TransportGooru

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Robotic Bald Eagle

Link to article and video in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704324304575306541506554802.html

2) Top Airports on Twitter

Link to column in Forbes:

http://blogs.forbes.com/wheelsup/2010/06/09/top-airports-on-twitter/

3) Business Aviation and Social Media

Link to column in Forbes:

http://blogs.forbes.com/wheelsup/2010/06/15/business-aviation-and-social-media/

OTHER

4) Traffic Stop Video on YouTube Sparks Debate on Police Use of Maryland Wiretap Laws

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/15/AR2010061505556.html

5) Wisconsin DOT Asks for Ethics Review of Employee Over Sale of Radio Frequencies

Link to article in the Wisconsin State Journal:

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt_and_politics/blog/article_d75ff882-789e-11df-a79a-001cc4c03286.html

6) Florida DOT’s SunGuide Disseminator – June Issue Online

Link to newsletter:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/TrafficOperations/Newsletters/2010/2010-006-Jun.pdf

7) Transport Business – June Issue Online

Link to magazine:

http://bit.ly/dx5ePl

ROADWAYS

8) Religious-Themed Signs May Cost Kentucky Road Money

Link to AP article:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KY_RELIGIOUS_BILLBOARDS_KYOL-

SAFETY / SECURITY

9) Alaska Trooper Unit Focus is Traffic Safety

Link to article in the Peninsula Clarion:

http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/061610/new_654714423.shtml

10) Unnerving Blinking Speed Limit Signs to Take on Cell Phones

Link to blog in the OC Weekly:

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/school-daze/unnerving-blinking-speed-limit/

TRANSIT

11) New York City Transit Changes ‘Profane’ Subway Signs

Link to story and video on NY1 News

http://manhattan.ny1.com/content/top_stories/120445/nyc-transit-changes–profane–subway-signs

12) Maryland Publishes New Rules for Campaigning at Transit Stations

Link to article on MarylandReporter.com:

http://www.marylandreporter.com/page55075.aspx

VEHICLES

13) The Single Biggest Threat to Sirius XM

Link to article on Motley Fool:

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2010/06/16/the-single-biggest-threat-to-sirius-xm.aspx

News Releases

1) Public Private Partnership Boosts Deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in Europe

2) Thinking Cars Documentary World Premiere in Brussels

3) New York State Canal Corporation Launches Online Interactive Map of Launch and Landing Sites

4) TrafficLand Awarded Patent for Image Engine Video Serving Software

5) OnAir Expands Mobile Phone Connectivity to Cruise Ship

6) IMS Research Predicts New Growth Phase for Telematics

7) 407 ETR Wins Inaugural Canadian Technology Award from ITS Canada

Upcoming Events

AAAE General Aviation Issues & Security Conference – June 29-July 1 – Morristown, New Jersey

http://events.aaae.org/sites/100612/index.cfm

Today in Transportation History

1860 **150^th anniversary** The Pacific Telegraph Act of 1860 was signed into law.  The law authorized the US Secretary of the Treasury to seek bids for the construction of a transcontinental telegraph line.  http://cprr.org/Museum/Pacific_Telegraph_Act_1860.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

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

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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

Yesterday (June 15, 2010), I had the chance to attend “Online Engagement for Sustainable Urban Mobility”, a panel discussion and roundtable organized by EMBARQ, the sustainable transportation arm of the World Resources Institute, at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. Part of a week-long citywide festival focused on technology and innovation, the event brought together citizen activists and representatives from government agencies and non-profits to discuss open data, online citizen engagement and collaboration – while looking at the nation’s capital as a case study.  The agenda, as seen on the invitation

How urban transportation can be made more sustainable through:

• Open Data
• Blogging and Citizen Journalism
• Government Transparency and Civic Engagement
• Citizen Collaboration

This was a great forum to share/listen best practices, lessons learned, failure stories and ideas of how to put theory into practice, as it relates to the following over-arching questions: What online tools exist in the D.C. area to make transportation more efficient, user-friendly and sustainable? What are some examples of Web-based innovation and collaboration in the D.C. transport sector? How can government, technology and civil society work together to improve the way we move around – by foot, by car, by bike, and by transit – in the nation’s capital?

The awesome panel consisted of the following individuals:

Moderator: Christian Madera (Columnist, Next American City)
Host: Erica Schlaikjer (Online Engagement Coordinator, EMBARQ)

Panelists:

• Bryan Sivak (Chief Technology Officer, District of Columbia)
• Lance Schine (Chief Information Officer, District Department of Transportation)
• David Alpert (Blogger, Greater Greater Washington)
• Justin Jouvenal (Web Editor, Postlocal.com)
• Nick Grossman (Director of Civic Works, OpenPlans)

Roundtable Discussion Leaders:

• Eric Gundersen (Development Seed)
• Harriet Tregoning (Office of Planning)
• Nat Bottigheimer (WMATA)
• Dan Silverman (Prince of Petworth)
• Zvi Band (FixMyCity DC)
• Philip Ashlock (OpenPlans)

Here are some  interesting observations worth sharing, courtesy of Moderator Christian Madera and fellow participant Kara Hadge, contributing author of New America Foundation’s Sustaining Democracy in a Digital Age blog,  who sat right next to me and offered great input to our discussion group.  For a detailed recap/summary, I seriously recommend you to check out Christian column on Next American City and Kara’s blog post titled Wired Cities .

• While the local city government has been at the forefront of releasing its municipal data for the public and developers to utilize, most of the region’s transportation falls under the jurisdiction of WMATA, the regional transit agency.
• DDOT is involved is now sharing an API for real-time location data for the city’s small fleet of circulator buses, and embarking on the use of QR codes on buses and shelters to assist both passengers and transit managers
• DC Circulator will shortly be launching an Open Data Challenge for developers, featuring three categories: Public Apps (Web and/or Mobile;), Visualization (currently there is no dashboard to monitor what’s happening on all lines), and an unknown internal app to be used by WMATA/DDOT.
• DC Capital Bikeshare #CaBi website  http://capital-bikeshare.appspot.com/ is expected to be launched soon
• DDOT is looking to add (someday) these MIT conceived futurisitic looking, networked, read again – networked, bus stops called Eyestop

In all, it was a great experience meeting and listing to some of the best minds in business about the use of social media tools and emerging opensource efforts in transportation.  Thanks to EMBARQ and the Digital Capital Week community for putting together this event.  I’ll certainly keep you informed of  other resources/products resulting from this event as they become available.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Despite Alerts, Pilots Drift into Arizona National Guard Test Space

Link to article in The Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/06/15/20100615pilots-fly-into-restricted-air-space.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) EC: Europe Can’t Afford to Ignore Satellite Apps

The EC wants governments and businesses in Europe to switch to Galileo from its GPS rival.

Link to article in eWEEK Europe:

http://www.eweekeurope.co.uk/news/satellite-apps-as-important-to-europe-as-internet-says-ec-7724

3) Better GPS Graphs, Browser in New Google Earth

Link to column on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-20007670-265.html

OTHER

4) Transport for London Frees First Tranche of Data for Developers’ Use

Link to article in The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2010/jun/15/london-datastore-tfl-data-free

5) William J. Mitchell, Vanguard of Urban Transportation and Planning, Dies at 65

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/william-j-mitchell-vanguard-of-urban-transportation-and-planning-dies-at-65

6) Nimble Cities

Help Slate make transportation in and between cities more efficient, safe, and pleasant.

Link to column in Slate:

http://www.slate.com/id/2256666/

TELEMATICS

7) Telematics Update Award Winners Announced

Link to article in Telematics Update:

http://social.telematicsupdate.com/weekly-brief/telematics-update-award-winners-announced

8) Potential of In-Vehicle Telematics Untapped

Link to article in SupplyChain Review:

http://www.supplychainreview.com.au/news/articleid/68126.aspx

TRANSIT

9) Plans for LED Signs at Historic Rail Station Raise Concerns

Link to article in The Journal:

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/538585.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) The Computer Program that Warns Drivers One Hour Before a Traffic Jam Appears

Link to article in the Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1286825/The-program-warns-drivers-hour-traffic-jam-appears.html

News Releases

1) New Report Shows States Increasing Efforts on Distracted Driving

2) New ‘Mobile Synergetics’ Blog Looks at Transport Technology and the Global Transport Ecosystem

3) AirTran Airways Dispatches First Flight from New System Operations Control Center

4) Intelematics Australia Launches New Service that Helps Predict Local Traffic Patterns

5) New Collision Warning System Now in Use at Zurich and Geneva Airports

Upcoming Events

Global (Airline) Passenger Operations Summit – June 29-30 – Harlington, Hayes, UK

http://www.global-passenger-operations-2010.com/

Today in Transportation History

1960 **50^th anniversary** BC Ferries had their first official day of service.

http://www.bcferries.com/about/history/history2.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

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

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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

Monday, June 14, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Bernie Wagenblast Transportation Voice Services

What do MTA New York City Transit, Newark Liberty International Airport, Virginia DOT, Econolite and the New York State Thruway all have in common?  Each has used my voice to clearly and professionally communicate information to their customers.  Whether it’s announcements in a busy Manhattan train station, voicing a complex IVR phone system or narration of a video or PowerPoint presentation I was able to use both my transportation experience and the skills I’ve developed as a broadcaster to make these organizations sound their best.  Please visit www.bwcommunications.net to learn more and to hear examples of what I can do for your organization.

OTHER

1) FMCSA: Drivers May Scan Logs to Make Duplicate Record of Hours of Service

Link to article in The Trucker:

http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2010/6/11/FMCSADriversmayscanlogstomakeduplicaterecordofHOS.aspx

2) Smart Cars with a Case of the Stupids

Link to column and video in the Austin American-Statesman:

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/smart-cars-with-a-case-of-the-stupids-745487.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

3) Dubai RTA Ropes in People for Road Safety Campaign

Link to article in Gulf News:

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/rta-ropes-in-people-for-road-safety-campaign-1.641261

ROADWAYS

4) Self-Adapting Traffic Prediction Model Learns While Working

Link to article in Nordic Road & Transport Research:

http://www.nordicroads.com/website/index.asp?pageID=386

TELEMATICS

5) Telematics Detroit 2010: Smartphones and Apps Change Everything

Link to article in Edmunds Daily:

http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2010/06/telematics-detroit-2010-smartphones-and-apps-change-everything.html

TRANSIT

6) DC Metro Goes Electronic to Track Safety-Related Incidents

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/12/AR2010061202596.html

7) Inside Dubai Metro’s Nerve Center

System works better without human interference but has safeguards in place to prevent emergencies.

Link to article and video in Gulf News:

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/inside-dubai-metro-s-nerve-centre-1.640237

8) A Quick Kiss of Plastic, and Ready to Ride

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/nyregion/13critic.html

9) BART Spending $800,000 to Define ‘Major Service Change’

Link to column in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/13/BAED1DU3F6.DTL

10) Oops: New York Subway Service Changes Lead to Obscene Internet Acronym on Signs

Link to column on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-20007547-36.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Delhi Traffic Police a Hit on Facebook

Link to article in The Times of India:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6041169.cms

VEHICLES

12) Paradise by the Dashboard Light

In-car media growing rapidly.

Link to article in Media:

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=127135

13) Introducing the Template for Submitting Potential Dynamic Mobility Applications Using IntelliDrive

Link to further information from US DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration:

http://www.its.dot.gov/intellidrive/app_template/DMA_template.htm

News Releases

1) ITS-NY Announces 2010 Project-of-the-Year Winners

2) The Rapid Selects Apollo Video Technology’s RoadRunner Bus Camera System

3) ERTICO Launches i-Mobility Network

4) Study Shows Driver Acceptance of Audio Messages Sent to Vehicles

5) GPS Not Just for Driving but Can be Tool for Crowd Management

6) NASA Demonstrates Tsunami Prediction System

Upcoming Events

13^th Annual Snow & Ice Symposium – June 23-26 – Providence, Rhode Island

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

Today in Transportation History

1985 **25^th anniversary** TWA Flight 847 was hijacked after taking off from Athens.  A US Navy diver was murdered during the 17-day ordeal.

http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19850614-0

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

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

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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

Friday, June 11, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) FAA Says Hilton Head Can’t Stop Plane Banners, Even if They are ‘Tacky and Annoying’

Link to article in The Island Packet:

http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/06/10/1269439/faa-says-hilton-head-cant-stop.html

2) FAA’s Data Management Plan Doesn’t Fly, GAO Says

Link to article in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2010/06/11/faa-data-management-plan-does-not-fly-gao-says.aspx

3) Big Screens Going Up at Airports Around the Globe for World Cup Soccer Fans

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/big-screens-going-up-7063/

BICYCLES

4) Arizona Survey Part of Effort to Improve Bike Safety

Link to article in the Arizona Daily Sun:

http://azdailysun.com/news/state-and-regional/article_3b7d6f06-1de4-5005-ab5e-9da8aabeeff5.html

OTHER

5) Getting Around Town with Traffic Reporter Meredith Marx

Link to article in the Baltimore Jewish Times:

http://www.jewishtimes.com/index.php/jewishtimes/youngadult/jt/insider/meredith_marx/19094

PEDESTRIANS

6) Texting Pedestrians Make LaHood List of Dangerous Distractions

Link to Bloomberg article:

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-11/texting-pedestrians-make-lahood-list-of-dangerous-distractions.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Judge Rules Against US Department of Homeland Security on Extended Border Laptop Seizures

Link to article in The Hill:

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/102417-judge-rules-against-dhs-on-border-laptop-seizures

TELEMATICS

8) New Kia Telematics Europe-Bound

Link to article on just-auto:

http://www.just-auto.com/news/new-kia-telematics-europe-bound_id104732.aspx

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Where Bands Jam, but Traffic Flows

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/arts/music/10bonnaroo.html

10) RDS-TMC Launched in South Africa by Altech Netstar, ITIS and SABC

Link to article on GPS Business News:

http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/RDS-TMC-Launched-in-South-Africa-by-Altech-Netstar-ITIS-SABC_a2298.html

VEHICLES

11) Big Brother in the Driver’s Seat

Car computers are officially big business, but will this new breed of supercars be too clever for their own good?

Link to article in The Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/cartech/big-brother-in-the-drivers-seat-20100610-xzx1.html

12) Auto Sales Great for Sirius, but Not Yet

Link to article on TheStreet:

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/10780456/1/auto-sales-great-for-sirius-but-not-yet.html

News Releases

1) BestParking.com Compares Parking Rates and Locations in Bing Maps

2) ERTICO Releases New Video

3) Automakers’ New Technologies and Data-Driven Innovations Contribute to Historic Low in Highway Fatalities

Upcoming Events

People Tracking and Location USA – June 22-23 – Chicago

http://www.thewherebusiness.com/peopletrackingusa

Friday Bonus

New York City has bus lanes, carpool lanes and now, tourist lanes.

http://improveverywhere.com/2010/06/08/the-tourist-lane/

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** Jacques-Yves Cousteau, a French undersea explorer, was born.

http://www.cousteau.org/news/anniversary

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

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

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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

Thursday, June 10, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

Register Today for IBTTA’s Upcoming Workshop:  Modern Toll Roads — A New Chapter in Social Responsibility, June 20-22, 2010 in Athens, Greece

This important workshop will focus on the many facets of how modern toll roads and toll road operators can be socially, corporately and environmentally responsible. Through our continued commitment to the environment, economic development and involvement with local communities, we continue to raise the bar to better run and managed road systems. You’ll hear from transportation experts from around the world on topics such as Interoperability, ORT, technology and toll projects with their contribution to social responsibility and quality of life. Please join us in Athens so we can learn and network together on these important topics. Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary program, register and make your hotel and travel arrangements.

AVIATION

1) FAA Continues to Deploy New System in Gulf as Air Traffic Nearly Doubles

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100609_8429.php

2) FAA Inspector General to Audit FAA to Determine if Agency is in Step with NextGen

Link to article on AvStop.Com:

http://avstop.com/news_june_2010/oig_to_audit_the_faa_to_determine_if_the_agency_is_in_step_with_nextgen.htm

3) Management Firm Strives to Make JFK’s Terminal 4 Picture Perfect

Link to article in Airport Improvement:

http://www.airportimprovement.com/content/story.php?article=00184

4) Aviation Safety: Improved Data Quality and Analysis Capabilities are Needed as FAA Plans a Risk-Based Approach to Safety Oversight

Link to GAO report:

http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-10-414

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Garmin, TomTom See No Detours for GPS Navigation

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2010-06-09-summertechgps09_ST_N.htm

6) Google Free Nav Enters Continental Europe

Link to article on GPS Business News:

http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/Google-s-Free-Nav-Enters-Continental-Europe_a2292.html

OTHER

7) Efforts in Gulf to Limit Flow of Spill News

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/us/10access.html

8) Coming to Earth Soon: Nasty Solar Storms

Link to article in The Christian Science Monitor:

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2010/0609/Coming-to-Earth-soon-Nasty-solar-storms

ROADWAYS

9) Triangle, Circle, Square: Odd-Shaped Traffic Light Concept

Link to article in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/06/triangle-circle-square-odd-shaped-traffic-light-concept/

10) New Beltline Signs Installed Amidst Threats in Oregon

Link to story on KVAL-TV:

http://www.kval.com/news/local/96010409.html

TELEMATICS

11) Highlights from Telematics Detroit

Link to article from Telematics Update:

http://social.telematicsupdate.com/weekly-brief/highlights-telematics-detroit

12) Telematics and Mobile Apps: Building a Big Enough Market

Link to article in Telematics Update:

http://social.telematicsupdate.com/industry-insight/telematics-and-mobile-apps-building-big-enough-market

TRANSIT

13) Who Let the Data Out? Comparing Transit Systems’ Open Data Elements

Link to blog from the Los Angeles Metro Transportation Library:

http://metrotransportationlibrary.blogspot.com/2010/06/who-let-data-out-comparing-transit.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) How’s Traffic in the Los Angeles Area? Call 511

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/06/hows-the-traffic-today-call-511.html

15) Intelligent Signs on Australian Highway Not Up to Speed

Link to article in The Gympie Times:

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2010/06/11/signs-not-up-to-speed/

VEHICLES

16) Momentous Innovation

Volkswagen’s Electronics Research Laboratory generates technology for now and the future.

Link to article in Das Auto Magazine:

http://www.dasautomagazine.com/2010/v48n01/DasAutoMagazine_v48n01.pdf (page 6)

17) Mining ‘Smart’ Engine Data

Link to article in Light & Medium Truck:

http://www.lmtruck.com/articles/weeklystory.aspx?storyid=893

News Releases

1) New Number of UK Highways Agency Information Line Makes Savings All Around

2) Contest Invites Transit Riders to Create Video on Why They Love Transit

Upcoming Events

The Great West Truck Show – June 17-19 – Las Vegas

http://www.greatwesttruckshow.com/

Today in Transportation History

1930 **80^th anniversary** The tugboat Invader sank in the Kill Van Kull off Staten Island.  One person died.

http://members.trainweb.com/bedt/bedt/BEDTInvaderSinking1930.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

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

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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

Tuesday, June 8, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Today for IBTTA’s Upcoming Workshop:  Modern Toll Roads — A New Chapter in Social Responsibility, June 20-22, 2010 in Athens, Greece

This important workshop will focus on the many facets of how modern toll roads and toll road operators can be socially, corporately and environmentally responsible. Through our continued commitment to the environment, economic development and involvement with local communities, we continue to raise the bar to better run and managed road systems. You’ll hear from transportation experts from around the world on topics such as Interoperability, ORT, technology and toll projects with their contribution to social responsibility and quality of life. Please join us in Athens so we can learn and network together on these important topics. Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary program, register and make your hotel and travel arrangements.

AVIATION

1) FAA Unveils $10 Million Lab to be Part of NextGen Air Traffic Control Research Program

Link to article in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/top_three/article_7dfbf8ec-726b-11df-8871-001cc4c03286.html

Link to video report on WMGM-TV:

http://www.nbc40.net/view_story.php?id=13478

2) FAA Gives Up Its Four-Year Battle to Move Boise Airport Controllers to Salt Lake City

Link to article in the Idaho Statesman:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/06/08/1222661/faa-gives-up-its-four-year-battle.html

3) New US DOT Airfare Rules Raise Advertising Concerns

Link to article in Aviation Week:

http://tinyurl.com/2ccn7ok

4) Airline Group Tries to Make Baggage Rules and Fees Clearer

Link to blog in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2010/06/08/airline-group-tries-to-make-baggage-rules-and-fees-clearer/

BICYCLES

5) The Technology Driving Denver’s B-cycle Bike Sharing System

Link to article in Fast Company:

http://www.fastcompany.com/1656160/the-technology-driving-denvers-new-b-cycle-bike-sharing-system

CAMERAS

6) Nassau County, New York Red Light Cameras Catching Accidents on Tape

Link to story and video on WABC-TV:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=7483581

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

7) The Phantom Tollbooth

Controversy surrounds rebuilding of York toll plaza and if it should be all-electronic or a mix.

Link to article in Down East:

http://www.downeast.com/magazine/2010/june/the-phantom-tollbooth

8) US Army Corps Questions Maine Turnpike Authority Plans for York Tolls

Link to article in the Portsmouth Herald:

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100608-NEWS-6080396

GPS / NAVIGATION

9) Ford Takes Google Maps for a Ride

Link to article in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9177818/Ford_takes_Google_Maps_for_a_ride

Link to news release from Ford:

http://www.ford.com/about-ford/news-announcements/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-ford-adds-google-maps-26lsquosend-32772

OTHER

10) Gasoline Taxes: An Examination of News Media Discourse Related to Gas Tax Funding in Six States

Link to report from the University of Vermont Transportation Research Center:

http://www.uvm.edu/~transctr/pdf/Gas-Taxes-News-Media-Discourse.pdf

RAILROADS

11) GE Transportation: New Software Makes Trains Faster, Smarter

Link to article in the Erie Times-News:

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100608/NEWS02/306079928/-1/news

Link to further information from GE Transportation:

http://ge.presslift.com/GErailedge

ROADWAYS

12) A FAST Way to Make Highways Safer

Link to article in Alberta Construction:

http://albertaconstructionmagazine.com/articles.asp?ID=738

13) Europe Studies Tech for Smarter Driving, Lower-Carbon Transport

Link to article on Greenbang:

http://www.greenbang.com/europe-studies-tech-for-smarter-driving-lower-carbon-transport_14470.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

14) 911 Technology Problems Plague First Line of Response

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/764908

15) City Council Seeks Report on Los Angeles Police Communication with LAX Police

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-airport-cops-20100608,0,2239702.story

TELEMATICS

16) TomTom Slams Telematics Industry

Link to article in BusinessCar:

http://www.businesscar.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=6119&c=2&theme=0

TRANSIT

17) Richmond-Area Transit System to Deploy Audible Warning System When Buses Turn

Link to article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/GRTC07_20100606-221803/349528/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

18) Northern Ireland Roads’ Web Site Gets ‘Real-Time’ Updates

Link to article on 4NI:

http://www.4ni.co.uk/northern_ireland_news.asp?id=112450

VEHICLES

19) IBM to Team with Daimler, HTI on ‘Smarter’ Cars

Link to article in the Triangle Business Journal:

http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2010/06/07/daily13.html

20) Airbiquity Brings Slacker Radio Into the Car

Link to CNET review:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20007037-48.html

21) Drawing the Line on Vehicle Technology

Link to article in AutoWeek:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100608/FREE/100609899

22) Apple iPad’s Automotive Infiltration

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/apple-ipads-automotive-infiltration

23) Mercedes Revs iPad Tool for Dealers

Link to article in InformationWeek:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/storage/security/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=225200303

News Releases

1) Alaska Launches New Generation 511

2) Clear Channel Radio Expands Total Traffic Network Data Service with Inrix Predictive Traffic and In-Vehicle Navigation Content

3) Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. Wins Unanimous Jury Verdict vs ATS

4) Inrix Launches Mobile Development Kit to Accelerate Integration of Traffic-Powered Mobile Apps into the Car

5) First Youth for Public Transport International Photograph and Video Contest – 2010

6) Airbiquity Introduces Its Mobile Integration Solution

7) Harman Announces Successful Conclusion of $200 Million Sale of QNX Software Unit to Research in Motion

8) QNX to Provide Software Platform for Next-Generation Audi Infotainment System

9) There’s an App for That: Canadian Technology Assists Paris Metro Passengers with Special Needs

Upcoming Events

ITS Professional Capacity Building Workshop – July 21 – Northbrook, Illinois

http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2010/pcb_workshop.htm

Today in Transportation History

1995 **15^th anniversary** US Air Force pilot Scott O’Grady was rescued from Bosnia after being shot down while patrolling the no-fly zone.

http://www.f-16.net/varia_article10.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

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

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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

Monday, June 7, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

---

INRIX Launches Free Web-Based Service Enabling Transportation Agencies to View Traffic Flow Conditions Nationwide

Designed for public agencies who own, operate, manage, patrol, and plan the nation’s major highway system, INRIXTraffic.US provides a complete, real-time picture of current traffic flow conditions across the continental United States. INRIXTraffic.US builds upon nearly two years of partnership with The I-95 Corridor Coalition and provides a national version of a site currently in use by dozens of agencies and hundreds of agency employees and contractors along the eastern seaboard. Join INRIX execs Rick Schuman and Ted Trepanier on Thursday, June 10 at 10:00 AM PDT for a special webinar that will provide an overview of INRIXTraffic.US and instructions for using the site as a key component of your transportation operations. Register now for access to the site and webinar at http://www.inrixtraffic.us/.

AVIATION

1) Airlines Work to Catch Up to the Digital Age

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/business/05air.html?partner=yahoofinance

2) New Tampa Airport Web Site Could Dictate Future Routes

Link to story and video on Bay News 9:

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2010/6/5/626437.html

BICYCLES

3) Now Bike Riders Have Their Own Smart Phone Navigation Systems

Link to article in the San Jose Mercury News:

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_15212666

CAMERAS

4) Anti-speed Camera Activist Nabs Police Department’s Expiring Web Domain

Link to article in the Bristol Herald Courier:

http://www2.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/anti-speed_camera_activist_nabs_bluff_city_pds_expiring_web_domain/47244/

CARTOGRAPHY

5) Bing Destination Map: Automatic Napkin Sketching of Maps

Link to article on Information Aesthetics:

http://infosthetics.com/archives/2010/06/bing_destination_map_automatic_napkin_sketching_of_maps.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

6) ETC Operator, Taiwan Government Still at Odds Over Toll Collection System

Link to CNA article:

http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aALL&ID=201006050023

GPS / NAVIGATION

7) TomTom: Why Smartphones Won’t Destroy Our Business

Link to article on ZDNet:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/tomtom-why-smartphones-wont-destroy-our-business/35339

8) Are Google Maps and GPS Bad for Our Brains?

Link to commentary in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/04/AR2010060402030.html

OTHER

9) Mississippi DOT Charges $1 per Page for Records

Link to article in the Sun Herald:

http://www.sunherald.com/2010/06/05/2235779/mdot-charges-1-per-page-for-records.html

10) Indianapolis Cabbies May be Tested on English Skills

Link to article in The Indianapolis Star:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100606/LOCAL/6060345/Cabbies-may-face-test-of-English-skills

PEDESTRIANS

11) London to Test Pedestrian Countdown Clocks

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/10239206.stm

RAILROADS

12) GE Announces New Rail Technology; Norfolk Southern on Board

Link to article in the Erie Times-News:

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100607/NEWS02/306079928

ROADWAYS

13) Beyond ‘Real-Time Reporting’, Forecasting Future Traffic Jams

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/automobiles/06TRAFFIC.html

14) Goodyear, Arizona Trying to Lure Digital Billboards Despite Concerns

Link to article in The Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/2010/06/04/20100604goodyear-digital-billboards.html

15) Detecting Motorcyclists and Bicyclists at Intersections

Link to article in Public Roads:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/publicroads/10mayjun/06.cfm

SAFETY / SECURITY

16) Unmanned Drone Providing Real-Time Surveillance of Texas-Mexico Border

Link to story and video on KENS-TV:

http://www.kens5.com/news/Unmanned-drones-launched-over-Texas-Mexico-border-95662399.html

17) Emergency Text Messaging Signals Evolution in Public Safety Communication

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/764856?elq=1d54d7aec05d43fea252fbb150e5906b

TELEMATICS

18) OnStar Rival Raises $15.5 Million to Expand Into New Markets

Link to article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle:

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/06/07/story3.html

19) What’s Deep Inside Big Brown’s Trucks

A look behind the scenes at UPS shows why IT is its most critical asset.

Link to article in Forbes:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/06/05/sensors-telematics-trucks-technology-cio-network-ups.html

TRANSIT

20) Next Stop, Sign Shop: Workers Toil Around the Clock on New MTA Signage

Link to story and video on WNBC-TV:

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Next-Stop-Sign-Shop-Workers-Toil-Around-the-Clock-On-New-MTA-Signage.html

21) New York MTA Offers Late-for-Work Alibis Online

Link to article in the New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/blame_it_on_train_awS7yzBahPlUJPrkvJwJqL

22) Documentary on Cincinnati Subway Debuts this Week

Link to article in The Cincinnati Enquirer:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100605/NEWS01/6060327/-Cincinnati-subway-documentary-debuts-

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

23) New Cameras Will Help Iowa DOT Monitor Traffic in Sioux City

Link to story and video on KTIV-TV:

http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12581875

24) New, Computerized Massachusetts Traffic Alert System Launches Over Memorial Day with a Few Fumbles

Link to column in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/06/06/new_computerized_traffic_alert_system_launches_over_memorial_day_with_a_few_fumbles/

VEHICLES

25) The Connected Car

Ford’s Alan Mulally on how auto companies are at last entering the digital age.

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704183204575289442997599882.html

News Releases

1) Telvent to Manage Traffic for Fushun City in China

2) TrafficLand Adds Extensive Traffic Camera Coverage on One of America’s Most Heavily Traveled Highways

3) Visteon’s New iPhone Application Lets Consumers See Real-Time Traffic Images, Paves Way for In-Vehicle Integration

4) Nav Canada Participates in Green Demonstration Flight

5) FAA Awards Major Information Display System Contract to All Weather, Inc.

Upcoming Events

IntelliDrive Safety Workshop – July 20-22 – Chicago

http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2010/intellidrive_safety_workshop.htm

Today in Transportation History

1960 **50^th anniversary** A nuclear-tipped BOMARC missile caught fire at Fort Dix in New Jersey.  The fire released radioactive material at the site.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/pha/PHA.asp?docid=376&pg=1

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

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

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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

Tuesday, June 1, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

Register Today for IBTTA’s Upcoming Workshop:  Modern Toll Roads — A New Chapter in Social Responsibility, June 20-22, 2010 in Athens, Greece

This important workshop will focus on the many facets of how modern toll roads and toll road operators can be socially, corporately and environmentally responsible. Through our continued commitment to the environment, economic development and involvement with local communities, we continue to raise the bar to better run and managed road systems. You’ll hear from transportation experts from around the world on topics such as Interoperability, ORT, technology and toll projects with their contribution to social responsibility and quality of life. Please join us in Athens so we can learn and network together on these important topics. Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary program, register and make your hotel and travel arrangements.

GPS / NAVIGATION

1) Glitch Shows How Much US Military Relies on GPS

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gp4YJHFW1EXEJiT8apgRFxg7dXwQD9G2KRJ80

OTHER

2) National Intelligent Transportation Vision Begins to Take Shape

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/764639

3) White House to Tie Together Mapping and Data Sites

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100528_4200.php

4) May Edition of ERTICO’s iMobility Newsletter

Link to newsletter:

http://webhouse.ipapercms.dk/ERTICO/Newsletter/NewsletterMay2010/

PARKING

5) Tech Tries to Solve San Francisco Parking

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/inthemission/detail?entry_id=64731

ROADWAYS

6) ‘Smarter Highways’ Signs Go Online in Washington State in August

Link to story and video on KING-TV:

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Smarter-highway-signs-go-online-in-August-95267859.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Law Enforcement Needs a Standards-Based Communications Infrastructure

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/764570?elq=0479e8d0537946fc828aa89dbd1a797b

8) Regional Projects Could be Models for National Public Safety Information Sharing

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/764579?elq=0479e8d0537946fc828aa89dbd1a797b

9) Mexico Fights Corruption Using iPhones and BlackBerrys

App tells drivers what to do when faced with bribery requests from police.

Link to article in the Latin American Herald Tribune:

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=357847&CategoryId=14091

TRANSIT

10) New York/New Jersey Pilot Program Replaces MetroCard Swipe with Credit Card Tap

Link to story and video on NY1 News:

http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/119590/tap-and-pay-pilot-program-kicks-off-at-transit-hubs/

11) Combining Student IDs and Transit Passes

The multi-function, multi-app smart card may not be such a mythical beast.

Link to article on CR80News:

http://www.cr80news.com/2010/05/25/combining-students-ids-and-transit-passes

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) Massachusetts 511 Travel Info System Handles Holiday Test

Link to article in the Telegram & Gazette:

http://www.telegram.com/article/20100601/NEWS/6010389/1003/NEWS03

13) King of the Road

An interview with John Fisher, Assistant General Manager in charge of transportation operations for the Los Angeles DOT.

Link to interview in The Atlantic:

http://www.theatlantic.com/personal/archive/2010/05/king-of-the-road/57474/

News Releases

1) SITA Opens Command Center in Montreal to Manage Global Operations

2) New TomTom Facebook Game Illustrates the Benefits of Live Services

Upcoming Events

National Summit on Rural Traffic Safety Culture – July 11-13 – Big Sky, Montana

http://www.ruraltscsummit.org/

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** The Terra Nova set sail on a journey which would transport Robert Scott to Antarctica in a quest to be the first to reach the South Pole.

http://www.solarnavigator.net/history/scott_of_the_antarctic_explorer_captain_robert_falcon.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

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

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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

Monday, May 31, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) How Alaska Airlines Beats the Clock

Link to article in The News Tribune:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/05/30/1206268/how-alaska-beats-clock.html

2) Plane-Maker Group Welcomes FAA ADS-B Requirement

Link to blog on seattlepi:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/archives/208169.asp

3) FAA Makes Sure Chicago-Area Medevac Groups Have Proper Contact Info

Outreach follows Flight for Life getting busy signal when seeking permission to fly.

Link to story in the Daily Herald:

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=384558

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Woman, Hit by Car, Sues Google for Faulty Directions

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20006379-71.html

OTHER

5) Media Claim Access to Gulf Spill Site has Been Limited

BP said to have played a role in some plane and boat restrictions.

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hJlgFI9Bf1mqu8Q8tmq-jOYa79GAD9G0V1B81

6) Wyoming Agencies Use Web to Connect

State highway patrol and DOT find success with social networks.

Link to article from the Star-Tribune:

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_aec511c2-6c6a-11df-b961-001cc4c002e0.html

7) Cartoons Find the Humor in Traffic Accidents

Link to article in Viet Nam News:

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/Life-Style/200063/Cartoons-find-the-humour-in-traffic-accidents.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

8) Campaign Adds Tonnage to Motorcycle Safety Message

Link to article in the Lincoln Journal Star:

http://journalstar.com/news/local/article_1a6e76a8-6b93-11df-b22d-001cc4c03286.html

RAILROADS

9) May Edition of Signal, Newsletter of the European Rail Traffic Management System

Link to newsletter:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/interoperability/ertms/doc/018_signal_2010_05_en.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) How to Remind a Parent of the Baby in the Car?

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/automobiles/30HEAT.html

TRANSIT

11) No More ‘Comrades’ on Beijing Buses

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64U0WP20100531

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) Massachusetts 511 Users, Say Bye to the Voice on the Other End of the Line

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/05/30/511_users_say_bye_to_the_voice_on_the_other_end_of_the_line/

13) Costa Rica Gets Personal Navigation Devices with RDS-TMC Traffic

Link to article on GPS Business News:

http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/Costa-Rica-Gets-PND-with-RDS-TMC-Traffic_a2275.html

News Releases

1) New Jersey DOT Launches Project-Specific Widgets for Easy Access to Traffic Information

2) Secure System Developed for Monitoring Transport of Goods in Real-Time

3) All Roads Lead to 2010 World Cup – Plans Include Transport Information Web Site and Monitoring by National Command Center

Upcoming Events

Mississippi Valley Conference 2010 – July 7-9 – Des Moines, Iowa

http://www.mvc2010.com/

Today in Transportation History

1790 **220^th anniversary** The Princecesa Real, set sail on a mission to explore the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

http://www.metchosinmuseum.org/Contentpages/Coastal%20History/european_contact.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

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

If you have any difficulties please contact me at 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