TransportGooru

Thursday, May 5, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Register Today for IBTTA’s Interoperability and All-Electronic Toll Collection Workshop ― May 15-17, Plano, TX

Register today for IBTTA’s Interoperability and All-Electronic Toll Collection Workshop, the fifth in a series of workshops focused on violations enforcement, open road tolling, all-electronic toll collection (AETC), and interoperability. Held in concert with this Workshop, IBTTA will offer a live webcast of the general session “Tolling Technology: Initiatives and Impacts” on Monday, May 16 at 8:30am (Central Time).  Visit www.IBTTA.org/PLANO to view the brochure, register, and learn about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. To view IBTTA’s entire 2011 Education Series, click here.

AVIATION

1) Houston Computer Glitch Another Blow to FAA

Link to article in the Houston Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7550624.html

BICYCLES

2) Bicycle Planning Gets Smart: Phone App Enlisted to Help Map Future Routes

Link to article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel:

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_17994086

OTHER

3) Placement of Utah School Bus Ads May be Restricted

Link to article in School Transportation News:

http://www.stnonline.com/home/latest-news/3336-placement-of-utah-school-bus-ads-may-be-restricted

ROADWAYS

4) Are Roadside Call Boxes Obsolete?

Link to video report on KPIX-TV:

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/05/05/good-question-are-roadside-call-boxes-obsolete/

TOURISM

5) The Future of Travel Guidebooks on Table Devices

Link to article on Tnooz:

http://www.tnooz.com/2011/05/04/news/the-future-of-travel-guidebooks-on-tablet-devices

TRANSIT

6) New York City Transit Coating Cars in More Ads, ‘Dominating’ Stations Too

Link to article on Transportation Nation:

http://transportationnation.org/2011/05/04/nyc-transit-coating-cars-in-more-ads-dominating-stations-too

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

7) Toledo Area Traffic Flow Data Posted on Ohio DOT Site

Link to article in The Blade:

http://toledoblade.com/local/2011/05/05/Area-traffic-flow-data-posted-on-ODOT-site.html

8) South Carolina DOT’s The Connector – Winter 2011

–  South Carolina 511 System has Successful Launch

–  Disc Jockey Jackie Dixon is ‘the Voice’ of 511

Link to articles in The Connector:

http://www.scdot.org/inside/pdfs/ConnectorWinter2011.pdf (page 9)

VEHICLES

9) In Arizona, Tea Party License Plate Draws Opposition from Its Honorees

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/05/us/05plates.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

10) Continental AG to Employ Stereo Vision for Driver Assistance Systems

Link to article in EE Times Europe:

http://eetimes.eu/en/continental-to-employ-stereo-vision-for-driver-assitance-systems.html

News Releases

1) EU to Push for Pan-European Passenger Rail Ticketing with Standardization of Data on Fares and Timetables

2) US DOT Unveils Strong New Measures to Improve Passenger Bus Safety

3) Sustainable Transportation is Focus of IBM Grant Won by University at Buffalo Professor

4) Navteq Announces Real-Time Traffic for Russia

5) Weather Phenomena Most Harmful to Transport in Europe Now Identified

Job Postings

–  Civil Engineer Transportation Supervisor-Traffic – Wisconsin DOT – Wisconsin

http://wisc.jobs/public/job_view.asp?annoid=51881&jobid=51396&index=true

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Smart Roadside Initiative (SRI) – May 19

http://checkbox.truckline.com/Survey.aspx?s=6487156fb0fe44dcbfc8b1f1bbb52445

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50^th anniversary** Alan Shepard, onboard Freedom 7, became the first American to travel into outer space.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/the-it-behind-alan-shepards-space-flight/48271

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

The Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation System Development (DTSD) is currently seeking individuals who are ready to take on the challenge of supervising the delivery of the State’s transportation program with an emphasis on traffic engineering.  We currently have supervisory vacancies available in the Milwaukee and Madison areas in addition to a position that may be housed in any regional office throughout the state. The register created by this exam will be used to fill approved vacancies state wide, as they may occur. Regional offices are located in Madison, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Green Bay, LaCrosse, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Rapids, Rhinelander, and Superior.

Job Duties:

These positions may direct one or more units to provide products and/or services associated with the state’s transportation system with primary focus on traffic operations.  The primary role of the supervisor is to achieve program objectives by interpreting and applying policy within the programmatic area of responsibility and directly supervise a staff of professional, technical, and paraprofessional positions.  This includes broad leadership responsibility to coordinate resources and develop staff; apply appropriate discipline-specific technical expertise in decision-making; fulfill a management role in policy development and implementation; and determine ways and means of accomplishing mission critical objectives.

Traffic Supervisors oversee one or more of the following: program development in the area of freeway traffic management; program support for project development; program development, operations and maintenance of Intelligent Transportation Systems; operations of a freeway traffic management center; maintenance of freeway traffic management systems; and providing traveler information in the area of freeway traffic.

Special Notes: Prior to any appointments for position(s) filled from this recruitment/announcement, candidates may be subject to a comprehensive criminal background check which may include fingerprinting.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Civil Engineering principles and practices applied in the location, design, construction, and maintenance of all types of highways, bridges and related structures

Problem solving skills

Oral, interpersonal and written communication skills

Conflict resolution principles and techniques

Policy, program, and project development, management, and administration principles and practices

Budget development and management

Knowldege of transportation funding sources and programs

Extensive knowledge of Intelligent Transporation Systems

Extensive knowledge of freeway traffic management practices and principles

Click here to learn more and to apply for this position.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

TCN Fundraiser

Twice a year I conduct a month-long fundraiser to help support the TCN.  I want to first say that no one should feel any pressure to donate to the TCN.  Simply having you as a subscriber is great.  For those who do choose to donate, I very much appreciate the support!  Near the bottom of the newsletter you’ll find information on how you can donate.  In addition to monetary gifts, there are other ways you can support the TCN.  These include buying ad space in the TCN, utilizing my transportation voiceover services or simply letting others in the field know about the TCN so they too can subscribe.  Throughout May I’ll provide more details on how you can support the TCN.  Thank you!

AVIATION

1) FAA Safety Briefing – May/June 2011

Includes a several articles related to aviation communications.

Link to publication:

http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2011/media/MayJun2011.pdf

OTHER

2) Ray LaHood: A Driving Force in the White House

DOT secretary’s communication skills win praise.

Link to article in Politico:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/54242.html

3) Satellites Played Big Role in Getting bin Laden

Link to article in Air Force Times:

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/05/ap-spacecraft-played-role-in-bin-laden-raid-050311/

ROADWAYS

4) California DOT Digs High-Tech Hole for Taxpayers

Newspaper questions value of ITS technology in a region where congestion is not yet serious.

Link to editorial in The Record-Searchlight:

http://www.redding.com/news/2011/may/04/editorial_wednesday/

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) US Should Consider Earthquake Early Warning System, FCC Chairman Says

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/public-safety/US-Earthquake-Early-Warning-System.html

Link to remarks by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-306311A1.pdf

TRANSIT

6) The Lonely Podcar: Who Will Take a Chance on Personal Rapid Transit?

Link to blog on Txchnologist:

http://www.txchnologist.com/volumes/solar-power-2/the-lonely-podcar-who-will-take-a-chance-on-personal-rapid-transit

VEHICLES

7) Wireless Improves Transportation

Link to blog and video from CTIA:

http://blog.ctia.org/2011/05/04/wireless-improves-transportation/

News Releases

1) NTSB Releases Bus and Truck Safety Forum Video

2) Operation Lifesaver Participates in National Train Day Celebrations Across the US

3) Illinois Tollway and Argonne National Laboratory Launch Fleet Vehicle Study

TCN Donations

Checks or money orders may be mailed to:

Bernie Wagenblast

1 Aberdeen CT

Cranford, NJ USA 07016-2911

You may also donate online with a credit card via PayPal at:

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

Upcoming Events

IEEE Forum on Integrated and Sustainable Transportation Systems – June 29-July 1 – Vienna

http://www.ieee-fists.org/

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50^th anniversary** The first Freedom Ride, designed to test desegregation on interstate buses, left Washington, DC.

http://www.core-online.org/History/freedom%20rides.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Are you making a difference? Open Roads Consulting, Inc. is a privately held American technology firm where we value entrepreneurship, team building and creativity in our people. Together we are on the cutting edge of marketing new technologies specializing in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions for our clients. We are currently seeking senior-level technical project managers to facilitate our national growth plan. Our project managers are strong independent thinkers that are responsible for business development and project management of ITS solutions, providing industry setting service for our clients. If you are looking for a challenging career where you can make a difference with the up and coming industry leader, please visit our website for the complete job description at http://www.openroadsconsulting.com/projman0609.html Confidential resumes and salary history should be sent to hr@openroadsconsulting.com. EOE/AA/M/F/V/D.

AVIATION

1) International Civil Aviation Organization Wants to Make Black Boxes Easier to Find

Link to Dow Jones Newswires article:

http://www.automatedtrader.net/real-time-dow-jones/58210/civil-aviation-body-wants-to-make-black-boxes-easier-to-find

2) American Airlines Tests In-Flight Streaming Video

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Airlines-tests-apf-727216495.html?x=0&.v=1

Link to news release from American Airlines:

http://aa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=3231

BICYCLES

3) NACTO Releases Reader-Friendly Design Guide for Bike-Friendly Streets

Link to blog on Streetsblog Capitol Hill:

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2011/05/02/nacto-releases-reader-friendly-design-guide-for-bike-friendly-streets/

Link to news release from the National Association of City Transportation:

http://nacto.org/2011/04/26/nacto-urban-bikeway-design-guide-now-available-as-online-pdf/

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) Delayed Tolling Erodes Washington State DOT’s Credibility

Link to story and video on KING-TV:

http://www.king5.com/news/investigators/Delayed-tolling-erodes-DOT-credibility-121107324.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Delhi High Court Stays Government’s Order for GPS Installation in 200 Autorickshaws

Link to article in the Deccan Herald:

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/158593/hc-stays-govts-order-gps.html

OTHER

6) Organizers of Youth Climate Rally Sue Utah DOT Over Rally Restrictions

Link to article in The Salt Lake Tribune:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/51734669-183/utah-udot-imatter-rally.html.csp

Link to news release from the ACLU of Utah:

http://www.acluutah.org/imattersmarch.html

7) City of Los Angeles Suspends DOT Workers in Porn Film

Link to story on KABC-TV:

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8108077

8) Apps Contest Winners Need Better Government Data to Sustain Innovative Services

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/e-government/Apps-Contest-Winners-Need-Better-Government-Data.html

9) Which Tech Tools Do Experts Use When They Travel?

Link to article on The Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20110503/us-travel-tech-tools/

PARKING

10) US DOT Awards $6.5 Million for Real-Time Truck Parking Information Systems

Link to article in the Commercial Carrier Journal:

http://www.ccjdigital.com/dot-awards-6-5m-to-ease-truck-parking-shortages-in-michigan-minnesota/

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

11) Transportation Tax Campaign Takes Shape in Georgia

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/transportation-tax-campaign-takes-933001.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Highway Call Boxes Becoming Obsolete

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/05/01/BA2J1J9PJM.DTL

TELEMATICS

13) Wireless Communications: ‘Cloud Computing’ Telematics for School Bus Transportation

Link to article in School Transportation News:

http://www.stnonline.com/blogs/school-bus-bay/3326-wireless-communications-cloud-computing-telematics-for-school-bus-transportation

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) Pennsylvania DOT Expands Network of Cameras, Message Boards

Link to article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11123/1143653-147-0.stm

15) The Responder – May 2011

Link to newsletter from the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition:

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnx0aW1uZXR3b3Jrc2l0ZXxneDo2MjFhMTQ5MDVkZWQxNDE4

VEHICLES

16) State Farm iPhone App Rates Your Driving

Link to article in PC Magazine:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2384789,00.asp

Link to news release from State Farm:

http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/statefarm/49700/

17) Smart Phones, Smart Fleets

Link to article in FleetOwner:

http://fleetowner.com/management/feature/fleet_smart_phones_smart/

18) Intel is Inside … Cars

An interview with Joel Hoffmann of Intel’s Automotive Solutions Division.

Link to article in Assembly:

http://www.assemblymag.com/Articles/Web_Exclusive/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000001042259

19) Volkswagen Concept Turns Your Entire Car Into a GPS Display

Link to blog on DVICE:

http://dvice.com/archives/2011/05/volkswagen-conc-1.php

News Releases

1) New iPhone/iPad Navigation App Route Master – Share Real-Time Traffic Speed/Route Info

2) Automotive OEMs Augment Embedded Navigation Market

3) Automotive OEM and Aftermarket Infotainment Systems Set to Grow by One-Third

4) China TransInfo Featured on CCTV-1 News Broadcast

5) Nova Scotia Working with Municipalities to Address Highway Sign Clutter

Solicitation

–  Call for Tender – Supply of Electronic Data Related to Air Transport – European Commission, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport

http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:137095-2011:TEXT:EN:HTML

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Communicating the Value of Research – A Focus on Successful State DOT Practices and Case Studies – May 5

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/TRB_Webinar_Communicating_the_Value_of_Research_A_165147.aspx

Today in Transportation History

1881 **130^th anniversary** Leonides Woolley received a patent for the first electric headlight for a locomotive.

http://goo.gl/9vteb

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Monday, May 2, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) When Will Airlines’ Onboard Wi-Fi Take Off in Popularity?

Link to article in The Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2011/04/29/20110429airlines-wi-fi-popularity.html

2) Avionics Technology: The Big Picture

Link to article in Aircraft Maintenance Technology:

http://www.amtonline.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=13256

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Uh-Oh: Will GPS Data Yield More Traffic Tickets?

Link to blog in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/blogs/the_angle/2011/04/uh-oh_will_gps.html

OTHER

4) Near Field Communication Transforms Travel in Japan

Link to BBC News story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13216267

RAILROADS

5) Howrah-Delhi Rajdhani to Become First Train in India with Wi-Fi

Link to article in The Economic Times:

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-05-01/news/29493287_1_wi-fi-facility-access-internet-internet-facility

ROADWAYS

6) Should Illinois Tollways Trade Historic Names for Sponsors?

Link to article in the Daily Herald:

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110429/news/704299876/

7) California Bridge Toll Contest Launches Online

Link to Bay Area News Group article:

http://www.mercurynews.com/san-mateo-county/ci_17966866

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Tow Truck Safety Bill Advances in Colorado

Legislation would require large warning sticker on vehicles being towed.

Link to AP article:

http://www.dailycamera.com/state-west-news/ci_17962520

TELEMATICS

9) Ford Plans in ‘Sync’ with Safe Driving

Link to video on CTIA Blog:

http://blog.ctia.org/2011/05/02/ford-plans-in-%E2%80%98sync%E2%80%99-with-safe-driving/

TRANSIT

10) Hopping Aboard the Fiber Optic Train

California firm behind the technology of Los Angeles’ subway display signs.

Link to article in The Sun:

http://www.sbsun.com/business/ci_17967891

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) 300 Dubai Junctions Linked with Control System

Link to article in The Gulf Today:

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/06083ae7-2ae0-4351-9438-73f6863f7396.aspx

12) Korean Firms Offer Intelligent Transport System to Qatar Agencies

Link to article in The Peninsula:

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/150649-korean-firms-offer-intelligent-transport-system.html

13) From Woe to Flow: Traffic Jams Spell Sweet Success for Australian Traffic Network

Link to article in the West Coast Sentinel:

http://www.westcoastsentinel.com.au/news/national/national/general/gridlock-is-good-the-man-who-gets-money-for-jams/2149440.aspx

14) Traffic FM Likely to Air in Six Months in Nepal

Link to article in República:

http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=30815

15) New Utah DOT Program Improves Notifications on Construction

Link to story and video on KSTU-TV:

http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-udot-new-udot-program-improves-notifications-on-construction-20110501,0,4670987.story

16) Real-Time Traffic: ‘The Big Revolution is Two-Way Traffic Data’

Link to interview in GPS Business News:

http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/Real-Time-Traffic-The-Big-Revolution-is-Two-Way-Traffic-Data_a3000.html?preaction=nl&id=8135716&idnl=88939& (link only available for a limited time)

VEHICLES

17) High-Tech Transportation

Freight movement benefiting from technology.

Link to article in World Trade:

http://www.worldtrademag.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000001041215

News Releases

1) Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Laboratory Celebrates New Silicon Valley Location

Upcoming Events

Connections 2011 – June 14-17 – Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

http://www.smc3conference.com/

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50^th anniversary** The Albatross, a vessel which served as a pilot boat, a German radio ship during World War II and a training ship, sank during a storm west of the Dry Tortugas.  Six of the eighteen people aboard drowned.

http://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/10/nyregion/the-day-the-albatross-went-down.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

http://www.openroadsconsulting.com/projman0609.html

Open Roads Consulting, Inc. is a privately held American technology firm where we value entrepreneurship, team building and creativity in our people. Together we are on the cutting edge of marketing new technologies specializing in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions for our clients. We are currently seeking senior-level technical project managers to facilitate our national growth plan. Our project managers are strong independent thinkers that are responsible for business development and project management of ITS solutions, providing industry setting service for our clients.

If you are looking for a challenging career where you can make a difference with the up and coming industry leader, please visit our website for the complete job description at
http://www.openroadsconsulting.com/projman0609.html. Confidential resumes and salary history should be sent to hr@openroadsconsulting.com. EOE/AA/M/F/V/D.

(Source: Youtube via Reddit)

The video’s owner had this comment: “My brother was pulled over by Officer Board. When he came back to the car I asked him “can I ask you a question” he says “sure”. Officer Board arrested me asking a question that he said I could.”

Whatever be the case it is, the cop seems to be overreacting and escalated a situation that did not need all that level of “enforcement.”   I’d not be surprised if his momentary lack of good judgment costs his job and ends up costing the local government/policy agency a ton of money if this victim goes to court.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Can Technology Fix the FAA’s Air Traffic Troubles?

Link to story and video on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/04/26/nextgen.gps.solutions/

CAMERAS

2) Dutch Cops Using TomTom Data to Position Speed Cams

Link to article on TechRadar:

http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/satnav/dutch-cops-using-tomtom-data-to-position-speed-cams-948770

OTHER

3) Shipping Group to Set Electronic Payment Standards

Link to article in The Journal of Commerce:

http://www.joc.com/technology/shipping-group-set-electronic-payment-standards

4) New ITS-JPO-Funded Report Addresses Technology and Collaboration in Transportation Policy

Link to report from the University of Minnesota:

http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=1514

ROADWAYS

5) Should Maine be ‘Open for Billboards?’

Link to article in the Bangor Daily News:

http://goo.gl/iRwWs

TELEMATICS

6) Britain’s Autotxt Develops More Telematics Solution with Deutsche Telekom

Link to article on automotiveIT International:

http://www.automotiveit.com/britains-autotxt-develops-more-telematics-solution-with-deutsche-telekom/news/id-002535

Link to news release:

http://www.autotxt.com/news/autotxt-and-deutsche-telekom-collaborate-in-m2m-telematics-solutions-for-vehicle-manufacturers.aspx

 

TRANSIT

 

7) Delhi Government May Turn to Pod Cars to Boost Public Transport

Link to Express News Service article:

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/govt-may-turn-to-pod-cars-to-boost-public-transport/781954/

8) Long Beach (California) Transit Offering Live Bus Tracking by Phone

Link to article in the Long Beach Post:

http://www.lbpost.com/news/allison/11521

9) Technology Lets Buses Bypass Congestion

Link to article in Research E-News:

http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchENews/2011/04/index.html#technology

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Apple Using Location Data to Prep Traffic Service

Link to article in The Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/27/apple-location-tracking-traffic-service_n_854279.html

Link to additional information from Apple:

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/04/27location_qa.html

11) Traffic Cameras Keep an Eye on Appleton, Wisconsin Roads

Link to article in The Post-Crescent:

http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110427/APC0101/104270509/If-Appleton-drivers-feel-they-re-being-watched-they-re-right

12) Great Falls, Montana Drops Traffic Alerts from Notification System

Link to story on KRTV-TV:

http://www.krtv.com/news/great-falls-scales-back-scope-of-notification-system/

Link to news release from the City of Great Falls:

http://www.greatfallsmt.net/public_notice/prs/pr20110427NixleChanges.php

VEHICLES

13) SAE, IEEE Partner on Vehicle-to-Smart-Grid Tech

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20057825-54.html

14) A Ride in the Car of the Future

Link to article in PC Magazine:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2384358,00.asp

WAYFINDING

15) Santa Cruz, California City Council Seeks Bids on Design of $1.4 Million Sign Project

Link to article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel:

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_17937882

16) Critics Blast Signs of Excess

City of Boston and two agencies spend $1 million for wayfinding signs.

Link to article in the Boston Herald:

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2011_0426hub_critics_blast_signs_of_excess_city_agencies_dole_out_1m_for_placards/srvc=home&position=0

News Releases

1) eSafety Awards 2011 Nominations: Fifth Edition of the eSafety Awards

2) Ole Miss Center for Traveler Information Announces Advisory Board Members

Upcoming Events

Symposium on Mileage-Based User Fees – June 13-14 – Breckenridge, Colorado

http://utcm.tamu.edu/mbuf/index.stm

Today in Transportation History

1521 **490^th anniversary** Explorer Ferdinand Magellan is killed in the Philippines.

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/magellan.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

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Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

(Source: Reddit)

Found this gem contributed by fellow Redditor beer_OMG_beer.  Who knew some police departments/officers had it this good. A nice BMW 3-series convertible with an awesome license plate to boot.   I can see this a nice recruitment tool if the Fairfax police ever run short of a few men for the force.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Register Today for IBTTA’s Interoperability and All-Electronic Toll Collection Workshop ― May 15-17, Plano, TX

Register today for IBTTA’s Interoperability and All-Electronic Toll Collection Workshop, the fifth in a series of workshops focused on violations enforcement, open road tolling, all-electronic toll collection (AETC), and interoperability. Held in concert with this Workshop, IBTTA will offer a live webcast of the general session “Tolling Technology: Initiatives and Impacts” on Monday, May 16 at 8:30am (Central Time). Visit www.IBTTA.org/PLANO to view the brochure, register, and learn about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. To view IBTTA’s entire 2011 Education Series, click here.

AVIATION

1) Airlines Turn to Twitter to Ease Passengers’ Frustrations

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2011-04-25-airlines-twitter.htm

2) Dissecting NextGen: a Look Inside the FAA’s NIEC

Link to article in Flight International:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/04/26/355844/dissecting-nextgen-a-look-inside-the-faas-niec.html

3) Webcams Keep Eye on Arlington, Washington Airport for Fun, Safety

Link to article in The Daily Herald:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110426/NEWS01/704269901/-1/headlines

CAMERAS

4) Victoria Shares Red Light Camera Records with the Public

Link to article on FutureGov:

http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/2011/apr/26/victoria-shares-red-light-camera-records-public/

MARITIME

5) Passengers Want Technology as Well as Cabaret on Cruise Ships

Link to article on Tnooz:

http://www.tnooz.com/2011/04/25/gadgets/passengers-want-technology-as-well-as-cabaret-on-cruise-ships

Link to news release from CruiseCompare.co.uk:

http://www.cruisecompare.co.uk/cruise-news/2011/04/3114/Three-quarters-of-cruisers-go-online-onboard/

OTHER

6) Legislature: Tennessee DOT May Advertise on HELP Trucks, 511

Link to article in the Knoxville News Sentinel:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/apr/26/legislature-tdot-may-advertise/

7) Apple and Google Use Phone Data to Map the World

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/26/technology/26locate.html?src=busln

8) Radials Blog Presents Views Urban and Transportation Planning

Link to blog:

http://radialsblog.com/

PARKING

9) Where to Park? Parking in Motion has the Answer

Link to article on The Next Web:

http://thenextweb.com/apps/2011/04/25/where-to-park-parking-in-motion-has-the-answer/

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

10) New York MTA’s New Marketing Campaign Promotes Communication Efforts

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/whats-new-at-the-m-t-a-higher-prices/?partner=rss&emc=rss

ROADWAYS

11) Russian Driver Arrested for Deliberately Crashing Into Vehicles and Posting Videos on YouTube

Link to story and video on Russia Today:

http://rt.com/news/road-vigilante-caught-reckless/

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) National Maritime Security Training Center Opens at Port of Los Angeles

Link to article in the Daily Breeze:

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_17924318

TELEMATICS

13) At New York Auto Show, Telematics are No Longer a Sideshow

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/at-new-york-auto-show-telematics-are-no-longer-a-sideshow/

TRANSIT

14) University of Vermont Student Government Association Votes Not to Fund Bus Schedule Text Updates

Link to article in The Vermont Cynic:

http://www.vermontcynic.com/news/sga-will-not-fund-blirpit-1.2551952

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Travel Developers Find a Nook as Barnes & Noble Opens App Store

Link to article on Tnooz:

http://www.tnooz.com/2011/04/26/mobile/travel-developers-find-a-nook-as-barnes-noble-opens-app-store/

Link to news release from Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/press_releases/2011_april_25_1_2_apps_developer.html

16) Five Rs for Optimizing Digital Transportation Signage

Link to article in Mass Transit:

http://o.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2011/04/15/5-r%25E2%2580%2599s-for-optimizing-digital-transportation-signage/

17) Michigan Governor Needs to Pull the Plug on Electronic Message Signs

Link to editorial in the Midland Daily News:

http://www.ourmidland.com/opinion/editorials/article_a6415484-6f57-11e0-8ce9-001cc4c002e0.html

VEHICLES

18) KnowDigital Finds that ‘The Future is Now’ for In-Car Streaming Radio

Link to article on All Access:

http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/90539/knowdigital-finds-that-the-future-is-now-for-in-ca

Link to additional information from knowDigital:

http://goo.gl/Yuqth

News Releases

1) TransCore Deploys Arterial Traveler Information System for Utah Department of Transportation’s I-15 Reconstruction

2) American Airlines Becomes First Airline to Have an App for Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color

3) US Transportation Secretary LaHood:  North Dakota Becomes 31^st State to Ban Texting While Driving

Upcoming Events

Telematics Detroit – June 8-9 – Novi, Michigan

http://www.telematicsupdate.com/detroit/

Today in Transportation History

1956 **55^th anniversary** The SS Ideal-X, the first US container ship, began its maiden voyage from Newark, New Jersey to Houston, Texas.

http://www.mgar.net/sealand2.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net