TRB Transportation Research E-Newsletter – May 5, 2009

May 5, 2009 at 6:49 pm

TRB News

 2010 TRB 89th Annual Meeting and Transportation Research Record: Calls for Papers TRB standing committees have issued more than 40 calls for papers for the TRB 89th Annual Meeting, January 10-14, 2010, in Washington, D.C, and the Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (TRR). While papers addressing any relevant aspect of transportation research will be considered, some committees are soliciting papers in specific subject areas to help potential authors identify topics for their papers. Committees will be producing calls for papers through June, so authors should visit this site periodically. [More]

Fiscal Year 2010 Freight and Hazardous Materials Problem Statements Sought – Candidate Statements Due July 31, 2009 Candidate Statements Due July 31, 2009 TRB’s National Cooperative Freight Research Program (NCFRP) and Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program (HMCRP) have issued a request for problem statements identifying research needed for NCFRP’s and HMCRP’s FY 2010 programs.  Research problem statements, which will form the basis for selection of the next round of research projects by the respective programs, are due by July 31, 2009.  The NCFRP and HMCRP are applied, contract research programs with objectives of developing information that will be used to improve the efficiency, reliability, safety, and security of the nation’s freight transportation system.  Anyone may submit a research problem statement and the process is easy. So, if you have any potential research topics, TRB would welcome your submission. New projects will be selected in the fall of 2009. [More]

Fiscal Year 2010 Transit Cooperative Research Program Legal Studies Topics Recommendations Due by July 1, 2009 The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is soliciting ideas on candidate topics for the FY 2010 Legal Studies Program. The TCRP Legal Studies Program reports on legal issues associated with transit and intermodal law. Each document is intended to provide transit attorneys with authoritative, well-researched, specific information that is limited in scope. The studies focus on legal issues and problems having national significance to the transit industry. [More]

NCHRP FY 2010 Projects: Oversight Panel Nominee Solicitation Nominations Due May 29, 2009  TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) is soliciting nominees to serve on oversight panels for new projects being established under the NCHRP’s FY 2010 program. Nominees should have expertise directly relevant to the proposed project topic. To help identify nominees who are members of historically underrepresented groups, TRB encourages the nomination of women and members of minority groups.  Panels for the new projects are scheduled to meet beginning in late July through September. Panel members are prohibited from submitting or participating in preparation of proposals on projects under their jurisdiction, and they serve without compensation but are paid travel and subsistence expenses. [More]

TRB Webinar: Animal-Vehicle Collisions May 12, 2009  TRB will conduct a web briefing or “Webinar” on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT that will examine efforts to design and implement mitigation techniques to prevent animal-vehicle collisions.  Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the Webinar, space is limited, and there is a fee for non-TRB Sponsor employees. [More]

Truck Tolling-Understanding Industry Tradeoffs When Using or Avoiding Toll Facilities Proposals Due June 25, 2009 TRB’s National Cooperative Freight Research Program (NCFRP) and National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) have issued a request for proposals to identify the value that goods movement businesses seek from the transportation roadway network and their willingness to pay tolls for that value. [More]

Recent Publications

Updated Test and Design Methods for Thermoplastic Drainage Pipe TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 631: Updated Test and Design Methods for Thermoplastic Drainage Pipe explores a recommended load and resistance factor design (LRFD) specification for thermoplastic pipe used in culverts and drainage systems for highway structures. [More] [Buy it now]

 Literature Review for Providing Access to Public Transportation Stations TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Web-Only Document 44: Literature Review for Providing Access to Public Transportation Stations describes the results of the literature review associated with a project that is examining various alternatives for providing access to and from stations of new and mature high-capacity public transportation systems, including heavy rail, light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit. [More]

 Cooperative Research Programs Security Research Status Report TRB’s Cooperative Research Program produces a table summarizing more than 80 security and emergency preparedness projects representing over $11 million in the contract research programs for state departments of transportation and the public transportation industry.  Updated monthly. [More]

Transportation Security: A Summary of Transportation Research Board Activities – A slideshow summary of the Transportation Research Board’s pre- and post-September 11, 2001, transportation security activities is updated monthly.  [More]

Analysis and Recommendations for Developing Integrated Airport Information Systems – TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Web-Only Document 1: Analysis and Recommendations for Developing Integrated Airport Information Systems is a summary of the efforts associated with the development of ACRP Report 13: Integrating Airport Information Systems

Integrating Airport Information Systems TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 13: Integrating Airport Information Systems is designed to help airport mangers and information technology professionals address issues associated with integrating airport information systems.  A summary of the efforts associated with the development of ACRP Report 13 was published online as ACRP Web-Only Document 1: Analysis and Recommendations for Developing Integrated Airport Information Systems. [More]  [Buy it now]

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – May 5, 2009

May 5, 2009 at 5:53 pm

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) Looking for a Wi-Fi Hotspot? Try 10,000 Feet Up

Link to story on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/business.travel/05/04/airplane.wifi/index.html

2) Airlines Boost Self-Service with Mobile Check-in

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

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103781402

OTHER

3) Bush-Era Secrecy Still Hiding Government Data

Information removed includes FAA enforcement actions and pipeline mapping data.

Link to ABC News story:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=7496067&page=1

4) Latest Edition of Transport Business Online

Link to magazine:

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=mypagesuite&refresh=J0r72B1i1qH3&PBID=8a22ef1c-9187-4d60-a8da-96ecddd9260a&skip

ROADWAYS

5) Honk if You’re Going to Report This on the Internet

Web sites where you can complain about bad parkers, slow mergers, and that jerk who cut you off.

Link to story in Slate:

http://www.slate.com/id/2217429/?gt1=38002

TELEMATICS

6) Telematics and GPS Go In the Right Direction

Navigation assistance gets more user-friendly with help of technology.

Link to story on MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30526005/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

7) Radio Road-Travel News is a Valuable Service in UK

Link to story on PublicTechnology:

http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=19887

8) Traffic Lights Covered Up by Ealing Council to Test Congestion ‘Cure’

Link to story in The Times:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6207518.ece

News Releases

1) Best Western First Hotel Chain to Offer New GPS and Online Mapping Service for North America/Caribbean

2) Traffic Sign Recognition Offers Additional Driver Safety

Upcoming Events

2009 Incident Management, Safety and Security – July 19-21 – Denver

http://www.ibtta.org/Events/eventdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3857

Today in Transportation History

1494 **515th anniversary** – Christopher Columbus landed on Jamaica and claimed it for Spain.

http://www.columbusnavigation.com/v2.shtml

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

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

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – May 4, 2009

May 4, 2009 at 6:16 pm

Monday, May 4, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


Register Now for IBTTA’s Upcoming Meeting – Incident Management, Safety and Security, July 19-21, 2009, Denver, CO 

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association in Denver, CO to learn about best practices from around the world in Incident Management and Emergency Response. Sessions will explore the most effective tools and communication methods available to promote toll facility safety and security, maintain operations in the face of disruption, and effectively communicate with customers during all phases of an incident – from prevention to recovery. Other topics include crisis management during special events, Post Traumatic Distress Disorder and psychological impacts to employees, the role of engineering and maintenance in prevention and safety, and business continuity during disasters. Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary agenda and register today

AVIATION

1) Colorado Airport May Get Cameras, Not New Tower

FAA committee expected to decide if Aspen airport can extend runway without new tower by using cutting-edge remote camera system.

Link to story in the Aspen Daily News:

http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/134390

2) Airlines Seek to Reassure Passengers in Outbreak

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/business/global/04iht-air.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

3) Air Force Flight Over Lower Manhattan Showed Bad Taste, Worse Communication

Link to column in The Star-Ledger:

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2009/05/communication_coach_flight_sho.html 

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Navigon Leaves North American GPS Market

Link to CNET News story:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10232879-48.html

5) New GPS Satellite’s Problems Indicated

Link to story in GPS World:

http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/Latest+News/New-GPS-Satellites-Problems-Indicated/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/596465?contextCategoryId=33831

6) Smarter GPS to Let Cell Phones Point the Way

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/automobiles/03DASHTOP.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

OTHER

7) With Twitter as Your Tour Guide, Hitting Los Angeles’ Hot Spots is a Breeze

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-04-30-twitter-tips_N.htm 

RAILROADS

8) Union Pacific Makes a Game of Risk

Link to story from CIO:

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/043009-union-pacific-makes-a-game.html

ROADWAYS

9) Massive 14th Street Bridge Project to Begin in Washington, DC

Residents are questioning why the District didn’t give more advanced notice.
Link to story and video on WJLA-TV:

http://www.news8.net/news/stories/0409/618465.html

10) San Francisco to Try ‘Smart’ Meters

Link to story in The Examiner:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Muni-Port-team-up-to-try-smart-meters-44202792.html

TELEMATICS

11) Telematics Still an Option for Repair Shops to Consider

Link to story in Motor Age:

http://motorage.search-autoparts.com/motorage/Business+%26+Management+Solutions/Telematics-still-an-option-for-repair-shops-to-con/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/596366?contextCategoryId=2827

TRANSIT

12) Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority Lets Residents Comment on Transit Plan by Phone

Link to story in the St. Petersburg Times:

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article997254.ece

13) Advertising Company Delivers Ads Between Stop Announcements on Buses and Trains

Link to story in BtoB:

http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090504/HOLD/305049983/1155#seenit  (scroll down to third article)

14) Googling the Future

Google Transit changes the way riders find their routes and alters the way they think about public transportation.

Link to story in More Riders Magazine:

http://www.trilliumtransit.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/googling-the-future.pdf

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Minnesota Firm Keeps the Wheels Turning

Image Sensing Systems designs software and equipment that helps to deal with traffic trouble spots around the world.
Link to column in the Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/business/44190017.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1OiP:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

16) What Use are Traffic Reports?

What are the chances of getting a radio traffic report that is actually relevant to your current car journey?

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8029704.stm

Job Posting

 –  SHRP 2 Implementation Lead Program Manager – Federal Highway Administration – Washington, DC

http://tinyurl.com/cr3u8v

Upcoming Events

ITS Strategic Planning Workshop – National Harbor, Maryland – June 4

http://www.itsa.org/ITS_Strategic_Planning.html 

Today in Transportation History

1859 **150th anniversary** – The Cornwall Railway opened in the UK.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornwall_Railway

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

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

Scoopful of GM News – May 4, 2009: Saturn sales; Negotiations intensify; Fiat love; Hybrid sales; Equinox MPG; Dealer lawsuits; “Buy American” in Hot water; No love for Chevy Volt; etc..

May 4, 2009 at 5:17 pm

GM Hires Adviser to Help Sell Saturn

General Motors said it is moving ahead with plans to sell its Saturn brand after receiving interest from multiple suitors.
GM Shifts Negotiations Into High Gear
General Motors is expected this week to accelerate talks with the United Auto Workers union and move toward closing about 2,600 dealerships.
GM Evaluating Offers for Saturn; Fiat Eyeing GM Europe in Addition to Chrysler
GM said it will be reviewing expressions of interest from the potential buyers and will look to secure an agreement with a specific buyer later this year. Separately, Fiat said on Sunday that it was exploring the possibility of merging its auto business and interest in Chrysler with GM Europe to create a large automotive group with more than…from Green Car Congress 
US Hybrid Sales Down 45.5% in April
GM and Nissan dropped 45.5% year-on-year in April to 21,735, despite full month sales for the new Honda Insight and the Ford Fusion and Milan hybrids. Total LDV sales in the US were down 34.4%. (Earlier post.) The reported sales represented a 2.65% hybrid new vehicle market share (based on Autodata’s total LDV sales figure)—the highest monthl…from Green Car Congress 
2010 Chevy Equinox expected to hit 32 mpg highway
…tests at GM are showing the Equinox hitting 32 mpg on the highway cycle. In the city, the Equinox is expected to get rated at 22 mpg. Those numbers easily top competitors like the Honda CR-V at 20/27 city/highway mpg and the Toyota RAV4 at 22/28 mpg. The Equinox should be in dealer showrooms in June. Gallery: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox[Source: Gener…from AutoblogGreen 
GM dealer downsizing could lead to barrage of lawsuits
GM, Earnings/FinancialsRock, meet hard place. With General Motors handed a directive from the White House to be ultra-aggressive in its restructuring in order to secure more government loans, the automaker is making cuts everywhere and dealers are far from immune. As reported previously, GM‘s plan to shrink its retailers from nearly 6,300 to 3,7…from Autoblog 
At Witz’ End – Range Anxiety Q&A
…theory that GM sold its Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery patents to an oil company (Chevron? Exxon?), and then that evil oil company sued Toyota to prevent it from using NiMH batteries to keep them off the market because they might “threaten their oil business.” Jeeesh!On the first count, I LOVE the smooth, silent, seamless, torquey, petroleu…from AutoblogGreen
eBay Find of the Day: Damaged ZR1 on the cheap
GM‘s two-day ZR1 driving school first.Gallery: eBay Find: Damaged Corvette ZR1[Source: eBay via CorvetteBlogger]eBay Find of the Day: Damaged ZR1 on the cheap originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 May 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds… from Autoblog
Dealer Association takes issue with Obama’s ‘buy American’ stance
…bankruptcy and GM‘s impending viability deadline, it’s easy to understand why President Obama made the Buy American comment. Purchasing new cars and trucks would help stimulate the economy, and buying American certainly wouldn’t hurt. But what does the old adage mean nowadays? Hit the jump to read the AIADA’s brief press release. [Image Credit: …from Autoblog
In Case Anyone Was Wondering, GM’s Still Trying To Sell Saturn [Carpocalypse]
GM‘s still trying to sell Saturn — or kill it. Heck, they’ve even put out a press release to make sure you remember. GM to proceed with efforts to sell Saturn DETROIT – General Motors is proceeding to the next step with respect to the sale of Saturn. A number of potential buyers have surfaced and expressed interest in the Saturn brand and r…from Jalopnik 
Fiat CEO in Berlin to Buy GM-Europe, Opel [Carpocalypse]
…talks with GM to acquire GM Europe and its subsidiary, Opel. As we have posted earlier, Opel is in dire straits, needing $4 billion to survive the Carpocalypse. The German state has thus far avoided a bailout, offering instead state support for potential investors. Here is where Fiat enters the fray. The Wall Street Journal’s Stacy Meichtry repo…from Jalopnik 
Fiat considering new company to combine Chrysler and GM Europe
GM, Opel, Vauxhall, Alfa Romeo, FIATApparently, Fiat’s alliance with Chrysler is only the beginning. According to a variety of reports coming out of the UK and Germany, the Italian automaker’s expansion plans aren’t limited to its 20% stake in Chrysler – Fiat is also considering acquiring General Motors’ European operations, including Opel, Vaux…from Autoblog
GTO: Pontiac’s Great One, by Darwin Holmstrom [Jalopnik Book Reviews]
…about how GM‘s 40-year downward spiral really got rolling). The story is blessedly free of hypersimplified and/or head-slappingly nostalgic nutshell descriptions of the sociopolitical climate of the 1960s- all too common in car books- and for that alone it deserves praise. We get technical details of Pontiac’s tough-but-flawed Strato-Streak engi…from Jalopnik 
WaPo: GM would be better off without Chevy Volt
…s keeping GM – or at least the spirit of GM – alive as the company falters is the Chevy Volt. Washington Post columnist Charles Lane is not one of them. The Volt is designed to give 80 percent of Americans a car that, while it costs more than a similar, non-electric model, offers a chance to dramatically reduce their gasoline consumption. To Lan…from AutoblogGreen 
Vauxhall sans Opel could reallign with GM Daewoo, Holden
GM, Holden, Opel, VauxhallChevrolet Aveo, a.k.a Chevrolet Kalos/Daewoo Gentra/Holden Barina/Pontiac Wave – Click above for a high-res image gallery Eyebrows raised at reports that General Motors could hold on to its British subsidiary Vauxhall even if – or, more likely, when – its German counterpart Opel would leave the family. With the model r…from Autoblog 
Camaro Grilles Cracking At High Speed? [Chevy Camaro]
…something that GM can fix by adding more bracing perhaps, or a thicker nose molding. This 2010 SS was a production car, only a week old, so this concerns me. It might not be a good idea to do any high-speed runs in your new Camaro, at least until we understand the problem and how to fix it first. Nevermind the high speed runs, maybe it’d also b…from Jalopnik 
GM and Ford hybrids have a good sales month in April
…At GM, hybrid sales have been holding steady in recent months and are well ahead of April 2008. Last year, GM moved a little over 1,100 hybrid models including the two-mode trucks and the mild hybrid cars and SUVs. Last month that number stood at 1,534 units bringing the 2009 hybrid total to 5,156 vehicles. At Ford, April was the first full sale…from AutoblogGreen 

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – May 1, 2009

May 3, 2009 at 7:12 pm

Friday, May 1, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) Make Reporting of Bird Strike Data Mandatory

Link to editorial in Newsday:

http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpfaa0112705871apr30,0,6873146.story

CAMERAS

2) Privacy, Cameras and Roadways

Link to story on Drivers .com:

http://www.drivers.com/article/1074/

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) GPS Evidence Too Unreliable for Legal Purposes

Link to story in InformationWeek:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/gps/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217201050

4) US Department of Transportation Releases Civil Monitoring Performance Document

Link to story in GPS World:

http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/System+Design+and+Test+News/Department-of-Transportation-Releases-Civil-Monito/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/596189?contextCategoryId=33831

OTHER

5) Cloud Computing Could Help Agencies Track Stimulus Funds

Link to story on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090430_4418.php

6) Delaware DOT’s Diversity Coaching Backfires

Newsletter lists slurs, insults and stereotypes that shouldn’t be used in workplace.

Link to story in The News Journal:

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090501/NEWS02/905010383/1007/DelDOT+s+diversity+coaching+backfires

ROADWAYS

7) Coordinating, Planning and Managing the Effects of Roadway Construction with Technology

Link to information from US DOT:

http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2009/road_construction_tech.htm

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) South Dakota Drivers Sign Up for Sobriety Alerts

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2009-04-30-policetexting_N.htm

Link to Act Civilized:  http://www.actcivilized.com/

TRANSIT

9) New Direction for San Diego-Area Transit System

Compass cards replacing paper passes with plastic.

Link to story in The San Diego Union-Tribune:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/01/1m1compass213423-new-direction-transit-system/?metro&zIndex=91827

10) King County Metro Transit Develops New Tools to Keep You in the Loop

Link to story in the Auburn Reporter:

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/aub/community/44166027.html

VEHICLES

11) New Generation of Cars are ‘Mobile High-Tech Platforms’

Link to story in Engineering News:

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/auto-technology-2009-04-24

News Releases

1) Operation Lifesaver (Canada) Launches Web Site for Kids

2) South Florida Commuter Services Launches Public Transit Promotion to Feature Carpool Video on CNN

3) E-Railsafe Program Helps Union Pacific Ensure Railroad Safety and Security Awareness

Upcoming Events

ACI-NA Small Airports Conference – July 16-17 – St. Louis

http://www.aci-na.org/conferences/detail?eventId=136

Friday Bonus

Don’t expect to see these cars in the mall parking lot anytime soon.

http://www.myride.com/snacker-vehicle_category/2009_geneva_auto_show_15_hot_weird_and_wild_cars_youll_probably_never_drive-726-page1.html?id=30986

Today in Transportation History

1999 **10th anniversary** – Liberty Bell 7, the space capsule flown by Gus Grissom in 1961, was found on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

http://www.cnn.com/TECH/space/9907/20/grissom.capsule.01/

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

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

Scoopful of GM News – May 1, 2009: Fiat’s Opel tango; Rendered speculation; Commodore comback; e-Bay finds; Collectors items; Mullet of the Law; April Sales

May 1, 2009 at 2:05 pm

Auto threesome? Fiat CEO confirms pursuing partnership with OpelGM, Opel, Vauxhall, FIAT, UAW/UnionsAs if Fiat doesn’t have enough on its plate while working on an alliance with Chrysler during its bankruptcy proceedings, the Italian automaker’s CEO has finally confirmed that it’s pursuing an alliance with General Motors’ German arm Opel.In the Fiat-owned newspaper La Stampa, CEO Sergio Marchionne said, “Now…from Autoblog

Rendered speculation: Chevrolet Sky-Volt?…disappointment to GM fans was the transformation of the Chevy Volt from concept to production form. The sporty, aggressive concept was to many eyes made too generic for production. One of our readers came up with a novel solution to both problems. Just graft the Volt concept nose onto the Sky and install an adaptation of the Voltec powertrain an…from AutoblogGreen 

REPORT: RWD Commodore platform could underpin Caddies, G8 GT could make a comebackGM, GMC, Australia Pontiac G8 ST – Click above for a high-res image gallery With Pontiac’s death official, Holden stands to lose around $1 billion annually with the demise of the Pontiac G8. However, Holden doesn’t plan to go quiet into night. The Aussie automaker has drawn up plans to offer the rear-wheel drive Commodore platform to Cadillac an…from Autoblog 

Opel Insignia SportTourer OPC: An Audi S4 Avant-Fighter [Rendered Speculation]…heard that GM is pondering whether or not to bring the Insignia over here as a Buick, but with the current financial situation being faced by the General, we won’t believe anything until we see it. While we’re asking questions — How about an Audi RS4 fighter, or is that asking waaaay too much? [illustration via KORSdesign]from Jalopnik 

eBay Finds of the Day: Pontiac Vibe GT-R and G6 GXP SEMA showcars…world GM division. But for a lucky two, that thrill can be experienced every day on their own driveway as two past Pontiac show cars have popped up on eBay Motors for sale.First up is the Pontiac Vibe GT-R that debuted at the 2002 SEMA show in Las Vegas. Boasting a unique Opera Red Metallic paint job, ram-air induction hood scoop, special body-k…from Autoblog

CNBC’s Dennis Kneale Wouldn’t Know A Car If It Hit Him In The Ass [Auto Tech Wars]…in every GM vehicle. That aux-in jack that can be found in every GM product is the same aux-in jack you’ll find in every Toyota product. But more to the point of supposed technological superiority — find me a Toyota or Honda-branded vehicle with a plug-in-play system that works as effortlessly as Ford’s Sync system. Tell you what — Kneal…from Jalopnik 

Pontiac G8 GXP, Solstice Coupe – Future collectors items? [w/POLL]…lost when GM inexplicably dropped classic names like Bonneville, Grand Prix and Grand Am.We’re not going to disagree with that assessment, but it may not be the whole story. If sales figures alone can predict a future classic, perhaps we should rush out and put a new Solstice Coupe GXP in our driveway. We spoke with Pontiac’s media relations man…from Autoblog

Camaro Police Cruiser: Long Mullet Of The Law [Chevy Camaro]The 2010 Chevy Camaro is likely to attract its fair share of police attention. But what if the new Camaro was the police car? Whoa. Rendered gallery below. The detailed photoshop adds much of the features you’d expect from a police car, including the push-bar and an LED light-strip above the roof. Without many additions the Camaro looks the part of…from Jalopnik 

GM Autosales for April fell 33% – Toyota Falls Behind Ford Ford Motor’s vehicle sales dropped 32% last month, but the healthiest of Detroit’s auto makers outsold Toyota in the U.S. for the first time in at least a year. GM’s sales fell 33%.

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – April 30, 2009

April 30, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Thursday, April 30, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


TIC3 From GEWI – One Platform, Multiple Deployment Options

Whether you are looking to provide Interoperability between legacy systems, launch or upgrade a 511 Service, generate Traffic Flows & Predictive models, Traffic Alerts, Traffic Plans & Simulations, report on Work Zones & Road Conditions, run an automated Radio Traffic Advisory system, or produce Navigation Quality Data, TIC3 from GEWI is the solution. All of these services, and more, can be achieved by simple configuration of this single commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software platform, already in use in over 100+ projects worldwide.  To discuss your requirements, contact jim.oneill@gewi.com and look for GEWI in booth #329 at ITS America.

AVIATION

1) Aviation Industry Presses for ‘NextGen’ at Annual Summit

Link to story on NextGov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090429_7144.php

2) Airports Seek Thermal-Scan Solution to Swine Flu Spread

Link to story in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/04/airports-seek-thermal-scan-solution-to-swine-flu-spread/

3) AAAE, FAA Host Airfield Safety and Signage Meeting

Link to story on AviationNews:

http://www.aviationnews.net/?do=headline&news_ID=166848

4) In-Flight Wireless Ban Needs More Study

Link to commentary in the San Jose Mercury News:

http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_12257071

5) FAA’s Turn Toward Secrecy

Link to commentary on AVweb:

http://www.avweb.com/blogs/insider/AvWebInsider_PhotoOpTwo_200288-1.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) Norway Joins Galileo Project

Link to story in GPS World:

http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/Latest+News/Norway-Joins-Galileo-Project/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/594438?contextCategoryId=33831

7) Communication on the Road

A low-cost GPS-based positioning architecture for V2V and V2I systems uses a scalable, flexible system that enables a range of in-vehicle safety features.

Link to story in GPS World:

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/gps0409/#/24 

OTHER

8) Latest Issue of ERTICO-ITS Europe’s iMobility Newsletter

Link to newsletter:

http://tools.emailgarage.com/Pub/iaOjBgAAAAA~/ViewEmail.ashx

PARKING

9) Maryland Program Lets You Pay Parking Meters Using Your Cell Phone

Link to story on WTOP Radio:

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=30&sid=1662418

ROADWAYS

10) Report Finds More Flaws in Seattle DOT’s Snow Response

Link to story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/405702_Storm30.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

11) Adirondack Northway Cell Gap Closed

Coverage expanded over sections of previously dark I-87.

Link to story in the Press-Republican:

http://www.pressrepublican.com/homepage/local_story_119233554.html

12) Illinois Lawmakers Propose School Bus Tracking Devices

Link to story in the Quad-City Times:

http://www.qctimes.com/news/local/article_9355348e-3544-11de-8944-001cc4c03286.html

13) The Dangers of Texting While Driving

Video captures what happens when bus driver is texting.

Link to story on NBC’s Today:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30472366#30472366

TRANSIT

14) Oregon Lawmakers Want ‘Greeters’ in Place at MAX Stations

Link to story in The Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/lawmakers_want_greeters_in_pla.html

 15) Mobile Transit Payment Project in the Works in France

Link to story in American Banker:

http://www.americanbanker.com/article.html?id=200904297V1PTSMA

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

16) Bringing Efficiency to the Infrastructure

A smart infrastructure wave may be coming.

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/business/energy-environment/30smart.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

News Releases

1) Inrix Triples Real-Time Traffic Flow Coverage in North America to Over 160,000 Miles
2) More than a Gadget Every Mile Keeps the UK on the Move

3) Automotive DMB/DAB Will Feel Heat from Internet Radio

4) Sensys Networks Honored Among This Year’s Most Promising Private Technology Ventures in North America

Upcoming Events

International Congress on Sound and Vibration – July 5-9 – Kraków, Poland

http://www.icsv16.org/

Today in Transportation History

1939 **70th anniversary** – The New York World’s Fair opened with several transportation exhibits, including GM’s Futurama.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74cO9X4NMb4

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

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

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – April 28, 2009

April 28, 2009 at 6:08 pm

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


U.S. Chief Technology Officer Nominee Aneesh Chopra to Moderate CTO Roundtable at ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition 

President Obama’s nominee for U.S. Chief Technology Officer and Virginia’s Secretary of Technology, Aneesh Chopra, will moderate the CTO Roundtable at ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition from 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. on Monday, June 1 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.  Offered for the first time at an ITS America Annual Meeting, the CTO Roundtable will bring together the technology experts of several organizations to present their vision for a technology-savvy organization and offer insights that will help shape and implement ITS solutions in the transportation arena. Discounted registration rates are available through April 30.  For more information and to register, go to http://www.itsa.org/annualmeeting.html.

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

1) All-Electronic North Texas Tollway Authority Toll Booth System Delayed

Link to AP story:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6395867.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Obama Lifts Up GPS in Speech to US Scientists

Link to story in Inside GNSS:

http://www.insidegnss.com/node/1475

OTHER

3) New Google Search Tool Aimed at Making Sense of Public Data

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/28/AR2009042802280.html

ROADWAYS

4) Road Safety Interview: Sweden’s Vision Zero

Link to interview on Allianz Knowledge:

http://knowledge.allianz.com/en/globalissues/safety_health/road_safety/road_safety_vision_zero/article629.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) New York MTA a Tech Wreck

Lawsuit says high-tech security project can’t be completed.

Link to story in the New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04282009/news/regionalnews/mta_a_tech_wreck_166543.htm

6) Microsoft Launches Social Media Tool

Emergency managers could use Vine to communicate with citizens.

Link to story in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/648644

TELEMATICS

7) Mercedes’ OnStar Clone Tries Out Ads

Link to story in PC Magazine:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346045,00.asp

TRANSIT

8) TransLink Fare Cards Pass BART Tests

Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/27/BAPV17A4OD.DTL

9) Contactless Fare Collection Systems Moving Forward

Link to story in ContactlessNews:

http://www.contactlessnews.com/2009/04/27/contactless-fare-collection-systems-moving-forward

Link to news release from the Smart Card Alliance:

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/The-Smart-Card-Alliance-980102.html

10) Transit Alerts that Work

Link to story and video on WNYW-TV:

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/good_day_ny/090427_transit_alerts_best_of

News Releases

1) OnStar Shines for GM, as Auto Telematics Becomes Mainstream

2) Celebrate National Train Day Online with Streaming Video Programming Featuring the History of American Passenger Rail Service and the California Zephyr

3) Navteq Unveils a New Look and Enhancements for Navteq Traffic.com

4) New Kentucky Traffic Safety Web Site Launched

Upcoming Events

The Great West Truck Show – June 25-27 – Las Vegas

http://www.greatwesttruckshow.com/

Today in Transportation History

1789 **220th anniversary** – The mutiny on the HMAV Bounty took place.

http://www.fatefulvoyage.com/

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

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

Bernie’ s Transportation Communications Newsletter – April 27, 2009

April 27, 2009 at 6:36 pm

Monday, April 27, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) Airports’ Reporting of Bird Strikes Inconsistent

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-04-26-birdstrikes_N.htm

2) California Air Traffic Facilities Rely on Trainees

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iZVZ2TIKS6bAjzHKob0wTFPXjBUgD97QUKMO0

Link to further information from the US DOT Inspector General:

http://www.oig.dot.gov/item.jsp?id=2453

3) ADS-B Enters US Air Traffic Management Arena

Link to story in Aviation Week:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/aw042709p1.xml&headline=ADS-B%20Enters%20U.S.%20Air%20Traffic%20Management%20Arena

4) Air Force One Photo Op Triggers Panic in Manhattan

Normal system of public notification broke down.

Link to story and video on ABC News’ World News:

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=7439287&page=1

5) Hot New Aircraft Features

From shower stalls to Wi-Fi.

Link to story from Forbes Traveler:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30195496/

PARKING

6) Evaluation of Transit Applications of Advanced Parking Management Systems – Final Evaluation Report

Link to report from US DOT:

http://www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/JPODOCS//REPTS_TE/14460.htm

ROADWAYS

7) TexasBush Turnpike Tolls to Go All-Electronic

Link to story in the Dallas Business Journal:

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2009/04/20/daily71.html

8) Arizona Group Wants I-91 Metric Signs Kept

Link to story in the Arizona Daily Star:

http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/290334

9) Could Timely Twitter Tweet Thwart a Ticket?

In Seattle drivers using Twitter to warn of speed traps.

Link to story on KOMO-TV:

http://www.komonews.com/news/tech/43742627.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) Thermal Imaging Scanners at Major International Airports in Malaysia to Spot Swine Flu

Link to story in the New Straits Times:

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/NewsBreak/20090427190025/Article/index_html

TRANSIT

11) More Bus Information Boards to be Installed in Seoul Area

Link to story in The Chosun Ilbo:

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/04/27/2009042700666.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) Managing Traffic in a New Way

Pennsylvania DOT’s new traffic center keeps watch of Harrisburg-area traffic.

Link to story on WHP-TV:

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/Managing-Traffic-in-a-New-Way/fW0n5W5OdEi7cK0FbJywqg.cspx

13) Hyderabad Cops Launch Web Site for Live Traffic Updates

Link to Press Trust of India story:

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=2996832

Link to site:  http://www.htp.gov.in/  

14) ITS Initiatives for Traffic Management in Bangalore

Link to story in the Deccan Herald:

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Apr272009/city20090427132723.asp

15) When Will Ahmedabad See Smart Eyes on the Road?

Link to story in The Times of India:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/When-will-city-see-smart-eyes-on-the-road/articleshow/4452451.cms

VEHICLES

16) Florida May Issue Christian License Plates

Bill would allow plates with image of Jesus and one with a cross.

Link to story in The Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/legislature/story/1016751.html

News Releases

1) Al-Markazia Launches ‘Anta Muraqab’ (Traffic Safety) Campaign in Lebanon

2) Inrix Traffic to Enhance Live 411 Search – Mobile users now have free, instant voice-enabled access to local traffic

Upcoming Events

Snow and Ice Management Association 12th Annual Snow & Ice Symposium – June 24-27 – Louisville, Kentucky

http://www.sima.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=7

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100th anniversary** – An experiment in Washington, DC tested how well roads could handle high-speed automobiles.  The top speed reached was 70 mph.

http://www.transportation.org/?siteid=86&pageid=2219 

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

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

TransportGooru Headline News Aggregator Dispatch – April 25, 2009

April 24, 2009 at 11:32 pm

LA Transportation Blog – Transportation Headlines for Friday April 24, 2009 b

Streetsblog – Today’s Headlines by 

Transportation for America – Today’s Headlines — 4/24/09by 

  • An ironic beginning to legislative efforts to tackle the nation’s transportation woes. (Associated Press)
  • LaHood is the stimulus package’s biggest Republican fan. (Washington Post)
  • DOT has the highest profile in decades — is this more to do with the times than with the new administration? (Politico)
  • NY Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith has proposed a $1 surcharge on NYC taxi fares to help close the MTA’s budget gap, as well as to pay for highway and bridge improvements upstate. (Crain’s New York Business)

The Infrastructrist -The Daily Dig – High Speed Rail Edition

Posted on Friday April 24th by Jebediah Reed