TransportGooru

Please see below for information about a funding opportunity from the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) for research on a variety of transportation topics, including transportation finance. As the director of MTI’s National Transportation Finance Center, Asha Agrawal will be assisting researchers with questions about submitting finance-related proposals. So if you have questions, please feel free to get in touch with Asha at asha.weinstein.agrawal@sjsu.edu.

FYI, I have not included the attachments, since they don’t go through well on email groups like this one, but all the forms are available at http://www.transweb.sjsu.edu/MTIportal/research/RFPForms.html

——————————————————————————————————————————————-

Dear Colleagues,

MTI is pleased to announce the release of the 2011-2012 Request for Proposals (RFP). Attached you will find the RFP, the proposal form, and the budget template. These forms may also be downloaded from the MTI web page:http://www.transweb.sjsu.edu/MTIportal/research/RFPForms.html.

As you may know, MTI conducts an open, broad-based process for soliciting and selecting policy research projects. High-quality proposals that best match the results of the needs assessment and the objectives and research emphasis areas of the institute will be selected for funding. MTI supports research projects staffed entirely by San José State University (SJSU) faculty or by SJSU faculty collaborating with researchers from outside the university.

We invite you to submit a proposal in response to this request!  All proposals are due on MONDAY, MAY 16 2011 at 5:00 p.m. PDT.

Trucking industry stakeholders are invited to participate in a free webinar to discuss key policy and institutional challenges that could impact fleet adoption of new wireless communication technologies.  The particular technologies being discussed include communication technologies that allow trucks to “talk” to other vehicles and roadside infrastructure.  Through this webinar, motor carriers will be able to provide the U.S. DOT with direct feedback on technology implementation issues.

Presentations will include 1) a brief introduction on the U.S. DOT’s Truck Technology Policy program of research; 2) an overview of the potential value of the wireless connectivity technologies to the trucking industry and 3) a summary of related policy issues identified to date.  Feedback gathered from participants will be used to develop the Truck V2V/V2I Policy Roadmap and Research Agenda.

• WHAT:            U.S. DOT’s Truck V2V/V2I Technology Policy Issues Webinar
• WHEN:            Wednesday, February 23, 2011 1:00 to 3:00 EST
• HOW:              Participants will need access to the internet and a telephone.  For your free registration, use the link below.  An automated email with instructions for joining the webinar will be sent to all registrants.

Please visit the TIMTC website at www.freightmobility.org to register for the webinar or click here

Interested in becoming involved with TIMTC?  Participation is free and provides the latest information and updates on trucking industry initiatives that improve the industry’s safety and mobility.  Send your contact information to TIMTC@trucking.org to receive your free membership.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Trucking Industry Mobility & Technology Coalition (TIMTC) is jointly managed by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the  U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and the American Trucking Associations (ATA).  The TIMTC is sponsored by the U.S. DOT.  Members include motor carriers, commercial drivers, law enforcement, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, transportation planners and policy makers at the local, state and federal levels.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Actions Needed to Meet FAA’s Long-Term Goals for NextGen

Link to report from the US DOT Office of Inspector General:

http://www.oig.dot.gov/node/5494

CAMERAS

2) Marysville, California First in US with New Red Light Camera System

Automated device designed to predict and prevent accidents from drivers running red lights.

Link to article in the Appeal-Democrat:

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/red-104113-light-marysville.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

3) North Texas Tollway Authority May Hire Oklahoma Inmates to Review License Plate Photos for Billing

Link to article in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/20110216-north-texas-tollway-authority-may-hire-oklahoma-inmates-to-review-license-plate-photos-for-billing.ece

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Galileo Test Environment Open for Business

Link to article in GPS World:

http://www.gpsworld.com/gnss-system/news/galileo-test-environment-open-business-11082

5) Interview with Dan Popkin, Vice President of Sales at ALK Technologies

‘Google Maps navigation helped us to sell on the Android market.’

Link to podcast on GPS Business News:

http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/ALK-Google-Maps-Navigation-Helped-Us-to-Sell-on-the-Android-Market_a2826.html

MARITIME

6) Blue Sky Network Finds Markets Beyond Aviation for Satellite-Based Technology

Link to article on Xconomy San Diego:

http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2011/02/15/blue-sky-network-finds-markets-beyond-aviation-for-satellite-based-technology/

OTHER

7) Kentucky House OKs Bill for Ads on School Buses

Link to AP article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-16/ky-house-oks-bill-for-ads-on-school-buses.html

8) Bill to Allow Ads on Utah School Buses Gets Second Chance

Link to article in The Salt Lake Tribune:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51253613-76/ads-bill-bird-buses.html.csp

9) Mack Trucks to be Featured on CBS’s Undercover Boss February 20

Link to preview from CBS:

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss/video/?pid=zE_v2SXqBh6E6D6wJacJsoSN6QfH2ggL

ROADWAYS

10) Tens of Thousands Spent on Sign Namings in South Carolina

Link to article on The Nerve:

http://www.thenerve.org/Comments/11-02-15/Tens_of_Thousands_Spent_on_Sign_Namings.aspx

SAFETY / SECURITY

11) Maryland Lawmakers Seek to Outlaw Reading Texts While Driving

Link to article in The Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-text-reading-ban-20110215,0,7871301.story

TELEMATICS

12) Mercedes-Benz mbrace Plus: Worth the Cost?

Link to blog on Cars.com:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2011/02/mercedes-mbrace-worth-the-cost.html

TRANSIT

13) Utah Transit Authority Offers Twitter Chat About Proposed Rate Hikes

Link to article in The Salt Lake Tribune:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51253981-76/uta-county-lake-salt.html.csp

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) India’s First College of Traffic Management Opens

Link to article in the Hindustan Times:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/First-college-of-traffic-management-opens/Article1-663329.aspx

15) New York City Operates Government-Only Mobile Broadband Network

NYC DOT uses system for traffic management.

Link to article in Urgent Communications:

http://urgentcomm.com/networks_and_systems/news/nyc-mobile-broadband-network-20110215/

VEHICLES

16) Missouri House Panel Passes English-Only Driver Tests

Link to article in the Columbia Daily Tribune:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/feb/15/panel-passes-english-only-driver-tests/

17) More Boxes Open for Pandora

Carmakers, consumer electronics firms expand their in-dash offerings.

Link to article in Radio World:

http://radioworld.com/article/113852

18) Articles from Current Issue of Commercial Carrier Journal

–  Fleet Dispatch Software Now Using More Graphical and Intuitive Means to Increase User Efficiency

http://www.ccjdigital.com/up-and-running/

–  Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Give Instant Visibility to Drivers, Managers

http://www.ccjdigital.com/technology-12/

19) Audi and Alcatel Partner to Put 4G in Cars

Link to blog on CNET:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20032174-48.html

News Releases

1) Wait Times at Nevada DMV Metro Offices Now on the Web

2) More Amtrak Trains to Get Free Wi-Fi in 2011

3) Amtrak Launches Official YouTube Channel

4) With More than 500,000 Cars in Italy Using Insurance Telematics, is the Rest of Europe Ready to Catch Up?

5) Nissan Connect Wins Global Mobile Awards 2011 Prize

6) Nissan Licenses Camera Image Processing Technology to Joint Development Partner Clarion

UPDATE

The link to one of the articles in yesterday’s edition changed after I sent the newsletter.  Below is an updated version of the article with a working link.

Safeguards Failed as Two Cars Hit Freight Train

Link to article and video in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-car-train-crash-20110214,0,7277998.story

Solicitation

–  Call for Papers – 2011 IEEE International Conference on Vehicular Electronics and Safety

http://www.ieeeves.org/docs/ICVES11/call4paper.pdf

Upcoming Events

International Wireless Communications Expo – March 7-11 – Las Vegas

http://www.iwceexpo.com/

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50^th anniversary** Explorer 9 was launched.

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1961-004A

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

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

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

The interest in new business approaches from all-electronic tolling to distance-based road charging will require new relationships and collaboration as well as new legislative and regulatory support.  Attend IBTTA’s Legislative Conference to better understand and influence federal and state policymaking.  Delegates will have the opportunity to visit with members of Congress during a reception at the U.S. Capitol.  Visit www.IBTTA.org to view the agenda and register. To view IBTTA’s entire 2011 Education Series, click here.

AVIATION

1) Federal Budget Full of Cuts Boosts Funding for NextGen

Link to article in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/eht/federal-budget-full-of-cuts-boosts-funding-for-nextgen/article_9c363090-387a-11e0-a787-001cc4c03286.html

2) Sabre, Expedia Warned by US Against Display Bias

Link to Bloomberg article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-14/sabre-expedia-warned-by-u-s-against-bias-in-flight-displays.html

OTHER

3) January Issue of IEEE ITS Society Newsletter

Link to newsletter:

http://herget.biz/ieeeitss/v13n1.pdf

PARKING

4) Virtual Parking and Payment System to Be Launched in UK

Link to article in Fleet News:

http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2011/2/15/virtual-parking-and-payment-system-to-be-launched/38890/

RAILROADS

5) Railroad Gates, Warnings Inactive as Two Cars Slam Into Standing Freight Train in Chicago

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-02-14/news/ct-met-car-train-crash-20110214_1_freight-train-cars-slam-railroad-gates

ROADWAYS

6) Webinar: ‘We’re Not in Kansas Anymore’

A recording of a webinar from Global Traffic Technologies on traffic signal priority control in Olathe, Kansas.

Link to YouTube videos:

http://www.youtube.com/user/GTTOpticom

TRANSIT

7) Ottawa Mulls Making Money Off Bus-Tracking Data

Link to CBC News story:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2011/02/14/ottawa-oc-transpo-gps.html

8) Karnataka to Implement Real-Time Bus Tracking System in Mysore, India

Link to article in the Business Standard:

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/state-to-implement-intelligent-transport-system-in-mysore/425283/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Freeway Operations; Regional Systems Management and Operations; Managed Lanes 2010

Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Freeway_Operations_Regional_Systems_Management_and_164775.aspx

VEHICLES

10) BMW Helvetica Font in Lights

Company uses trademarked font on its navigation system screen.

Link to blog in Forbes:

http://blogs.forbes.com/tamarawarren/2011/02/15/bmw-helvetica-font-in-lights

News Releases

1) FAA Forecast Predicts Air Travel to Double in Two Decades: NextGen Investments Necessary to Meet Airspace Demands

2) Navteq Traffic Now Spans Five Continents Outpacing Rivals with More Real-Time Coverage Worldwide

3) Michigan Road Group Announces New Online Pothole Reporting System

4) SAE International Establishes Integrated Vehicle Health Management Technical Committee

5) Recent Acquisition Puts Intelligent Mechatronic Systems Inc. in the Driver’s Seat to Enable the Most Advanced and Feature-Rich Connected Car in the Industry

Upcoming Events

CeBIT – March 1-5 – Hannover, Germany

http://www.cebit.de/home

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50^th anniversary** A Sabena Airlines flight, carrying the entire US Figure Skating team, crashed on approach to Brussels’ Zaventem Airport.  All 72 people aboard the flight, and one person on the ground, were killed.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=68364

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

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, February 14, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Agricultural Pilots Pushing for Tougher Rules to Mark, Light Up Hard-to-See Towers

Link to article from the Contra Costa Times:

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17378848

Link to further information from the National Agricultural Aviation Association:

http://www.agaviation.org/content/grassroots-alert-comment-now-faa-guidance-marking-met-towers

2) Priority Pass App Provides Window Inside Airport Lounges Around the World

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-webbuzz-20110213,0,5858955.story

Link to news release from Priority Pass:

http://www.prioritypass.com/Press/Priority-Pass-launches-iPhone-and-iPad-apps.cfm

BICYCLES

3) In New York City’s Bike Wars, the Downside of Cycling isn’t Counted as Rigorously as the Upside

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/13/2011-02-13_getting_city_to_rein_in_rogue_bikers_is__a_vicious_cycle_for_311_callers.html

CAMERAS

4) Atlanta Police to Multiply Eyes, Ears Citywide

Video hub to cull images from private and public sources, including MARTA and Georgia DOT.

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/atlanta-police-to-multiply-837546.html

OTHER

5) ITS Mississippi Newsletter – Winter 2011

Link to newsletter:

http://www.gomdot.com/Divisions/ITS/Categories/Newsletter_Archive/Winter%202011%20Newsletter.pdf

RAILROADS

6) Positive Train Control: Metrolink’s PTC Implementation Push

Link to article in Progressive Railroading:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/pr/article/Positive-train-control-Metrolink39s-PTC-implementation-push–25731

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Articles from Emergency Management January/February 2011 Issue

–  Demystifying the Message to Create Effective Emergency Alerts

http://www.emergencymgmt.com/safety/Demistifying-the-Message.html

–  The Impact of IPAWS on Public Alerts and Warnings

http://www.emergencymgmt.com/disaster/Impact-IPAWS-Public-Alerts-Warnings.html

TRANSIT

8) Malta’s Arriva Signs €10 Contract for New Buses’ Information Systems

Link to article in the Times:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110213/business/arriva-signs-10m-contract-for-new-buses-information-systems

9) New Look Bus Route Maps to Boost Public Transport Use in Dubai

Link to article in Gulf News:

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/new-look-bus-route-maps-to-boost-public-transport-use-1.761994

10) Vancouver TransLink’s Twitter Service Now Permanent

Link to story on CKWX Radio:

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/182169–translink-s-twitter-service-now-permanent

11) GO Transit Learning to Communicate

Link to column in the Guelph Mercury:

http://news.guelphmercury.com/Opinions/EditorialOpinion/article/761905

VEHICLES

12) A Potential Hazard of Electronic Keys

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/automobiles/13keyless.html

News Releases

1) Qualcomm Announces Acquisition of Sylectus

2) BUMP.com Releases Free Voicemail Inbox for Every Registered Vehicle in the US

3) SoleraTec Partners with IP Camera Manufacturer Cohu Electronics

4) Vancouver’s TransLink Launches TravelSmart to Help People Make Informed Transportation Choices

5) Volvo Trucks Launches Global Community for Drivers

6) Audi Connect: The Path to Networked Mobility

7) Delaware DMV Unveils New Next-of-Kin Registry

Upcoming Events

45^th International Aviation Snow Symposium – April 16-20 – Buffalo, New York

http://www.snowsymposium.org

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50^th anniversary** James E. Webb took over as the administrator of NASA.

http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/archives.hom/oralhistory.hom/WEBB-J/webb.asp

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

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

(Source: YouTube via Wonkette)

Washington DC’s political columnist Wonkette says this video below earned cheers during this year’s Conservative Political Action Congress (CPAC).  Hey, wait a second.. aren’t the conservatives dead against all things high speed rail? At least that what one would think reading this rebuttal from House T & I Committee leadership, (chaired by FL Republican  Rep. John Mica), slamming President Obama’s proposal to spend some big money on High Speed Rail projects to prop up the economy and job market.  Watching this makes me wonder if the Republican leadership in the  has seen it already? Did he know that this idea was received warmly by fellow Republicans?

Related articles

• Republicans Begin Fight Against High-Speed Rail in US (inhabitat.com)
• Obama Administration Investing $53 Billion in High Speed Rail (ecogeek.org)
• Obama to call for $53B for high-speed rail (sfgate.com)
• Biden: Hey, let’s spend $53 billion on high-speed rail (hotair.com)
• Winning The Future With High Speed Rail (redstate.com)

Terms of Reference

Friday, February 11, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Air Traffic Control Error Numbers Double

Link to AP article:

http://online.wsj.com/article/AP0f121d6d474f4a77b8de6b66b33dd266.html

CAMERAS

2) Police Threaten to Arrest Speed Camera ‘Artist’

Link to article in the Manningham Leader:

http://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/police-threaten-to-book-doncaster-speed-cam-wall-e/

Link to S-cam Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/S-cam-speed-cameras/194440947239867

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) FCC Cracks Down on Cell Phone and GPS Jamming Devices

Link to article in The Hill:

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/143089-fcc-cracks-down-on-cell-phone-a-gps-jamming-devices

Link to news release from the Federal Communications Commission:

http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0209/DOC-304575A1.pdf

OTHER

4) New York City Taxi Commissioner Seeking Changes to TV Service in Cabs

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/nyregion/11taxi.html

RAILROADS

5) Surface Transportation Board to Determine if Class I Railroads Should Separately Report Positive Train Control Costs

Link to article in Progressive Railroading:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=25774

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) US Lawmaker Sees Tangled Credentialing Web

Link to article in The Journal of Commerce:

http://www.joc.com/government-regulation/lawmaker-sees-tangled-credentialing-web

TRANSIT

7) Irish National Transport Authority to Launch Live Displays for Bus Information

Link to article on TheJournal.ie:

http://www.thejournal.ie/transport-authority-to-launch-live-displays-for-bus-information-2011-02/

Link to news release from Transport for Ireland:

http://www.nationaltransport.ie/downloads/Electronic_Bus_Signs_Announcement.pdf

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) New Traffic Camera System Will Help Drivers on Florida’s Suncoast Avoid Backups

Link to story and video on WWSB-TV:

http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/story/New-traffic-camera-system-will-help-drivers-avoid/lMHjK4MguEmD-BJeYtAJYw.cspx

Link to news release from Sarasota County:

http://www.scgov.net/NewsStories/news23.asp

News Releases

1) Cars that Avoid Crashes: Driving Toward Zero Fatalities with Connected Vehicle Technology

2) NTSB Moves Into Social Media with Twitter and YouTube

3) Travelnotifier Launches Real-Time Flight Information Service at Travel Technology Europe

Upcoming Events

International Workshop on Communications Technologies for Intelligent Transportation Systems – April 14 – Aquascalientes, Mexico

http://www.robotica-up.org/ciiecc2011/workshops.html

Friday Bonus

Why wait for the bus in a boring shelter?  These designs are sure to attract attention.

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caribou-coffee-bus-shelters

http://walyou.com/innovative-bus-stop-concepts/

Today in Transportation History

1861 **150^th anniversary** President-elect Abraham Lincoln left Springfield, Illinois on a twelve-day train trip en route to Washington, DC for his inauguration.

http://www.nps.gov/liho/150th-lincolns-inaugural-journey.htm

1971 **40^th anniversary** The Seabed Treaty was signed in London, Moscow and Washington.  The pact prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons on the ocean floor.

http://www.nti.org/e_research/official_docs/inventory/pdfs/aptseabd.pdf

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

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

US DOT is conducting a Pre-proposal Conference (“Safety Pilot Joint Bidders Conference”) for interested parties to learn about and ask questions regarding the following three current US DOT procurements/solicitations in support of the Safety Pilot Program. US DOT officials will present and discuss the procurement process and requirements for each of the following three planned procurements, as well as answer relevant questions from interested parties.

• Safety Pilot Test Conductor – Request for Proposals (RFP) DTFH61-11-R-00006 available atwww.FedBizOpps.gov
• Aftermarket Safety Devices – Request for Applications (RFA) DTFH61-11-RA-00003 available at www.Grants.gov
• Roadside Equipment – Request for Quotations (RFQ) DTFH61-11-Q-00012 available at www.FedBizOpps.gov

Safety Pilot is intended to establish a real world model deployment test site for enabling wireless communications among vehicles and with roadside equipment for use in generating data to enable driver safety warning systems.  The deployment site will encompass vehicles of various types that include a mix of integrated, retrofit, and aftermarket vehicle safety systems.  The model deployment data generated will be used for establishing safety benefits in support of future policy decisions by US DOT, as well as for use by the broader industry in developing additional connected vehicle applications.

As such, the goals of the Safety Pilot Program are to:

• Establish benefits data in support of NHTSA 2013 Agency Decision on V2V Communications with Real World Field Data
• Support real world V2V and V2I safety applications with a data rich environment
• Create public awareness & determine user acceptance

Anticipated outcomes include:

• Obtaining empirical data for determining benefits and user acceptance in support of future federal policy actions
• Establishing a public database of archived road network data for supporting development of additional safety, mobility, and environmental applications
• Establishing multiple supplier sources for safety devices and roadside infrastructure
• Develop a better understanding of the operational policy issues associated with the deployment of V2V and V2I applications

Interested parties are invited to attend in person or participate by webinar. Participants are welcome to participate in the full-day conference or any portion of the day.

Date: February 22, 2011
Location: University of California – UC Washington Center
Address: 1608 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 974 – 6200
Time: 8:30 am – 4:30pm Eastern

Registration Form Link: http://www.itsa.org/itsa/files/Safety_Pilot_Bidders_Conference_registration.doc

Questions: Interested parties are encouraged to submit questions to US DOT in advance of the Pre-proposal Conference. Please submit questions by COB Wednesday February 16 regarding solicitations to:

• daniel.confer@dot.gov for Safety Pilot Test Conductor
• sarah.tarpgaard@dot.gov for Aftermarket Safety Devices
• sarah.khan@dot.gov for Roadside Equipment

US DOT will address questions during the Conference to the extent possible.

Thursday, February 10, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

–  Introduction to Telecommunications Technology- February 18 through April 4, 2011- Telecommunications is the backbone of all ITS applications. It provides the means for sending data, voice, and video information between devices. This course is a primer on telecommunications for the ITS professional with little or no formal training in telecommunications. With so many ITS projects now requiring a telecommunications aspect, this course is a must for project managers. More information can be found here:http://goo.gl/ueHHr.

–  Advanced Telecommunications Technology- April 8 thru May 22, 2011 – The overall goal of this course is to provide a system-level understanding of the operation of modern broadband transportation communications networks. This course focuses on how to plan and implement telecommunications networks to support a major Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) infrastructure.  More information can be found here: http://goo.gl/upAQU.

All course materials are on-line but students have access to course instructors through three pre-scheduled conference calls. Cost is $250 each; $400 for two. Questions, please contact Denise Twisdale (301-403-4592) or Kathy Frankle (410-414-2925).

CAMERAS

1) Australia National Road Safety Council Calls for All Police Cars to be Fitted with Speed Cameras

Link to article in The Advertiser:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/a-camera-in-every-police-car/story-e6frea6u-1226004071394

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

2) California’s South Bay Expressway Adds Credit Card Machines at All Toll Points

Link to article on TOLLROADSnews:

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/5144

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Australian Car Rental Company to Track Travelers with GPS Devices

Link to article on News.com.au:

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/car-hire-company-using-gps-to-track-travellers/story-e6frfq80-1226003726165

4) New York City Ambulances Have GPS, but Only to Track Their Location; Must Use Paper Maps for Directions

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/10/2011-02-10_ambulances_have_gps_but_only_to_track_their_location_must_use_paper_maps_for_dir.html

OTHER

5) Judge Orders NJ Transit Not to Touch Billboard with Bare Bottom

Link to story and video on WCAU-TV:

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local-beat/Judge-to-NJ-Transit-Dont-Touch-Tush-Billboard-115746484.html

6) Overland Park, Kansas’ Snow Removal Web Site Too Popular

Link to story and video on WDAF-TV:

http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-overland-parks-snow-removal-website-too-popular-20110209,0,5593555.story

7) THack, Travel Industry’s First Official Hack Event, Held in London

Link to article on Tnooz:

http://www.tnooz.com/tag/thack/

Link to news release from Expedia.co.uk:

http://press.expedia.co.uk/node/76

8) ITS JPO Announces Bidders Conference for Three Major Projects, Including the Safety Pilot Model Deployment

Link to further information from US DOT:

http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2011/bidders_conf.htm

RAILROADS

9) Virtual Laboratory Predicts Train Vibrations

Link to article on ScienceDaily:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110209082638.htm

ROADWAYS

10) Smart Phone App to Detect Boston Pothole Problems

Link to story and video on WHDH-TV:

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/12003500731123/smartphone-app-to-detect-boston-pothole-problems/

11) Winter Takes Toll on Massachusetts’ Highway Signs

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/02/10/winter_takes_toll_on_states_highway_signs/

12) Kazakhstan Parliament Ratifies European Agreements on Traffic Signs and Road Markings

Link to article on Kazakhstan Today:

http://www.kt.kz/?lang=eng&uin=1133435321&chapter=1153532632

13) We Know Where You’ve Been: Privacy, Congestion Tracking, and the Future

Link to article on Ars Technica:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2011/02/we-know-where-youve-been-privacy-congestion-tracking-and-the-future.ars

SAFETY / SECURITY

14) Online Program Teaches Hawaiian Elementary Students Traffic Safety

Link to story on KGMB and KHNL-TV:

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14002253

TELEMATICS

15) Sagemcom: ‘Telematics is a Disruptive Technology’

Link to interview in Telematics Update:

http://social.telematicsupdate.com/executive-viewpoint/sagemcom-%E2%80%9Ctelematics-disruptive-technology%E2%80%9D

TRANSIT

16) Wisconsin’s Valley Transit Launches Mobile Wi-Fi

Link to article in The Post-Crescent:

http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110210/APC0101/102100575/Valley-Transit-launches-mobile-Wi-Fi

Link to news release from Valley Transit:

http://www.appleton.org/i/d/valley_transit/News%20Releases/11-02NR%20Valley%20Transit_Open%20Range%20Partnership.pdf

17) New WMATA Board Members Listening on Communication

Link to blog on Greater Greater Washington:

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/9204/new-wmata-board-members-listening-on-communication/

VEHICLES
18) US Government Touts Crash Recorders, but Privacy Advocates Sound Alarm

Link to story and video on Fox News:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/02/09/government-touts-crash-recorders-privacy-advocates-sound-alarm/

19) BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Highlights New Design Ideas, Technology

Link to article in AutoWeek:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110210/GENEVA/110219993

20) The Cars of the Future are Almost Here

Link to article in The Atlantic:

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/02/the-cars-of-the-future-are-almost-here/70912/

News Releases

1) Falling Costs Push Pedestrian Detection to a $17 Billion Market and Mean Greater Safety

2) Oregon DOT Help Program, Ask ODOT, Passes Milestone

3) BSquare Expands and Extends Ford Telematics Competency Center

4) Wireless Innovation Forum Announces New ‘White Space’ Communications Initiatives

5) MapQuest Licenses Urban Mapping Enhanced Public Transportation Database

6) Toyota’s Free Safe Driving Program Educates Teens and Parents About Dangers of Distracted Driving

Upcoming Events

NICHES+ Final Conference – April 7 – London

http://www.niches-transport.org/

Today in Transportation History

1911 **100^th anniversary** Mstislav Vsevolodovich Keldysh was born in Riga, Latvia.  He was a leading scientist for the Soviet space program.

http://www.keldysh.ru/MVKeldysh/en/keldysh_biogr.en.shtml

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© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net