/commuting/bal-md.mta21jul21,0,7383941.story

VEHICLES

10) Before Creating the Car, Ford Designs the Driver

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/automobiles/19design.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

News Releases

1) Inrix Delivers Real-Time Traffic Flow Services for Europe

2) In-Vehicle Text-by-Voice Application Introduced by ATX to Automotive Market

3) Port of Long Beach, California to Test Emergency Public Address System

Job Posting

– Supervisory, Engineering Psychologist, Operations Research Analyst, or Industrial Engineer – Volpe National Transportation Systems Center – Cambridge, Massachusetts

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?jobid=82315153

Upcoming Events

15^th Annual Central Europe/North America Airport Issues Conference – October 18-20 – Dubrovnik, Croatia

http://events.aaae.org/sites/091003/

Today in Transportation History

1919 **90^th anniversary** – The dirigible Wingfoot Air Express caught fire and crashed into a building in Chicago. Thirteen people died, including ten on the ground.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Wingfoot-Air-Express—The-First-Airship-Disaster&id=1014840

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

TheTransportation 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 ati95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Thursday, July 16, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Join IBTTA in Chicago for the Transformation of Transportation!

IBTTA’s 77^th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, September 13-16, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois, is the most significant gathering of toll industry professionals in the world. Attend this meeting and interact with the most influential experts and decision makers from around the globe and discuss ideas and solutions about transportation financing strategies, the future of tolling and paying for mobility, AET and Interoperability, new ideas for the new economy and sustainable transportation. Register by August 14 and receive a $100 discount off your registration fee. This meeting is hosted by the Illinois Tollway and will be held at the Hyatt Regency. For information on registration, hotel reservations, exhibiting or sponsorship, visit IBTTA’s website at www.ibtta.org. Register today!

AVIATION

1) Clay Lacy Aviation to Install Wireless Internet on Private Jets

Link to story in Private Jet Daily:

http://www.privatejetdaily.com/index.php/20090714526/Latest/Clay-Lacy-Aviation-to-install-wireless-internet-on-private-jets.html

2) Free Wi-Fi Coming to Atlanta Airport, but Not Yet

Link to story in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/business/free-91956.html

3) FAA and the National Weather Service are Considering Plans to Consolidate Weather Service Offices, But Face Significant Challenges

Link to US Government Accountability Office testimony:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09887t.pdf

MARITIME

4) Port of Los Angeles Sonar Devices Aid Ocean Searches

Link to story in the Daily Breeze:

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_12845460

OTHER

5) Intelligent Transportation Systems Strategic Planning Group Charter

Link to document from US DOT:

http://www.its.dot.gov/spg/index.htm

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

6) Seattle Transportation Department Unveils New, ‘Open’ Web Site

Link to story in the West Seattle Herald:

http://www.westseattleherald.com/2009/07/15/news/transportation-department-unveils-new-open-web-site

Link to site: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/

ROADWAYS

7) Texas Opts Not to Spend Stimulus Funds on Road Signs

Link to story in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/transportation/stories/DN-signs_16tex.ART.State.Edition1.4c00123.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) US Homeland Security Chief Promotes Cheaper, Secure Driver’s Licenses

Link to AP story:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-07-15-napolitano-drivers-licenses_N.htm

9) Calling ‘How’s My Driving’ Numbers Actually Improves Traffic Safety

Link to story in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin:

http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_12844511

10) Music to Soothe the Savage Driver

CD designed to relax drivers yet help them stay alert.

Link to story in The San Bernardino County Sun:

http://www.sbsun.com/living/ci_12846983

Link to further information and samples:

http://www.innerpeacemusic.com/albumdetail.asp?pid=94

TRANSIT

11) Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager Says He’s Reachable

Link to story in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/16/mbta_general_manager_says_hes_reachable/

News Releases

1) Inrix Announces Historical Traffic Speeds for Europe

2) Maritime Satellite Communication Market to Reach $27 Billion in 2013, Finds Frost & Sullivan

3) Pennsylvania DOT Introduces E-PennDOT Digest

4) FRA Issues NPRM on Technology to Prevent Train Collisions

5) Lockheed Martin Submits Phase B Proposal for Advanced Control Segment of GPS

Job Posting

–  Sales Representative – Citilog – North America

http://www.citilog.com/pdfs/Citilog%20-%20Job%20opportunity%20-%20US%20Sales%20Rep%20-%20Jul2009.pdf

Solicitation

– RFP – Customer Service – E-470 Public Highway Authority

http://www.e-470.com/Default.aspx?pn=Requests%20For%20Proposals

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Using the Newly Released Version of the Roadway Safety+ Training Program – August 6

http://www.workzonesafety.org/training/record/9748

Today in Transportation History

1969 **40^th anniversary** – Apollo 11 was launched for the first manned mission to the Moon.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5722827024646179220

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

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

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

(Source: Office of Planning, Environment and Realty Federal Highway Administration)

Recent Events

Transportation Legislation Introduced. On June 18, Representative Oberstar introduced the Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009, which includes several provisions relating to climate change. The bill proposes to revise metropolitan and statewide planning statutes to require greenhouse gas reduction targets and strategies. DOT would not be able to certify the planning process of any MPO that fails to develop, submit or publish its emission reduction targets and strategies. Large urbanized areas would also be required to have a greenhouse gas emissions reduction performance measure. Additional information on the bill is available on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee website: http://transportation.house.gov/

House Passes Climate Change Legislation. On Friday, June 26, the House of Representatives passed the “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009,” a comprehensive climate change bill. The provisions of the bill, including a cap on greenhouse emissions, are intended to reduce overall greenhouse gas emission from major U.S. sources (which include transportation) by over 80% in 2050 compared to 2005 levels. The bill also mandates new energy-savings standards for buildings, appliances and industry; requires increased use of renewable energy sources by electric utilities; and provides funds to invest in new clean energy technologies and energy efficiency. Similar to the Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 that was recently introduced by Representative Oberstar (see above), the climate change bill requires States and MPOs to develop greenhouse gas reduction targets and strategies for metropolitan and statewide transportation plans. The Senate is expected to take up the matter later this summer. For more information, go tohttp://energycommerce.house.gov/.

Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States Report Released.On June 16, The US Climate Research Program released a plain-language report on the science of climate change and the impacts of climate change on the U.S. The report includes a chapter on transportation which incorporates key messages and several regional spotlights. The report and accompanying factsheets on projected regional impacts are available here: http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts

DOT, HUD, and EPA Announce Partnership for Sustainable Communities. On June 16, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced a new partnership to help American families in all communities — rural, suburban and urban – gain better access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs. Earlier this year, HUD and DOT announced an agreement to implement joint housing and transportation initiatives. With EPA joining the partnership, the three agencies will work together to ensure that these housing and transportation goals are met while simultaneously protecting the environment, promoting equitable development, and helping to address the challenges of climate change. For more information on the partnership, see:http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot8009.htm

EPA Grants Available to Develop Local and Tribal Government “Climate Showcase Communities.”EPA has announced $10 million in grants available for local and tribal communities to establish and implement climate change initiatives, with awards ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. A 50% match is required from local governments. The Request for Applications will be available this summer. For more information, see: http://epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/showcase.html

CCAP Releases Two Climate Change Studies.The Center for Clean Air Policy recently released two new studies relating to transportation and climate change. Ask the Climate Question: Adapting to Climate Change in Urban Regions describes some of the adaptation measures that members of its Urban Leadership Adaptation Initiative have undertaken, including actions King County, WA is taking to make its transportation system more resilient. In Cost-Effective GHG Reductions through Smart Growth & Improved Transportation Choices, CCAP argues that smart growth measures can be cost-effective and profitable and calculate that comprehensive application of these policies could lead to substantial reductions of CO2 equivalent emissions by 2030.

State and Local News

EPA Grants Waiver to California. On June 30, 2009, EPA granted a waiver of Clean Air Act preemption to California for its greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles beginning with the 2009 model year. California has committed that when a new national program comes into effect in 2012, automakers which show compliance with the national program will also be deemed in compliance with the State’s requirements. Now that California has been granted the waiver, other States will be allowed to enforce the same tailpipe standards. Thirteen other States and the District of Columbia have already moved to adopt the California standards, and a few others have indicated they may follow. For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/ca-waiver.htm.

Washington Governor Directs State Agencies to Lead on Climate Change. On May 21, Governor Christine Gregoire signed an executive order directing State agencies to take action on climate change. She directed the State DOT to estimate current and future statewide VMT, evaluate potential changes to state VMT benchmarks to address low and no emission vehicles, and develop strategies to reduce transportation emissions. She also directed the DOT to work with the State’s MPOs to develop and adopt transportation plans that will provide transportation choices, reduce GHG emissions, and achieve VMT benchmarks. The executive order is available at: http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/Executive_Order_09-05.pdf.

Reminders

2009 Transportation, Planning, Land Use and Air Quality Conference to focus on Climate Change. The conference, sponsored by the Transportation Research Board, FHWA, and others, will explore the latest research in the coordination of transportation, land use and air quality with a specific focus on climate change strategies. The conference will be held in Denver, CO July 28 and 29, 2009. For more information, see:http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/tpluaq/home.html.

Previous Newsletters

• May 2009
• April 2009
• March 2009
• February 2009
• January 2009
• December 2008
• November 2008
• October 2008
• September 2008

If you have any suggestions for inclusion in future issues of Transportation and Climate Change News, or if someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you would like to receive it directly in the future, please send your suggestions or request to Becky Lupes at Rebecca.Lupes@dot.gov.