(Source: Los Angeles Times)

Operators balk at having to comply with a California requirement to install costly nozzles and hoses to capture fumes. The governor calls on the Legislature to delay enforcement by a year.

Battered by competition from cheaper chains such as Thrifty and Arco, the 51-year-old businessman said he was refused credit by banks and equipment lenders. Refitting his eight nozzles and hoses would cost more than $60,000, he said. “Even if I could get the funding, I couldn’t make the payments.”

Single-station owners like Hosmanek aren’t the only ones hurting. David Berri, an Irvine businessman whose family owns 22 stations in Orange, San Diego and Los Angeles counties, said he put a 25% deposit on vapor equipment last year. But his bank has since canceled his credit line. His family has put seven stations up for sale, but so far, there are no buyers.

Wednesday, April 1, 1909 – ISSN 1529-1057

1) O’Hare: Computer Kiosks Replace Laid-Off Greeters

Link to story in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-airport-stimulus-31-mar31,0,2064096.story

Link to news release from the Chicago Office of Tourism:

http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/about_the_city/press_room/chicago_office_of/Explore_Chicago_Installation_in_O_Hare.html

2) Aviation English Training Set to Boom in China

Link to story in the China Daily:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2009-04/01/content_7640109.htm

Link to additional information from Edgewater College:

http://www.edgewater.ie/courses/aviationenglish.html

3) Panasonic Bringing Live TV to Intercontinental Flights

Link to IDG News Service story:

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/040109-panasonic-bringing-live-tv-to.html

Link to news release from Panasonic Avionics:

http://www.panasonic.aero/PressRelease/Detail.aspx?PressReleaseID=9

4) For the Birds: Federal Aviation Administration Stonewalling Safety Data

Link to editorial in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/04/01/2009-04-01_for_the_birds_federal_aviation_administr.html

CAMERAS

5) Red-Light Camera Ban Backed by Montana Senate

Link to story in the Billings Gazette:

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/04/01/news/state/64-redlightcamera.txt

MARITIME

6) Indian Defense Minister for Plugging Gaps in Coastal Security

Link to story in The Times of India:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Antony-for-plugging-gaps-in-coastal-security/articleshow/4340856.cms

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

7) Work Zone Safety ‘Road Rally’ in Kentucky Highlights Need for Safety on Roads

Link to story on WOWK-TV:

http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=55739

ROADWAYS

8) Dual Metric-Mile Signs Will be in Place on Arizona Interstate for Two Years

Link to story in the Green Valley News and Sun:

http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2009/03/31/breaking_news/03metric401.txt

9) New Wireless System Reduces Paperwork, Maintains High Levels of Service for Bay Area Freeway Patrol

Link to story in On Patrol:

http://www.fsp-bayarea.org/on_patrol/On_Patrol_09_mar.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) Surveillance Towers Planned for Detroit, Buffalo

Will be used to monitor water traffic between US and Canada.

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iP6OrS2bLH8Vb_Y1G25tRxce_EdAD9798SI00

11) New York City Police Move to Cloak Midtown with Camera License Plate Readers, and Radiation and Bio Scanners

Link to story in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/04/01/2009-04-01_nypd_moves_to_cloak_midtown_with_camera_.html

12) Cyprus Pondering UK-Style Surveillance

Link to story in the Cyprus Mail:

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=44940&cat_id=1

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) All Clear – A Traffic Solution for Gauteng

Link to story on Shine 2010:

http://www.shine2010.co.za/goodnews.php?article_id=275

VEHICLES

14) The Black Box that Tracks Every Mile You Drive and Will Make Speed Cameras Obsolete

Link to story in the Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1166169/The-black-box-tracks-mile-drive-make-speed-cameras-obsolete.html

News Releases

1) ITS Georgia Publishes Annual Report

2) New Web-Based Interactive Course from CITE and FHWA – Improving Highway Safety with ITS

3) Better Traffic Management for the Confederation Bridge

4) Navteq Broadens Dynamic Real-Time Data Resources for Developers at Navteq Network for Developers

5) Operation Lifesaver Offers Six Tips for Safe Biking Near Train Tracks

Job Postings

 –  Operations Research Analysts – Volpe National Transportation Systems Center – Cambridge, Massachusetts

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/ftva.asp?seeker=1&JobID=80220812  (GS-1515-12)

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/ftva.asp?seeker=1&JobID=80219772  (GS-1515-13)

Upcoming Events

ACI-NA Marketing & Communications Conference – May 31-June 3 – Montréal

http://www.aci-na.org/conferences/detail?eventId=158

Today in Transportation History

1924 **85^th anniversary** – The Royal Canadian Air Force was created.

http://www.wingsforfreedom.com/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.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: Autoblog; Photo: Acura via Auto123.com)

2009 Acura TL IIHS Side Impact Test;

Acura buyers can rest assured that their fancy Hondas have their backsides not only well cosseted, but well covered. No matter what direction you smash a current Acura, any of them, you’re protected by a straight-A student. In front, side, and rear impacts, every car that Acura sells carries top ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA. Acura’s crediting its two crash test facilities — one in Tochigi Japan, and the other in Raymond, Ohio — with enabling the top scores. Paying attention to occupant and pedestrian safety has been a focus of Acura, and the brand is the first ever to earn top ratings for front, side, and rear crashes from both agencies. 

The press release from Acura has a ton of information about the safety features embedded in the vehicles that contributed to this great recognition.  

 “No other automotive brand has accomplished what Acura has, nor can make the safety claims that Acura can,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of automobile sales. “When consumers think safety, they really should think Acura.”

Click here to read the entire press release.

(Source: SUBCOMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)

(From L to R): Mr. David Matsuda, Ms. Catherine Ciarlo, Dr. Laurence Rilett, Mr. Steven Winkelman, and Mr. Mike Acott

On Tuesday, March 31, 2009, the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation convened a hearing to address the research agenda required to mitigate the environmental impact of the transportation infrastructure on the environment, with an emphasis on climate change. Witnesses will address the components of such an agenda and possible implementation strategies.

The second hearing explored the R&D agenda required to improve energy efficiency and lessen the environmental impact of the pavements used in our transportation infrastructure.  The focus of today’s hearing was to examine the R&D that is required to help mitigate the impact of our transportation infrastructure on the climate.

The press release from the event outlines the DOT’s efforts.  The Department of Transportation (DOT) funds research on strategies to reduce the impact of the transportation sector on the environment, but the interest in addressing climate change is relatively new. The following research categories would support the reduction of carbon emissions from transportation:

• Forecasting and analytical tools to support state and local global warming studies;
• Tools to assess system performance;
• Travel behavior;
• Demand management;
• Congestion; and
• Energy use in materials.

“We need to think about improving the energy efficiency of our transportation system, not just the cars and trucks on it,” added  Chariman David Wu. “For example, what are the modeling tools that would help communities develop an effective mixed-use transportation system of cars, buses, light rail, trolleys, and bikes like we have in Portland? If we are serious about congestion mitigation and traffic management, what’s required to realize these goals?”

Throughout the 111th Congress the Technology and Innovation Subcommittee will continue its work to decrease the impact of our transportations systems on the environment. In May 2007, the Subcommittee held a hearing to address the regulatory barriers preventing the utilization of green technologies. This hearing resulted in creation of H.R. 5161, the Green Transportation Infrastructure Research and Technology Transfer Act. In June of 2008, the Subcommittee held a hearing to review sustainable, energy-efficient transportation infrastructure.

• Mr. Steven Winkelman
• Mr. Mike Acott
• Mr. David Matsuda
• Ms. Catherine Ciarlo
• Dr. Laurence R. Rilett

The testimony of U.S. Department of Transportation Acting Assistant Secretary for Transportation, Mr. David Wu, is in PDF viewer below and also available for download at the subcommittee website alongside the Chairman’s (David Wu) remarks and other witness testimonies.

(Source: New York Times- Greenwire; Image: Steve Edwards @Flickr)

Roughly one-third of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions are from the transportation sector, according to government estimates, and several key lawmakers have said that no climate and energy measure can be complete without addressing transportation.

Sweeping climate and energy legislation that Democratic leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unveiled yesterday takes direct aim at greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles across the transportation spectrum, from passenger cars to oceangoing ships.

 The bill from Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) would create a suite of federal emissions standards for cars and light trucks, as well as trains, heavy-duty trucks, and ships. It also seeks to curb emissions by pushing the development of plug-in electric vehicles and infrastructure and by setting a “low-carbon fuel standard” for the transportation sector.

Roughly one-third of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions are from the transportation sector, according to government estimates, and several key lawmakers have said that no climate and energy measure can be complete without addressing transportation.

One of the bill’s provisions would require the president to “harmonize” federal auto fuel economy standards with any future emissions levels set by U.S. EPA and the strict emissions standards that California is hoping to enforce later this year, if it receives the waiver it needs to do so.

Earlier this year, the White House signaled that it was considering a similar move that would blend new corporate average fuel economy, or CAFE, standards with the auto emissions standards California is fighting to enforce. Under the federal Clean Air Act, California is the only state that can enforce its own standards — but only with an EPA waiver. If California receives the waiver, other states would be permitted to enforce the same tailpipe standard. Thirteen other states and the District of Columbia have already moved to adopt the stricter standards, and a handful of others have indicated they will follow if the waiver is granted.

The Waxman-Markey bill also pushes for greater use of plug-in electric cars and trucks, which are seen as a promising way to curb emissions and displace oil consumption by using electricity in the transportation sector.

The bill calls for states and utilities to develop plans to support the use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and all-electric plug-ins and for the Energy Department to launch a large-scale electric demonstration program. The state plans would determine how utilities would accommodate large fleets of plug-ins and would consider a host of charging options — including public charging stations, on-street charging, and battery swapping stations — and establish any necessary standards for integrating plug-ins into an electrical distribution system, including Smart Grid technology.

Click here to read the entire article.

(Source: Wired)

Each PowerPark canopy is rated at 1.5 kilowatt peak, a measure of a photovoltaic system’s peak output. Even in misty, foggy Northern England, the company estimates each parking space could generate about 1,100 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. The canopies are linked to the electric grid so energy “can be generated for use in the associated buildings when cars are not being charged,” Webster said. “No electricity is wasted.”

(Source: New York Times)

 

Lt. David Dipre, who coordinates Florida’s derelict vessel program, said the handful of owners he had managed to track down were guilty more of negligence than fraud. “They say, ‘I had a dream of sailing around the world, I just never got around to it.’ Then they have some bad times and they leave it to someone else to clean up the mess,” Lieutenant Dipre said.

Florida officials say they are moving more aggressively to track down owners and are also starting to unclog the local inlets, harbors, swamps and rivers. The state appropriated funds to remove 118 derelicts this summer, up from only a handful last year.

In South Carolina, four government investigators started canvassing the state’s waterways in January. They quickly identified 150 likely derelicts.

 

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition Preliminary Program Now Available

The preliminary program for ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition is now available. The 2009 Annual Meeting is the highly anticipated three-day learning and networking event which will attract the most diverse transportation audience from across the country in one place. This event will take place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD – inside the Washington, DC metropolitan area – from June 1-3.  This is a critical time for our industry to demonstrate how ITS technologies can improve safety, mobility, and the environment while optimizing transportation dollars and helping to finance the future of our transportation system. Don’t want to miss this valuable opportunity to find answers to your toughest transportation challenges, meet your legislators on Capitol Hill, see ITS solutions in action and take home ideas for implementation, and learn from your peers.  To view a copy of the program, please click here.  For further information, please visit: www.itsa.org/annualmeeting.html.

AVIATION

1) EU Adopts Air Traffic Management ‘Master Plan’

Link to story on EurActiv:

http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/eu-adopts-air-traffic-management-master-plan/article-180816

2) American Airlines to Expand In-flight Web Access

Link to AP story:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Airlines-to-expand-apf-14791346.html

3) On NextGen, Everything Clear Except Who Pays for It

Link to column in The Dallas Morning News:

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/03/on-nextgen-everything-clear-ex.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Apple Filing Details Safe Touch-Screen Navigation System

Link to story on AppleInsider:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/03/26/apple_filing_details_safe_touch_screen_navigation_system.html

5) Smart Sat-Nav and Cruise Control Arrives

Link to story on RoadTransport:

http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2009/03/31/133295/smart-sat-nav-and-cruise-control-arrives.html

OTHER

6) Georgia Could Require Drivers to Take Test in English

Link to AP story:

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/03/31/met_516494.shtml

7) Interview with Anne Jensen, MEP and Rapporteur on the ITS Action Plan

Link to interview from ERTICO-ITS Europe:

http://www.ertico.com/en/news_and_events/ertico_newsroom/ertico-its_europe_talks_to_anne_jensen

SPACE

8) US Military Vows to Track 800 Satellites by October 1

Link to Reuters story:

http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE52U0MR20090331

SAFETY / SECURITY

9) Sydney Terrorism Warning System Reviewed After Power Failure

Link to Bloomberg News story:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=abFrjyqhRykM

10) It’s the Drawing Board for Real ID

Link to story on NextGov:

http://techinsider.nextgov.com/2009/03/its_the_drawing_board_for_real.php

TRANSIT

11) Portland Metro Unveils an Online Planning Tool

Build-a-system tool is designed to involve public in transit corridor development.

Link to story in the Daily Journal of Commerce:

http://www.djcoregon.com/articleDetail.htm/2009/03/30/Metro-unveils-an-online-planning-tool-Buildasystem-tool-is-designed-to-involve-public-in-transit-cor

12) South Florida’s Tri-Rail Starts ‘Fund or Fail’ Campaign

Link to story in Metro Magazine:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2009/03/Tri-Rail-starts-fund-or-fail-campaign.aspx

Link to further information from Tri-Rail: 

http://www.tri-rail.com/FundOrFail/

13) The Challenge of Using Public Transport: Descriptions by People with Cognitive Functional Limitations

Link to article in the Journal of Transport and Land Use:

https://www.jtlu.org/index.php/jtlu/article/download/97/42

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) New Detroit Traffic Management System All Set to Go

Link to story in The Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090331/METRO05/903310402/1361/New+traffic+management+system+all+set+to+go

15) Traffic Management System to be Constructed in Western Massachusetts

Link to story in The Republican:

http://www.masslive.com/metrowest/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-18/123848380163740.xml&coll=1

16) California DOT’s New Monitoring Systems to Speed Traffic Flow

Link to story in Traffic Technology Today:

http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=11441

17) Traffic Safety Through Smart Highways

Link to story in Popular Mechanics:

http://www.origin.popularmechanics.com/science/research/4308670.html?page=1

VEHICLES

18) Honda Connects Brain Thoughts with Electronics

Link to AP story:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Honda-connects-brain-thoughts-apf-14792125.html

Link to news release from Honda Motor Company:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Honda-ATR-and-Shimadzu-bw-14790917.html

News Releases

1) TEN-T 2009 Call for Proposals – Nearly €1 Billion Available in Trans-European Transport Network Funding

2) Tripping with Mr. Solomon – Houston Metro Uses YouTube to Promote Airport Service

3) TransCore Proves Alternative Equipment Choice for IAG-Protocol Reader

4) City of Seattle Launches Construction Coordination Web Site

Upcoming Events

2^nd Middle East Parking Symposium – November 9-11 – Abu Dhabi

http://www.parking-me.com/

Today in Transportation History

1774 **235^th anniversary** – The Boston Port Act took effect, closing the Boston Port to all ships.  The action was a response to the Boston Tea Party.

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/boston_port_act.asp

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast ati95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

((Source: Jalopnik)

(Source: Financial Times)

Published with the support of The European Commission, United Nations, ERTICO and The OECD, The Intelligent Transport briefing was introduced by Eva Molnar Director for Transport UNECE, Antonio Tajani Vice President and Commissioner for Transport, European Commission, Denise Plumpton, The UK Highways Agency, German Minister for Transportation Wolfgang Tiefensee and French Transport Minister Dominique Bussereau.

 The briefing was inserted into and distributed by The Financial Times in March 2009 throughout all European and Scandinavian territories. Government agencies within Europe will account for another 20,000 copiesThe Financial Times with its exceptional business coverage and focus continues to dominate the market for the delivery of c-level executives and decision makers at the highest level and as such provides the perfect home for this briefing. Building intelligence into our vehicles and infrastructures can make a positive long term contribution to resolving the problems society and business face in terms of congestion, reliability, safety security and the environment.  

In the European Union alone, 20 per cent of GDP is generated by the transport sector. This equates to 1,900 billion euros, 16 million jobs, or nine per cent of all EU employment. How do we improve safety and security, and how do we minimise the negative environmental impact of many transport systems? These are not easy questions, but all answers depend not least on putting greater intelligence into our infrastructures and transport systems, in turn helping users make more intelligent choices about their journeys.

Containing more than 30 case studies The 36 page briefing provides a comprehensive source of advice and guidance for board level executives, senior management and Government executives explaining  deployments in a variety of modes and with varying applications. It features real-life examples, case studies and frameworks that demonstrate the successful deployment of solutions and trials across Europe and carefully analyses capabilities, possibilities and particularly advantages.

Click here to read more or read/download the PDF file here.  (Image below is the ITS Briefing Supplement’s  cover)