TransportGooru

Transportgooru is a proud supporter of the International Benefits, Evaluation and Costs (IBEC) Working Group, which is a cooperative working group set up to coordinate and expand international efforts, to exchange information and techniques, and evaluate benefits and costs of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).  IBEC brings together the best knowledge and experience and is the focal point for discussion and debate of interest to the international ITS evaluation community. IBEC encourages more effective use of ITS evaluation information so that decision-makers can make more informed ITS investments.

IBEC’s newsletters are very informative and offers interesting perspectives on a wide-spectrum of issues pertaining to three important areas of ITS – Benefits, Evaluation and Costs.    Here is the latest newsletter ( September 2009), which can also be accessed/downloaded directly from IBEC’s website.

Click here to learn more about the organization and how to become a member. FYI – Membership is free and open to any interested individual. IBEC currently has over 400 members from over 40 countries.

Thursday, November 19, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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IBTTA Summit to Explore Transformational Changes in Transportation Funding System — December 13-15, 2009 in Washington, DC
If you are responsible for funding or operating surface transportation infrastructure at the state, regional, county or municipal level, we invite you to attend IBTTA’s Transportation Policy and Finance Summit and explore the transformational changes that must take place to create a sustainable and efficient transportation funding system. CFO Roundtable on December 13, 2009: This Summit will include a special CFO roundtable for chief financial officers from toll agencies, state departments of transportation, and individuals in similar positions to share knowledge and ideas, network, and learn from one another. For registration, hotel and travel information or to view the preliminary agenda, visit www.IBTTA.org.

AVIATION

1) FAA Says Software Failure Caused Flight Disruptions Across US

Link to Bloomberg article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aPjkdWINEvx4&pos=9

Link to FAA statement:

http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=10966

2) Bill Seeks to Ban Pilots’ Use of Electronic Devices in Cockpit

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-11-18-laptops-ban-pilots_N.htm

3) FAA to Investigate Cell Phone Use on Atlanta Flight

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/faa-to-investigate-cell-202143.html

BICYCLES

4) Google Bike Directions Could be Useful Tool for Cities

Link to article in Mobilizing the Region:

http://blog.tstc.org/2009/11/17/google-bike-directions-could-be-useful-tool-for-cities/

CARTOGRAPHY

5) Wisconsin Bill Would Halt Printing of State Highway Maps

Link to story on WISC-TV:

http://www.channel3000.com/news/21658090/detail.html

6) AOL Also Likely to Eye Sale of MapQuest — Is Microsoft a Possible Buyer?

Link to article on All Things Digital:

http://kara.allthingsd.com/20091119/aol-also-likely-to-eye-sale-of-mapquest-is-microsoft-a-possible-buyer/

OTHER

7) Errors on US Government Web Site Make It Difficult to Track Stimulus Money

Link to article in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-stimulus_19nat.ART.State.Edition1.4bab174.html

Link to Recovery.gov:  http://www.recovery.gov

8) Web Page for Honolulu DUI Arrests Criticized

Link to article in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin:

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20091119_Web_page_for_DUI_arrests_criticized.html

PARKING

9) Public Rallies Against Pay Parking in Canadian Town

Communication missteps contribute to backlash.

Link to article in Parking Today:

http://www.parkingtoday.com/articledetails.php?id=822

ROADWAYS

10) Illinois Taxpayers Paying for Non-Working Electronic Signs

Link to story on WBBM-TV:

http://cbs2chicago.com/specialreports/electrical.signs.2.2.1321385.html

11) Along the Road, Signs of the Times

Questions in Massachusetts about signs for stimulus-funded projects.

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/11/by_martin_finuc_3.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) US Department of Homeland Security Launches Critical Infrastructure Web Site

Link to article in Government Security News:

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/cms/features/news-analysis/2976.html

TRANSIT

13) Ottawa OKs Next-Stop System for Buses

Link to CBC News story:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/11/17/ottawa-bus-next-call-system-approved.html

14) Oyster Cards to Expand to Suburban Rail Lines ‘Early Next Year’

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8364001.stm

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Singapore’s Land Transport Authority Partners with Google to Provide Traffic and Transit Information

Link to article on Channel NewsAsia:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1019247/1/.html

16) SingTel Launches Traffic Planning Guide TrafficLive

Link to blog on CNET Asia:

http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2009/11/19/singtel-launches-traffic-planning-guide-trafficlive/

17) New York City to Install Radar for Coordinated Traffic Control

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/733536?elq=afba1877eee947328cde1a0c8c4ecef9

18) Aha Mobile Reads Drivers Traffic Info, Facebook Status

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10401586-2.html?tag=newsLatestHeadlinesArea.0

VEHICLES

19) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Clears Way for Intermodal Registry

Link to article in The Journal of Commerce:

http://www.joc.com/node/414743

News Releases

1) SNCF and Gemalto Enable Ticketing on Contactless Mobile Phones

2) IBM Chairman Sam Palmisano to Deliver Keynote Address at ITS America’s 20^th Annual Meeting & Exposition

3) American Airlines Launches Wi-Fi Widget to Allow Travelers to Find Wi-Fi Equipped Flights

4) NJ Transit Joins Federal Railroad Administration ‘Close Call’ Pilot Program

5) Indiana DOT Launches Statewide Traveler Web Site, Phone Number

6) Sentinel and GEWI Announce Strategic Partnership

Upcoming Events

ITS America Annual Meeting & Exposition – May 3-5 – Houston

http://www.itsa.org/annualmeeting.html

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50^th anniversary** – Ford announced the discontinuance of the Edsel.

http://www.edsel.net/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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On LinkedIn or Facebook?

If so, I invite you to connect with me.  For those who enjoy the TCN, I also encourage you to become a fan of the TCN on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Transportation-Communications-Newsletter/25187272828

AVIATION

1) FAA to Determine Fate of West Virginia Beacon

Link to article in The State Journal:

http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=70523

Link to photo of Rich Mountain Beacon:

http://www.atchistory.org/History/FacilityPhotos/WV/RichMountain/RichMountainBeacon.htm

2) Non-profit to Supply Free Wi-Fi at Cleveland’s Hopkins Airport

Link to article in The Plain Dealer:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/11/free_wi-fi_available_at_clevel.html

Link to news release from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport:

http://www.clevelandairport.com/Portals/Documents/FINAL%20CLE%20WiFi.pdf

CAMERAS

3) Traffic Camera Fibs Spread by E-mail in Florida

Link to article in The Tampa Tribune:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/17/na-traffic-camera-fibs-spread-by-e-mail/

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) All Electronic Tolls Coming to Florida’s Turnpike

Link to AP article:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1339999.html

Link to further information from Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise:

http://www.floridasturnpike.com/all-electronictolling/publicmeeting.html

5) Dialogue, Education Key in Getting Public to Accept Road Tolls, US Transportation Officials Say

Link to article in Daily Commercial News and Construction Record:

http://dcnonl.com/article/id36366

OTHER

6) NTSB Chairman Laments ‘If It Scares, It Airs’ Mentality

Link to CBS News story:

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/17/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5683620.shtml

Link to text of speech:

http://www.ntsb.gov/speeches/hersman/daph091116.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Canadian Privacy Watchdog Slams No-Fly List, Financial Database

Link to Canwest News Service article:

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Privacy+watchdog+slams+list+financial+database/2234059/story.html

Link to news release from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:

http://www.priv.gc.ca/media/nr-c/2009/nr-c_091117_e.cfm

8) Video Surveillance Reality Check

Link to interview on SecurityInfoWatch:

http://www.securityinfowatch.com/Homepage+Articles/video-surveillance-reality-check-part-1

TRANSIT

9) Students Keep Track of University of Vermont Buses

Link to article in the Burlington Free Press:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20091117/NEWS0213/91116021

News Releases

1) FCC Releases Agenda for November 20 Staff Workshop on Distracted Driving

2) Common Language for Smart Devices Envisioned by Newly Launched Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Standards Initiative
3) Garmin Makes Custom Maps Free and Easy, Merging Paper and Digital Maps with GPS Handhelds

Upcoming Events

University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies 21^st Annual Transportation Research Conference – April 27-28 – St. Paul, Minnesota

http://www.cts.umn.edu/Events/ResearchConf/

Today in Transportation History

1809 **200^th anniversary** – The Action of 18 November 1809 took place in the Bay of Bengal.  French naval forces captured vessels of the Honourable East India Company.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_of_18_November_1809

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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IBTTA Summit to Explore Transformational Changes in Transportation Funding System — December 13-15, 2009 in Washington, DC

If you are responsible for funding or operating surface transportation infrastructure at the state, regional, county or municipal level, we invite you to attend IBTTA’s Transportation Policy and Finance Summit and explore the transformational changes that must take place to create a sustainable and efficient transportation funding system. CFO Roundtable on December 13, 2009: This Summit will include a special CFO roundtable for chief financial officers from toll agencies, state departments of transportation, and individuals in similar positions to share knowledge and ideas, network, and learn from one another. For registration, hotel and travel information or to view the preliminary agenda, visit www.IBTTA.org.

AVIATION

1) An Air Traffic Upgrade to Improve Travel by Plane

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/science/17air.html

2) Swedes Leading Efforts to Integrate UAVs Into EU Airspace

Link to article in Europolitics:

http://www.europolitics.info/sectorial-policies/swedes-leading-efforts-to-integrate-uavs-into-eu-airspace-art254428-13.html

3) AirTran to Put Ads on Seatback Tray Tables

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AirTran-to-put-ads-on-apf-2706832646.html?x=0&.v=4

4) Airport Web Users Let Time Fly By

Link to article in Adweek:

http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i6b92ac9c285d0176872551018ce57c7c

Link to JiWire news release:

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Jiwire-1077728.html

BICYCLES

5) Cyclists’ App Aids Traffic Planners

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/17/BA141AK16V.DTL

BUSES

6) All’s Fare in Travel by Bus

Cheaper fares, Web access draw many to bus travel.

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/11/17/cheaper_fares_web_access_draw_many_to_bus_travel/

7) Researcher Demonstrate Next-Generation Bus

Link to article in Report:

http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/CTSReport/2009/11/bus.html

CARTOGRAPHY

8) Crowdsourcing Cartography with PublicEarth and OpenStreetMap

Link to article on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10399029-2.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

9) ETC to be in All Vehicles Using Taiwan Freeways in Late 2012: MOTC

Link to article in The China Post:

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2009/11/17/233007/ETC-to.htm

GPS / NAVIGATION

10) Volkswagen Goes Crowdsourcing

Exploring the future of navigation technology.

Link to article in Das Auto:

http://www.dasautomagazine.com/2009/v47n02/DasAutoMagazine_v47n02.pdf (page 18)

SAFETY / SECURITY

11) Half of US Teens Say They’ve Used a Cell Phone While Driving

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-11-16-teens-cellphones_N.htm

TRANSIT

12) Remote Infrared Audible Signage Pilot Program

Link to report from the Federal Transit Administration:

http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/RIAS_EvaluationReport.pdf

VEHICLES

13) Multi-core, Multi-IP Concepts Reduce Development Time for Infotainment Applications

Link to article in Automotive DesignLine:

http://www.automotivedesignline.com/howto/221600273;jsessionid=K2GWJ5VGCFBNBQE1GHRSKHWATMY32JVN

14) Green Up: Automotive Solutions Designed Faster, Smarter

Link to column in Embedded Computing:

http://www.embedded-computing.com/articles/id/?4311

News Releases

1) Wireless Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Wins Award for Saving Los Angeles County $7 Million

2) Navigon Selects Inrix as the Exclusive Provider of Real-Time Traffic Info in Europe and North America

Upcoming Events

National Bike Summit – March 9-11 – Washington, DC

http://www.bikeleague.org/conferences/summit10/index.php

Today in Transportation History

1869 **140^th anniversary** – The Suez Canal was opened for navigation.

http://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/sc.aspx?show=8

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

(Source: Mashable; Washington Post; Pew Research Center)

The Pew Internet & American Life Project has just published the results of a study on distracted driving behavior amongst teenagers which shows that teens are aware of the dangers of texting while driving, but they choose to do it anyway.

After surveying 800 teens in 4 US cities over the summer of 2009, Pew estimates that 26% of all American teens 16-17 have texted while driving, and 43% have talked on a cell phone while driving.

Even more alarming is that 48% of teens 12-17 have witnessed someone else texting while driving, which points to an ambivalence and acceptance of the practice. The findings also indicate that even state laws prohibiting these activities may not be discouraging newly licensed drivers from using their mobile devices while behind the wheel.

Here are the major findings from the survey and focus groups (courtesy of Pew Research Center):

• 75% of all American teens ages 12-17 own a cell phone, and 66% use their phones to send or receive text messages.
• Older teens are more likely than younger teens to have cell phones and use text messaging; 82% of teens ages 16-17 have a cell phone and 76% of that cohort are cell phone texters.
• One in three (34%) texting teens ages 16-17 say they have texted while driving. That translates into 26% of all American teens ages 16-17.
• Half (52%) of cell-owning teens ages 16-17 say they have talked on a cell phone while driving. That translates into 43% of all American teens ages 16-17.
• 48% of all teens ages 12-17 say they have been in a car when the driver was texting.
• 40% say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put themselves or others in danger.

The NHTSA said that 5,870 people died and an estimated 515,000 were injured last year in accidents that police attributed to distracted driving.

That number of fatalities last year was exactly half the number of people who died as a result of drunken driving. The actual number of distracted-driving deaths and injuries is probably much higher than the numbers show. There is nothing like the blood alcohol test to prove that someone was texting — phone records are not clear-cut proof and drivers who cause accidents are no more prone to admit they were texting than they are to say they are drunk.

At a conference he convened to discuss distracted driving, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stressed the importance of parents paying attention to the road to provide a positive example for their children.

The Pew research found that too few do.

“The frequency of teens reporting parent cellphone use behind the wheel in our focus groups was striking, and suggested, in many cases, that texting while driving is a family affair,” the report said.

Click here to read the entire research report in HTML.   Or you can alternatively download/read the report in the PDF format shown below.

Monday, November 16, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Lost Luggage at Indian Airports is Now Only a Click Away

Link to article on Daily News & Analysis:

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_lost-luggage-at-airport-is-now-only-a-click-away_1312216

2) A Cool Pilot, but the Plane was Cooler

Link to review in Books of The Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/books/11book.html

Sullenberger Takes Issue with New Book

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/sullenberger-takes-issue-with-new-book/

CAMERAS

3) Speed Cameras to be Privatized in Western Australia

Link to article in The Sunday Times:

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,26350207-5017004,00.html

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Swiss Say Google’s Street View is Too Revealing

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/technology/companies/14google.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Link to news release from the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner:

http://www.edoeb.admin.ch/aktuell/index.html?lang=en

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Dutch Drivers to Pay Tax on Road Time, Not on Car

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ggzUbQMWph8GplMdWzjDEnKD7ZJQD9BVD87O1

Link to further information from the Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management:

http://www.verkeerenwaterstaat.nl/english/news/newsitems/kilometrechargemostpeoplewillenduppayingless.aspx

6) Pioneer Sues Garmin Over Navigation Technology

Link to IDG News Service article:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9140919/Pioneer_sues_Garmin_over_navigation_technology

Link to news release from Pioneer:

http://pioneer.jp/press-e/2009/pdf/1116-1.pdf

7) Map Hole Points the Way

Link to further information from Yanko Design:

http://www.yankodesign.com/2009/11/13/map-hole-points-the-way/

ROADWAYS

8) Florida’s Turnpike Workshops Go Digital

Link to article in The Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1335979.html

Link to news release from Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise:

http://www.floridasturnpike.com/PressReleases/TurnpikewebinarNov17.pdf

9) Bridge Sensors Send Stress Data to Drexel Researchers

Link to article in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20091116_Bridge_sensors_send_stress_data_to_Drexel_researchers.html

Link to news release from Drexel University:

http://drexel.edu/news/headlines/drexel-university-engineering-students-turn-bridge-into-living-laboratory.aspx

10) The Road Ahead – Without Potholes

Engineers are working on a ‘forever open’ design involving a new generation of road surfaces that clean and repair themselves.

Link to article in Scotland on Sunday:

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/latestnews/The-road-ahead–without.5825411.jp

SAFETY / SECURITY

11) Real ID Program in Deep Trouble

Link to article in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/344982/Washington_Watch_National_ID_Program_in_Deep_Trouble_as_Budget_Is_Cut_40_

12) Report on ‘the eCall Summit: Time for Deployment’

Link to article from ERTICO-ITS Europe:

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

TRANSIT

13) Massachusetts Offers First Set of Real-Time MBTA Transit Data to Developers

Link to story on WBUR Radio:

http://www.wbur.org/2009/11/14/mbta-real-time-data

Link to MassDOT Developers Page Beta:  http://www.eot.state.ma.us/developers/

14) New iPhone Apps Offer Help for MBTA Riders

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/11/new_iphone_apps.html

15) Chile’s Transport Ministry to Monitor Mass Transport with Intelligent Systems

Link to article on Business News Americas:

http://www.bnamericas.com/story.jsp?sector=5&noticia=497954&idioma=I&source

16) E-ticketing Soon on All Bangalore Buses

Link to article in The New Indian Express:

http://tinyurl.com/y8l2gvt

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

17) Downing Street Plan to Put Transport Info at Passengers’ Fingertips

Link to article in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/6560308/Downing-Street-plan-to-put-transport-information-at-passengers-fingertips.html

18) Dallas Cowboys Stadium Avoids Traffic Snarls with Camera System

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/733358

19) These Traffic Reporters do Their Work on the Fly

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-then15-2009nov15,0,7135240.story

VEHICLES

20) No Smart Plates for Gauteng for January 2010

Link to article on ITWeb:

http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28063:no-smart-plates-for-jan-2010&catid=160:it-in-government

21) Internet May Forever Change Your Car Radio

Link to article in The National:

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091114/BUSINESS/711149942/1005

22) Volvo Safety, 2011 Style: It Brakes for Walkers

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/automobiles/15safety.html

23) BMW Traffic Management — Keep Those Ultimate Machines Driving

Link to article in Motor Trend:

http://blogs.motortrend.com/6606759/technology/bmw-traffic-management-keep-those-ultimate-machines-driving/index.html

News Releases

1) New Air Navigation Center Opens in Abu Dhabi

2) New Technology Allows Enforcement of Anti-Texting Legislation

3) ITS-NY is now on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn

4) Massachusetts DOT Announces Creation of Cape Cod Canal Area Traffic Task Force

5) Mercedes-Benz USA and Hughes Telematics Launch New Telematics Service: mbrace

Upcoming Events

Intertraffic Amsterdam – March 23-26 – Amsterdam

http://www.amsterdam.intertraffic.com/nl/en/Pages/default.aspx

Today in Transportation History

1979 **30^th anniversary** – The first line of the Bucharest Metro opened.

http://www.metrorex.ro/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

(Source: Washington Post; Bloomberg)

The Obama administration will propose that the federal government take over safety regulation of the nation’s subway and light-rail systems, responding to what it says is haphazard and ineffective oversight by state agencies.

Friday, November 13, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Airlines Fight for Safety-Upgrade Funds

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125807147909646329.html

Link to letter from US Airways CEO:

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=196799&p=irol-newsArticle_print&ID=1354832&highlight

2) FAA Chief Say Controllers Were Too Slow in Alerting Military

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125812862524947187.html

Link to news release from the FAA:

http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=10923

BUSES

3) Pimp My Bus Ride

Link to article in Time:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1938660,00.html

Link to BusJunction: http://busjunction.com/

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Galileo ‘Pathfinders’ Take Shape

Link to BBC News story and video:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8351457.stm

Link to further information from the European Space Agency:

http://www.esa.int/esaNA/SEM1MURMD6E_galileo_0.html

5) Google Maps Navigation is Solid, but About that Voice

Link to column in the Chicago Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/1882911,ihnatko-google-maps-navigation-111309.article

Link to video with voice recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7WzO6cUFOw

MARITIME

6) Wave of Social Media Precedes World’s Largest Cruise Ship

Link to article in The Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/467/story/1330897.html

Link to further information on the Oasis of the Seas: http://oasisoftheseas.com/

7) Smarter than Average Buoy

Link to article in The Capital:

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2009/11/12-44/Smarter-than-average-buoy.html

Link to Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System: http://www.buoybay.org/

8) Any Data Port in a Storm

Technology takes the guesswork out of sailing into stormy weather.

Link to column in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/13/AR2009111301374.html

ROADWAYS

9) Pay-per-Mile for Drivers Could be in UK in 2020

Link to article in The News:

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Pay-per-mile-for-drivers.5821940.jp

10) BMW Pushing for Smart Traffic Lights to Aid Fuel Efficiency

Link to article on The Car Connection:

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038317_bmw-pushing-for-smart-traffic-lights-to-aid-fuel-efficiency

Link to presentation from BMW:

http://www.bmwusanews.com/University/documents/BMW%20Group%20One%20Day%20University%20Dirk%20Kessler%20Nov%2010%202009%20final.pdf

11) I-40 Barstow Sign Gone for Good

North Carolina sign gave mileage to western end of interstate.

Link to article in the Star-News:

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091112/ARTICLES/911129963

Link to photo of sign:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/i-40%20wilmington%20barstow%20sign/sw1067mk/01PS963/BarstowSign.jpg

TELEMATICS

12) Mercedes ‘mbraces’ Telematics

Link to article in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/11/mercedes-mbrace-telematics/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Venezuelans Tweet Way Through Traffic in BlackBerry Revolution

Link to Bloomberg News article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=a5YA9bpzOrZQ

Link to Tráfico Twitter account: http://twitter.com/Trafico

News Releases

1) FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Keynotes Random Hacks Of Kindness, Disaster Relief Codejam

2) AirIQ Announces Non-Binding Letter of Intent Relating to a Potential Sale of US Subsidiary, Boatracs

3) US and Europe Share Air Traffic Management Research

Upcoming Events

ITE 2010 Technical Conference and Exhibition – March 14-17 – Savannah, Georgia

http://www.ite.org/conference/

Friday Bonus

Thief steals truck…finds surpise in back.

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20091111-23203.html

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50^th anniversary** – The Narrows Bridge opened in Perth, Australia.

http://tinyurl.com/ycnjslc

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

How do you drop ~$2m worth in a pond of water in a jiffy?  This is how they do it (at least one man did it successfully) in Texas.  Read along this twisted version of a Pelican Brief style thriller ( though no murder of human beings involved, it involves a very expensive &  rare automobile)..

A man blamed a low-flying pelican and a dropped cell phone for his veering his million-dollar sports car off a road and into a salt marsh near Galveston. The accident happened about 3 p.m. Wednesday on the frontage road of Interstate 45 northbound in La Marque, about 35 miles southeast of Houston.

The Lufkin, Texas, man told of driving his luxury, French-built Bugatti Veyron when the bird distracted him, said La Marque police Lt. Greg Gilchrist. The motorist dropped his cell phone, reached to pick it up and veered off the road and into the salt marsh. The car was half-submerged in the brine about 20 feet from the road when police arrived.

The story reported by Chris Paschenko @ The Galveston County Daily News has some interesting details. The man was uninjured after escaping the partially submerged Bugatti Veyron as it came to rest in about 2 feet of saltwater. The man, who refused to give his name, was looking at real estate in Galveston.

About 3 p.m. a low-flying pelican distracted him as he traveled north on Interstate 45 just south of the hurricane levee near Omega Bay. The man jerked the wheel, dropped his cell phone, and the car’s front tire left the frontage road and entered a muddy patch, which foiled his attempt to maneuver away from the lagoon. Chris’ report says Veyron’s powerful engine gurgled like an outboard motor for about 15 minutes before it died.

(Soureces: AP Via Google; The Galveston County Daily News; The Inquisitr)

Thursday, November 12, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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IBTTA Summit to Explore Transformational Changes in Transportation Funding System — December 13-15, 2009 in Washington, DC
If you are responsible for funding or operating surface transportation infrastructure at the state, regional, county or municipal level, we invite you to attend IBTTA’s Transportation Policy and Finance Summit and explore the transformational changes that must take place to create a sustainable and efficient transportation funding system. CFO Roundtable on December 13, 2009: This Summit will include a special CFO roundtable for chief financial officers from toll agencies, state departments of transportation, and individuals in similar positions to share knowledge and ideas, network, and learn from one another. For registration, hotel and travel information or to view the preliminary agenda, visit www.IBTTA.org.

AVIATION

1) Alaska Airport Environmental Impact Statement Draft a Mystery to Citizens’ Advisory Board

FAA says long-standing policy dictates who receives document.

Link to article in the Kodiak Daily Mirror:

http://www.kodiakdailymirror.com/?pid=19&id=8214

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

2) ‘Expert’: Maine Turnpike Tolls Advice is Nonsense

Link to article in the York County Coast Star:

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20091112-NEWS-911120431

Link to editorial in Tollroadsnews:

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/4441

Link to news release from the Maine Turnpike Authority:

http://www.maineturnpike.com/about/press_release.html?recordid=164

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Potholes Take a Toll on Milwaukee Fire Department GPS Units

Link to article in the Journal Sentinel:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/69819627.html

OTHER

4) Publicly, a Whole New Lewdness

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/11/AR2009111127404.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

5) Jamaica National Works Agency to Launch Road Ed Campaign in Schools

Link to article in the Jamaica Observer:

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/html/20091111T190000-0500_163593_OBS_NWA_TO_LAUNCH_ROAD_ED_CAMPAIGN.asp

ROADWAYS

6) Chicago to Use Technology to Remove Snow, Avoid Blowing Budget

Link to article in the Chicago Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/1881042,technology-snow-removal-budget-111209.article

7) New Web Site Launched to Track Wildlife Along Interstate 70 in Colorado

Link to AP article:

http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20091111/NEWS/911119998/1079&ParentProfile=1067

Link to site: http://www.I-70WildlifeWatch.org/

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Security Advisories Could Come to Facebook and Twitter

Link to story and video on WFTS-TV:

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Security-advisories-could-come-to-Facebook-and/3QIhsXhTLk6zmeWMbxvynA.cspx

TRANSIT

9) Rail Company London Midland Rapped for Causing Chaos for Passengers

Company will have to spend millions on new information services.

Link to article in the Birmingham Mail:

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2009/11/12/rail-company-london-midland-rapped-for-causing-chaos-for-passengers-97319-25146768/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Queensland Motorways Developing ‘Motorways that Think’

Link to article in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/326016/queensland_motoways_developing_motorways_think

News Releases

1) BART Web Site Provides Real-Time Muni Metro Arrivals for Shared Stations

2) Denver RTD Adds Spanish Language Option to MyStop Automated Telephone System

3) Montego, Jamaica Welcomes New Traffic System

Solicitation

–  Request for Proposals – Michigan IntelliDrive Test Bed Operation and Maintenance – FHWA

http://www.its.dot.gov/intellidrive/meetings/michigan_intellidrive.htm

Upcoming Events

CeBIT 2010 – March 2-6 – Hannover, Germany

http://www.cebit.de/homepage_e

Today in Transportation History

1954 **55^th anniversary** – Ellis Island closed as a receiving station for immigrants entering the United States.

http://www.nps.gov/elis/historyculture/index.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast