TransportGooru

Monday, April 25, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Are you making a difference?  Open Roads Consulting, Inc. is a privately held American technology firm where we value entrepreneur, 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.

BICYCLES

1) Illinois to Start Tracking Bicycle ‘Dooring’ Collisions

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-04-24/news/ct-met-bike-dooring-accidents-0425-20110424_1_dooring-idot-traffic-accident

2) Online Coupon Aids in DC Bikeshare’s Dramatic Ascent

Link to blog on Transportation Nation:

http://transportationnation.org/2011/04/22/online-coupon-aides-in-d-c-bikeshares-dramatic-ascent/

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

3) Illinois Tollway to Allow Online Dispute of Violations

Link to article in The Beacon-News:

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/5013337-418/tollway-to-allow-online-dispute-of-violations.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Personal Safety GPS Device Presents Security Risk

Link to article on CNET:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20056540-245.html

5) US Government Radio Navigation Plan Relies on GPS, with No Backup

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110422_3383.php

OTHER

6) Q&A with Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment

She discusses how The Netherlands will help India in the area of ITS.

Link to interview in the Business Standard:

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/qa-melanie-schultz-van-haegen-netherlands/433301/

PARKING

7) San Francisco Officials Warn to Keep Eyes on Road, Not New Parking App

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/04/san-francisco-officials-warn-keep-eyes-road-not-new-parking-app

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

8) Traffic Safety Convoy to Raise Awareness on Road Accidents in Oman

Link to article in the Khaleej Times:

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=&section=middleeast&xfile=data/middleeast/2011/April/middleeast_April506.xml

RAILROADS

9) Travelers Using Technology Find that Trains Beat Planes

Link to Tribune Newspapers column:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-04-19/travel/sc-trav-0419-business-class-20110419_1_travelers-investment-in-high-speed-rail-visual-technology

ROADWAYS

10) Londoners See the Sign

Some of the UK’s new road signs are “sloppily-designed.”

Link to commentary in Auto Racing Daily:

http://www.autoracingdaily.com/news/general-interest/londoners-see-the-sign/

11) Texas Transportation Institute Helps Spread the Word About New National Retroreflectivity Standards

Link to article in Texas Transportation Researcher:

http://tti.tamu.edu/publications/researcher/newsletter.htm?vol=47&issue=1&article=5&year=2011

12) Thinking Highways (Europe/RoW) – March/April 2011 Issue

Link to magazine:

http://thinkinghighways.com/Pages/View-issue.aspx?id=8bc6945e-863e-444a-b2df-45a53f0d2c2f

13) Thinking Highways (North America) – March/April 2011 Issue

Link to magazine:

http://thinkinghighways.com/Pages/View-issue.aspx?id=e3b8e560-5c07-4d07-85af-60a31ca36134

SAFETY / SECURITY

14) FEMA’s Operating Systems Don’t Communicate Effectively, Despite Major IT Investments

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110422_5122.php

TRANSIT

15) NJ Transit Worker Fired for Burning Quran Will Get Job Back

Link to article in The Star-Ledger:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/nj_transit_employee_fired_for.html

16) Web-Based Telematics Move Beyond Dispensing Data

Link to article in Metro:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/Article/Story/2011/04/Web-Based-Telematics-Move-Beyond-Dispensing-Data.aspx

17) Improving the Transportation Experience with Transit Apps

Link to story on Marketplace:

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/04/22/mm-improving-the-transportation-experience-with-transit-apps/

18) Berkshire Regional Transit Authority Rides Into the Future

BRTA is adding ITS technology.

Link to article in the Berkshire Eagle:

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_17912780

19) On Eve of Tragedy Anniversary, TriMet Launches ‘Safety Dashboard’

Link to blog in The Oregonian:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2011/04/on_eve_of_tragedy_trimet_launc.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

20) Wichita, Kansas Roads Get Intelligent Traffic Monitors

Link to story and video on KAKE-TV

http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/Wichita_Roads_Get_Intelligent_Traffic_Monitors_120573524.html

VEHICLES

21) Hidden Peril; Cameras Could Save Hundreds of Children from Backover Accidents

Link to article in the Daily Herald:

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110425/news/799998325/

22) Software Takes on More Tasks in Today’s Cars

Link to blog in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/04/the-growing-role-of-software-in-our-cars/

23) Gas Apps to the Rescue

Link to blog on The Car Connection:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1058884_gas-apps-to-the-rescue

News Releases

1) OnStar Chooses Winning App in Developer Challenge

Job Postings

–  Public Affairs Specialist – Research and Innovative Technology Administration – Washington, DC

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=98734801

Solicitation

–  Request for Bids – Change Xenon Changeable Message Signs To LED – California Department of Transportation

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/weekly_ads/project.php?q=04-2E1704

Upcoming Events

MIT Summer Course:  Discrete Choice Analysis – June 6-10

http://web.mit.edu/professional/short-programs/courses/discrete_choice_analysis.html

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50^th anniversary** The first patent is issued for an integrated circuit.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=FRVtAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

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

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

Friday, April 22, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Are you making a difference?  Open Roads Consulting, Inc. is a privately held American technology firm where we value entrepreneur, 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) US DOT Issues Vulnerability Report on the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System

Link to article on AvStop.Com:

http://avstop.com/April_2011/dot_issues_vulnerability_report_on_the_faa_s_atc_system.htm

2) Delta Enables Customers to Track Checked Bags

Link to article in Travel Weekly:

http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Delta-enables-customers-to-track-checked-bags/

Link to video report from WSJ.com:

http://goo.gl/pbYm7

CAMERAS

3) Business Owner Casts Reasonable Doubt on Accuracy of Speed Cameras

Link to article in The Washington Times:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/20/business-owner-casts-reasonable-doubt-on-accuracy-/

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Why Your Trusty GPS Sometimes Fails You

Link to story on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/04/22/travel.gps.troubles/

5) Location-Based Services in Korea Get Support from the Government

Link to article on The Next Web Asia:

http://thenextweb.com/asia/2011/04/22/location-based-services-in-korea-gets-support-from-the-government/

Link to article on ZDNet Korea:

http://www.zdnet.co.kr/news/news_view.asp?artice_id=20110421121659 (in Korean)

OTHER

6) Apple, Google Collect User Location Data

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703983704576277101723453610.html

7) Ireland’s National Roads Authority Fails to See Humor in Radio Ad

Link to article in the Irish Independent:

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/authority-fails-to-see-funny-side-of-the-road-2625882.html

PARKING

8) Phone App, Website Aid Search for Parking in San Francisco

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/21/BAJ21J5IN0.DTL

Link to news release from the San Francisco Mayor’s Office:

http://sfmayor.org/index.aspx?page=356

9) DC Rolls Out Pay-by-Phone Parking Meter System

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc_rolls_out_pay_by_phone_parking_meter_system/2011/04/20/AFg9pSEE_story.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

10) Transportation Agencies Don’t Want to Share Fatal Accident Data

Link to commentary in the Opelika-Auburn News:

http://www2.oanow.com/news/2011/apr/22/mcadory-something-else-government-doesnt-want-you–ar-1750302/

TELEMATICS

11) Telematics Makes Inroads in China’s Car Market

Link to article in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/23ffa86e-6cf9-11e0-83fe-00144feab49a.html

Friday Bonus

How to beat a traffic jam – Russian style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Gsom9ErFuSE

Upcoming Events

ITS Canada Annual Conference and General Meeting – June 12-15 – Vancouver, British Columbia

http://www.itscanada.ca/vancouver2011/

Today in Transportation History

1898 The US Navy began a blockade of Cuba.

http://spanishamericanwar.info/cuba.htm#blockade

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

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

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Register now for the 18^th World Congress on ITS, October 16-20^th, 2011 in Orlando, Florida

The 18^th World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems  and ITS America’s Annual Meeting is this year’s “must attend” event for advanced transportation technologies, featuring:

-over 250 sessions with industry experts and world renowned speakers;

-a broad range of technical tours featuring Florida’s state-of-the-art ITS facilities;

-more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit hall space housing the latest technology products, services, and solutions;

-an action-packed schedule of special events hosted in sunny and beautiful Orlando;

-and more than 25 live, interactive tech demonstrations in the Technology Showcase- the most dynamic way to experience the World Congress!

Register early to reserve your spot for technical tours and special events- space is limited! Visit the World Congress website at www.itsworldcongress.org.

 
AVIATION

1) US Orders Airlines to State Fees More Clearly

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/business/20air.html

Link to news release from US DOT:

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2011/dot5111.html

BICYCLES

2) AARP Pushing Legislation to Reduce Pedestrian, Bicyclist Fatalities in Alabama Cities

Call for new signage, lane striping and other steps.

Link to article in The Huntsville Times:

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/04/aarp_pushing_legislation_to_re.html

CAMERAS

3) Traffic Cameras Have Drivers Seeing Red

Link to video on NBC’s Today Show:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/42586630#42586630

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) First Came iPhone’s Thunder, Now GPS Makers Ride the Lightning

Link to article in Fast Company:

http://www.fastcompany.com/1748748/faced-with-the-iphone-gps-makers-ride-the-tigers-tail

OTHER

5) ACLU: Michigan State Police Using Cellphone ‘Extraction’ Device

Link to story and video on WDIV-TV:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/27564088/detail.html

Link to news release from the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan:

http://www.aclumich.org/issues/privacy-and-technology/2011-04/1542

6) States Address English-Only Driver’s License Testing

Link to article in Lane Line:

http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2011/Apr11/041811/041911-05.shtml

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

7) Federal Report on South Carolina State Transportation Center Withheld

Link to article in The Post and Courier:

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/apr/19/federal-report-on-sc-state-withheld/

Make Public South Carolina State Probe

Link to editorial in The Post and Courier:

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/apr/20/make-public-sc-state-probe/

8) Sound Transit Hopes to Teach Students About Public Transportation

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014817962_soundtransit20m.html

RAILROADS

9) Positive Train Control: Onboard PTC Technology

Link to article in Progressive Railroading:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/pr/article.asp?id=26261

ROADWAYS

10) Lower Merion, Pennsylvania Can Keep Its Historic Street Signs

Link to article in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://articles.philly.com/2011-04-19/news/29447402_1_street-signs-new-signs-cast-iron-signs

SAFETY / SECURITY

11) Traffic Crawling? Time to Get Some Work Done

Link to McClatchy Newspapers article:

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/19/2810254/traffic-crawling-time-to-get-some.html

TELEMATICS

12) Three-in-Four UK Drivers Willing to Try Telematics to Save on Insurance

Link to article in Post:

http://www.postonline.co.uk/post/news/2044972/-drivers-willing-try-telematics

TRANSIT

13) Commuter Connect: New Initiative from MBTA

Link to story and video on WFXT-TV:

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/morning/commuter-connect-new-initiative-from-mbta-20110419

14) Cincinnati Metro Looking for Feedback on Google Transit

Link to blog in the Business Courier:

http://wwwnew.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2011/04/metro-looking-for-feedback-on-google.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Moscow to Upgrade ITS and Build Traffic Management Center

Link to article in The Moscow Times:

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/sitronics-gets-220m-to-fight-traffic/435465.html

VEHICLES

16) Indie Truckers: Keep Big Brother Out of My Cab

Link to story and audio on NPR’s Morning Edition:

http://www.npr.org/2011/04/20/135507979/indie-truckers-keep-big-brother-out-of-my-cab

17) Buick to Launch IntelliLink on 2012 Models

Link to article in AutoWeek:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110419/CARNEWS/110419834

18) New Technology Could Change Transportation Funding

Link to article in The Topeka Capital-Journal:

http://cjonline.com/news/2011-04-19/new-technology-could-change-transportation-funding

News Releases

1) Coalition of Business, Highway, Transit and Environmental Leaders Urge Congress to Support Smart Technologies in Transportation Reauthorization Bill

2) NTSB Opening Investigation Into Air Traffic Control Incident Involving Aircraft Carrying Michelle Obama

3) Kapsch TrafficCom IVHS and Federal Signal Corporation Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Cooperation in the ITS Markets for North America

Upcoming Events

2011 IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium – June 5-9 – Baden-Baden, Germany

http://www.mrt.uni-karlsruhe.de/iv2011/index.php

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50^th anniversary** The first untethered flight of a rocket pack was made by Harold Graham in Niagara Falls, New York.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgLvu4y-AZg

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

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

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks two Transit Safety and Security Specialist’s (Instructor) to join the Transit Safety and Security Division at the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI).  RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system.  The Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) provides premier worldwide training, products and/or services for people in the public and private sectors through innovative, state-of-the-art methods and technologies that contribute to the protection of life, property, and the environment.  The Transportation Safety Institute training center is located in Oklahoma City, OK at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC), a Federal Aviation Administration training and materials facility.  Visit www.tsi.dot.gov to learn more.  The position is located in Oklahoma City, OK.

As a Transit Safety and Security Specialist (Instructor), you will develop training programs, instruct, manage and facilitate classes, perform evaluations, and conduct seminars and symposiums.  Programs include all facets of safety and security work with complex bus and light rail transit systems.

To succeed in this position you must have experience developing, implementing, and/or performing complex assignments in support of transit safety and security projects, programs, and plans, and ensuring compliance with safety oversight regulations.  You must have experience in developing, modifying, and instructing training course content and materials.  You must also have superb organizational, communication and presentation skills.  Payment of relocation expenses may be authorized.  Ability to obtain and retain a travel credit card is required.

This announcement is open to the general public and under merit promotion for current or former Federal employees and people eligible under special hiring authorities. Please note that merit promotion announcements are the vehicle through which Federal employees generally apply for Federal positions.

Click here for the Merit Promotion Announcement

Click here for the Public Announcement

(Source: Reddit & theCHIVE)

A note, shared by fellow Redditor – jnnorris,  about this awesome roadside capture says the incident took place in Apalachin, NY! The vehicle was spotted driving down the road where the speed limit is 65….. NYS Trooper stopped! and someone has also made available the dash cam shot on theChive.  Long live the interwebs for bringing such gems to us.

Image Courtesy: theCHIVE.com

Image Courtesy: Reddit.com

Application Deadline: May 6, 2011

The Reason Foundation, a non-profit, public policy think tank based in Los Angeles, seeks a policy analyst in transportation.  Qualified candidates should have a relevant degree, a solid understanding of free-market public policy and an aptitude for written communication.

Ideal candidates will be very familiar with Reason’s transportation policy work and be able to describe what they can contribute to the organization.  Work location is negotiable and salary commensurate with experience.  Applicants at all levels of experience are invited to apply.

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Amy Pelletier atAmy.Pelletier@Reason.org. The cover letter should include an explanation of your interest in the Reason Foundation.

The Eno Transportation Foundation, a nonprofit transportation policy and leadership think-tank, is seeking a Finance Director/Chief Financial Officer. Ideal candidates should have a strong interest in both organizational financial management and transportation policy. Superior writing ability, interpersonal skills, and basic understanding of finances are all essential. Experience with accounting is a bonus but not required.