TransportGooru

Friday, January 29, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Bernie’s Notes

Since you receive the TCN each day you’re no doubt familiar with some of my newsletter work.  What you might not know is there’s another aspect of transportation communications with which I’m involved.  I also do transportation voice-over work.  For example, if you’ve ridden on the AirTrain at JFK or Newark airports you’ve probably heard me inside the stations and onboard the trains.  Just recently I began providing announcements on the New York City subway system.  In addition I’ve been the radio voice for the New Jersey Turnpike and New York State Thruway, the original voice for the E-ZPass customer information phone line in New York and Virginia DOT’s Smart Tag.  If your organization needs a voice for anything from a Web or PowerPoint narration to a phone greeting, please contact me.  I know transportation and can help make your voice application sound friendly and professional.  You can learn about other projects I’ve done and hear samples of my work by visiting my Web site, www.bwcommunications.net.  For questions, or more information, please contact me atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

AVIATION

1) Judge Allows Flyer Advocate’s Suit to Go Forward

Lawsuit claims Delta Air Lines illegally obtained e-mails.

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Judge-allows-flyer-advocates-apf-1243647106.html?x=0&.v=1

2) Boeing Launches 787 Flight-Test Web Site

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010921991_boeingwebsite29.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

3) Visualization’s Next Frontier

Link to article in Public Roads:

http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/10janfeb/02.htm

SAFETY / SECURITY

4) Interpol Chief Says Weak Passport Verification World’s Biggest Travel Threat

Link to CP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jamPf2nz2ey4fCJYuMaMBHkxtOOg

5) Driver Phone Bans’ Impact Doubted

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2010-01-29-cell-phone_N.htm

Link to news release from the Highway Loss Data Institute:

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr012910.html

6) Talking Transport Security Trends

An interview with Andy Nicholson of ARINC.

Link to interview on Airport Technology:

http://www.airport-technology.com/features/feature74908/?WT.mc_id=WN_Feat&mxmroi=6268974/2575438/false

7) Vigilante Journalist Taunts TSA Agents

Link to story and video on WDIV-TV:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/22368244/detail.html

TELEMATICS

8) UK Fleets Switch on to Benefits of Eye-in-the-Sky Tracking

Link to article in Fleet News:

http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/story/Fleets-switch-on-to-benefits-of-eye-in-the-sky-tracking/51991

TRANSIT

9) Toronto Transit Commission to Enhance Customer Service

Numerous communication improvements announced.

Link to article in Metro:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2010/01/TTC-to-enhance-customer-service.aspx

The TTC’s Failure to Communicate

Link to editorial in the Toronto Sun:

http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2010/01/28/12655531.html

VEHICLES

10) ‘Smart Pedals’ Could Stop Crashes Like Those Behind Recall

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-01-29-toyotabrakes29_ST_N.htm

11) Safety of Cars’ Keyless Entry and Ignition Systems Questioned

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/24/business/la-fi-carkeys24-2010jan24

News Releases

1) LogicTree Scheduled Arrival IVR Surpasses 400,000 Calls at RTD Denver – Achieves Automation Rate Approaching 80%

Upcoming Events

Making Connections: New Developments & Emerging Opportunities in Transportation Training Partnerships – March 17 – Silver Spring, Maryland

http://transportcenter.org/images/uploads/mc%20agenda.pdf

Friday Bonus

When they say to keep both hands on the wheel, they mean it.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/01/28/motorist-receives-50-on-the-spot-fine-for-blowing-his-nose-in-car-86908-22000682/

Today in Transportation History

1940 **70^th anniversary** – Three gasoline-powered trains crashed and exploded approaching the Ajikawaguchi station in Japan, killing over 180 people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ajikawaguchi_derail_1940.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

(Sources: USDOT Sec. Ray LaHood’s Fast Lane Blog; USDOT; NY Times; Wired, Tree Hugger; The Transport Politic)

A day after delivering the State of the Union address, President Obama took his economic message on the road in the first of a series of trips outside Washington. He began his full-scale pivot to the economy by focusing on high-speed rail projects, a tangible thing that many voters can see in their own neighborhoods or states. Joined by Vice President Biden in Tampa, Florida, he announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act High-Speed and Inter-city Passenger Rail grants. Mr. Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. both traveled to Florida to announce the projects. The president and vice president rarely travel together, but did so in this case because Mr. Biden has overseen the economic stimulus plan. He introduced Mr. Obama to the crowd at an event that resembled a campaign rally.

The investments, scattered across the country, include startup money for high-speed rail projects in California and Florida. For months, states have been engaged in a bidding war over the money, which comes from the economicstimulus plan approved a year ago.

Our favorite, Yonah Freemark @ The Transport Politic summarized this seed funding for HSR as follow: After months of speculation about which states will get funding from the Federal Railroad Administration to begin construction on new high-speed corridors, the news is in. As has been expected, California, Florida, and Illinois are the big winners, with more than one billion in spending proposed for each. But other states with less visible projects, including Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Washington will also get huge grants and begin offering relatively fast trains on their respective corridors within five years. The distribution of dollars is well thought-out and reasonable: it provides money to regions across the nation and prioritizes states that have made a commitment of their own to a fast train program.

The bulk of today’s awards go to new, large-scale high-speed rail programs–projects such as Florida, with $1.25 billion to develop a high-speed rail corridor between Tampa and Orlando with trains running up to 168 miles per hour–and California, with $2.25 billion to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco and points in between with trains running up to 220 miles per hour.

In total, 31 states and the District of Columbia will receive awards. In addition to 13 corridor investments, we are also awarding several grants for improvement projects and planning. These efforts on existing routes and emerging corridors will lay the groundwork for future high-speed and intercity rail development.

And here are the stats of the projections for each line via Tree Hugger (via Wired):

California
First Phase – San Francisco to Los Angeless
Ultimate Goal – Sacramento to San Dieago
Estimated Completion Date – 2025
Top Speed – 220 mph
Final Tab – $45B

Florida
First Phase – Tampa to Orlando
Ultimate Goal – Orlando to Miami
Estimated Completion Date – 2017
Top Speed- 180 mph
Final Tab – $11.5+B

Midwest
First Phase – Chicago to Madison, Detroit, and St. Louis.
Ultimate Goal – Hub-and-spoke network: 20 major cities using 3,000 miles of existing railway.
Estimated Completion Date – 2025
Top Speed – 110 mph
Final Tab – N/A

Texas
Ultimate Goal – “T-Bone” connecting Dallas/ Ft. Worth, San Antonio, and Houston
Estimated Completion Date – 2020
Top Speed – 220 mph
Final Tab – $12-22B

Northeast
Ultimate Goal – Speed-boosting upgrades to existing lines to get Washington-to-Boston travel time down to five hours, 45 minutes.
Estimated Completion Date – 2023
Top Speed – 150 mph
Final Tab – $12B

Other lines will grace Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.

For further details on the major corridor projects, click here (via USDOT Press Release):

• Florida
• California
• Chicago-St. Louis-Kansas City
• Madison – Milwaukee – Chicago
• Charlotte – Raleigh – Richmond – Washington, D.C.
• Eugene-Portland-Seattle
• Detroit-Chicago
• Ohio
• Northeast

Please visit here for a complete in-depth analysis of this distribution and for an awesome table that captures salient features (distance, funding amounts, etc). Thanks to Yonah Freemark for his efforts to keep us informed.

Thursday, January 28, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Discuss Federal Legislative Initiatives at IBTTA Legislative Conference – March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association on March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC and participate in discussions on federal legislative initiatives with leaders in the transportation policy debate. Topics will include transportation authorization, electronic tolling interoperability, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) charging, the proposed Office of Public Benefit, and other important issues affecting tolling and road pricing. Participants will spend Tuesday afternoon visiting their congressional representatives to advance tolling initiatives on Capitol Hill. This meeting is ideal for toll industry professionals interested in US Federal and transportation legislation and regulations affecting the toll industry. Visit www.IBTTA.org for registration, hotel and travel information and to view the preliminary agenda. [More…]

AVIATION

1) JetBlue Hopes for Few Blips in Reservation Switch

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/JetBlue-hopes-for-few-blips-apf-4274801989.html?x=0&.v=2

2) Lessons are Learned from Aborted US Airways Flight

Link to article in The Charleston Gazette:

http://sundaygazettemail.com/News/201001270602

BICYCLES

3) RFID Enables Biking System

Link to article in RFIDNews:

http://www.rfidnews.org/2010/01/27/rfid-system-rewards-bike-commuters

OTHER

4) Intelligent Transportation Systems: US Not Leading the Pack

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/741034

Link to commentary by ITS America President and CEO, Scott Belcher in The Hill:

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-a-environment/78495-its-report-a-wake-up-call

ROADWAYS

5) Smart Signs Give False Readings

Australian roadway signs may be falsely detecting speeding and following too closely.

Link to article in The Gympie Times:

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2010/01/29/smart-sign-of-the-times/

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) US Homeland Security Nuclear Detection Office Turns to Geospatial Routing

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2010/01/27/homeland-security-domestic-nuclear-detection-office.aspx

7) Microsoft CEO Forecasts Cloudy Future for Public Safety

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2010/01/28/steve-ballmer-keynote-at-microsoft-public-safety-symposium.aspx

News Releases

1) Before You Go…GeauxWider.com – New Web Site, Twitter, Facebook Provide I-10 and I-12 Construction Impacts in Real-Time

2) NYSERDA-Funded iCone Gaining National Prominence in Efforts to  Reduce Traffic Congestion, Energy Consumption, and Pollution

3) New 511 Service to Assist Commuters and Motorists in California’s Inland Empire

4) New Capital District Transportation Authority Web Site to Enhance Service Through Improved Communications

Job Postings

–  Transportation Safety Analyst – Volpe National Transportation Systems Center – Cambridge, Massachusetts

http://volpedb.volpe.dot.gov/outside/owa/vntsc_outside.hr_career.display_job?p_job_id=JOB00183&p_type=CareerIntern

Upcoming Events

Oceanology International – March 9-11 – London

http://www.oceanologyinternational.com/

Today in Transportation History

1820 **190^th anniversary** A Russian expedition, led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, reached Antarctica.  The expedition is credited by some as being the first to discover the continent.

http://www.south-pole.com/p0000073.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 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

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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BICYCLES

1) Designing Bicycle Cities

Planning clearly-marked urban biking systems can help us educate car drivers and decrease cycling accidents.

Link to article in Good:

http://www.good.is/post/designing-bicycle-cities/

OTHER

2) Interview with ITS Network Germany

Link to interview from ERTICO – ITS Europe:

http://www.ertico.com/en/news/ertico_newsroom/its_network_germany_interview.htm

3) ERTICO – ITS Europe Talks to Dr. Young-Jun Moon, IPC Chair of the ITS World Congress Organizing Committee

Link to interview from ERTICO – ITS Europe:

http://www.ertico.com/en/news/ertico_newsroom/ertico_-_its_europe_talks_to_dr_young-jun_moon.htm

4) Report on Intelligent Transportation Systems from The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation

Link to report:

http://gigaom.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/its2010report.pdf

RAILROADS

5) Web Site Offers Info — and Advocacy — on Proposed High-Speed Rail Line from Twin Cities to Chicago

Link to article on MinnPost:

http://www.minnpost.com/politicalagenda/2010/01/26/15308/website_offers_info_–_and_advocacy_–_on_proposed_high-speed_rail_line_from_twin_cities_to_chicago

Link to site: http://www.mnhighspeedrail.com/

ROADWAYS

6) EU Body Gives Thumbs Up to ‘Green’ Road Charging

Link to article on EurActiv:

http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/eu-body-gives-thumbs-green-road-charging/article-189224

TRANSIT

7) New York MTA’s Electronic Security Plan Late, Lacks Funds

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2612302120100126

8) Outgoing Hampton Roads Transit Chief Speaks Out on Facebook

Link to article in The Virginian-Pilot:

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/01/outgoing-hrt-chief-speaks-out-facebook

VEHICLES

9) Four States, DC Not Part of National Vehicle History Database

Link to article in The Clarion-Ledger:

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100126/NEWS/100126032/1002/newsfrnt/Miss.-not-part-of-national-vehicle-database

News Releases

1) BART Launches API to Spur Innovation in Transit App Development

2) Weather Central Introduces Road Segment-Based Weather Solutions for Location-Based and Mobile Services

3) Galileo – The Next Big Thing – Today and Tomorrow Says Frost & Sullivan

4) Iraqis Controlling Air Traffic Alongside US Counterparts

Upcoming Events

Asia Pacific Rail 2010 – March 8-11 – Bangkok

http://www.terrapinn.com/2010/asiarail/

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** – The Hague Convention of 1907, which focused on naval warfare, went into effect.

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/lawwar.asp

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

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, January 26, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Discuss Federal Legislative Initiatives at IBTTA Legislative Conference – March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association on March 22-23, 2010 in Washington, DC and participate in discussions on federal legislative initiatives with leaders in the transportation policy debate. Topics will include transportation authorization, electronic tolling interoperability, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) charging, the proposed Office of Public Benefit, and other important issues affecting tolling and road pricing. Participants will spend Tuesday afternoon visiting their congressional representatives to advance tolling initiatives on Capitol Hill. This meeting is ideal for toll industry professionals interested in US Federal and transportation legislation and regulations affecting the toll industry. Visit www.IBTTA.org for registration, hotel and travel information and to view the preliminary agenda. [More…]

AVIATION

1) Deciphering the German Airport Hack

Link to article in ContactlessNews:

http://www.contactlessnews.com/2010/01/25/deciphering-the-german-airport-hack

CARTOGRAPHY

2) Navteq, the Maps the Auto Industry Uses

Link to article on Bright Side of News:

http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2010/1/25/navteq2c-the-maps-the-auto-industry-uses.aspx

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

3) Ohio Turnpike Commission Reverses Itself on Higher Tolls for Bicycles or Luggage on Roof

Link to article in The Plain Dealer:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/01/ohio_turnpike_commission_rever.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Navigation Programming Standard

Link to article in The Engineer:

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/navigation-programming-standard/1000716.article

MARITIME

5) Port of Los Angeles Fights Crime with Mobile Video

Link to article in CIO:

http://www.cio.com/article/522914/Port_of_Los_Angeles_Fights_Crime_With_Mobile_Video

ROADWAYS

6) US Government Studies Effect of Digital Billboards on Drivers

Link to story on KUSA-TV:

http://www.9news.com/seenon9news/article.aspx?storyid=131467&catid=509

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) US DOT Bars Commercial Drivers from Texting at Wheel

Link to AP article:

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9662151

Link to news release from US DOT:

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot1410.htm

8) Airport Security is a Tech-Firm Gold Rush

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-smallbiz-security26-2010jan26,0,636018.story

9) Pennsylvania County Publishes Emergency Call Information Online

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/740523?elq=f5509e76b98f45b9a914f8a0f6d0bbaa

TRANSIT

10) Smart Card Firms Team to Establish Open Standard

Link to article in EE Times:

http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=222500054

11) Toronto Transit Commission Riders Ask Where Route Maps Went

Link to article in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/fixer/article/755855–fixer-ttc-riders-ask-where-route-maps-went

12) New Bus Times Signs Help UK Shoppers

Link to article in The Evening Telegraph:

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/Queensgate-New-bus-times-signs.6014674.jp

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Long Island Rail Road Riders Get Real-Time Train Arrival Information by Text

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/01/26/2010-01-26_its_a_trip_sez_lirr_texting_gets_riders_latest_train_info.html

14) Is the 511 National Traffic Phone Number Worth $1.2 Billion?

Link to podcast from Directions Magazine:

http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=3390

WEATHER

15) Google to Bring NOAA Data to New Heights

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2010/01/26/noaa-google-coop-012610.aspx

News Releases

1) Streetcar App Now Available from App Store – Allows Users to Locate, Book and Open Cars

Upcoming Events

21^st International Women in Aviation Conference – February 25-27 – Lake Buena Vista, Florida

http://www.wai.org/10conference/index.cfm

Today in Transportation History

1500 **510^th anniversary** – Spanish explorer Vicente Yáñez Pinzón reached Brazil’s northeastern coast.

http://www.emayzine.com/lectures/HISTOR~6.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 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

New Report: U.S. Falling Off Pace of World Leadership In Intelligent Transportation Systems

Why the U.S. is Missing the Intelligent Transportation Systems Revolution

WASHINGTON, D.C.— A new report by a leading Washington, D.C. think tank will be released on Wednesday, January 27^th, highlighting the increasing disparity between foreign industrialized nations and the United States regarding the current use of new technologies to address major transportation congestion, safety, and environmental problems.

At Wednesday’s forum, researchers from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) will issue the report and discuss its findings with domestic and international transportation experts.  The report, Explaining International IT Application Leadership: Intelligent Transportation Systems, discusses why the United States has fallen behind in developing intelligent transportation technology while nations such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore and others have made significant progress and advances.

Date:   Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Time:  9 AM – 10:30 AM

Place:  Information Technology and Innovations Foundation,  1101 K Street, NW, Suite 610A , Washington, DC 20005

(News media inquiries, please call ITIF at 202-449-1351)

Participants

• Robert Atkinson (moderator),  President, The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
• Stephen Ezell (presenter), Senior Analyst, The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

Respondents:

• Scott Belcher, President and CEO, ITS America
• Riz Khaliq, Global Business Executive, Intelligent Transportation Systems and Growth Markets, IBM Global Government
• Masahiro Nishikawa, Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism (MLIT)

Report Should Be “A Serious Wake Up Call” For the U.S.

“The report should be a serious wake-up call to our nation’s transportation leaders and policy makers as to why the U.S. is not staying competitive in the international market,” said Scott Belcher, President and CEO of ITS America. “Other industrialized nations have learned that a major key to transportation efficiency and economic growth is by deploying intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to allow for the safe and easy movement of goods and people.

“We have the opportunity to reverse this disparity if we don’t continue to ignore 21^st Century technology in addressing our transportation problems,” Belcher said.

According to the report: “Many think improving a country’s transportation system solely means building new roads or repairing aging infrastructure.  But the future of transportation lies not in concrete and steel, but in a network of sensors, microchips, and communication devices that collect and disseminate information about the functioning of the transportation system.”

The report also introduces specific recommendations on how the U.S. government can accelerate the deployment of ITS to remain economically competitive with other industrialized nations.

“Information Technology Is Revolutionizing Transportation”

ITS technology includes real-time, in-vehicle traffic and transit information; new types of automated road pricing; adaptive traffic signal timing; safety warning systems; and many other applications which leverage IT to enhance the safety, efficiency and convenience of transportation, including for cars, trucks and mass transit.

“What ITS do is empower actors in the transportation system—from commuters, to highway and transit authorities, even down to the actual traffic lights themselves—with actionable information, that is, intelligence, to make better-informed decisions, whether it’s choosing which route to take, when to travel, or whether to mode-shift; how to optimize traffic signals; where to build new roadways; or how to hold providers of transportation services accountable for results,” said Stephen Ezell, ITIF lead report author.

“As we have seen technology revolutionize how we work and live, information technology is revolutionizing transportation. Other nations are already using intelligent transportation technology to reduce traffic collisions, congestion and carbon emissions,” Belcher said.

“Imagine being able to receive real-time information about traffic congestion or incidents on freeways, updates of when the next bus or train will arrive when using mass transit, or collision avoidance warnings from autonomous vehicle sensors when crashes appear imminent,” Belcher said. “In many other industrialized parts of the world, this is already happening.”

NOTE: This event will be live webcast here on the day of the event. News media inquiries, please call ITIF at 202-449-1351.

Monday, January 25, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Preliminary Program Available for ITS America’s 20th Annual Meeting & Exposition

The preliminary program for ITS America’s 20^th Annual Meeting & Exposition, May 3-5, 2010, Houston, Texas is available online.  ITS America’s 20th Annual Meeting & Exposition will provide transportation professionals and policymakers with the necessary tools and strategies they need to create communities that are safer, cleaner, more livable and less congested.  Visit www.itsa.org/amprogram.html to learn more about the sessions, technical tours, technology demonstrations, exhibition, ancillary meetings, and the Texas Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security hearing.  Early registration ends January 31 and discounts are available for ITS America members, public agency staff, and first-time attendees.

AVIATION

1) Atlantic City’s High-Tech Airport Taking Off

Link to article in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/82535372.html

2) New UK Air Traffic Control Center Opens

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8477906.stm

CAMERAS

3) Average Speed Cameras Could be Used on All UK Motorways

Link to article in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/7066376/Average-speed-cameras-could-be-used-on-all-motorways.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) Maine Turnpike Authority Dismisses All-Electronic Tolls

Link to article in the Portsmouth Herald:

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100123-NEWS-1230314

5) South Jersey Transportation Authority May Scrap Plans for Cashless Toll Plazas on Atlantic City Expressway

Link to article in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_98d3851e-0843-11df-9a21-001cc4c002e0.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) US Air Force Chief of Staff Warns Against Dependence on GPS

Link to article in the Air Force Times:

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/01/airforce_schwartz_012310/

7) New Garmin Navigation Device Airs Digital TV, Radio

Device, which will only be available in Europe, has feature to prevent TV use while driving.

Link to article in the Kansas City Business Journal:

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2010/01/18/daily38.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Technology Will Allow Security Officials to Monitor Aircraft Movements in Area of Winter Olympics

Link to Canwest News Service article:

http://www.kelowna.com/2010/01/22/sea-to-sky-corridor-under-surveillance-technology-allows-security-officials-to-monitor-aircraft-movements-during-the-games/

9) US-Bound Fliers From 35 Countries Will be Required to Register Online

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-01-24-register_N.htm

10) States Go After Texting Drivers

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-01-24-texting_N.htm

11) Missouri Considers Letting Emergency Medical Technicians Report Dangerous Drivers

Link to article in The Kansas City Star:

http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics/story/1704958.html

TELEMATICS

12) Telematics to Help Provide Real-Time Road Information in Taiwan

Link to article in The China Post:

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2010/01/23/241952/Telematics-to.htm

13) It’s Time for Telematics

Link to article in Heavy Duty Trucking:

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=69145

TRANSIT

14) Bob Noorda, Who Changed Look of the New York Subways, Dies at 82

Link to obituary in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/arts/design/24noorda.html

15) Clever Commute Helps Riders Track Trains Leaving Grand Central Terminal

Link to article in The Advocate:

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/default/article/Clever-Commute-helps-rail-riders-track-trains-335232.php

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

16) More Indiana Highway Travel Time Signs Planned

Link to AP article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-in-timesigns,0,5410752.story

17) New ITS System to Help Assuage Jacksonville, North Carolina Area Traffic Headaches

Link to article in The Daily News:

http://www.jdnews.com/news/text-72135-justify-align.html

18) Bluetooth Travel Time Technology Evaluation Using the BlueTOAD

Link to report from KMJ Consulting:

http://kmjinc.com/file/BlueTOAD%20final%20report%204%20Jan%202010.pdf

VEHICLES

19) LTE Connected Car

Link to video on CNET TV:

http://cnettv.cnet.com/lte-connected-car/9742-1_53-50082302.html

20) Dear Silicon Valley: Stay Out of My Car

Link to article in Computerworld:

http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=66962B76-1A64-67EA-E41A690C21F930E7

News Releases

1) OmniAir EPS Committee Completes EPSNIS Draft – Prepares for NYSBA 5.9 GHz DSRC Test

2) Telvent to Install Tunnel Management System in Brazil

3) AutoPark 1.0 Introduced for iPhone – Say Goodbye to Parking Tickets

4) $8.7 Million Awarded for Traffic Management Improvements to I-15 in San Diego Area

5) Kovsky & Miller Research Study Provides Useful Insights Into Traffic Reporting in Newscasts

Job Postings

–  Supervisory, IT Specialist – Volpe National Transportation Operations Center – Cambridge, Massachusetts (open period extended until Feb. 2)

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/getjob.aspx?jobid=85639854

Upcoming Events

MetroRail 2010 Australia – February 25 – Sydney

http://www.terrapinn.com/2010/metro/

Today in Transportation History

1890 **120^th anniversary** – Nellie Bly completed a 72-day round-the-world journey.

http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/386/nellie.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

Friday, January 22, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Bernie’s Notes

In yesterday’s edition I mentioned there are several ways you can support the TCN.  In addition to direct donations, another way is through a sponsorship.  Each weekday the TCN goes out to over 7,000 readers.  Since I never want the TCN to be cluttered with ads, there’s only one sponsorship per issue.  That also makes sure your message stands out.  The cost is surprisingly affordable at only $100 per ad.  For more information, or to check available dates, please e-mail me at the address below.  You can join sponsors such as IBTTA, ITS America, GEWI and INRIX in helping to support the TCN.  For those interested in direct donations, please see information at the bottom of today’s edition.  Thank you for all your support!

AVIATION

1) Gogo Gets $176 Million for In-Flight Wi-Fi

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/gogo-lands-176-million-as-in-flight-wi-fi-takes-off/

CAMERAS

2) London, Ontario Female Bus Drivers Demand Onboard Security Cameras

Link to article in the London Free Press:

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2010/01/18/12517286.html

3) London to Get UK’s First Urban Average Speed Camera System

Link to article in Traffic Technology International:

http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=18960

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) Rival Australian Electronic Toll Tag Operators Accused of Dirty Tactics to Lure Drivers

Link to article in The Courier-Mail:

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26622874-3102,00.html

RAILROADS

5) NTSB Blames Engineer for 2008 Metrolink Crash, Urges Railroads to Install Cameras to Monitor Train Crews

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-metrolink22-2010jan22,0,5862623.story

Link to further information from the National Transportation Safety Board:

http://www.ntsb.gov/events/boardmeeting.htm#upcoming

6) China Launches ID-Based Rail Ticket System

Link to IANS article:

http://www.samachaar.in/Business_and_Economy/China_launches_IDbased_rail_ticket_system_98953/

7) Amtrak Replies on Policy Concerning Identification of People Hit by Trains

Link to blog in The Baltimore Sun:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2010/01/amtrak_replies_on_victim_ident.html

8) January Issue of Signal Newsletter of the European Rail Traffic Management System

Link to newsletter:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/interoperability/ertms/doc/016_signal_2010_01_en.pdf

SPACE

9) Astronaut Sends One Small Tweet for Man, One Giant Leap for Twitter

Link to article in USA Today:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/01/astronaut-sends-one-small-tweet-for-man-one-giant-leap-for-twitter/1

Link to Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/astro_tj

TRANSIT

10) Tweet Dreams! Photo of Toronto Transit Commission Ticket Booth Goes Viral

Link to article in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/ttc/article/754297–tweet-dreams-photo-of-ttc-booth-goes-viral

11) Low-Tech Used to Inform Passengers of Train Departures in Silicon Valley

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/22sfmetro.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) Virginia DOT Traffic Operations Center Helps Staunton-Area Residents During Winter Weather

Link to story and video on WHSV-TV:

http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/82392812.html

VEHICLES

13) Volvo Goes Futuristic with a System That Can Detect Pedestrians

Link to article from the New York Times News Service:

http://blog.marketplace.nwsource.com/nwautos/2010/01/auto_stop_volvo_goes_futuristic_with_a_system_that_can_detect_pedestrians.html?cmpid=2696

14) GM Spreads Car Radio DVR

Link to blog in Consumer Reports:

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/01/gm-pause-play-car-radio-dvr.html

News Releases

1) US DOT Seeks Public Comments on Research and Technology Planning

2) US Drivers Not the Speed Demons You May Think

Upcoming Events

Talking Operations Webcast: International Experience with Road Pricing: Lessons From an International Scan – February 3

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=605

Friday Bonus

I hope she isn’t sued for copyright infringement.

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/cta-tattler/2010/01/devotion-to-cta-is-tattooed-on-her-foot.html

Today in Transportation History

1970 **40^th anniversary** – The first commercial flight of the Boeing 747 was made by Pan Am between New York and London.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,878184,00.html

Contributions for the TCN

Contributions to the TCN are greatly appreciated. You can mail a contribution to me at:

Bernie Wagenblast

1 Aberdeen Ct.

Cranford, NJ 07016-2911

You may also contribute through PayPal. Just go to:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10069680

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

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

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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National Rural ITS (NRITS) Conference

As you are well aware, the National Rural ITS (NRITS) Conference has been facilitating the design, planning, deployment and maintenance of intelligent transportation systems in rural areas for nearly two decades.  The 2010 NRITS Conference promises to continue this trend.  If you are interested in becoming involved and wish to participate in the program you must submit an abstract before the Monday, February 1, 2010 deadline.  Submittal guidelines can be found online at http://www.nritsconference.org/2010program.html.

AVIATION

1) FAA Adds Anti-hacking Conditions to Boeing 747-8

Link to blog on seattlepi:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/archives/191558.asp

2) FAA Testing Flight Operations Equipment at New Florida Airport

Link to article in The News Herald:

http://www.newsherald.com/news/west-80710-moves-airport.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) FAA, Honeywell Flag Jeppesen Aviation GPS Error

Link to article in Flight International:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/01/20/337355/faa-honeywell-flag-jeppesen-gps-error.html

PARKING

4) Yahoo Files Patent to Track Parking Space Availability

Link to article on Ubergizmo:

http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2010/01/yahoo_files_patent_to_track_parking_space_availability.html

ROADWAYS

5) Traffic Control Devices, Visibility, and Highway-Rail Grade Crossings 2009

Link to papers in the Transportation Research Record:

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Traffic_Control_Devices_Visibility_and_HighwayRail_162817.aspx

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) New York and New Jersey Airports’ Security System Draws Senators’ Ire

Link to story and video report on WABC-TV:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/investigators&id=7227538

TRANSIT

7) Final Report on Deadly Metrolink Crash Comes Down to Signal Color

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-metrolink-ntsb20-2010jan20,0,785407.story

8) Chicago Transit Authority Warns Against Excessive Photography

Link to story on WMAQ-TV:

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Losing-Focus-CTA-Cracks-Down-on-Photography-82138272.html

9) Latest Issue of Nordic Road & Transport Research Online

Issue focused on public transport.

Link to magazine:

http://www.nordicroads.com/website/files/Nordic-3-2009.pdf

VEHICLES

10) Virtual Dashboards: the Next Must-Have?

Link to column in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704561004575013152608105546.html

News Releases

1) Beat the Queue with RAC’s Free Mobile Traffic Application

Upcoming Events

EuroFreight 2010 – February 22-24 – Berlin

http://www.terrapinn.com/2010/eurofreight/

Today in Transportation History

1830 **180^th anniversary** – The Pontchartrain Rail-Road was chartered in Louisiana.

http://nutrias.org/exhibits/choochoo/page1.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 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

Social Media – What is it? How can my agency use it? What experience have others had?

The I-95 Corridor Coalition is hosting a webcast titled “The Use of Social Media for Travel Information” on Thursday, January 28, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (EST).

Many areas of interest regarding Social Media will be discussed during this webcast including: how it works, what information can be shared using it, how to implement it, how to get management buy-in for it, how do you know if it is working, and where is it all headed. In addition, two case studies from New York State DOT and North Carolina DOT will be highlighted.

For more information and to sign up for this no-cost webcast, please see the notice on the I-95 Corridor Coalition website athttp://www.i95coalition.org/