TransportGooru

Monday, May 17, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Join the International Road Federations and world-renowned global experts in Austin, Texas September 8-10, 2010 for the IRF Executive Workshop on Performance Based Contracts & Evaluating Asset Condition.  Top public & private sector experts from the United States, Canada and Europe will present case studies, lessons learned and new approaches to this type of Public Private Partnership.  This workshop is designed to help road operators and agencies world-wide find ways to lower operating costs and better cope with financial pressures.  For more information Click Here

AVIATION

1) FAA Rule Grounds Ohio DOT’s $1.29 Million Camera, $1.72 Million Photograph Plane

Link to article in the Dayton Daily News:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/faa-rule-grounds-odots-1-29m-camera-1-72m-photography-plane-709022.html

2) Australia to Merge Military and Civilian Air Traffic Control

Link to article on OfficialWire:

http://www.officialwire.com/main.php?action=posted_news&rid=144935&catid=816

3) Is This the Airport of the Future?

German engineers erect sprawling lab to hatch airport and travel solutions.

Link to ABC News story and video:
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/siemens-dreams-airport-future-germany/story?id=10629236

BICYCLES

4) Better Bikeways: Guerilla Improvements and DIY Signage

Link to blog in Good:

http://www.good.is/post/better-bikeways-guerrilla-improvements-and-diy-signage/

CAMERAS

5) Traffic Camera Company Embeds Former Spokesman at Arizona Republic

Link to commentary on theNewspaper.com:

http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/31/3142.asp

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) US Air Force Working Through GPS Receiver Problems

Link to article in Space News:

http://SpaceNews.com/military/100507-afw-gps-problems.html

PARKING

7) Parking Attendants Trained to Watch for Terrorists

Link to AP article:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100514/ap_on_bi_ge/us_parking_lots_terrorism

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

8) Illinois DOT Engineer Seeks Uncommon Common Ground on Projects

Link to article in the Daily Herald:

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=381034

RAILROADS

9) Sun Glare Delays New EU Train System

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_west/8687851.stm

10) BNSF Boots Up Redesigned Web Site

Link to article in Progressive Railroading:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=23318

ROADWAYS

11) Smart Track: How High-Tech Highways Will Take You Where You’re Going

Link to article in the Sun Sentinel:

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-05-16/news/sfl-newmezzpost-outlook-51610_1_open-road-tolling-high-occupancy-toll-lanes-high-tech-highways

12) Crime and Traffic Safety Data Help Public Agencies Reduce Serious Crashes and Crimes

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/762623

SAFETY / SECURITY

13) New York Pols, Straphangers Rage Over 910 Nonworking Subway Cameras

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/17/2010-05-17_mta_taking_a_dim_view_outrage_over_910_nonworking_subway_cameras.html

14) US Customs’ Commercial Operations Advisory Committee Urges Standardizing Air Cargo IDs

Link to article in The Journal of Commerce:

http://www.joc.com/government-regulation/coac-urges-standardizing-air-cargo-ids

15) Highly Graphic Texting-While-Driving Ad Comes to US

Link to article in The Hollywood Reporter:

http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/05/highly-graphic-textingwhiledriving-ad-coming-to-us-video.html

TRANSIT

16) DC NextBus Accuracy Falling Below Target Goals, Past Measures

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/NextBus-accuracy-falling-below-target-goals_-past-measures-93810889.html

17) New York Student Creates Web Site to Shame Subway Riders Into Changing Poor Train Etiquette

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/16/2010-05-16_smile_youre_on_site_for_rude_riders.html

News Releases

1) US Transportation Secretary Announces Proposed Regulations to Prevent Railroad Crew Distractions While Operating Trains

2) New Missouri DOT Newsroom a Powerful Communication Tool

3) Beat the Traffic Earns New Patent for Average Speed Predictions

4) AAA Launches First Free iPhone App to Provide Gasoline Station Locations and Pricing Just in Time for the Summer Driving Season

Upcoming Events

ITS-NY Annual Meeting and Technology Exhibition – June 10-11 – Saratoga Springs, New York

http://www.its-ny.org/pdf/AnnMtg10AnnouncFULL3-2-10.pdf

Today in Transportation History

1970 **40^th anniversary** Thor Heyerdahl left Morocco on the Ra II, a papyrus boat, for a journey to Barbados.

http://www.kon-tiki.no/E-Exp_RA-2.php

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

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 i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

(Source: Washington Post)

The iconic American carmaker went bankrupt last year, but its Indian operations have never been busier, evidence of India’s booming economic growth and the rising prosperity of middle classes that are increasingly demanding first-world trappings in one of the fastest-rising countries.

“The new generation wants to hold the steering wheel in their hands,” said Prabhjot Singh, manager of a driving school who said young Indians who used to go to him to learn how to drive scooters are now flooding in to learn how to drive cars.

With rising household wealth, the growth of suburbs and highways and a youthful population, India is the second-fastest-growing market for car sales in the world after China. India’s auto industry reported a 26.4 percent growth in sales in 2009-10, partly because a government stimulus package lowered once sky-high interest rates and made financing easier, according to a study by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

The Indian government also cut manufacturing taxes in late 2008 and early 2009 to protect domestic markets and attract overseas partners. India’s economy continued to grow at 8 percent, second only to China’s.

Part of the secret to India’s success is that it is producing cars that fit the “sweet spot,” or a budget of less than $7,000 for first-time car buyers. While the United States continues building gas-guzzling tanks, India has perfected the “mini-car.” Tata’s famed Nano, the world’s cheapest car, is an extreme example. It costs about $2,000 and sales are reportedly brisk.

With far lower labor costs, GM India is more willing to be innovative. The company recently announced that it will join Reva, India’s electric-car company, to roll out a new vehicle this year.

Click here to read the entire article.

Related articles by Zemanta

• After record Jan car sales, India seen steaming into Feb (inautonews.com)
• India: Feb car sales raise 33% y-o-y (inautonews.com)
• Tata May Beat Hyundai in India, Helped by $2,500 Car (Update1) (businessweek.com)
• India’s Urban Future (wallstreetpit.com)
• Vehicle penetration in India & China (linusfernandes.com)
• Another Low-Cost Car Coming to Indian Auto Market (wheels.blogs.nytimes.com)
• GM India to Add China-Developed Light Trucks on Urban Growth (businessweek.com)

Friday, May 14, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety System (IVBSS) Field Operation Ends April 30, 2010: Over 800,000 Miles of Naturalistic Driving Data Collected

The IVBSS program is a cooperative research agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) to conduct field tests of advanced integrated safety systems on passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks.  The prototype crash warning systems included forward collision, lane departure, lane change, and curve speed warnings and were tested using a fleet of 16 passenger cars and 10 heavy-duty trucks.

The heavy truck final report will be publicly available in July. More information and current reports are available at http://www.its.dot.gov/ivbss/index.htm

AVIATION

1) Coming Soon to Air Travel: the iPad

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20004998-17.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) NOAA Reports that Modernizing Positioning System is Vital

Link to article in GPS World:

http://www.gpsworld.com/gps/news/noaa-reports-modernizing-positioning-system-vital-9940

OTHER

3) Bangalore School Buses to Turn Into High-Tech Nannies

Link to article in Mid Day:

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/may/130510-School-Buses-Bangalore-Mahindra-Telematics.htm

4) With My iPhone Alone, I’m Apped to Travel

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/13/AR2010051305136.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) ‘Smart’ Security Gates Open at Manchester, UK Airport

Link to article in the Manchester Evening News:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1239783_smart_security_gates_open_at_airport

SPACE

6) Chaotic Space Traffic Needs Rules: US General

Link to AFP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iXC0gGbQ1dF3navsVE-QkRB3MY9w

TRANSIT

7) Myki Mess: Big Guns Paid to Mop Up

Victorian government hires advisers to fix smartcard issues.

Link to article in The Age:

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/myki-mess-big-guns-paid-to-mop-up-20100512-uy4l.html

VEHICLES

8) Cars’ Computer Systems Called at Risk to Hackers

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/science/14hack.html

9) McMaster University Working with IBM on Intelligent Cars

Link to article in The Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/McMaster+working+with+intelligent+cars/3028443/story.html

Upcoming Events

Joint Council on Transit Wireless Communications Meeting – May 27 – Long Beach, California

http://www.npstc.org/transitCommunity.jsp

Friday Bonus

And you thought electronic billboards were distracting.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/05/03/2160813/man-on-sign-stops-traffic.html

Today in Transportation History

1860 **150^th anniversary** The first official delegation from Japan arrived in Washington, DC aboard the USSPowhatan.

http://www.whitehousehistory.org/whha_publications/publications_documents/whitehousehistory_12.pdf

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

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 i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Thursday, May 13, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Countdown to the 17th ITS World Congress in Busan

Mark your calendar to attend the 17th ITS World Congress at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center from October 25-29, 2010. This year’s theme is ‘Ubiquitous Society with ITS.’ In Busan, Korea’s second-largest city, industry leaders will promote and share the latest, cutting-edge ITS technologies and trends. Register now.

ITS America is once again hosting a U.S. pavilion at the event. As an exhibitor, you’ll gain access to the projected 3,000 potential customers and partners hailing from over 20 countries around the world.  You’ll also take advantage of the pavilion’s prime location in the middle of the exhibit floor. For more information, please contact Patty Del Pozo at 202-721-4238.

AVIATION

1) Older Landing System May Have Played a Role in Tripoli Crash, Pilots Say

Link to article in The Times:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article7124851.ece

2) Israel Threatens to Ground Airlines That Don’t Use Anti-Hijack System

Link to article in Haaretz:

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/business/state-threatens-to-ground-airlines-that-don-t-use-anti-hijack-system-1.290068

CAMERAS

3) Traffic Cameras Divide Nation’s Drivers

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-05-13-traffic-cameras_N.htm

OTHER

4) Tennessee House Subcommittee Kills Bill to Require English-Only on Driver’s Tests

Link to article in The Commercial Appeal:

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/may/12/tennessee-house-subcommittee-kills-bill-require-en/

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) US Airport Security Officers Targeted in ID Theft

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64B63X20100512

6) Feds Need to Do More to Protect Canadians Flying Over US Territory: Privacy Watchdog

Link to article in the Toronto Sun:

http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/05/11/13912791.html

7) Despite Ban, Texting While Driving Increasing in Utah, Report Says

Link to AP article:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700031779/Texting-while-driving-increasing-in-Utah-report-says.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) Windward Oahu Highways Now Monitored with 19 New Cameras

Link to article in The Honolulu Advertiser:

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100513/NEWS01/5130352/1001/LOCALNEWSFRONT/Windward+Oahu+highways+now+monitored+with+18+new+cameras

News Releases

1) University of Colorado at Boulder Engineers Make First ‘Supercell’ Storm Intercept with Unmanned Aircraft System

2) NJ Transit Expands DepartureVision to New York and Hoboken

3) NJ Transit Schedule Data Now Available to Developers

4) Lamar Uses Omnivex Software to Power Extensive Communication and Advertising Network on British Columbia’s TransLink

Job Postings

New York State DOT Systems Engineer/Administrator Location:  Albany, NY

Salary Range:  $45,000 to $60,000 commensurate with education and experience.  Excellent benefits.

Seeking a computer Systems Engineer/Administrator to provide system support, perform daily maintenance and troubleshooting of communications system, servers and ancillary equipment for the Capital Region Transportation Management Center.  The successful candidate must be well organized, with initiative, capable of moving forward on multiple projects at the same time and possess excellent verbal and written skills.  Bachelor’s Degree Preferred.

Additional information, including desirable skills, at:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/web/nysdot-systems-engineer-administrator

Traffic Engineer Opening

KMJ Consulting, Inc. seeks a passionate traffic engineer to learn and grow in our boutique results-oriented engineering consulting practice. AutoCAD or Microstation and traffic analysis software proficiency needed. Some field work involved. Valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle are required. Some prior experience and traffic engineering courses also a plus. Work on projects in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York. 1-3 years experience and EIT desirable. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Send your resume to HR@kmjinc.com

Director of Development – OpenPlans – New York, New York

http://thehirewire.blogspot.com/2010/05/director-of-development-new-york.html

Upcoming Events

Transforming Transportation: Customer Value and Integration – May 26 – Boston

Join Pioneer and Northeastern’s Institute for Strategic Transportation Studies as state and national transportation experts look at the lessons learned as Massachusetts has reformed its transportation bureaucracy and what other states can learn from Massachusetts’ experience.   Joining Jeffrey Mullan, Secretary of MassDoT will be the heads of the NJ and NH DOTs, as well as top executives from the MBTA, the San Francisco Bay Area MTC and the North Texas Tollway Authority.  The session will be from 8 am-10 am at the Suffolk Law School.  To attend, or for more information, please contact Shannon Garber at sgarber@pioneerinstitute.org or 617-723-2277 ext 217.

Today in Transportation History

1880 **130^th anniversary** Thomas Edison tests, for the first time, the first electric railway in Menlo Park, New Jersey.

http://www.jhalpin.com/metuchen/tae/taerr.jpg

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

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 i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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The Future of Tolling = ORT + Interoperability + YOU

Register Now for IBTTA’s Upcoming Summit, The Future of Tolling – Going Mainstream Through ORT and Interoperability, May 23-25, 2010 in Boston, MA. This Summit will bring together transportation experts who will focus on lessons learned, case studies, business rules and future decision-making about all-electronic toll collection, interoperability, violation enforcement, and implications for vehicle miles traveled charging. Download the agenda and register today — May 17th is the final day to pre-register and have your name included in the final registration list. For meeting details, visit www.ibtta.org.

AVIATION

1) San Jose, California Airport First to Get State-of-the-Art Explosive Detectors

Link to article in the San Jose Mercury News:

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_15056565

2) Unmanned Planes Could Begin Flying Over Texas in a Matter of Months

Link to article in the Austin American-Statesman:

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/unmanned-planes-could-begin-flying-over-texas-in-681019.html

3) Air Traffic Control Architecture Taxis Down the Runway

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2010/05/10/faa-soa.aspx

4) Airport Wi-Fi: Free of Fee

Link to article in Airport Improvement:

http://www.airportimprovement.com/content/story.php?article=00178

5) Aviation Week Grounds Top Critic of Gajillion-Dollar Jet

Link to blog in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/05/aviation-week-grounds-top-critic-of-lockheed-jet/

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) TomTom Fights to Stay on Right Path

Link to article in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/8c9d0da6-5d16-11df-8373-00144feab49a.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

7) Washington State DOT to Begin Education Campaign About All-Electronic Tolling

Link to article in the Bellevue Reporter:

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/community/93432744.html

ROADWAYS

8) Exploring the Science Behind Traffic Lights

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/cars/news/articles/2010/05/09/the_sensitive_science_behind_and_beneath_traffic_lights/

9) An EKG for Cracking Bridges

Link to article on CNNMoney.com:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/10/smallbusiness/matech_bridges/index.htm

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) New York City Mayor Views London’s Transit Camera System

Link to AP article:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/11/world/main6472294.shtml

11) New Emergency Radio System for Canadian Maritime Provinces

Link to CBC News story:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2010/05/10/ns-integrated-emergency-system.html

TRANSIT

12) Advertising Does Its Part in War on Terror

The New York MTA’s ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ slogan goes global.

Link to article in Advertising Age:

http://adage.com/article?article_id=143775

13) Smart Phones + Shared Cars = Better Urban Living

Link to article in New Urban News:

http://www.newurbannews.com/transittechnology.html

14) Take the Tomato Two Stops to the Sunflower

The colors of the New York City subway maps have secret names.

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/take-the-tomato-to-the-sunflower/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Traffic Alert System Launched in Hungary for Smart Phones

Link to article in the Budapest Business Journal:

http://bbjonline.hu/?col=1000&id=52762

VEHICLES

16) Interactive Vehicles to Boost Traffic Safety and Convenience in Thailand

Link to article in the Bangkok Post:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/technews/37195/interactive-vehicles-to-boost-traffic-safety-and-convenience

17) Car of the Future Could Include Personalized Dashboards

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/car-of-the-future-could-include-personalized-dashboards/

News Releases

1) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Launches Pre-Employment Screening Program

Upcoming Events

Transforming Transportation: Customer Value and Integration – May 26 – Boston

Join Pioneer and Northeastern’s Institute for Strategic Transportation Studies as state and national transportation experts look at the lessons learned as Massachusetts has reformed its transportation bureaucracy and what other states can learn from Massachusetts’ experience.   Joining Jeffrey Mullan, Secretary of MassDoT will be the heads of the NJ and NH DOTs, as well as top executives from the MBTA, the San Francisco Bay Area MTC and the North Texas Tollway Authority.  The session will be from 8 am-10 am at the Suffolk Law School.  To attend, or for more information, please contact Shannon Garber at sgarber@pioneerinstitute.org or 617-723-2277 ext 217.

Today in Transportation History

1820 **190^th anniversary** The HMS Beagle, best known for transporting Charles Darwin on his survey journey, was launched.

http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/ConFactFile.64/HMS-Beagle.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 i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

The Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management is pleased to announce High Speed Rail: Leveraging Federal Investment Locally, a symposium to be held on June 16th, 2010.

Following the January 2010 rail funding announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation, interest in rail investment – and what it means for American communities – has continued to expand. Conversations are taking place across the country, bringing in new participants as well as experienced professionals from around the world to discuss the new corridors. In focusing on how to implement new rail corridors there is a risk of overlooking the need to manage the regional impacts of the nodes that comprise these systems. Leveraging Federal Investment Locally will enhance the national dialogue on high-speed rail investment through a focus on how new facilities will be linked to existing regional transportation infrastructure and economic development efforts. In addition, there will be an examination of the political context of establishing new rail infrastructure in a democratic nation where land use is controlled locally.

Presenters include:

• Polly Trottenberg, Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation
• David Levinson, University of Minnesota
• Anthony Perl, Simon Fraser University
• Frank Zshoche, Managing Director, Civity Management Consultants, Hamburg Germany

The event is co-sponsored by Parsons Brinckerhoff and presented in Partnership with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

When: 6/16/2010 8:30am-2:00pm
Location: The Kimmel Center, Rosenthal Pavilion, 60 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012  map

To participate, click here

Monday, May 10, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Join the International Road Federations and world renowned global experts in Austin, Texas September 8-10, 2010 for the IRF Executive Workshop on Performance Based Contracts & Evaluating Asset Condition.  Top public & private sector experts from the United States, Canada and Europe will present case studies, lessons learned and new approaches to this type of Public Private Partnership.  This workshop is designed to help road operators and agencies world-wide find ways to lower operating costs and better cope with financial pressures.  For more information Click Here

AVIATION

1) O’Hare’s Vanishing Flights Get Back on Boards

Computer glitch kept arrival info off remote monitors.

Link to column in the Chicago Tribune:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-05-09/travel/ct-met-getting-around-0510-20100509_1_cell-phone-lot-parking-lot-flight

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

2) Study on New Electronic Toll System in Malaysia

Link to article in The Star:

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/8/business/6217815

OTHER

3) EU Steers Its Way Towards Intelligent Transport Systems

Link to article in EU Business News:

http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/transport-systems-directive.105

PARKING

4) Video Eye to Scan for Newton, Massachusetts Parking Lapses

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/05/10/newton_goes_high_tech_vs_parking_violators/

5) A Parking System the Jetsons Would Love in Philadelphia

Link to blog in the Philadelphia Business Journal:

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/blogs/real_estate/2010/05/a_parking_system_the_jetsons_would_love_at_1706_rittenhouse.html

ROADWAYS

6) Group Holds Contest for Worst Maine Road

Link to article in the Bangor Daily News:

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/143067.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Working to Stop Teens Texting Behind the Wheel

Link to story and audio report on NPR’s Morning Edition:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126486142

TELEMATICS

8) GM Woos Google: Collaboration Would Compete with Ford/Microsoft’s Sync

Link to article in Motor Trend:

http://wot.motortrend.com/6646652/technology/gm-woos-google-collaboration-would-compete-with-ford-microsofts-sync/index.html

9) Truckers Want Kenya Revenue Authority to Bear Cost of Cargo Tracking Device

Link to article in Business Daily:

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company%20Industry/Truckers%20want%20KRA%20to%20bear%20cost%20of%20cargo%20tracking%20device/-/539550/915960/-/9xrdeuz/-/

10) University of Michigan Students Drive with the Help of the Cloud … and a Ford

Link to article in Campus Technology:

http://campustechnology.com/articles/2010/05/10/u-michigan-students-drive-with-the-help-of-the-cloud-and-a-ford.aspx

TRANSIT

11) For New York City Subway Signs and Maps, a Six-Figure Editing Job

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/nyregion/10signage.html

12) Sheryl King Benford is the Voice of a Generation … of Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Buses

Link to column in The Plain Dealer:

http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2010/05/sheryl_king_benford_is_the_voi.html

13) How Geeks and Their Transit Apps Get Us Around Town

Link to commentary in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748704342604575222174071643574-lMyQjAxMTAwMDAwNzEwNDcyWj.html

14) My Favorite Transit Apps

Link to blog in InformationWeek:

http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2010/05/my_favorite_tra.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Web Cameras Roll Out Across Queensland Coast

Link to article in the Sunshine Coast News:

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/05/09/more-web-cameras-roll-out-across-coast/

16) Eyes on the Road: 130 Cameras Make Travel Safer in Tampa Bay

Link to article in the St. Petersburg Times

http://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/eyes-on-the-road-130-cameras-make-travel-safer-in-tampa-bay/1093868

VEHICLES

17) Will the Internet Kill Traditional Car Radio?

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/automobiles/09RADIO.html

18) Caraoke, for When the Shower is Too Far Away

Link to blog in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/caraoke-for-when-the-shower-is-too-far-away/

News Releases

1) The Gipuzkoa Provincial Government to Launch Intelligent Transport System Throughout Its Road Network

2) Iowa DOT Launches New Aviation Web Site

3) Toledo Ticket and TransCore Launch RFID-based ‘Hang Tags’ Ideal for Preferred Customer Parking or Security Access Control at University, Healthcare, Sports, and Entertainment Facilities

4) Michigan’s Deployment of PrePass Truck Safety Technology is Reducing Fuel Consumption and Emissions; Boosting Industry Efficiency and Road Safety

5) US DOT Fines Continental for Incomplete Disability Complaint Reports

Job Posting

–  Toll Operations Manager – Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority

This position will assist the Operations and Maintenance Director and other Senior Staff at the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority (THEA) with management of toll collection and violation enforcement system. Position description, employment application, and organization chart are available under “Employment Opportunities” on the homepage at www.tampa-xway.com. Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, with a degree in business, public administration, transportation or related field, and a minimum of five (5) years experience in operations management, toll-related transportation planning, toll-related financial operations in a public agency or private business.  Toll collection and/or operations experience is a plus.  Salary Range:  $65,000 – $95,000 annually, with expected hiring salary near the mid-range.  To apply, submit cover letter with Resume and Application by US Mail or Email by 12:00 p.m., on June 4, 2010, unless further extended to: THEA, 1104 East Twiggs St., S-300, Tampa, FL 33602 or E-mail: vicki@tampa-xway.com

Upcoming Events

The International Bridge Conference – June 6-9 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

http://www.eswp.com/bridge/

Today in Transportation History

1960 **50^th anniversary** The nuclear submarine, USS Triton resurfaces for the first time following completion of the first underwater circumnavigation of the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl_9FcYg5vg

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

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 i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

(Sources: The Inspiration Room & @Kiruba)

I got this above image, courtesy of friend a (@Kiruba),  which I consider to be a strikingly effective capture that tells the dangers of Distracted Driving.  I was piqued by the creativity of this advertisement campaign by the Bangalore City Traffic Police (in India), and went looking for more details behind this creative effort.

Thanks to Google, I found The Inspiration Room, and got the following details along with a few more gruesome, yet effective pictures from this brilliant campaign.    These images capture the dangers of Distracted Driving, telling the story from the other side of the conversation a.k.a the non-Driver’s point of view.

Summary of the Project:

The outdoor advertising campaign uses disturbing photography to shock people out of talking to their friends and families on the phone while they are driving. Men and women are shown grimacing as blood spurts out from their telephones. The tag line: “Don’t talk while he drives. ”  IMHO, this is probably one of the best advertisement campaigns EVER devised to combat Distracted Driving, and ranks way up there along with the  famous British PSA video on dangers of Texting While Driving.

The Creative Team:

Developed at Mudra Group, India, by executive creative director Joono Simon, art director Vinci Raj, copywriter Akhilesh Bagri, photographer Mallikarjun Katakol, with retouching by Sathish.

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is looking for a Community Planner.  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 within the Transportation Policy, Planning, and Organizational Excellence Division at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA.

The Professional Capacity Building Program Manager will manage Professional Capacity Building (PCB) programs in three key areas which include Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Innovative Program Delivery, and Transportation Planning.   They will provide technical leadership for these programs as well as oversight and program management of projects and staffing needs in all phases of the capacity building program cycle.

The position will plan and conduct outreach events and other efforts, such as implementing websites, webinars, workshops, peer exchanges, databases, brochures, scans and other capacity building tools and techniques.   The incumbent will design curricula and plan innovative methods of delivery; monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of PCB activities; scope out new projects and design new program activities.

If you know someone interested in this Cambridge, MA based position that has the experience and proven results, please encourage them to apply under the attached vacancy announcement.  USDOT is looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.

The vacancy announcement can be found on http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=87796834&JobTitle=CommunityPlanner

Please direct any questions to Susan Faldasz, Volpe Human Resources, at 617-494-2339.

Friday, May 7, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Euromed Aviation Countries Agree on Establishing Joint Mediterranean Aviation Authorities

Link to article on Global Arab Network:

http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201005075783/Aviation/euromed-aviation-countries-agree-on-establishing-joint-mediterranean-aviation-authorities.html

2) Online Knowledge Management Tool Keeps FAA Inspectors on Same Page

Link to article in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2010/05/06/web-knowledge-management-faa.aspx

CAMERAS

3) California Officials Debate Using Traffic Cameras to Help Close the State Budget Deficit

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/760904?elq=b6f342ecb40542ef9c01d489bed16e48

4) Hawaiian Political Campaigns Getting a Boost from Traffic Cameras

Key Honolulu intersection coveted by sign-wavers for both its traffic and cameras.

Link to story and video on KITV-TV:

http://www.kitv.com/news/23483162/detail.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

5) North Carolina Drivers to Have Options on Tolls

State will be first to collect electronic tolls with transponders and debit accounts from any of the 26 states that use them now.

Read more in The News & Observer:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/05/07/471024/drivers-to-have-options-on-tolls.html#ixzz0nHGuLMvW

6) Slovak National Highway Company Admits Problems in the Way Truckers are Charged for Highway Tolls

Link to article in The Slovak Spectator:

http://spectator.sme.sk/articles/view/38794/10/nds_admits_problems_in_the_way_truckers_are_charged_for_highway_tolls.html

OTHER

7) US Senate’s Public Online Information Act Draws Criticism

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100506_3514.php

8) NOAA Satellite Program Aids Oil Spill Response

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2010/05/06/web-noaa-satellite.aspx

TELEMATICS

9) Get Ready for OnStar Everywhere

Link to article on CNNMoney.com:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/06/autos/onstar_relaunch/index.htm?source=yahoo_quote

TRANSIT

10) New York City Transit Cuts Announced; Among Them, Announcers

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/nyregion/07mta.html

11) New Numbers for Data-Hungry New York Straphangers

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/new-numbers-for-data-hungry-straphangers/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) New Intelligent Traffic System Will Miss Commonwealth Games in Delhi

Link to article in the Hindustan Times:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/New-traffic-system-will-miss-Games/Article1-540764.aspx

VEHICLES

13) Apps on Wheels

Link to article in M2M:

http://www.m2mmag.com/news/articles/article.aspx?ID=8393

News Releases

1) Despite Use of Travel Web Sites for Search and Information, Consumers Ultimately Purchase Tickets on Commercial Airlines’ Web Sites, According to Survey by Frost & Sullivan

Job Postings

–  Editor, Transport Policy – Elsevier

http://www.elsevier.com/transportation

Upcoming Events

FHWA Maintenance Decision Support System Showcase – May 19 – Madison, Wisconsin

http://www.utahltap.org/Services/Workshops/productdemoshowcase/MDSS/registration/wisconsin.php

Friday Bonus

As someone who has had numerous recording sessions, I can relate to the problems experienced by this novice voiceover actor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ljFfL-mL70

Today in Transportation History

1960 **50^th anniversary** – Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev announced the USSR had captured U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers who was shot down on a spy mission over the Soviet Union.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedailymirror/2010/05/russia-shoots-down-us-spy-plane.html

Additional information on “last minute” ad space

Since this is something new for me, this is a bit experimental.  One way I can let potential advertisers know about openings is by creating a list of those who might have an interest in purchasing “last minute” ads.  When I have an opening I will e-mail everyone on the list and the first to reserve the space will get that day’s ad.  Those on the list are under no obligation to buy an ad.  “Last minute” ads can be preempted by those paying full-price.  If you have questions, or to be added to the notification list, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

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 i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net