November 30, 2010 at 12:01 am
RITA strongly encourages comments on the Real-Time System Management Information Program Final Rule Request:
Rule: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2010_register&docid=fr08no10-4 Comments: http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480b84022 BACKGROUND The concept for establishing a Real-Time System Management Information Program was included in federal transportation legislation in 2005 (specifically known as Section 1201 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, or SAFETEA-LU). The Real-Time System Management Information Program would provide the capability to monitor in real-time the traffic and travel conditions of the major highways across the U.S. and provide a means of sharing these data with state and local governments and with the traveling public. The SAFETEA-LU legislation required the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to establish a formal rule in order to define minimum parameters and requirements for states to make available and share traffic and travel conditions information via real-time information programs. The Federal Highway Administration has released the proposed rule, and is seeking comments from stakeholders across the public and private sectors. The Research and Innovative Technology Administration, which oversees the U.S. Intelligent Transportation Systems Program, is actively encouraging innovation in data collection, management, and dissemination across a wide array of communications platforms, and also encourages stakeholders to provide detailed comments regarding this rule. RITA is particularly interested in responses to questions below from the Notice:
- Given the research investment into wireless communications systems in the 5.9 GHz spectrum for Intelligent Transportation Systems applications, to what extent could systems in this spectrum also be used to fulfill the requirements of this rule and/or enable other applications?
- Given that there are legacy technologies in place now, and that there are new technologies on the horizon that are being adopted, how can we ensure that investments made today to comply with this rule are sustainable over the long term?
DATES:
This rule will be effective December 23, 2010. Establishment of the real-time information program for traffic and travel conditions reporting along the Interstate highway system will be completed no later than November 8, 2014. Establishment of the real-time information program for traffic and travel conditions reporting along the State-designated metropolitan area routes of significance will be completed no later than November 8, 2016. We request that comments be submitted via the link above no later than December 23, 2010.
November 22, 2010 at 8:52 pm
(source: Washington Post’s Federal Eye)
This is very disconcerting, to say the least. But I’m glad at ths ame time they are working to fix the problem.
Federal agents responsible for driving nuclear weapons and other sensitive materials sometimes got drunk and were detained by police while on the job, according to a new watchdog report.
A report released Monday by the Energy Department’s Office of Inspector General found 16 alcohol-related incidents between 2007 and 2009 involving personnel with the National Nuclear Security Administration‘s Office of Surface Transportation (OST). About 600 OST agents are responsible for safely transporting or shipping nuclear weapons and other materials across the country.
Two incidents involved extended overnight missions where OST agents parked convoy vehicles in safe harbor before checking in at nearby hotels, the report said. In separate incidents, an agent was arrested in 2007 for public intoxication while two agents were handcuffed and temporarily detained by police officers in 2009, according to the report.
Click here to read the entire story.
November 22, 2010 at 7:47 pm
(Source TSA via You Tube via Gizmodo)
Dear Mr. Pistole , here are some responses (a mere sampling) from concerned citizens’ about this situation at airport security check points:
Image Courtesy: Land of the free? by David Vincent Wolf
Image Courtesy: Slate.com
November 20, 2010 at 6:32 pm
(Source: Gizmodo)
Image Courtesy: Gizmodo
Image Courtesy: Gizmodo
It’s an incredibly simple idea: LED lights trickle down in a virtual sand glass that countdowns how much more Red and Green there will be. When it approaches 3 seconds left, the LEDs switch to yellow and give you an exact count on what’s left.
Click here to read the entire article.
November 20, 2010 at 4:44 pm
November 20, 2010 at 2:19 pm
(Source: AFP via Yahoo)
The Portuguese hosts of Friday’s NATO summit hoped to use the event to promote clean-energy and electric cars, but all eyes were on US President Barack Obama’s diesel-guzzling “Beast” instead.
As is usual when he travels, Obama’s eight-tonne armoured behemoth of a limousine was flown out to Lisbon before the US leader’s arrival, and it ferried him from the airport tarmac to his first meetings of the weekend.
Doubtless he didn’t intend the Beast’s roar to drown out his hosts’ green message, but a US presidential motorcade and its attendant escort of Secret Service SUVs do attract attention, even at the most elite gatherings.
Click here to read the entire article
November 19, 2010 at 6:40 pm
(Source: CBS news)
Why don’t fun and exciting things like this happen on my flights? Anyways, WordPress founder Matt Mullenwag tweeted, while flying a red eye on Virgin America from San Francisco to New York Thursday morning, that a quick wedding was conducted on his flight while the plane was over Canada. It just so happened that another passenger, Ryan McManus also broke the news via twitter while floating above ground.
The reporter who wrote about this story got an update from a Virgin America PR representative via email offering the following details:
The crew has been on rest (it was a red eye flight), but I did briefly get a hold of the pilot for the flight – and there was no “diversion” – this was part of the normal flight path. He actually was unaware of the reported celebration in the cabin (so reports that a pilot performed it are definitely not correct). That flight’s normal flight path (VX 28 SFO-JFK) does cross the Canadian border for a few minutes. I have not had reports from anyone else onboard however, so other than that I cannot confirm anything.
Note: Transportgooru.com wishes the newly weds all the very best and extends a warm virtual hug.
November 19, 2010 at 2:03 pm
(Source: CSPAN via Youtube)
It is amazing how passionate this man is. While making a case for the Government to act swiftly, he took chastising the TSA to a new level for its latest nightmarish handling of the new security procedures. this easily qualifies as verbal beat down. TSA has done a poor job handling this public backlash. They ought to get a new PR/Social Media/Communications team to handle this boondoggle. Poor Michael Chertoff – the former Secretary of the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) got a bad bruising in this verbal tirade.
November 17, 2010 at 11:44 pm
(Source: Washingtonexaminer.com; Slate.com)
After losing my mind reading/following all the mind-numbing accusations and chaos surrounding the issue of full body scanners/advance security pat down searches performed by TSA staff at airports, I was looking for something fun to read on this issue. As if someone read my mind, The Washington Examiner had a piece, in fact a cartoon, that just captured the essence of the issue at hand. Thank you, Nate Beeler, for giving me a good chuckle with this great cartoon. Loving it!
Image Courtesy: Nate Beeler - WashingtonExaminer.com
November 17, 2010 at 1:16 am
(Source: Thefuntheory.com via The High Definite)
This brilliant idea of American Kevin Richardson’s won the Fun Theory award competition run by Volkswagen (Sweden). The idea is to capture on camera who keep to the speed limit. They would have their photos taken and their vehicle registration numbers recorded and entered into a lottery. Winners would receive cash prizes and will be notified by post. This is where it gets interesting. The winning pot would come from the people who are caught speeding. That changes the idea of whole idea of enforcement on its head and makes it more appealing to the community and encourages compliance through rewards for better behavior.
The Fun Theory is based on the idea that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behavior. Can we get more people to obey the speed limit by making it fun to do? This was the question Kevin’s idea answered and it was so good that Volkswagen, together with The Swedish National Society for Road Safety, actually made this innovative idea a reality in Stockholm, Sweden.
Click here to learn more about the competition and the other awesome entries. Mind blowing ideas!
