TransportGooru

Friday, December 10, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Missing Aircraft Ownership Info Could Pose Security Threat

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-12-10-misplaced-planes-faa_N.htm

2) Spain to Seek Prison Time for Striking Air Controllers

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/world/europe/10iht-spain.html

3) New Developments in Do-It-Yourself Travel

Link to story on MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40571318/ns/travel-business_travel/

OTHER

4) Greyhound Removed Cell Phone from Bus Accident Scene

Link to story and video on KFSN-TV:

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=7835125

5) ITS Technology Adoption and Observed Market Trends from ITS Deployment Tracking

Link to report from FHWA:

http://ntlsearch.bts.gov/repository/record/ntl/34991.html

ROADWAYS

6) Superstructures

Adding sensors and other devices to bridges, tunnels and buildings can turn them into ‘smart structures.’

Link to article in The Economist:

http://www.economist.com/node/17647603?story_id=17647603

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Czech Towns Deploy Cardboard Police in Miniskirts

Link to AP article:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131936994

TELEMATICS

8) Telematics Giving Farmers Increasing Equipment, Internet Options

Link to article in the Western Farm Press:

http://westernfarmpress.com/equipment/telematics-giving-farmers-increasing-equipment-internet-options

News Releases

1) North Dakota DOT Launches Teen Traffic Safety Contest

2) US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and BMW of North America President Jim O’Donnell Share Concerns About Distracted Driving

Solicitation

–  Request for Proposals – Integrating Community Emergency Response Teams at Airports – Transportation Research Board

http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3045

Upcoming Events

Talking Operations Webcast: Real-Time System Management Info Program Final Rule – December 14

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=697

Friday Bonus

Messages that most likely are not (but maybe should be) part of your VMS message library.

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/11/vdot-signs-you-cant-get-there-here

Today in Transportation History

1985 **25^th anniversary** Steve MacLean was named Canada’s second astronaut.

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/maclean.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 at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Title: EMBARQ Interactive Webinar: Darío Hidalgo presents “Modernizing Public Transport”

Date: Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST

Click here to REGISTER

Join Darío Hidalgo, EMBARQ’s Director of Research & Practice, as he presents his new publication “Modernizing Public Transport: Lessons learned from major bus improvements in Latin America and Asia.” Darío will provide an overview of his comprehensive review of major bus improvements in 13 cities. He will summarize common challenges and lessons learned, highlighting key recommendations for successful project planning, decision-making, implementing and operation.

To see Darío’s bio, please visit: http://www.embarq.org/en/about/staff/dario-hidalgo

To download “Modernizing Public Transport,” please visit: http://www.embarq.org/en/modernizing-public-transportation

To learn more about how to join the webinar, please visit: http://support.gotomeeting.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=5641&task=knowledge&questionID=5613

Click here to REGISTER

Related articles

• Q&A with Dario Hidalgo, Part 1: Modernizing Public Transportation (thecityfix.com)
• Megacities on the Move: Scenarios for the Future of Sustainable Urban Mobility (thecityfix.com)
• Q&A with Dario Hidalgo, Part 2: Modernizing Public Transportation (thecityfix.com)
• The Future of Sustainable Urban Mobility: Integrate, Integrate, Integrate (thecityfix.com)
• The Future of Urban Sustainable Mobility: Go Beyond the Car (thecityfix.com)
• Reddy : Incentives for public transport (ibnlive.in.com)

Thursday, December 9, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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CAMERAS

1) Complaints Lodged Over Winnipeg Speed Cams

Group says police refuse to release data on red light offenses.

Link to article in the Winnipeg Free Press:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/complaints-lodged-over-speed-cams-111312484.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

2) Privacy Changes in Store for FasTrak

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/transportation/2010/12/privacy-changes-store-fastrak

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) In-Car Navigation Systems: A Dying Breed?

Link to blog in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/12/09/in-car-navigation-systems-a-dying-breed/

PARKING

4) Jilted Pittsburgh Parking Partners Promote Online Petition

Link to article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/obituaries/s_712905.html

Link to site: http://no2takeover.com/

TELEMATICS

5) China to Develop Telematics

Link to article on CapitalVue:

http://www.capitalvue.com/home/CE-news/inset/@10063/post/1261541

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

6) The Unsung Heroes Who Kept Dublin Moving in the Storms

Dublin Bus central control gathered information on road conditions and delays and tracked buses via AVL.

Link to article in the Evening Herald:

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/the-unsung-heroes-who-kept-the-city-moving-in-the-storms-2454529.html

7) Singapore Road Tests Smart Traffic Cloud

Link to article on FutureGov:

http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/2010/dec/09/singapore-road-tests-smart-traffic-cloud/

8) Traffic Jam? Inrix Versus Waze

Link to blog on TechFlash:

http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2010/12/inrix-versus-waze.html

VEHICLES

9) US House Lawmakers: No Letter Grades on New Cars for Fuel Efficiency

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2013629674_apusfueleconomystickers.html

10) GM Offers Owner’s Manual Tutorials on YouTube

Link to article and video on Social Car News:

http://www.socialcarnews.com/blog/1052367_video-gm-offers-owners-manual-tutorials-on-youtube

News Releases

1) South Carolina DOT Launches 511 Traveler Information System

2) States Use Technology and Efficiency to Cut the Cost of Battling Winter

3) MBTA and Underground Signs to Sell Boston Transit Signs to the Public

4) New Passenger Information System from Mentor Engineering Keeps Riders Informed

5) Crash Data in Test Markets: Digital Billboards Not Linked to Accidents

Solicitation

–  Presolicitation Notice – Safety Pilot Model Deployment of IntelliDrive Safety Applications – Federal Highway Administration

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=603e19ac1268a471871d63044d8508cb&tab=core&_cview=0

Upcoming Events

IEEE Vehicular Networking Conference – December 13-15 – Jersey City, New Jersey

http://www.ieee-vnc.org/2010/

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** Georges Legagneux became the first person to fly at over 10,000 feet.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F70C12FD3D5C16738DDDA90994DA415B808DF1D3

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

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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

(Source: EMBARQ)

Research led by EMBARQ’s Senior Transport Engineer Dario Hidalgo provides key findings and lessons learned from a comprehensive review of major bus improvements in 13 Latin American and Asian cities.

“Modernizing Public Transport,” a 40-page report released in October 2010, is based on research and interviews with planners and public officials in cities and transport agencies around the world.

The report reviews and synthesizes information regarding challenges experienced by transport system decision makers in three key areas: planning, implementation and operations. In order to assist urban transport planners and implementing agencies, the study also provides recommendations on avoiding or mitigating similar difficulties when introducing bus reforms in developing world cities.

The report looks at transportation in 13 cities and will present in-depth case studies of nine of the cities. The first two case studies—profiling Leon and Guadalajara, Mexico—will be available by the end of October. The remaining seven case studies will be published by the end of November, including Bogota and Pereira, Colombia; Curitiba, Brazil; Guayaquil and Quito, Ecuador; Mexico City, Mexico; and Santiago, Chile. The other cities covered in the report are Sao Paulo, Brazil; Beijing, China; Ahmedabad, India; and Jakarta, Indonesia.

Also, don’t forget to check out the two-part Q&A with Dario Hidalgo on TheCityFix.com.   For those who are interested, you can access the official press release here.

Click here to learn more about EMBARQ and it’s awesome work across the globe.

Related articles

• Q&A with Dario Hidalgo, Part 1: Modernizing Public Transportation (thecityfix.com)
• The Future of Urban Sustainable Mobility: Go Beyond the Car (thecityfix.com)
• Cities in Focus: Curitiba (thecityfix.com)
• Q&A with Dario Hidalgo, Part 2: Modernizing Public Transportation (thecityfix.com)
• The Importance of Sustainable Mobility in Megacities (thecityfix.com)
• Megacities on the Move: Scenarios for the Future of Sustainable Urban Mobility (thecityfix.com)
• The Future of Sustainable Urban Mobility: Integrate, Integrate, Integrate (thecityfix.com)

(Source: Boston Globe)

Boston MBTA’s General Manager Richard Davey was headed to Ashmont on the T’s Red Line for the unveiling of banners created by youth artists from Dorchester when he spotted the scofflaw attempting to climb over the fare gates at the lesser-used Winter Street entrance to Park Street.

He walked up the evader and confronted him for jumping over the turnstiles.  Caught by surprise and enveloped in shame, the  scofflaw retreats back. This is where it gets better.

“He kind of fumbled around, and he did not have the CharlieCard (aka the fare card) and had just a couple of bucks on him, so I actually offered to pay for him,” Davey said. “He declined and said he would get his own ticket.”

Oh well, at least the young man had the pride to pay for his own ticket after getting caught red handed.  Good job, Richard Davey.  MBTA should be proud to have a vigilant man at the top running the show.

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks a Chief Information Officer to join our team.  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.

RITA is looking for an experienced, motivated, self reliant individual who will lead program/project management, business process engineering, and other assessment activities with an overall objective to improve program performance, accountability, and achieve results.

This position is located in the Research and Innovative Technology Administration’s (RITA), Office of Administration.  The RITA Office of Administration’s mission is to develop administration-wide policies and plans and provides support and assistance to RITA offices.

If you know someone interested in this Washington, D.C. based position with relevant experience and proven results, please encourage them to apply under the attached vacancy announcement.  We are looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.

The vacancy announcements can be found on:

• http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=94532786 (All Sources)
• http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=94532508 (Merit Promotion)

Please direct any questions to Human Resources

(Source: Studydriving.com via Infographlove)

Interestingly, the infographic below summarizes the data into this nugget: Americans make better cars than Japanese.  No wonder GM and Ford are making a comeback.  After all, this country love a good comeback.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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CARTOGRAPHY

1) Debating New York Subway Map Form and Function

Link to blog on 2^nd Ave. Sagas:

http://secondavenuesagas.com/2010/12/08/debating-subway-map-form-and-function/

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

2) Feds Quick to Blame Massachusetts for Revenue Lost from FastLane

FHWA says Citizens Bank sponsorship can stay.

Link to article in the Boston Herald:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20101208feds_quick_to_blame_state_for_revenue_lost_from_fastlane/

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Russia Probes Navigation System Spending After Crash

Link to AFP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hxPwaHjFG3VxXL-BVLgvC1kEtEqQ?docId=CNG.49306581e9fc80d84d7a1d3b2187e6cc.191

MARITIME

4) Iraq Looks to Buy Maritime Awareness Systems

Link to article in Defense Industry Daily:

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Iraq-Looks-to-Buy-Maritime-Awareness-Systems-06678/

Link to news release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency:

http://www.dsca.osd.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2010/Iraq_10-65.pdf

OTHER

5) Black Cab ‘Oyster Card’ Ends Worry of Finding Cash for Your Fare Home

Link to article in the London Evening Standard:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23904931-black-cab-oyster-ends-worry-of-finding-cash-for-your-fare-home.do

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

6) Flash Mob Promote Seattle DOT’s Umbrellas for Pedestrian Safety Campaign

Link to story, audio and video on KIRO Radio:

http://www.mynorthwest.com/category/local_news_articles/20101207/Flash-mob-promotes-SDOT-umbrella-campaign/

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) ACLU Sues New Jersey for Keeping Road Salt Barn Plans Confidential

State says releasing plans would be a security risk.
Link to article in The Star-Ledger:

http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/12/aclu_sues_state_for_keeping_hu.html

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

http://www.aclu-nj.org/news/2010/12/06/aclu-nj-sues-state-for-withholding-salt-barn-plans/

TRANSIT

8) European Tech Firms Look Toward Payment-Equipped Cell Phones

Link to AFP article:

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6303182,00.html

9) Wireless Carriers Join Forces on Mobile Tap-to-Pay — but Will It Fly?

Link to story on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/12/03/gahran.mobile.payment/index.html

10) Smile for London Uses Underground Art to Cheer Up Rush Hour

Link to story on Transportation Nation:

http://transportationnation.org/2010/12/07/smile-for-london-uses-underground-art-to-cheer-up-rush-hour/

Link to Smile for London: http://www.smileforlondon.com/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) UK Traffic Radio Service Succumbs to Government Cuts

Link to article in The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/08/traffic-radio-service-cut

Link to Traffic Radio: http://www.trafficradio.org.uk/

12) Beijing to Issue More Rigid Measures to Reduce Traffic Congestion

Steps include achieving full ITS coverage within the five ring roads.

Link to article in the People’s Daily:

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7224851.html

13) Waze: A People-Powered Mapping App is Finding Its Way

Link to article on DailyFinance:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/waze-people-powered-mapping-app/19751238/

14) Traffic and Transit Updates: How Do You Get Yours?

Toronto transit disruptions lead to angry messages on Twitter.

Link to CBC News story:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/pointofview/2010/12/traffic-and-transit-updates-how-do-you-get-yours.html

VEHICLES

15) Thinking Cars Video Documentary to Debut on TV This Week

Link to further information and trailer:

http://www.thinkingcars.com/#/6

16) IntelliDrive Mobility and Environment Workshop Presentations Available Online

Link to presentations:

http://www.its.dot.gov/meetings.htm

News Releases

1) RITA and ITS America Invite Comments on Real-Time System Management Information Program

2) Salk International Debuts First ‘Airport Transit Guide’ App

3) Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Offers New Touch-Screen Directories, Mobile Phone Application

4) PayPal Canada Launches ‘Mall Traffic Reports’ on Twitter

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Bringing Research to Deployment: Urban Energy Efficiency Pilots for Commercial Vehicles – December 10

http://www.ertico.com/webinar/

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** Donald Kirby Ross, the first person awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II was born in Beverly, Kansas.  Ross distinguished himself by assuming responsibility for getting the USS Nevada underway during the attack on Pearl Harbor.  It was the only battleship to do so during the attack.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-r/dk-ross.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Philippines Bars Christmas Greetings for Airport Arrivals

Link to AP article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/07/AR2010120700253.html

CAMERAS

2) Iowa DOT: Traffic Cameras Could Cut Response Time, Save Lives

Link to story and video on KTIV-TV:

http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13627489

OTHER

3) Pennsylvania Auditor General Questions Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Decision Not to Print Fares on Tickets

Link to article in The Patriot-News:

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/12/pennsylvania_auditor_general_j_2.html

4) Delaware DOT-Delaware State University Collaboration Will Help Train Next Wave of Transportation Workers

Link to article in the Milford Beacon:

http://www.milfordbeacon.com/newsnow/x798686451/DelDOT-DSU-collaboration-will-help-train-next-wave-of-transportation-workers

Link to news release from DSU:

http://www.desu.edu/index.php?q=node/2263

ROADWAYS

5) Christmas Decorations Banned at Florida Turnpike Toll Booths

Link to article in the Orlando Sentinel:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/fl-turnpike-decorations-banned-brf-20101207,0,6861848.story

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) Feds: Common Sense, Technology Will Cut Distracted Driving Deaths

Link to article in eWeek:

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Government-IT/Feds-Common-Sense-Technology-Will-Cut-Distracted-Driving-Deaths-270341/

7) Slow Down Helps You Maintain a Safer Driving Speed by Slowing Your Music

Link to article and video on Lifehacker:

http://lifehacker.com/5707948/slow-down-helps-you-maintain-a-safer-driving-speed-by-slowing-your-music

8) National Survey Shows Public Alert and Warning Preferences

Link to blog in Emergency Management:

http://www.emergencymgmt.com/emergency-blogs/alerts/National-Survey-Shows-Public-120610.html

TRANSIT

9) Card Makers Hope to Upset Transit Card Security Status Quo

Link to IDG News article:

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/212681/card_makers_hope_to_upset_transit_card_security_status_quo.html

Link to news release from the Open Standard for Public Transport Alliance:

http://www.osptalliance.org/about_us/news/ospt_alliance_debuts_with_open_security_standard

10) New York University Unveils Online Bus, Safe Ride Tracking

Link to article in Washington Square News:

http://nyunews.com/news/2010/12/01/02tracking/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Opposition Parties Want Probe Into Scots Travel Chaos

Link to BBC News story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11936763

Link to blog from Scottish Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson:

http://stewartstevenson.blogspot.com/2010/12/travelling-public-have-helped-clear-up.html

Link to news release from Scottish Labour:

http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/gray-demands-explanation-over-roads-chaos

12) Radio Updates Delayed During New York Thruway Backup?

Link to story and video on WGRZ-TV:

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=99045&catid=37

13) Cranberry, Pennsylvania’s ‘Nerve Center’ to Detangle Traffic Snarls

Link to article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10341/1108849-54.stm

14) Broadcaster Traffic Consortium Expands Marketing with Web Site

Link to article in Radio World:

http://www.rwonline.com/article/110274

Link to site: http://www.radiobtc.com/

News Releases

1) Coyote Systems Introduces Real-Time Traffic Information Powered by Inrix in the UK

2) Federation of Indian Airlines Take the Lead: All Domestic Fares Online in New, Friendly Format

Upcoming Events

Webcast: Automotive 2.0 | New Models for Human Mobility – December 9

http://smarterplanet.tumblr.com/post/2084579443/automotive-2-0-new-models-for-human-mobility

Today in Transportation History

1960 **50^th anniversary** The DASH QH-50A, a drone anti-submarine helicopter, had its first unmanned landing aboard a US Navy ship, the USS Hazelwood.

http://www.gyrodynehelicopters.com/dash_history.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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

(Source: cnet)

Looks like Toyota is at it again, upping the ante for other players in the automobile market to match the stellar reputation it has built over the years as an advanced engineering shop that leaves no stone unturned to enhance the safety of the riders in the Lexus vehicles.  This above featured new, inflatable Takata “Airbelt,” or SRS Seat Belt Airbag, is built into the webbing of the seat belt of the Lexus LFA, the latest out of Toyota’s Lexus stable, expected to hit the market soon. It’s designed to protect drivers and front-seat passengers in front- or side-impact collisions. So, how does it work? Well, it works as shown nicely in the above graphic and here is some additional text from Cnet.com to aid in your understanding:

“The belt expands directly to spread the shock-load over a wider area of the occupant’s chest during front impact. And in a side impact, the belt inflates between the shoulder and head to reduce lateral head movement and provide protection from impact with the side window or colliding object, the company said in a press release.”

Click here to read more.

Related articles

• Safety: 2011 Lexus LFA first car with SRS Seat Belt Airbag (inautonews.com)
• Takata melds air bag with seat belt (search.japantimes.co.jp)
• Lexus LFA is it really worth $375,000? (ridelust.com)