TransportGooru

We all know the art of marketing/selling a product is as important as making a great product.  Looks like BMW has achieved this on both fronts.  I was stunned by the subtleness and awesome creativity behind this simple yet effective ad campaign by BMW. I’m sure you would agree with me as well.  Register your comments below.

(Source: AFP via Yahoo News; The National)

The Mashair Railway, also known as Mecca Metro, rolls out on Sunday to serve pilgrims beginning the annual hajj rituals near the Muslim holy city, bringing a new solution to crowding.

The dual-track light railway, with its initial number of nine stations, connects the three holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Mount Arafat — areas that see massive congestion during the five-day pilgrimage.

Some other interesting nuggets:

• The new system will replace 4,000 buses previously used. Initially, the trains will be only be used during 5 days of a year,
• The rail system is accessible only to Saudi and Gulf pilgrims (forecast at some 130,000 Saudis, 10,000 Kuwaitis and 10,000 Bahrainis) during the first phase and other nationalities will be allowed to ride during the next phase.
• It will operate at 35 per cent capacity, carrying up to 175,000 pilgrims between Mina and Arafat, over a distance of 18km at a speed of 80-120kph. When it is completed next year, the automated metro and its yellow-and-green carriages are expected to carry half a million pilgrims every six hours.
• Overall, the Metro is expected to eliminate between 30,000 and 50,000 cars and buses from the roads near the holy sites. The most common modes of transport are buses, in which different nationalities travel separately, with mingling occurring mainly during the rituals themselves.
• Cost of the project is pegged at $1.8-billion project. Ticket fares for the Metro are about 250 riyals (Dh252), but there are plans by the Saudi Haj Commission to reduce it to 90 riyals.
• The team behind this system development/operations is truly multi-national – Built by China Railway Construction Corporation, operations and maintenance will be managed out by British firm Serco.  The control systems and platform operations will be manned by Egyptians and Saudis.

This will be the first of two rail links aimed at easing pilgrim traffic. The much larger Haramain High Speed Rail, which will travel through the Red Sea city of Jeddah, is set to stretch 444 kilometres (275 miles) between Mecca and Medina, the second Muslim holy site.  The first phase of the high-speed rail network expected to cost $1.8Billion, will be built by another multi0national team, including local Al-Rajhi construction group, France’s Alstom and China Railway Engineering. The trains are expected to reach an operational speed of 225 miles/hr and ease traffic of pilgrims between the two sites.

Click here to read more.

Friday, November 12, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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OTHER

1) Transport Scotland Hunts for Major IT Deal

Link to article on ZDNet UK:

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/regulation/2010/11/12/transport-scotland-hunts-for-major-it-deal-40090842/

SAFETY / SECURITY

2) UK Man Loses Appeal Against Conviction for Tweeting Joke Airport Bomb Threat

Link to article in The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/nov/11/twitter-joke-trial-appeal-verdict

3) Accusations by Radio Host Prompt TSA Posting of Security Footage

Link to article in Government Security News:

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/21813?c=airport_aviation_security

TRANSIT

4) New Train Technology Implemented to Keep Metrolink Riders Safe

Link to story on KGTV-TV:

http://www.10news.com/news/25767138/detail.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

5) New Signs Help Drivers Find Best Route from Provo to Lehi, Utah

Link to article in the Daily Herald:

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_b33d94c7-a33c-5661-9484-34d4d5acf4a2.html

VEHICLES

6) Audi A1 E-tron to Use Google Earth Navigation

Link to blog on CNET:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20022503-48.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

7) Mobile Device Connectivity Keeps the Car Relevant

Link to article in EE Times:

http://www.eetimes.com/design/automotive-design/4210672/Mobile-device-connectivity-keeps-the-car-relevant

News Releases

1) Data from Today’s Connected Vehicles Capable of Delivering Immediate Benefits to Automakers, Insurers, Insured Drivers

2) From Norway to New Zealand – TomTom Brings HD Traffic to Eight New Countries

3) NJ Transit Integrates ‘My Transit’ with Amber Alert

4) Video Gamer Teaches GMC Vehicle to ‘Talk’

Upcoming Events

Teens in the Driver Seat – TDS FEST – March 5 – Carrollton, Texas

http://tti.tamu.edu/conferences/tds11/

Today in Transportation History

1970 **40^th anniversary** The Oregon State Highway Division used explosives to destroy a dead beached whale.  The blast brought some unexpected results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBgThvB_IDQ

November 14

1910 **100^th anniversary** The first airplane takeoff from a US Navy ship took place in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/11/navy-eugene-ely-1910-first-carrier-takeoff-110910w/

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The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

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

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

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

(Source: New York Times)

Today’s New York Times carried this nice article about a small but thriving group of classic car enthusiasts in Iran .

…The setting was a gathering of the Tehran Café Racers, but aside from a few minor details — Persian lettering on the license plates and on the cans of Coke sipped over lunch — it could have taken place at any number of racetracks in America. The loose-knit group, an affiliate of a club based in Florida, is part of Iran’s enthusiastic classic car culture. Vintage Detroit models play a big role in the activities, and driving events take precedence — the track session was the group’s first since its founding earlier this year.

“I was expecting a better turnout for the American car contingent,” Ramin Salehkhou, a 44-year-old American-educated lawyer who started the Tehran branch of the club, wrote in an e-mail. “But three of the guys, owners of a 1968 Dodge Charger, a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 and a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, had to bail out.”

A rare high-performance Camaro belonging to Mr. Salehkhou is at the core of the Tehran group’s formation, and Detroit was well represented among the 30 cars at the track. American cars usually account for 30 to 40 percent of participants at club gatherings, he said.

….Last month, a classic-car rally in the ancient city of Isfahan attracted a variety of American vehicles, including Chevy sedans from the ’50s and ’60s as well as some Camaros and Pontiac Firebirds.

Click here to read the entire article

Transportgooru Musings: Post-revolutionary Iran would be the last place I’d expect to have a classic car culture, especially featuring some classic american icons like the Chevy Camero and Mustang. Hopefully this  comes to grow and capture the minds and hearts of more Iranians.  After all, love for cars has no boundary and national identity. Can the muscle cars of Detroit achieve what diplomacy and multi-party talks couldn’t achieve – winning the hearts and minds of Iranians and their rulers? Time will tell.

Related articles

• Reading ‘Hot Rod’ in Tehran (wheels.blogs.nytimes.com)
• Classic American Iron Rolls In Tehran (wired.com)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Early Investment in NextGen Technology is a Tough Sell for Airlines

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20101109_6202.php

2) Rolls Royce Draws Flak for Quiet on Engine Fire

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703585004575604493576500272.html

3) White House Concedes Better Communication Needed on Security Scanner Safety

Link to article in Government Security News:

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/21795

OTHER

4) GM Publishes ‘Blue Paper’ to Drive Sustainable Urban Mobility

Includes recommendation to develop sophisticated, integrated ITS.

Link to article in International Business Times:

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/80469/20101110/gm-blue-paper-sustainable-urban-mobility.htm

5) Transportation: A Moving Target of Opportunity

Robust technologies in transit, airports, rails, highways and other infrastructure signal jobs for system integrators.

Link to article on SecurityInfoWatch.com:

http://www.securityinfowatch.com/transportation-a-moving-target-opportunity

RAILROADS

6) High-Speed Rail Funding Sparks Online Debate

Link to article on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20022369-54.html

ROADWAYS

7) Rhode Island DOT to Charge Businesses for New Highway Signs

Link to article in Providence Business News:

http://www.pbn.com/State-may-charge-businesses-for-highway-signs,53691

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Clear Registered Traveler Service Resumes Operations

Link to article in the Orlando Sentinel:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-oia-clear-resumes-20101109,0,1613152.story

9) New Systems Could Save Drowsy Motorists

Link to blog and video on CBS Money Watch:

http://moneywatch.bnet.com/economic-news/blog/cars-money/car-safety-new-systems-could-save-drowsy-motorists/1878/

10) New York City Mayor Opens Up More Crime Data, so Why Not Traffic Safety Info Too?

Link to blog on Streetsblog New York City:

http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/11/10/bloomberg-opens-up-more-crime-data-so-why-not-traffic-safety-info-too/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Moscow Transport Plan Sparks Virtual Congestion

Link to article in The Moscow News:

http://themoscownews.com/local/20101110/188189540.html

12) Negotiating Traffic Will be Easier in Bangalore with VMS Being Installed

Link to article in Mid Day:

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/nov/101110-Traffic-police-10-message-signboards-news-Bangalore.htm

13) Using the ‘Crowd’ to Cut Travel Times

Link to blog in Fleet Owner:

http://blog.fleetowner.com/trucking-straight-talk/2010/11/10/using-the-crowd-to-cut-travel-times/

14) Phone Apps to Navigate Traffic

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/travel/14practraffic.html

VEHICLES

15) Secret Cars Kept Under Wraps, in Public

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/automobiles/07CAMO.html

16) Specialty License Plates May Not Last in North Carolina

Colorful tags under attack by DMV for lack of readability by cameras and officers.

Link to article in The Charlotte Observer:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/11/10/1825749/specialty-license-plates-may-not.html

17) California Public Employees Avoid Traffic Citations Due to Confidential Plates

Link to story on KTXL-TV:

http://www.fox40.com/ktxl-tv-publicworkersavoidtickets,0,1674413.story

18) Are Car Apps For Your Cell Phone a Smart Idea?

Link to article from Wheelbase Media:

http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/life/article/687266–are-car-apps-for-your-cellphone-a-smart-idea

News Releases

1) GO Transit Launches Passenger Charter and Promises Improved Customer Service

2) Victorian Government to Add CCTV Control Room as Part of Safety Effort

3) Welcome to Atlanta – Home of the World’s Most Online Passengers

4) Optus Brings Real-Time Navigation with Live Traffic to Subscribers in Australia

Solicitation

–  Request for Proposals – Wireless Internet Services Onboard Golden Gate Transit Buses – Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District

http://goldengate.org/contracts/documents/2011-bt-2-notice.pdf

**Note**

Item #2 in yesterday’s TCN, ‘China Tests World’s First Unmanned Underground Transport System,’ may not have been accurate, despite the text in article.  Several TCN readers have written to say while this may be a first for China, unmanned systems are operating in other locations.  Thank you for the clarifications.

Upcoming Events

Digital Signage Expo – February 22-25 – Las Vegas

http://www.dse2011.com

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** The Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad opened a station in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  The station continues to serve Amtrak and VRE passengers.

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010/112010/11092010/586909

1975 **35^th anniversary** The SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior killing 29 people.

http://ssefo.com/

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

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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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CAMERAS

1) ‘Spy Cars’ Pounce on South African Traffic Offenders

Link to article in the Sowetan:

http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2010/11/09/spy-cars-pounce-on-traffic-offenders

TRANSIT

2) China Tests World’s First Unmanned Underground Transport System

Link to article in The People’s Daily:

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7193349.html

3) New Montreal Bus Shelters Aim to Make Transit ‘Cool’

Link to article in The Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/shelters+make+transit+cool/3797816/story.html

4) A Look at How Towers and Junctions Control Chicago Transit Authority Trains

Link to video from the CTA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WSseTVAFAA

5) DC Metro’s Talking Buses Now Advising You on Traffic Safety

Link to blog on TBD:

http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-on-foot/2010/11/metro-s-talking-buses-now-advising-you-on-traffic-safety-4359.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

6) Traffic Team Breathes Easier Following First Weekday Detour of Boston Bridge

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/11/09/craigie_bridge_traffic_team_breathes_easier/

VEHICLES

7) Commissioner for Digital Affairs Renews EU Push for ‘Connected’ Cars

Link to article on EurActiv:

http://www.euractiv.com/en/infosociety/kroes-renews-eu-push-connected-cars-news-499574

Link to blog post by Nellie Kroes:

http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/neelie-kroes/every-vehicle-digital/

News Releases

1) Widespread Adoption of Geo-browsers Will Drive Location as a Key Enabler of Mobile Services

2) New MyLive Traffic Service Provides Unique Personal Live Guidance on Personal Navigation Devices

3) OSHA Funds Work Zone Safety Program for Spanish-Speaking Highway Workers

Solicitation

–  Request for Comments – Final Notice: Real-Time System Management Information Program – FHWA

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2010_register&docid=fr08no10-4

Upcoming Events

EU Aviation Safety Management Towards 2020 – January 26 – Brussels

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air/events/2011_01_26_aviation_safety_conference_en.htm

Today in Transportation History

1935 **75^th anniversary** The Committee for Industrial Organizations, later called the Congress of Industrial Organizations, was formed.  Several transportation-related unions were original members.

http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/history/history/index.cfm

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

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.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

(Source: Ars Technica)

Each year, the International Energy Agency produces a report in which it considers trends in energy use and makes projections for the future. Usually, these reports simply take recent trends and project them forward, but this year’s is somewhat different: its author uses a mixture of current trends and the projected impact of countries’ pledges for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and subsidies for fossil fuels. This results in some eye-popping figures. Globally, we’re subsidizing fossil fuel use to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars, at a rate of over five times the subsidies going to renewable energy. And our inaction on climate goals has tacked $1 trillion onto the cost of reaching them—in 2009 alone.

We’ll start with the subsidies. In 2009, the total subsidies were $312 billion, which may seem high until you hear the 2008 figure: $558 billion, boosted by countries’ responses to the high fossil fuel prices that year. Most of the subsidies went to help cut the costs of using oil and natural gas products; another substantial chunk went to electricity use.

The IEA factsheet also forecasts a steep rises in the primary energy demand (increases by 36% between 2008 and 2035, or 1.2% per year on average) oil prices. The cost of getting on track to meet the climate goal for 2030 has risen by about $1 trillioncompared with the estimated cost in last year’s Outlook. This is because much stronger efforts,costing considerably more, will be needed after 2020. In the 450 Scenario in this year’s Outlook, theadditional spending on low‑carbon energy technologies (business investment and consumerspending) amounts to nearly $18 trillion (in year- 2009 dollars) more than in the Current PoliciesScenario, in which no new policies are assumed, in the period 2010‑2035. It is around $13.5 trillionmore than in the New Policies Scenario.

Click here to read the entire Ars Technica argument and the IEA’s World Energy Outlook website.

Note: Recommendations to remove the fuel subsidies will have huge implications for people living in developing and under-developed countries of the world.  The consequences has life-altering impacts for many people living below the poverty line, even in booming economies like China and India.  Many in these parts of the world earn so little that it won’t even make their ends meet and how would they pay for burning their kerosene stoves or ride their little 50cc mopeds to work.  Why do I find this huge divide between the educated class (i.e., Armani wearing executives sitting in board rooms of IEA and sipping lattes in Davos chatting over prices of fuel in some distant future) and the poor working class (the one who toil in hard work on the factory floors and make a meager living that pays for one meal a day)?  Governments in  these developing economic countries have a huge problem dealing with the pressures of providing the basic necessities and if the subsidies were lifted, many would find it hard to survive.  Unless the global community comes up with a quick, clean energy solution(s) that is affordable and accessible to all, I think many nations will not buy into these meaningless recommendations. Already many countries are struggling to find money to sustain their existing support programs for the poor and where would they go to find more money for wide-spread deployment of  Clean & sustainable energy solutions such as Solar, electric, etc.

Related articles

• IEA: last year’s inaction on climate goals cost us $1 trillion (arstechnica.com)
• World should eradicate fossil fuel subsidies-IEA (reuters.com)
• World should eradicate fossil fuel subsidies: IEA (reuters.com)
• China, Government Policy to Drive Energy Prices (247wallst.com)
• Call to stop fossil fuel subsidy (bbc.co.uk)
• Axe fossil fuel subsidies to stop climate change (newscientist.com)
• put an end to $312 billion subsidies to fossil fuels – IEA (politics.ie)
• Fat Subsidies for Fossil Fuels (solarfeeds.com)
• Oil demand to rise for 25 years despite green push (grist.org)
• Drumbeat: November 9, 2010 (theoildrum.com)
• More needs to be done to avoid oil spike, IEA says (sfgate.com)
• IEA World Energy Outlook 2010 Now Out; a Preliminary Look (theoildrum.com)
• “IEA raises oil price outlook on supply uncertainty” and related posts (kippreport.com)
• More needs to be done to avoid oil spike, IEA says (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Forecaster Sees Jump in Energy Demand by 2035 (nytimes.com)
• IEA sees oil peak looming (financialpost.com)
• China’s thirst to keep oil prices booming: IEA (theglobeandmail.com)
• Text:EIA November Outlk: Oil Prices To Rise to $87 By Q4′11 -1 (forexlive.com)
• G20 Leaders Not Removing Fossil Fuel Subsidies As Pledged. (thegoodhuman.com)
• Two-faced world spends billions on climate help, fossil fuel (go.theregister.com)

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks several Operations Research Analysts to join several of the Centers of Innovation (COI) at the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center). 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.

This is one of eight Centers of Innovation (COI) at the Volpe Center whose function is to undertake transportation policy analysis and research that contributes to a compelling vision of the 21st Century transportation enterprise and supports decision making in the development, management, operation, and financing of an integrated multimodal national transportation system that meets 21st Century mobility needs for goods and people. These positions are located at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA.

RITA has  exciting career opportunities across several of its COI’s for recent graduates and mid-level Operations Research Analysts interested in conducting analyses of policies, programs, operations and systems to support the development of its  clients’ decision-making, operations and strategic planning as well as the deployment of advanced technology at the local, regional, and national level.

In this role, you will formulate, plan, and conduct analyses as well as assist senior project managers in planning and coordinating projects and conducting the assigned project segments. You will gather and analyze data using a variety of analytical techniques (e.g. surveys, literature reviews, stakeholder outreach; trade-off analysis, economic and/or regulatory impact analysis, etc.); analyze data sources to determine data quality and develop summary statistics. You will assess the readiness of agencies and the readiness of technologies for adoption; document findings in technical reports and present results before a variety of audiences.

These are great opportunities for new and mid-level professionals with strong quantitative and qualitative analysis background who excel in an entrepreneurial and collaborative environment. You must have superb problem-solving, communication and presentation skills. Experience or interest in transportation is a plus. Transcripts are required (instructions on how to submit them are listed in the How to Apply tab). Writing samples will be required of all applicants identified as best qualified for the job.

These Operations Research Analyst GS-1515-11/12 positions (RITA-VOLPE-2011-0007) opened Wednesday, November 3, and the application deadline is Monday, January 14, 2011. The official announcement may be found here: Operations Research Analysts 11/12 (RITA.VOLPE-2011-0007)

The first application review date will be close of business Monday, November 15, 2010.  Thereafter, we will do monthly reviews and referrals of applications with the final review occurring after January 14, 2011 (application deadline). Given the continuing need for professionals in this field, RITA will review applications and refer the top candidates for interviews multiple times during the open period of the announcement.

If you or someone you know has the experience and proven results, I encourage you or them to apply under the following vacancy announcement. We are looking for a diverse pool of qualified candidates.

Good luck!

Monday, November 8, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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November TCN Fundraiser

Twice a year I hold a fundraiser to help support the Transportation Communications Newsletter. If you’ve been a subscriber of the TCN for more than a few months you probably know my putting together the TCN is mostly a labor of love. I never intend to charge a subscription fee for the TCN because I believe that would exclude many who might not be able to pay. A number of you have provided financial support to the TCN through donations however. During this month I’ll be asking you to consider making a donation to the TCN. I’ve tried to make it as easy as possible. At the bottom of the newsletter is the address where you can mail a donation. You may also donate online via PayPal. Thank you very much!

AVIATION

1) FAA Proposes Safety Management Systems for Airlines

Link to article in Military & Aerospace Electronics:

http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/article-display/5296887662/articles/avionics-intelligence/news/2010/11/faa-proposes_safety.html

Link to news release from the FAA:

https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=12118

2) Google Offers Free In-Flight Wi-Fi for the Holidays

Link to article on CNNMoney.com:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/08/technology/google_free_inflight_wifi/index.htm

Link to blog post from Google:

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/happy-holidays-from-google-chrome-free.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Faulty GPS Tells Polish Soldiers in Afghanistan They are in Africa

Link to article in The Daily Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/poland/8117416/Faulty-GPS-tells-Polish-soldiers-in-Afghanistan-they-are-in-Africa.html

Link to article in Gazeta Wyborcza:

http://wyborcza.pl/1,75478,8627654,Mylace_GPS_y_za_milion.html (in Polish)

OTHER

4) Don’t Let the View Ruin Your Wi-Fi

As Amtrak and Greyhound expand free Wi-Fi service, computer screens will compete for passengers’ attention.

Link to commentary on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/11/07/greene.wifi.scenery

RAILROADS

5) Amtrak Ridership Up: Credit ‘Have iPhone, Will Travel’ Crowd

Link to Gannett News Service article:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/2874074,CST-NWS-amtrak08.article

ROADWAYS

6) I-5 ‘Smart Signs’ Cut Crashes, Not Travel Times

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013373837_smartsigns08m.html

7) New Web Site Lets Drivers Track Wildlife Along Stretch of I-90 in Washington State

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013366199_i90wildlife07m.html

Link to I-90 Wildlife Watch: http://www.i90wildlifewatch.org/

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Child Safety Traffic Signs ‘Don’t Work’ Says Dublin City Council

Link to article in the Evening Herald:

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/child-safety-traffic-signs-dont-work-2411813.html

TRANSIT

9) Clipper Card Has Some Worried About Privacy Issues

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Clipper-Card-has-some-worried-about-privacy-issues-106793253.html

10) Blogging Underground Secrets Into the Light

A hidden art project in an abandoned New York City subway station is revealed by bloggers.

Link to column on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-20021990-36.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Alabama DOT Uses Webcams to Monitor Traffic

Link to article in the TimesDaily:

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20101108/NEWS/101109794?Title=Webcams-used-to-monitor-traffic-conditions-in-Shoals

12) For Traffic, Real-Time Information is Too Late

Link to blog in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/11/ibm-thoughts-on-a-smarter-planet-6

VEHICLES

13) Automakers Put Smart Phones to Work in Your Car

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-11-08-carapps08_ST_N.htm

14) GM Goes 4G to Alter Road Tests

Link to CNET blog:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20022079-48.html

15) Will Your Automobile Become the ‘Fifth Screen?’

Link to article on Connected Planet:

http://connectedplanetonline.com/bss_oss/news/Will-your-automobile-become-the-5th-screen-1108/

News Releases

1) Buenos Aires’ Largest Toll Concessionaire, Ausol Autopistas del Sol, Selects TransCore’s RFID Technology for Next Generation Electronic Toll Collection System

2) Phoenix Bands Record Songs on How to Use Public Transit for Valley Metro Riders

3) New ‘Pocket Aviation’ iPod and iPhone App Provides Aviation Enthusiasts with Six Individual Canadian Aircraft Slideshows and Over 150 Images

4) First iPhone Spy Software Allows Users to Silently Track GPS Locations, Messages, Photos and Calls

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Today in Transportation History

1950 **60^th anniversary** The first dogfight between two jet-powered aircraft took place during the Korean War.

http://www.acepilots.com/jets/f80.html

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(Source: BBC)

Somali pirates are reported to have received a total of $12.3m (£7.6m) in ransom money to release two ships. They are believed to have been paid a record $9.5m (£5.8m) for Samho Dream, a South Korean oil tanker, and nearly $2.8m (£1.7m) for the Golden Blessing, a Singaporean flagged ship.

“We are now counting our cash,” a pirate who gave his name as Hussein told Reuters news agency. “Soon we shall get down from the ship.”

News reports indicate the drop was made by a Helicopter. All crew members of the two vessels (five South Koreans and 19 Filipinos in the Korean vessel and 24 Chinese nationals in Singaporean vessel) were reportedly unharmed and sailing out of the area.

Click here to read the entire story.

Note: I have a serious question – Now that Security agencies know the location of the pirates, can they be intercepted enroute to the shore?  That would be somewhat cruel but a priceless ordeal to watch. After all, the Wall Street folks get taken to task when their bad work comes to light and it makes for great TV.

Related articles

• Report: Somali pirates releases SKorean ship (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Report: Somali Pirates Release South Korean Ship (foxnews.com)
• Pirates accept ransom, release supertanker with $160M cargo: report (thestar.com)
• Kenyan court frees 17 suspected Somali pirates (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Somali pirates hijack ship with 20 passengers (sfgate.com)
• Somali pirates hijack ship with 20 passengers (ctv.ca)
• Somali Pirates Seize Cargo Ship With 24 Aboard (foxnews.com)
• “Somali pirates get record ransom” and related posts (rocketnews.com)
• German ship freed by Somali pirates (reuters.com)
• Kenya Frees 17 Pirates Caught by U.S. Navy (abcnews.go.com)