TransportGooru

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register for IBTTA’s Toll Road Summit of the Americas — November 15-17, 2009 in São Paulo, Brazil

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association at the Toll Road Summit of the Americas and examine an array of methods to design, finance, operate and maintain user financed surface transportation facilities. The second day of this meeting will be held in conjunction with TranspoQuip 2009, Latin America’s biggest event for the transportation infrastructure industries in Latin America. Featured speakers include Cesar Queiroz, Consultant, Roads and Transport Infrastructure, World Bank, and Roberto Lucas, Jr., Author and Urban Planning Consultant. Meeting hosted by ABCR and CCR. For registration, hotel, travel and visa information, or to view the preliminary agenda, visit www.IBTTA.org.

AVIATION

1) New Safety Worry: Laptops, Devices in the Cockpit

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hSofDoT5LyX3TkJEaFHEJPNHSALAD9BJKE980

2) Aircraft Electronics Association Says Safety Management Systems Unwieldy

Link to article on AVweb:

http://www.avweb.com/avwebbiz/news/AEA_Safety_Management_Systems_Unwieldy_201404-1.html

Link to FAA’s Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-17553.pdf

Link to AEA response:

http://www.aea.net/governmentaffairs/regulatoryupdates.asp?ID=28

CAMERAS

3) Half of San Francisco Muni Surveillance Cameras Fail in Audit

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/27/MN7M1AAV6E.DTL

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Telling the User Where to Go

Link to article on Telecoms:

http://www.telecoms.com/15405/lbs-telling-the-user-where-to-go

MARITIME

5) Report Finds September 11 US Coast Guard Potomac River Exercise was a Bad Idea

Link to AP article:

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=43886

OTHER

6) Flu Pandemic Could Overwhelm Internet Capacity, GAO Warns

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2009/10/27/internet-capacity-threat-flu-pandemic.aspx

Link to report from the Government Accountability Office:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d108.pdf

ROADWAYS

7) Washington State Viaduct Disaster Flick Released; Political Motive?

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2010141929_viaductvideo27m.html

TELEMATICS

8) Will High-Tech Trucks Save Big Rig Industry?

Link to column in Network World:

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/46784

TRANSIT

9) Confessions of a Spatial Navigator

Link to Human Transit blog:

http://www.humantransit.org/2009/10/global-impositioning-systems.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Oklahoma DOT Pays Thousands for Twitter Account

Link to story and video on KFOR-TV:

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-odot-twitter-thousands-story,0,7753383.story

11) Radio Station Introduces Real-Time Traffic Report for Cayman Islands

Link to Cayman News Service article:

http://www.caymannewsservice.com/local-news/2009/10/27/radio-station-introduces-real-time-traffic-report

12) Microsoft Will Shut Down MSN Direct

Datacasting service provides location-based traffic reports and weather information.

Link to article in Radio World:

http://www.rwonline.com/article/89374

VEHICLES

13) Texas Drops Phone Numbers from Accident Reports

Link to AP article:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6688454.html

News Releases

1) PrePass Weigh Station Technology Blazes Solar Trail

2) AASHTO Report Highlights Smart Solutions: 50 Transportation Projects that Have Made America Better

Upcoming Events

ITS Texas Annual Meeting – November 11-13 – Galveston, Texas

http://www.itstexas.org/Meetings/2009meetingoverview.stm

Today in Transportation History

1994 **15^th anniversary** – L École des métiers de l’aérospatiale de Montréal opened.

http://www2.csdm.qc.ca/emam/anglais/home.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

Monday, October 26, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Download the free INRIX TRAFFIC! for iPhone or Android today

INRIX, the leading provider of traffic and navigation services, recently introduced a free, ad-free, and highly acclaimed traffic app for iPhone and now for Android. INRIX TRAFFIC! uniquely helps drivers reduce the time they spend in traffic through a better understanding of current AND future traffic conditions. It is the only mobile phone app that combines real-time, “crowd sourced” traffic information from more than 1.3 million vehicles with data from hundreds of public (including DOTs) and private sources to reliably deliver current and expected traffic conditions. Covering more than 160,000 miles of freeways, interstates and highways in 126 cities across the U.S. and Canada, INRIX TRAFFIC! provides drivers with insight into how conditions will evolve over time helping them avoid traffic jams and reach their destination the fastest way possible.

Download at the App Store or Android Market today. More info at www.inrixtraffic.com.

AVIATION

1) Northwest Pilots Were Using Personal Laptops, NTSB Says

Link to article in the Star-Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/business/65982292.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUq9_b9b_jEkP:QUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU7DYaGEP7vDEh7P:DiUs

2) In Airline Industry, Social-Media Marketing Takes Flight

Link to article in the Star-Telegram:

http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/1709786.html

CARTOGRAPHY

3) Google Maps’ Appearance Takes New Direction

Link to blog on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13515_3-10382579-26.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) Florida’s Turnpike to Go Cashless as It Switches to Electronic Tolling

Link to article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-turnpike-sunpass-102609,0,7442287.story

OTHER

5) Dallas Police Ticketed 39 Drivers in 3 Years for Not Speaking English

Link to article in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/DN-citations_23met.ART.State.Edition2.4bac015.html

6) Augmented Reality to Alter How We See the World

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/10/26/MNCR1A9B5S.DTL

7) TechPlan Researchers at University of Minnesota Probe Privacy Implications of ITS

Link to article in CTS Research E-News:

http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchENews/2009/09/index.html#techplan

RAILROADS

8) Communication Glitch Leads to Amtrak Ticket Problems

Link to story on WABC-TV:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=resources/traffic&id=7082718

ROADWAYS

9) Washington Governor Announces Monitoring System for Seattle Viaduct

Link to article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/411509_viaduct24.html

Video Visualizes Viaduct Collapsing

http://blog.seattlepi.com/transportation/archives/183191.asp

10) Will Smarter Roads Save Us More Money?

Link to blog in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/will-smarter-roads-save-us-more-money/

TRANSIT

11) New York MTA Yanks Ads Warning of Germ Dangers on Subways

Link to article in amNew York:

http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/mta-yanks-paid-sick-time-ads-1.1548183

12) Columbus, Georgia Bus Signs Aid the Homeless

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/news/columbus-bus-signs-aid-170643.html

13) Electronic Fare Collection Options for Commuter Railroads

Link to report from the Federal Transit Administration:

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

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) New Hampshire Offers Real-Time I-93 Traffic Data

Link to article in The Eagle-Tribune:

http://www.eagletribune.com/punewsnh/local_story_297214252.html

15) Interim Panel on Road Safety and Traffic Management Set Up in India

Link to article in The Hindu:

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article38285.ece

News Releases

1) Idaho Transportation Department Installs New Highway Cameras in Eastern Idaho

2) Newly Formed US DOT Safety Council to Take Safety Commitment to Next Level

Upcoming Events

ITS Texas Annual Meeting – November 11-13 – Galveston, Texas

http://www.itstexas.org/Meetings/2009meetingoverview.stm

Today in Transportation History

1859 **150^th anniversary** – The Royal Charter was wrecked off the coast of Anglesey with the loss of approximately 459 lives.

http://www.royalcharterchurch.org.uk/wreck.html

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

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: PR News Wire)

Yesterday Southwest announced at its annual Media Day a “green plane,” an innovative idea that marries efficiency, environmentally responsible products, Customer comfort, and reduced waste and weight. This plane, a Boeing 737-700, will serve as a test environment for new environmentally responsible materials and Customer comfort products.  All of the initiatives being tested on this Green Plane, when combined, will equate to a weight savings of almost five pounds per seat, thus saving fuel and reducing emissions, along with adding recyclable elements to the cabin interior and reducing waste.

“Southwest is committed to continuing to lead the industry in emissions reductions through fuel efficiency. Efficiency in fuel consumption benefits our Company as well as the environment, and this has been part of our business model since the beginning,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest’s Chairman, President, and CEO. “As we look to the future, we know climate change remains of vital importance to our industry, our Company, and our Customers, so Southwest works hard every day in every area to be a responsible steward of the environment.”

Southwest has designated one aircraft to serve as a test for eco-friendly products, which include:

• InterfaceFlor Carpet – reduces labor and material costs because it is laid in carpet squares, thus eliminating the total replacement of areas such as aisles. The carpet is totally recyclable and the manufacturing process is dedicated to being completely carbon neutral.
• Seat covers – offers more than twice the durability than the current leather seats as well as a weight savings per seat of almost two pounds. They are recyclable and have an environmentally- friendly manufacturing process.
• Life Vest Pouch – more environmentally friendly because it offers a weight savings of one pound per passenger. The smaller pouch creates more room under the seat for carryon items.
• Foam Fill – A lighter weight fill from Garnier PURtec in the back of the seats that reduces weight while providing increased customer comfort.
• Wind Screen – bulkhead product that lasts longer than the current leather product, thus reducing labor costs and waste.
• Aisle Rub Strips – switching from plastic to aluminum will help with durability, which reduces waste, as well as being recyclable.

In addition to the green plane, Southwest also announced the Nov. 1 kickoff of its more robust onboard recycling program, which is a co-mingled system that will allow the airline to capture more recyclable material and divert it from the waste stream. This 18-month process involved team work from all areas of the Company to implement the program on the ground at its Provisioning Bases and re-working of waste collection procedures in the cabin. The following are what Southwest calls “Doing the Right Thing”, published on their website:

Recycling And Waste Recovery: Southwest is implementing a more robust, systemwide recycling program. This systemwide co-mingled recycling program will take our current recycling efforts to the next level. By identifying opportunities to reduce, eliminate, or recover energy from our waste streams, we improve our waste management efficiencies and divert a substantial amount of material from landfills.

Water Conservation: Water is one of our most valuable resources and reducing our consumption is important to Southwest Airlines. We implement water savings ideas, including low flow water saving plumbing, auto shutoff water faucets, meeting LEED™ standards for efficient water use at new facilities, landscaping with native and drought-tolerant plants, and recycling the water used in our engine wash program. Along with reducing our water use, it is important that we keep water sources pure and support pollution prevention by reducing the chance of contamination.

Energy Savings: We are committed to pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) standards in new construction. By taking steps to reduce the amount of energy we consume, and to purchase our energy from renewable resources. We are proud to be a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Leadership Club for our purchase of renewable energy credits.

Noise Reduction: Southwest strives to be a good neighbor in every community we serve. We have taken steps to mitigate noise by ensuring our entire fleet meets current aircraft noise standards. The addition of our winglets and engine modifications have yielded a quieter aircraft that creates less noise when taking off and landing, plus our Pilots typically use noise abatement procedures that enable us to minimize noise impact in communities near the airports we serve.

Click here to read more. Also, click here for an interesting Green Plane FAQ published on the airline’s website.

Friday, October 23, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Pilots Who Overflew Airport Should Have had Numerous Warnings of Approach

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jx2fJRl2HA8EkI9Zi8Qa1yuvjYdQD9BGMEB02

2) Feds Look at Instruments, Approach Lights in Atlanta Taxiway Landing

Link to CNN story:

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/10/21/taxiway.landing/

3) Still ‘Dragging the Chain’ on ATC Modernization

Link to blog in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2009/10/22/still-dragging-the-chain-on-atc-modernization/

4) E-News Media

Airport e-newsletters: a comparative analysis.

Link to article in Airport Business:

http://www.airportbusiness.com/print/Airport-Business-Magazine/E-News-Media/1$31735

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Loran Gets Three Month Reprieve

Link to column on Nextgov:

http://whatsbrewin.nextgov.com/2009/10/loran_gets_3_month_reprieve.php

6) Study Backs GPS Use for Harbor Trucks

Pilot shows use of GPS technology by harbor trucking companies can improve freight flow and contribute to reduced congestion and pollution in port cities.

Link to article in The Journal of Commerce:

http://www.joc.com/node/414176

OTHER

7) Computer Model Predicts Hurricane Power Outages

Link to article in USA Today:

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sciencefair/2009/10/computer-predicts-hurricane-power-outages.html

Link to news release from Johns Hopkins University:

http://releases.jhu.edu/2009/10/20/researchers-say-they-can-predict-hurricane-related-power-outages/

ROADWAYS

8) EU and Ricardo Launch SARTRE Road-Train Project

Project will develop and test technology for vehicles that can drive themselves in long road trains on motorways.

Link to article in Traffic Technology International:

http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=17072

9) Closed New York Meeting Over Bridge Shutdown a Public Outrage

Link to editorial in the Press-Republican:

http://www.pressrepublican.com/0201_editorials/local_story_294220018.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) School Bus Camera Shows Drivers Illegally Passing Stopped Bus

Link to story on WTEN-TV:

http://www.wten.com/Global/story.asp?S=11368293

TELEMATICS

11) Challenges to Brazil’s Telematics Plan

Link to article in M2M:

http://www.m2mmag.com/news/articles/article.aspx?ID=8016

12) Consumer Electronics Enforce Automotive Security Discussion

Link to article in EE Times Deutschland:

http://www.eetimes.eu/germany/220900363?cid=RSSfeed_eetimesEU_germany

TRANSIT

13) DC Metro Ready to Test Anti-crash System

Link to story and video on WTTG-TV:

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/102209_metro_ready_to_test_anti_crash_system

14) San Mateo County, California Bus Riders to Get Real-Time Arrival Updates

Link to article in the San Mateo County Times:

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_13621731

News Releases

1) BART Partners with Location-Based Service Foursquare to Encourage Transit Ridership

2) Live New York City Traffic Cams at Your Service on Verizon FiOS TV

3) Lifting the VAIL: Volkswagen Group, Stanford University Take the Next Step in Driving Automotive Innovation

Upcoming Events

Talking Freight Seminar: Security and System Resiliency – November 18

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=585

Friday Bonus

This car may only be one horsepower, but it uses no fossil fuels.

http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2009/10/naturmobil_literally_one_horsepower_car.html

Today in Transportation History

1944 **65^th anniversary** – The Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history, began.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/rep/Leyte/BatExp/index.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  i95berniew@aol.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.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)

Mashable.com reports that the Bay Area Rapid Transit system (BART) in San Francisco has just made history as the first transit agency to partner withFoursquare, the location-based application and game that we think has the potential to be as important as Twitter (they also just launched 15 new cities).

We’ve already seen local businesses take the plunge, offering up special location-based deals that Foursquare automatically serves up to users as they check-in, but now BART is getting in on the action to encourage more public transit use.

BART’s presser has the following interesting info:  Foursquare combines social networking elements with game mechanics, urging users to explore neighborhoods and recommend places to others. You can check in from different venues and earn badges and points for doing different types of things – like a “gym rat” badge if you check in 10 times at a gym during a 30-day period. As part of the partnership with BART, Foursquare will offer a BART-themed badge that can be unlocked by regular riders of BART, which provides train service in the San Francisco Bay Area. BART will award $25 promotional tickets each month for the next three months to riders chosen at random from all the riders who have logged Foursquare check-ins at BART stations, starting in November.

One popular element of Foursquare is a competition to become “mayor” of different places. If you check in more than anyone else, you claim rights as “the mayor” of that place. Regular BART riders already are trading back and forth as “mayors” of the 43 stations. Foursquare updates are shared across other social networking and microblogging sites such as Facebook and Twitter, announcing who has ousted whom as mayor. BART also will look at other ways to coordinate promotions with new and existing venue partners, through www.mybart.org, its free service offering contests and discounts for entertainment, sports and other events. BART is listing tips for things to do near BART stations on its Foursquare profile page (www.foursquare.com/user/SFBART).

Note: As a transportation nerd, Transportgooru thinks this is a bloody brilliant idea.  Hope other transit agencies around the country take note (at least the ones in the 15 cities that Four Square currently has a lock).

Thursday, October 22, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register for IBTTA’s Toll Road Summit of the Americas — November 15-17, 2009 in São Paulo, Brazil

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association at the Toll Road Summit of the Americas and examine an array of methods to design, finance, operate and maintain user financed surface transportation facilities. The second day of this meeting will be held in conjunction with TranspoQuip 2009, Latin America’s biggest event for the transportation infrastructure industries in Latin America. Featured speakers include Cesar Queiroz, Consultant, Roads and Transport Infrastructure, World Bank, and Roberto Lucas, Jr., Author and Urban Planning Consultant. Meeting hosted by ABCR and CCR. For registration, hotel, travel and visa information, or to view the preliminary agenda, visit www.IBTTA.org.

AVIATION

1) Building a Better Air-Traffic-Control System

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703816204574487173981612780.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Nokia’s Future is All About Location – Indoors and Out

Link to article in PC World:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/174043/nokias_future_is_all_about_locationindoors_and_out.html

MARITIME

3) Consultant Says Forget About Selling Washington State Ferry Names

Link to article in the Kitsap Sun:

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/oct/21/ferries-looking-to-make-more-off-ads-but-naming/

4) US Coast Guard’s Example Could Aid Agency Communications Integration Efforts

Link to article in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/10/21/web-thad-allen-social-media-coast-guard.aspx

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) Bridge Operator Says Canada Falling Far Behind US with Border-Crossing Technology

Link to article in Today’s Trucking:

http://www.todaystrucking.com/news.cfm?intDocID=22663

TRANSIT

6) Long Island Rail Road Issues New Rules After Near-Miss Incident

New procedure is designed to improve coordination in territory without signals.

Link to article in Newsday:

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/lirr-issues-new-rules-after-montauk-near-miss-incident-1.1537829

7) Los Angeles Metro Launches Blog, Local Transit Reporters Contribute

Link to article on FishbowlLA:

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlLA/blogistan/la_metro_launches_blog_local_transit_reporters_contribute_140900.asp

Link to The Source: http://thesource.metro.net/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) October Issue of IntelliDrive Update Available Online

Link to newsletter:

http://www.transportation.org/sites/ssom/docs/October%202009%20Intellidrive%20Newsletter.pdf

9) Presentations Posted from NY 511/ITS Regional Workshop

Link to presentations:

http://www.i95coalition.org/i95/Library/MeetingMinutes/tabid/143/ctl/ArticleView/mid/533/articleId/82/Default.aspx

News Releases

1) UK House of Commons Committee Publishes Report on Road Safety Focusing on Pedestrians and Cyclists

2) New ‘Noise Vision’ Technology Allows Ford to See and Eliminate Unwanted Interior Sounds

Upcoming Events

2009 Gulf Region Intelligent Transportation Society Inaugural Meeting – November 17-19 – Biloxi, Mississippi

http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=761345

Today in Transportation History

1949 **60^th anniversary** – A train derailment near Nowy Dwor, Poland killed approximately 200 people.

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

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, October 21, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Now for INRIX’s Free Webinar on How Crowdsourcing GPS Data Is Radically Changing the Traffic Information Landscape

INRIX is the leading provider of traffic and navigation services, and an innovator in crowdsourcing technologies and techniques. INRIX crowdsources real-time traffic information from over 1.3 million commercial and consumer vehicles and GPS-enabled smartphones across North America and Europe. Each driver in the INRIX Smart Driver Network sends anonymous “GPS probe” data to INRIX servers, which intelligently combine the information with billions of real-time speed data points from other drivers in the network and road sensor information from DOTs across the country. INRIX VP of Marketing Scott Sedlik will discuss the company’s breakthrough crowdsourcing technologies, methods, and business models for providing drivers instant access to the most comprehensive and reliable traffic and routing information available.

Register now at https://inrixevents.webex.com/.

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009 Time: 10:00AM-11:00AM (PDT); 1:00PM-2:00PM (EDT)

AVIATION

1) Industry Image Still a Priority for Business Aviation Groups

Link to article in the San Fernando Valley Business Journal:

http://www.sfvbj.com/industry_article.asp?aID=141725

2) Munich Airport Says RFID Improves Dollies Management

Link to article in the RFID Journal:

http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/5316/1/1/

3) In-Flight Communications

Satcom1 chief technical officer, Jean-François Gault, explains the benefits of onboard communications systems.

Link to interview in Arabian Supply Chain:

http://www.arabiansupplychain.com/article-3159-in-flight-communications/

OTHER

4) Cameras to Document Human Movement

Information on bicycle and pedestrian actions could improve design of buildings and freeways.

Link to story in the Daily Sound:

http://www.thedailysound.com/102009UCcamera

PARKING

5) DC Museum Pays Tribute to the Parking Garage

Link to AP article:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2009-10-21-dc-parking-garage-exhibit_N.htm

ROADWAYS

6) Golden Gate Bridge Adding Interactive Exhibits

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/21/BA1E1A86KH.DTL

TRANSIT

7) Metrolink Union Sues in Los Angeles to Halt In-Cab Cameras

Link to AP article:

http://www.masstransitmag.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=9865

8) Watchdog: New York MTA Should Provide Better Info on Construction Projects

Link to AP article:

http://www.1010wins.com/CBC–MTA-Doesn-t-Tell-Public-Enough-About-Projects/5483725

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Intelligent Transport

Beijing is using the latest information and communications technologies to streamline the city’s traffic.

Link to article in the Beijing Review:

http://www.bjreview.com/science/txt/2009-10/17/content_224365.htm

10) Montego Bay Traffic Management System to be Implemented by Month-End

Link to article in the Jamaica Observer:

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20091020T200000-0500_162162_OBS_MOBAY_TRAFFIC_SYSTEM_TO_BE_IMPLEMENTED_BY_MONTH_END.asp

11) New US Signs, Cameras Indicate Traffic Conditions at Canadian Border

Link to article in the Osoyoos Times:

http://www.osoyoostimes.com/news/2009/10/20/new-us-signs-cameras-indicate-traffic-conditions-at-border/

12) Want to Design Smarter Intersections? Use Less Control, Not More

Link to article and video on Techdirt:

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20091015/1106246548.shtml

News Releases

1) CITE Has a Few Spaces Available In Its Very Successful ‘Blended’ Courses

Upcoming Events

VII Chilean Congress and 3^rd Ibero-American Congress on ITS – November 11-13 –  Santiago

http://www.itschile.cl/congreso_chileno_2009/eng/index.html

Today in Transportation History

1994 **15^th anniversary** – The Seongsu Bridge in Seoul, South Korea collapsed killing 32 people.

http://www.nema.go.kr/eng/m4_seongsu.jsp

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

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© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

We all have seen many community development programs for children that aims to make them better citizens and keep them out of trouble.  Bike Church, run by Ms. Kerri Martin with the support of Holy Spirit Church,  is one such program that makes you go “wow”.  Martin, 37, offers two programs that teach Asbury Park youths job skills such as bicycle mechanics, the value of volunteerism and work ethics. It is a youth earn-a-bike program operating in the community of Asbury Park, New Jersey. The organization website notes that every Monday, between 4pm-7pm,children in middle school and younger come to The Bike Church to learn how to fix bikes, to practice riding, and to learn about safetyissues related to bicycles.

Martin’s idea for the bike church came from a previous job. While living in Brooklyn prior to her move in 2003 to the Shore, Martin worked for Recycle-a-Bicycle in New York City. The program teaches youths bicycle mechanics and offers job and environmental training.

When Martin, a.k.a. the Bike Lady for some in  Asbury Park,  met the Rev. William McLaughlin in 2006 at Holy Spirit Church, she told him about her idea to salvage bicycles and educate children.   He liked the idea and told her she could use the church’s basement, she said. Martin spent a summer cleaning out the basement, and The Bike Church was founded shortly afterword.

With the growing popularity of the program in the community, Kerri and her team had opened, Second Life Bikes, which is for high school age youth.  At Second Life they also learn bike mechanic skills but in more of a structured bike shop environment. After 15 hours of work, they earn themselves a bicycle.  If you would like to donate your time, your old bicycles, parts, and/or helmets, check out the organization’s Website or email to staff@thebikechurch.org for more information regarding donations.

Thanks to my favorite biking website Copenhagenize.com, now I know how bringing bikes and kids together can make a huge difference in the community.   Here are two wonderful videos about Bike Church:

“I loved the idea of rescuing old bikes from the landfill and just giving them a new life,” says  Martin.  Hey anything that keeps the planet green and the kids off the bad things, I am all for it.  Transportgooru salutes Kerri and her team for this inspiring work.  Keep up the good work, Kerri!

(via Copenhagenize.com & App.com)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register for IBTTA’s Toll Road Summit of the Americas — November 15-17, 2009 in São Paulo, Brazil

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association at the Toll Road Summit of the Americas and examine an array of methods to design, finance, operate and maintain user financed surface transportation facilities. The second day of this meeting will be held in conjunction with TranspoQuip 2009, Latin America’s biggest event for the transportation infrastructure industries in Latin America. Featured speakers include Cesar Queiroz, Consultant, Roads and Transport Infrastructure, World Bank, and Roberto Lucas, Jr., Author and Urban Planning Consultant. Meeting hosted by ABCR and CCR. For registration, hotel, travel and visa information, or to view the preliminary agenda, visit www.IBTTA.org.

AVIATION

1) Aviation Research and Technology Park Breaks Ground in New Jersey

Link to article in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/atlantic/article_e8d0c726-bd33-11de-91e7-001cc4c002e0.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) TomTom Combine Satnav and Radio

Link to article in Computer Shopper:

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/news/270946/tomtom-combines-satnav-and-radio.html

Link to news release from TomTom:

http://www.tomtom.com/news/category.php?ID=4&NID=857&Lid=1

OTHER

3) Dangerous Drivers Buy Their Way Out of Demerit Point Trouble

Link to article in the Herald Sun:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/dangerous-drivers-buy-their-way-out-of-demerit-point-trouble/story-e6frf7kx-1225789031495

4) Latest Issue of Transport Business International Online

Link to magazine:

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=other&pnum=&refresh=a02H18XzT0x7&EID=9d8054a8-637e-4a92-a3f7-4a9bd44a58fa&skip

ROADWAYS

5) Sandwich Boards Crucial to Good Business, Local Vendors Say

Link to article in the Haliburton Echo:

http://www.haliburtonecho.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2137951

6) Next Exit: Reagen National Airport

Virginia DOT plans quick fix to misspelled sign.

Link to story and video on WRC-TV:

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Next-Exit-Reagen-Natl-Airport-64775447.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Road Safety Campaigns Take Multicultural Approach

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-10-19-highway-safety-programs_N.htm

8) The TSA and Searching Kids

Video seems to contradict claim that child was taken from mother.

Link to column in The New York Times:

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/the-tsa-and-searching-kids/

TELEMATICS

9) Project News: The Latest CVIS Developments

Link to further information from ERTICO – ITS Europe:

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

VEHICLES

10) GM connects Chevy Volt to OnStar EV Lab

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10378583-54.html?tag=newsLatestHeadlinesArea.0

News Releases

1) Ford’s ‘Distraction Lab’ Researchers Use High-Tech Goggles to Help Ensure Drivers Keep Eyes on Road

2) Technology Demonstration Participants Sought for 18^th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems

3) Foiling Car Theft with Your Cell Phone

Upcoming Events

Transport Systems Telematics Conference – November 4-7 – Katowice and Ustroń, Poland

http://www.tst-conference.org/index.php?page=home&lang=en

Today in Transportation History

1944 **65^th anniversary** – US Army General Douglas MacArthur stepped ashore in the Philippines, following his vow two and a half years earlier of, “I shall return.”

http://www.olive-drab.com/gallery/description_0081.php

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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:  XKCD via Gizmodo)

The very first comment on Gizmodo for this article says ” The TSA checkpoints are staffed primarily by those who were under-qualified to seat people at IHOP”.. Damnnn! TSA should take a note of this soon and get on some image/brand control. BTW, I love this site XKCD, which identifies itself correctly as the webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language. They sure got some really awesome stuff that will make you chuckle!