Hmmm… Who knew Germany would improve its relationship so much with the rest of the world after what the country did during World War II. A report released on August 25th by Henley & Partners, a consultancy, shows that Britons have the fewest visa restrictions of the 190-odd countries (and territories) for which data are available.
Interesting to see how things have changed in a short period of time. Twenty years ago more than half of the top 20 container ports were in America or Europe reflecting imports into both regions from around the globe. In a testament to China’s tremendous growth, the country now has 8 of the world’s largest ports compared to zero twenty years ago. On the other hand, the U.S. had 4 in the list during 1989 but that has now dramatically halved in 2009. WOW!
The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is looking for an IT Specialist (Network Services). RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and
the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system. This position is located at the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), an innovative fee-for service organization which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT’s) Research and Innovative Technology Administration in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Volpe Center is an internationally recognized Federal center of transportation and logistics with a world-class, multidisciplinary technical team with expertise across all modes of transportation.
We have an exciting opportunity for a talented IT Specialist (Network Services) to serve as key member of the Safety Data, Collection, and Distribution Division. In this exciting role the ideal candidate must have demonstrated experience in providing technical support for technology systems by planning, designing, and managing network environments within or related to a transportation field.
This announcement is open to the general public and under merit promotion for current or former federal employees and people eligible under special hiring authorities. Please note that merit promotion announcements are the vehicle through which Federal employees generally apply for Federal positions.
The general public announcement can be found via the link below:
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/IT Specialist_PUBLIC
The merit promotion announcement can be found via the link below:
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/IT Specialist_MERIT PROMOTION
Please direct any questions to Tara Smallidge, Volpe Human Resources, at 617-494-2450.
Tuesday, August 25, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057
Join your colleagues in San Diego, September 12-15, 2010, for IBTTA’s 78th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, the year’s most highly-anticipated learning and networking event — attracting more than 700 toll industry experts and decision makers from across the globe. Under the theme, Sustainable Transportation, the technical program offers tracks focused on innovation, policy, the economy, and the California tolling experience. Hosted by the California Toll Operators Committee (CTOC), this event features interactive seminars, influential speakers, technical tours and special events, informative exhibits and more! Register and make your hotel reservations today! Visit IBTTA’s website for details.
AVIATION
1) FAA Set to Plumb Mid-Air Incidents
Agency plans to bring air traffic controllers and pilots together to share information.
Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704340504575447883834823838.html
2) Jetliner Crash Shows Dangers of Using Tainted USB Sticks
Link to article in USA Today:
Link to original article in El Pais:
3) Fact Check: Malware Did Not Bring Down a Passenger Jet
Link to blog on ZDNet:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/fact-check-malware-did-not-bring-down-a-passenger-jet/2354
CAMERAS
4) University of Maryland License Plate Scanning System Could Aid Police
Link to article on College Park Patch:
ELECTRONIC TOLLING
5) Utah’s Electronic Payment System Goes Live on I-15
Link to article in the Deseret News:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700059605/Utahs-electronic-payment-system-goes-live-on-I-15.html
6) California Bill Would Protect Privacy of FasTrak Users
Link to AP article:
http://www.montereyherald.com/state/ci_15871881
PEDESTRIANS
7) Mobile Handset Used for Pedestrian Collision Avoidance
Link to article in EE Times Europe:
RAILROADS
8) Positive Train Control Implementation Signals Challenges Ahead
Link to article in Metro:
TELEMATICS
9) Traffic Data Quality Will Determine Telematics Winners
Link to blog from Strategy Analytics:
http://blogs.strategyanalytics.com/auto/?p=140
TRANSIT
10) Technology Helps Paratransit Services Go Lean
Link to article in Metro:
http://www.metro-magazine.com/resources/Images/MET08-Paratransit.pdf
TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
11) Massachusetts State Police Seek Solution to Air Show Traffic Nightmare
Link to article in The Republican:
http://www.masslive.com/springfield/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-30/1282635940111310.xml&coll=1
VEHICLES
12) Prius Gets Sound Option to Protect Pedestrians
Link to AP article:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Prius-gets-sound-option-to-apf-2437554670.html?x=0&.v=2
13) Report: Car Infotainment Systems to Put Consumers in Driver’s Seat
Link to article in USA Today:
14) HD Radio Shouldn’t be this Hard
The chief engineer of WOR Radio recounts his difficulty in getting an HD Radio for his new Ford Escape.
Link to article in Radioworld:
http://www.radioworld.com/article/104712
News Releases
1) Jacobs Helps Washington State DOT Achieve Smarter Highways
3) QNX and Freescale Team Up to Accelerate Design Cycles for Automotive Infotainment
4) Sensys Networks Awarded 6th Patent for Wireless Vehicular Sensor Network
Upcoming Events
Rail-Volution Conference – October 18-21 – Portland, Oregon
Today in Transportation History
1910 **100th anniversary** The schooner, Catherine M. Monohan, sank off the North Carolina coast.
http://www.nc-wreckdiving.com/WRECKS/MONOHAN/MONOHAN.HTML
======================================================================
The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.
To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications
Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.
© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net
For this month’s project, dubbed A Day with a Bicycle, GOOD is asking you to pick a day and avoid using any kind of carbon-burning vehicles (cars, buses, mopeds, etc.), and then draw a doodle that illustrates your experiences.
the OBJECTIVE
Create a doodle that tells your story of a day with a bicycle.
the ASSIGNMENT
The doodle can be as broad or as specific as you wish. Did you go somewhere unexpected? Did you feel lost? Did you save money? Did the experience bring up any interesting thoughts or observations? A day with a bike can certainly mean different things to different people. We’ll leave that to you.
the REQUIREMENTS
Send us an e-mail at projects[at]goodinc[dot]com with your doodle and the subject line “September DOODLE.” It can be in any image format, but ideally it should be high enough resolution that it can be printed at 300 dpi. We prefer images that are taller versus wider (the above was a 6:8 ratio). There are numerous methods for creating visual notes whether through digital means (tablets, digital sketchpads, etc.) or tangible methods such as using a Moleskine. Regardless of your choice, please ensure the images are as clean as possible. Feel free to include a brief summary of your illustration. We’ll take submissions now through September 12th.
Monday, August 23, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057
AVIATION
1) Rebranding of Combined United and Continental Presents Communication Challenges
Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/feed/ct-biz-0822-united-choices–new-20100822,0,2640921.story
2) Technology Improves US Airways’ Customer Service
Link to article in the Phoenix Business Journal:
http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2010/08/23/story1.html?b=1282536000%5E3829171
3) Photographer Combined His Love of Cameras and Aircraft
Link to article in the San Jose Mercury News:
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_15797787?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com
BICYCLES
4) His Maps of Pittsburgh Give Tips for Everyday Bicyclists
Link to article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10235/1082029-140.stm
CARTOGRAPHY
5) Google Street View Cars Back Too Soon, Says French Watchdog
Link to article in Computerworld:
GPS / NAVIGATION
6) Indoor Positioning and Navigation – The Next LBS Frontier?
Link to article in Directions Magazine:
http://www.directionsmag.com/articles/indoor-positioning-and-navigation-the-next-lbs-frontier/129925
MARITIME
7) Canaveral Port Authority Weighs Options for Advertising Space
Link to article in Florida Today:
OTHER
8) imaGinyze Augments Your Driving Experience with Augmented Reality iPhone App
Link to article on Gizmag:
http://www.gizmag.com/imaginyze-augments-your-driving-experience-with-ar-iphone-app/16051/
Link to further information and screen shots:
http://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/series/car_app/20100817_387504.html (in Japanese)
9) iPhone Apps; Top Gear for Motorists
Link to article in The Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1304128/iPhone-apps-Top-gear-motorists.html
PARKING
10) Los Angeles Program Aims to Make Parking Easier
Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-express-park-20100822,0,4725469.story
RAILROADS
11) Signaling the Future of the UK Railways
Thames Valley Signalling Centre will control trains on a portion of the rail network using new technologies.
Link to article in the Oxford Mail:
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/8344440.Signalling_the_future_of_the_railways/
ROADWAYS
12) Sponsor-a-Highway Signs Amount to Free Advertising on Philadelphia Roads While Program is Suspended
Link to article in The Philadelphia Inquirer:
TRANSIT
13) Improve Driver Training, Rider Info: Toronto Transit Commission Report
Link to article in the Toronto Star:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/851197–improve-driver-training-rider-info-ttc-report?bn=1
Link to report:
http://ttcpanel.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/report.pdf
14) Modify DC Metro Next Train Displays to Improve Communication
Link to commentary on Greater Greater Washington:
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=6841
TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
15) Nagpur, India Traffic Department Gets Net Savvy
Link to article in The Times of India:
16) Boston T Specific Apps a Real Time Saver
Link to article in the Boston Herald:
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20100823t_specific_apps_a_real-time_saver/
VEHICLES
17) Boulder, Colorado to Use Car Colors to Discourage Driving
Link to story in the Daily Camera:
http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_15851771?IADID=Search-www.dailycamera.com-www.dailycamera.com
18) Tesco to Introduce Speed Monitoring to Compare Van Speeds with Actual Speed Limits
Link to article in article in Fleet News:
http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2010/8/23/tesco-to-map-van-speed-to-road-limit/37552/
News Releases
1) Clear Channel Partners with Geodelic to Launch the Ultimate Mobile Guide for Smart Air Travelers
2) Distracted Driving Takes Center Stage in Drive Safely Work Week
3) CITE’s 2010 Fall Blended Course Offerings
4) 2010 Power IT Down Day Challenges Government to Save More Kilowatt Hours, Decrease Carbon Footprint
Bernie’s Notes
I like to welcome my first grandchild … James Harrison Luedecker. He was born Friday evening, August 20 at 7:12 (conveniently waiting until Friday’s TCN was sent) and checked in at 8 lbs. 2 oz. The baby, and the proud mom and dad, Kirsten and Russell, are all doing well.
Upcoming Events
Webinar: The Significance of Search Engines in the Auto Industry: How Search Engines Have Radically Changed the Way Consumers Shop for Cars – August 24
Today in Transportation History
2000 **10th anniversary** Gulf Air Flight 072 crashed in the Persian Gulf while attempting to land in Bahrain. All 143 people onboard died.
http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2000/a40-ek000823a/htm/a40-ek000823a.html
======================================================================
The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.
To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications
Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.
© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net
(Source: CNN)
You thought you had a bad time on the road? Wait till you see this one and start thanking all the gods that are out there. Here are some snippets about this epic, mother of all traffic jams that ever happened on Earth.
The gridlock, which started August 14, involves thousands of trucks between the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the Chinese capital of Beijing.
The back-up stretches over 62 miles on the Beijing-Tibet Expressway. What’s worse, officials are saying that the jam could continue for up to a month (Sept. 13, the projected completion project for some of the projects causing this delay).
Reason cited: “Insufficient traffic capacity on the National Expressway 110 caused by maintenance construction since August 19 is the major cause of the congestion,” a Beijing Traffic Management Bureau spokesman told the Beijing-based Global Times.
Other undesired outcomes borne from this mess: Bored drivers playing cards to pass time, and enterprising local vendors doling out instant noodles for as much as 4-times the actual cost.
The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks an experienced Environmental Protection Specialist to join the Energy Technology Division at the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center). The position is located at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA.
RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system. This is one of eight Centers of Innovation (COI) at the Volpe Center whose function is to undertake transportation policy analysis and research that contributes to a compelling vision of the 21st Century transportation enterprise and supports decision making in the development, management, operation, and financing of an integrated multimodal national transportation system that meets 21st Century mobility needs for goods and people.
Working within the Energy Technology Division, you will lead and collaborate in projects that directly impact the nation’s most important policies and programs related to transportation and energy. As part of our team, you will develop and analyze federal, state, and local policies and programs related to the transportation sector’s roles in energy distribution and consumption, and advise senior decision-makers on related matters; the primary focus of your work will be on the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), the Clean Air Act (CAA), and Department of Transportation (DOT) authorization and funding acts.
In this role you will lead the development of model policies and programs for adoption and implementation at the state and local levels; lead the development of supporting analyses; and coordinate outreach to agencies through meetings, workshops, testimony, and other means. You will also facilitate negotiations and information sharing with affected industries; with officials from state, local, and international environmental, energy, and transportation agencies; and with environmental advocacy and other nongovernmental organizations.
If you are an experienced professional, and have the expertise and the desire to influence the direction our nation’s policies and programs, then this job is for you! You must have superb analytical, problem-solving and project management skills, and must be able to work in a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment. Writing samples will be required from all individuals identified as best qualified. (An Annual Financial Disclosure is required each year from the individual in this position.)
This announcement is posted under both Merit Promotion procedures and to the Public on www.usajobs.opm.gov. Applications will be accepted from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities. Please know that Merit Promotion announcements are the vehicle through which Federal employees generally apply for Federal positions.
Informational briefing: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 from 11:00-12:00 p.m., Volpe Center, Cambridge (Conference Room: Building 1-3-45B; conference call no.: 1-877-336-1839; access code 6481986). Ryan Harrington, a senior technical staff member of the Division, will hold an information session at this time to describe the job and to answer any questions employees may have. Elizabeth León from Human Resources will be there to answer questions about the application process.
If you or someone you know has the experience and proven results, I encourage you or them to apply. We are looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.
Please contact Elizabeth León at elizabeth.leon@dot.gov or 617-494-2214 if you have any questions.
Another marvelous sample of American ingenuity.. This is a must for bike towns like Austin, TX where many folks bike around to find their elixirs of choice from the numerous watering holes littered around the town. Following the manufacturer’s cues, Transportgooru does not condone cycling while under the influence of alcohol.
The Road Popper is a bike-mounted bottle opener that we developed for our own use and decided afterward to share. We designed it to fasten discreetly to the rails on the underside of the saddle to help keep your bike looking crisp. So far, it’s worked on all the bottle caps we’ve tried it on. Material options are bronze infused stainless steel. Finish options are plain (on the right in the photograph), matte gold, glossy gold, matte antique bronze, and glossy antique bronze. The Road Popper is not intended for alcoholic beverages. Chromoly does not condone cycling while under the influence of alcohol. Read more at www.shapeways.com
The study aims to help researchers understand how toxic chemicals and lethal biological agents could spread through the nation’s oldest subway system in a terrorist attack airflow and also help in studying the characteristics for smoke or unintentional spills of chemicals or fuels.
BOSTON — Scientists are releasing gases and fluorescent particles into Boston’s subway tunnels on Friday to study how toxic chemicals and lethal biological agents could spread through the nation’s oldest subway system in a terrorist attack.
It’s part of a weeklong study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to figure out ways to quickly minimize the impact of an airborne assault on the nation’s 15 subway systems and protect the nation’s infrastructure. U.S. subway systems include 810 miles of track in tunnels and accounted for about 3.45 billion trips taken last year, according to the American Public Transportation Association.
The scientists are monitoring concentration of the gases — which are invisible to the naked eye and nontoxic — and particles as they move throughout the system and then up into the streets above, pushed by turbulence created by trains thundering through the tunnels. Researchers use electronic devices to take air samples at more than 20 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority stations and in subway cars.
Test results will be used to craft ways to quickly detect an attack so authorities can shut down subways to limit the spread of contaminants.
Federal officials say similar tests were conducted in 2008 in the Washington, D.C., area, serving as an excellent contrast to the Boston study. The Massachusetts subway system, which opened its first tunnels in 1897, is poorly ventilated, while Washington’s is relatively modern and well-ventilated, DHS officials said.
