Wednesday, May 27, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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OpenTMS – Provides Real-Time Operations System Solutions

 Open Roads’ Open TMS Enterprise is a proven off-the-shelf solution that incorporates data gathering, information dissemination, and real-time decision-making into a single, user-friendly interface.  OpenTMS is your gateway to visualizing all transportation data sources, while communicating with system operators and other users.  Our integrated platform provides a consolidated operational view of incidents, traffic congestion, weather, 911 dispatch information, and other decision-making tools.  OpenTMS is easy to use, highly scalable and configurable in all dimensions. Open Roads will be demonstrating OpenTMS at ITS America, and can be found at booth #840.  For appointments and customized demos, please call 757-546-3401 or email Steve Beckwith at slbeckwith@openroadsconsulting.com.  You can also visit us online at www.openroadsconsulting.com. 

AVIATION

1) FAA Bird Radar Tests to Expand this Summer

Link to story on AVweb:

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAABirdRadarTestsToExpandThisSummer_200444-1.html

2) On the Radar: Bird-Proofing US Air Traffic

Link to column in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124328722028652079.html

3) Ethnic Tamil Malaysians Want Tamil Announcements at Airports

Link to story in The Hindu:

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200905261756.htm

CAMERAS

4) Texas Cities Speed Up to Beat Red Light Camera Contract Deadline

Link to story in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-redlights_27met.ART.State.Edition1.5100182.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) The GPS Revolution: Location, Location, Location

Link to story in BusinessWeek:

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/may2009/id20090526_735316.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_innovation+%2Bamp%3B+design

OTHER

6) From Traffic Signs to Furniture

Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/26/DD8Q17F8MN.DTL

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

7) Transportation Security Administration to Promote Secure Flight Program

Link to story on AviationNews.net:

http://www.aviationnews.net/?do=headline&news_ID=167713

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Aviation Groups Fight Airport Badging Rule

Link to story in Aviation Week:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=businessweekly&id=news/BADG052609.xml&headline=Aviation%20Groups%20Fight%20Airport%20Badging%20Rule

9) Transport Canada Agrees to Release Results of Child Car Seat Tests

Link to CBC News story:

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/05/26/child-car-seat-safety987.html

TRANSIT

10) Plan Would Let Chicago Transit Riders Pay with Phone

Link to story on WLS-TV:

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6832883

11) Subsidized Passes Problem for Phoenix-Area Light Rail

When riders don’t scan cards, Metro can’t recoup fares.

Link to story in The Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/traffic/lightrail/articles/2009/05/26/20090526lostfares0526.html

12) It’s Open Sesame: New New York City Buses Feature Exit Sensors to Unclog Back-Door Bottleneck

Link to story in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/05/26/2009-05-26_new_buses_feature_exit_sensors.html

13) Twitter Largely Untapped by Campus Bus Services

Link to story in Metro Magazine:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2009/05/Twitter-largely-untapped-by-campus-bus-services.aspx

14) Israel Admits Tube Advert Map ‘Mistake’

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8063435.stm

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Vancouver Braces for Olympic Traffic Nightmare with Interactive Web Tool

Link to story on itbusiness.ca:

http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=53282

News Releases

1) Pennsylvania DOT and Telvent Select Inrix Traffic for New 511 Pennsylvania Traveler Information Service

2) WirelessCar Selected to Telematics Service Provider for BMW in Europe

Upcoming Events

Workshop on Roundabouts – August 18 – Maitland, Florida

http://trc.ce.ufl.edu/Roundabouts_Workshop_2009.html

Today in Transportation History

1919 **90^th anniversary** – The NC-4, a flying boat, became the first aircraft to complete a trans-Atlantic flight.

http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/ww2Timeline/firstflight.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition Kicks Off in Less Than One Week

From June 1-3, join U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, members of Congress, and other transportation, technology, business and policy leaders at ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition – located just 15 minutes away from the nation’s capitol. If you are in the transportation industry, you cannot afford to miss this event.  ITS America has put together an exciting program of nearly 100 educational and Congressional fact-finding sessions, opportunities to interact with members of Congress and senior government officials, 150,000 square feet of exhibits, tours of local ITS facilities and projects, a “City Streets” technology demonstration staged right outside of the convention center, and a closing reception and technology showcase in the new Capitol Hill Visitors Center.  For more information on the program and to register, visit http://www.itsa.org/amregistration.html.

CAMERAS

1) Internet Accelerating Speed Camera Foes in Maryland

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/25/AR2009052501975.html

2) Man Unhappy as Traffic CCTV Films His Home

Link to story on Get Surrey:

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2051346_man_unhappy_as_traffic_cctv_films_his_home

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) The GAO, the Media, and GPS

Link to commentary in The Space Review:

http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1381/1

OTHER

4) Four States Adopt ‘No Smiles’ Policy for Driver’s Licenses

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-05-25-licenses_N.htm

PEDESTRIANS

5) Indonesian Law Will Make Disabled Wear Signs in Traffic

Link to story in The Jakarta Globe:

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/law-will-make-disabled-wear-signs-in-traffic/277469

ROADWAYS

6) Illinois Tollway Hopes New Signs Pay Off

Link to Chicago Breaking News story:

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/05/illinois-tollway-signs.html

7) Growth Means Signs Can’t Keep Up with Times

As communities spread ever outward, traffic signage estimates are frequently miles off the mark.

Link to story in The Ledger:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20090525/NEWS/905255031/1410?Title=Growth-Means-Signs-Can-t-Keep-Up-With-Times

TELEMATICS

8) Ford Takes on OnStar with 911 Assist

Link to story in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/05/ford-takes-on-onstar-with-911-assist/

TRANSIT

9) Trolley Anticrash Technology Put Off in Boston

Link to story in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/05/25/trolley_safety_system_put_off/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Digital Transport Project to be Rolled Out in Birmingham, UK

Link to story in the Birmingham Post:

http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/creative-industries-news/2009/05/27/digital-transport-project-to-be-rolled-out-in-birmingham-65233-23719905/

11) Upstate New York is Not Yet in 511 NY Real-Time Traffic Alert Loop

Link to column in the Times Union:

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=803479

Upcoming Events

ITS International Best Practices Workshop: Wireless Communications – July 13-14 – Charlotte, North Carolina

http://www.apta.com/conferences_calendar/itsbest/

Today in Transportation History

1889 **120^th anniversary** – The first passenger elevator opened in the Eiffel Tower.

http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast ati95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Monday, May 25, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Open Roads’ RTIMIS: A Real-Time System Management Information Program Solution

RTIMIS is a software product from Open Roads Consulting that generates comprehensive real-time transportation information by fusing system information gleaned from existing stakeholder systems.  By collecting data from 911 CAD systems, traffic signal systems, freeway management systems, and others, RTIMIS creates a common operational picture of transportation across a region, a state, or a multi-state corridor.  This common operational picture enables improved incident response, increased responder and traveler safety, enhanced mobility, and represents a cost-effective means of achieving compliance with the requirements stated in section 1201 of the SAFETEA-LU legislation.    Open Roads will be demonstrating RTIMIS at ITS America at booth #840.  For appointments and customized demos, please call 757-546-3401 or email Steve Beckwith at slbeckwith@openroadsconsulting.com.  You can also visit us online at www.openroadsconsulting.com.

AVIATION

1) Can Airport Technology Halt a Pandemic?

Link to story in New Scientist:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227095.900-can-airport-technology-halt-a-pandemic.html

2) New Web Program Aims to Reduce Fatigue-Related Aviation Accidents

Link to American Forces Press Service story:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=54456

SAFETY / SECURITY

3) New York City Goes Wireless

Wireless network supports transfers of large files, such as fingerprints, maps and full-motion streaming video.

Link to story in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2009/05/21/nyc-mobile-data-network.aspx

TRANSIT

4) New York City Transit Authority Feeling the Pain from a Crippled Advertising Market

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/nyregion/25ads.html?_r=1&ref=media

Upcoming Events

Low Cost Airlines World Americas – June 29-July 1 – Coral Gables, Florida

http://www.terrapinn.com/2009/americas

Today in Transportation History

1979 **30^th anniversary** – American Airlines Flight 191 crashed on takeoff in Chicago, killing 273 people.  It is deadliest single plane crash on US soil.

http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19790525-2

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast ati95berniew@aol.com.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Friday, May 22, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Poor Communication Between Airports and Public Heath Authorities Hampers Swine Flu Fight: Aviation Official

Link to story from the Montreal Gazette:

http://www.canada.com/health/Poor+communication+hampers+swine+fight+Aviation+official/1613638/story.html

Link to news release from the International Civil Aviation Organization:

http://www.icao.int/icao/en/nr/2009/pio200906_e.pdf

2) Florida State Aircraft Flight Logs Go Online

Link to story in the Tallahassee Democrat:

http://floridacapitalnews.com/article/20090522/CAPITOLNEWS/905220330&theme

Link to site:

http://dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/specialized_services/aircraft_operations/state_aircraft_flight_information

CAMERAS

3) Port of Everett Rethinks Using Cameras to Catch Golf-Ball Bomber

Privacy concerns of homeowners lead to decision to develop formal policy on use of cameras.

Link to story in the Herald:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090522/NEWS01/705229900

MARITIME

4) BC Ferries Settlement Will be Made Public

Link to Canwest News Service story:

http://www.canada.com/Sunk+ferry+settlement+will+made+public/1619558/story.html

5) Inquest Hears Boats on Sydney Harbor are Often Poorly Lit

Link to Australian Broadcasting Corp. story:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/20/2575825.htm

RAILROADS

6) Training Begins for ERTMS In-Cab Rail Signaling

Link to story in Transport Briefing:

http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/news/story?id=5932

ROADWAYS

7) Confused at Interstate Split? Tennessee DOT Marking the Way

Link to story in the Chattanooga Times Free Press:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/may/22/tennessee-confused-interstate-split-tdot-marking-w/?local

TRANSIT

8) New York MTA Eyes ‘E-Zier’ Pass for Riders

Next generation fare card would use contactless device.

Link to story in the New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05222009/news/regionalnews/mta_eyes_e_zier_pass_for_riders_170462.htm

9) Bus Stops of the Future: Are They Realistic?

Link to story in Fast Company:

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/mits-bus-stop-future-0

Link to further information from MIT:

http://senseable.mit.edu/eyestop/

VEHICLES

10) ‘Black Box’ Idea Travels to Cars

New device will let parents monitor teens’ driving.

Link to story in The News-Times:

http://www.newstimes.com/ci_12424612  

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Lessons Learned from Wireless Video Monitoring for Dynamic Traffic Light Synchronization as part of Operation GreenLight in Lenexa – June 9

http://metrovideomonitor.com/events/schedule/event_overview/p/eventId_7/id_19

Friday Bonus

Thank goodness they weren’t occupied!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1176715/Pilots-miracle-escape-plane-crash-lands—pile-Portaloos.html

Today in Transportation History

1969 **40^th anniversary** – The lunar module, Snoopy, came within eight nautical miles of the Moon’s surface as part of a dress rehearsal for a landing in July.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/22/newsid_3034000/3034569.stm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Thursday, May 21, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Now for IBTTA’s Upcoming Meeting – Incident Management, Safety and Security, July 19-21, 2009, Denver, CO 

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association in Denver, CO to learn about best practices from around the world in Incident Management and Emergency Response. Sessions will explore the most effective tools and communication methods available to promote toll facility safety and security, maintain operations in the face of disruption, and effectively communicate with customers during all phases of an incident – from prevention to recovery. Other topics include crisis management during special events, Post Traumatic Distress Disorder and psychological impacts to employees, the role of engineering and maintenance in prevention and safety, and business continuity during disasters. Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary agenda and register today! 

AVIATION

1) Virgin America Completes Installing Wi-Fi on Fleet

Link to Dow Jones story:

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905200936DOWJONESDJONLINE000643_FORTUNE5.htm

CAMERAS

2) Louisiana House Committee All but Kills Plan to Regulate Red Light Cameras

Link to story in The Times-Picayune:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/05/committee_all_but_kills_plan_t.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) US Air Force Waves Off Warnings About GPS Accuracy

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/21/AR2009052103127.html

4) Microsoft: ‘We Touch Every Piece’ of Auto Business

Link to ZDNet column:  

http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=4375

5) Calling the Real Race in GNSS

Link to story in GPS World:

http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/Latest+News/Calling-the-Real-Race-in-GNSS/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/599294?contextCategoryId=33831

RAILROADS

6) The Interstate Rail Defense Network

Would a name change increase public support for high-speed rail proposal? 

Link to The No. 13 Line blog:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/blogs/13line/the-no-13-line-the-interstate-rail-defense-network/635/

7) Freight Rail Security: Actions Have Been Taken to Enhance Security, but Federal Strategy Can Be Strengthened and Security Efforts Better Monitored

Link to US Government Accountability Office report:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09243.pdf

ROADWAYS

8) Virginia DOT to DC Department of Transportation: You Need to Communicate Better

Link to story on WTOP Radio:

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1680248

SAFETY / SECURITY

9) Nebraska State Patrol Scanning Plates for Info About Drivers

Link to AP story:

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10638791

SPACE

10) A New Frontier: Astronaut Using Twitter in Space

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2009-05-20-astronaut-twitter_N.htm

TELEMATICS

11) Telematics and GPS Go in the Right Direction

Navigation assistance gets more user-friendly with help of technology.

Link to story on MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30526005/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

TRANSIT

12) Transit Travels to Cyberspace to Reach Riders

Link to story in Metro Magazine:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/Article/Story/2009/05/Transit-Travels-to-Cyberspace-to-Reach-Riders.aspx

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Waze: The Traffic of the Crowds

Link to CNET News story:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10246268-2.html

News Releases

1) Delaware Welcome Center Travel Plaza Web Site Launched

2) TRW’s Capacitive Touch Sensing – Interior Control at Your Fingertips

Upcoming Events

American Association of Airport Executives Annual Conference and Exposition – June 14-17 – Philadelphia

http://www.aaae.org/meetings/annual2009/

Today in Transportation History

1894 **115^th anniversary** – The Manchester Ship Canal was officially opened by Queen Victoria.

http://www.shipcanal.co.uk/manchester-ship-canal/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast ati95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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With TIC, you can let your imagination flow, so let us know…at ITS America

Did you know that TIC is not just for traffic? For example, did you know that some customers uses TIC for radio program associated data (PAD) such as song title, artist photo, and schedules, for broadcasting over FM radio data service (RDS) and digital audio broadcast (DAB)? And there’s much more.

With the new TIC architecture, you can let your imagination flow, so why not let us know your ideas, requirements, and even your problems, at ITS America.  TIC is a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platform solution proven in over 100 projects operating worldwide, and can be deployed faster, more affordably, and with less risk than build-your-own solutions.

See TIC at GEWI booth #329 at ITS America or contact jim.oneill@gewi.com to discuss your requirements.

AVIATION

1) Airline Mechanics Who Can’t Read English

Link to story and video on WFAA-TV:

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa090515-_lj_harris.7a4a7d4.html

2) FAA to Hold First-Ever International Runway Safety Summit

Link to story on AviationNews:

http://www.aviationnews.net/?do=headline&news_ID=167477

CAMERAS

3) Illinois Lawmakers Reject Speed Cams in School, Hospital Zones

Link to story in the Daily Herald:

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=294790&src=109

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Google Threatened with Sanctions Over Photo Mapping Service in Germany

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/technology/companies/20google.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

OTHER

5) Ohio Democrats Restrict Open Internet Auctions for Construction Projects

Link to story in The Plain Dealer:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/05/open_internet_auctions_for_ohi.html

ROADWAYS

6) States Roll Out Plans for ‘Smarter’ Roads

Link to story on Stateline:

http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=401357

7) Span of Control

A new generation of ‘smart’ bridges use electronic sensors to warn of impending danger.

Link to story in The Economist:

http://www.economist.com/science/tm/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13687092

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Officials Draft Changes to Bush-Era Mandate on ID Cards

Link to story from CongressDaily:

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=42759&dcn=e_hsw

9) New Database Created with Thousands of Emergency Shelters Nationwide

Link to story in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-hurricane20-2009may20,0,4925727.story

TELEMATICS

10) Vehicle Telematics Concept Benefits Responders, Victims

Link to story in Occupational Health & Safety:

http://ohsonline.com/articles/2009/05/20/vehicle-telematics-concept.aspx

TRANSIT

11) Popular Smart Card Can be Hacked, Researchers Show

Link to story in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/689811

12) Campaign Urges Commuters to Send Postcards in Support of Public Transport

Link to story in The New Zealand Herald:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10573411

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) With Holiday Ahead, Massachusetts Turnpike Announces Traffic Info Upgrade

Link to story in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/05/with_holiday_ah.html

Link to Mass Turnpike traffic cameras:  http://www.masspike.com/travel/cameras.html

14) Praise Washington State DOT for Alerting Drivers to Bridge Closure

Link to commentary in the Issaquah Press:

http://www.issaquahpress.com/2009/05/19/off-the-press-21/

News Releases

1) Waze Announces Driver-Generated Live Map Platform; Launches Private Alpha for Mobile Application

2) BART Unveils New Web Site to Keep Riders, Public Informed on Labor Negotiations

3) Live Video from Florida Traffic Cameras to Gain Wider Audience with TrafficLand

4) OnStar Creates Injury Severity Prediction to Improve Automatic Crash Response

5) Tennessee DOT Now Using Twitter to Provide Information About Delays on Roadways

Upcoming Events

ACI-NA Public Safety & Security Fall Conference – August 24-27 – Arlington, Virginia

http://www.aci-na.org/conferences/detail?eventId=149

Today in Transportation History

1939 **70^th anniversary** – Regular trans-Atlantic air service began with a Pan American flight from Port Washington, New York to Europe.

http://www.airliner.net/pan-am-clipper-flying-boat/transatlantic-airline-service/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Registration Still Open for ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition, June 1-3, National Harbor, Maryland 

Join U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, members of Congress, and other transportation, technology, business and policy leaders at ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition – located just 15 minutes away from the nation’s capitol. If you are in the transportation industry, you cannot afford to miss this event.  ITS America has put together an exciting program of nearly 100 educational and Congressional fact-finding sessions, opportunities to interact with members of Congress and senior government officials, 150,000 square feet of exhibits, tours of local ITS facilities and projects, a “City Streets” technology demonstration staged right outside of the convention center, and a closing reception and technology showcase in the new Capitol Hill Visitors Center.  For more information on the program and to register, visit http://www.itsa.org/amregistration.html.  

AVIATION

) Boeing’s Ambitions Crushed Its Wi-Fi Project, Paving Way for Small Competitor

Link to column in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/chi-tue-greising-aircell-boeing-may19,0,6380328.column

) Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Launches Mobile Phone Web Site

Link to story in The Dallas Morning News:

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/05/dfw-airport-launches-mobile-ph.html

CARTOGRAPHY

) Google Street View Trike Captures the Roads Less Driven

Link to story in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/05/google-street-view-trike-captures-the-roads-less-driven/

OTHER

) Miserable Commute? It’s Time to Vent

Web site created by Transportation for America wants an improved transportation system.

Link to column in the Detroit Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/article/20090519/COL12/90519018

Link to My Commute Sucks:  http://www.mycommutesucks.org/

RAILROADS

) Web-Only Rail Discounts Condemned in UK

It is ‘unacceptable’ that low-cost rail fares are easily available only to those with Internet access, MPs say.

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8056021.stm

Link to report from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmpubacc/191/191.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

) Airport Security Questioned

Privacy advocates: suspend ‘virtual strip search.’

Link to story and video on KMGH-TV:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/19499650/detail.html

Link to further information from the Electronic Privacy Information Center:

http://epic.org/privacy/airtravel/backscatter/

TRANSIT

) DC Metro ‘Flight Attendant’ Provides Safety Tips in Video

Link to story in Metro Magazine:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2009/05/D-C-Metro-flight-attendant-provides-safety-tips-in-video.aspx

Link to video: 

http://www.metro-magazine.com/MetroTV/?id=445BB529-D7A6-4A8E-99B5-DD5134199BB5&CategoryID=1017

) Feasibility Study on the Use of Personal GPS Devices in Paratransit

Link to report from the Federal Transit Administration:

http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/TRANSPO_Feasibility_GPS_Paratransit_Final.pdf

News Releases

1) The European Payments Council and GlobalPlatform Sign MOU to Align Mobile Contactless Technology

Job Posting

 –  Transportation Specialist – Federal Highway Administration – Washington, DC

http://tinyurl.com/pmc8fm

Upcoming Events

The Great American Trucking Show – August 20-22 – Dallas

http://www.gatsonline.com/

Today in Transportation History

1934 **75^th anniversary** – Police and striking Teamsters battled in Minneapolis during a general strike as a truck was attempting to unload.

http://www.mnhs.org/library/tips/history_topics/81truckersstrike.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast ati95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Monday, May 18, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Join the International Road Federation (IRF) and learn about the latest international best practices in Pavement Preservation at a newly developed international seminar “Preserving our Highway Infrastructure Assets: Affordable, Safer, and Environmentally Friendly Pavement Preservation Practices”“ August 4-7, 2009 Orlando, Fl. The workshop will focus on key issues such as the role of new materials and technologies for pavement preservation, new funding strategies and contracting models to sustain pavement preservation, and latest pavement management tools.

 

The seminar’s approach is truly global, due to its cast of international speakers including experts from the World Bank Group, U.S. FHWA, Colas (France), University of Texas El Paso (USA), Nippo Corporation (Japan), FDOT, CECA ARKEMA (France) Rubber Pavements Association (USA), and the Shell (Netherlands). Register Today!

CAMERAS

1) Traffic Camera Ban Fails in Louisiana

Link to story on WAFB-TV:

http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=10382118&nav=menu57_2

2) Seventeen Cameras to Monitor Shanghai Taxi Drivers

Link to story in the Shanghai Daily:

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200905/20090516/article_401016.htm

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) GPS Upgrade Behind Schedule and Over Budget

Link to CNET News story:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13639_3-10243477-42.html

ROADWAYS

4) Rest Stop Hellos Get a Goodbye from South Dakota

Nonprofit groups no longer can host events at interstate rest stops after officials with the state DOT decided they are too much hassle.

Link to story in the Argus Leader:

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090518/NEWS/905180330

5) Experimental Safety Sign Going Up on Wisconsin Highway

Link to story from KUWS Radio:

http://www.businessnorth.com/kuws.asp?RID=2936

6) Technology Could Stop Speeding and Crashes

Link to story in The Sunday Times:

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6294866.ece

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) TSA Improves Program to Check Airline Passengers Against Terrorist List

Link to story on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090518_1856.php

8) Tennessee Enacts Texting-Behind-the-Wheel Law

Link to story in The Tennessean:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090516/NEWS0201/905160328/1009/NEWS02/Tennessee+enacts+texting-behind-the-wheel+law

9) Indiana Teens Ready to Mute the Ban on Driving with Cell Phones

Link to story in The Indianapolis Star:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090518/NEWS0501/905180345/1008/LOCAL19/Teens+ready+to+mute+the+ban+on+driving+with+cell+phones

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Former Dash Executive Raised $3 Million for Driver-Centric iPhone App

Link to story in GPS Business News:

http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/Former-Dash-exec-raised-$3M-for-driver-centric-iPhone-App_a1523.html

News Releases

1) Automakers Strive to Add Content Without Clutter

Upcoming Events

Mid-Continent Transportation Symposium 2009 – August 20-21 – Ames, Iowa

http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/events/midcon2009/index.htm

Today in Transportation History

1969 **40^th anniversary** – Apollo 10 was launched.

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo10info.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Friday, May 15, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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TIC from GEWI means Proven Interoperability

Whether you need to share, view, collect, aggregate, or distribute data between agencies, offices, control centers, districts, counties, states, or even countries, TIC can be configured to your interoperability requirements using this highly flexible commercial off-the-shelf solution (COTS). TIC has a 12 year track record and is proven worldwide, such as by the European Road Information Center (ERIC) which provides 100% live data interoperability between 22 countries in seven different languages. TIC is already operating in over 100 projects worldwide and can be deployed faster, more affordably, and with less risk than build-your-own solutions. Why reinvent the wheel?

To download a brochure and leaflets, please visit www.gewi.com  To discuss your requirements, please contact jim.oneill@gewi.com or visit the GEWI booth at ITS America booth #329.

AVIATION

1) Buffalo Plane Crash Hearings Consider Better Alert Systems

Link to story and video on NY1 News:

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/99061/buffalo-plane-crash-hearing-considers-better-alert-systems/Default.aspx

2) Future of Military Aviation Lies with Drones – US Admiral

Link to AFP story:

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200905142002DOWJONESDJONLINE000783_FORTUNE5.htm

BICYCLES

3) Oregon DOT Deflates I-5 Bridge Bicycle Safety Proposal

City wanted signs to direct cyclists, but ODOT contends the signs don’t conform with federal or state design standards.

Link to story in The Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/124226612984470.xml&coll=7

CAMERAS

4) Close to Two-Thirds of Photos Taken by Arizona Speed Cameras Tossed

Link to story in The Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/05/15/20090515dpsdata0515.html

OTHER

5) Digital Hubs

Three new research centers will focus on promoting digital technologies, including those for transport, to people who have difficulty accessing them.

Link to story in The Engineer:

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/311144/Digital+hubs.htm

ROADWAYS

6) Arizona DOT Defends Replacing Metric Signs Along I-19

Link to story in the Nogales International:

http://www.nogalesinternational.com/articles/2009/05/15/news/doc4a0d9bc923609515374875.txt

7) Wi-Fi Hits the Highway

Link to story in The Christian Science Monitor:

http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2009/05/15/wi-fi-hits-the-highway/

TRANSIT

8) Metro Cell Phone Service Plan Faces Gaps

Link to story in The Examiner:

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Metro-cell-phone-service-plan-faces-gaps_05_15-45053147.html

9) RTA Hopes Riders Go Along with Goroo

Web site allows Chicago-area riders to customize itineraries for travel in the region.

Link to column in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/autocorner/chi-getting-around_15may15,0,7778485.column

Link to Goroo:  http://www.goroo.com/

VEHICLES

10) Tennessee Attorney General: Church License Plate Likely Illegal

Plate would be first for a specific faith.

Link to story in The Tennessean:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090514/NEWS0201/905140357/1009/NEWS02/AG++Church+license+plate+likely+illegal

News Releases

1) Despite Automotive Slump, by 2010 12% of New Cars Will Ship with Embedded Telematics

Job Postings

 –  Supervisory General Engineer – Research and Innovative Technology Administration – Cambridge, Massachusetts

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobId=81001026&AVSDM=5%2F15%2F2009+3%3A10%3A19+PM

Upcoming Events

Minneapolis I-35 Bridge Collapse – A Major Emergency Incident: TSAG Case Studies Workshop & Webinar – June 3

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s090603_tsagi35.asp

Friday Bonus

When is a bus stop not just a bus stop?

http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2009/05/01/15-unusual-and-creative-bus-stops/

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50^th anniversary** – The Titan 1 B-4 rocket exploded during static testing.

http://www.friends-partners.org/partners/mwade/lvs/titan1.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Thursday, May 14, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Now for IBTTA’s Upcoming Meeting – Incident Management, Safety and Security, July 19-21, 2009, Denver, CO 

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association in Denver, CO to learn about best practices from around the world in Incident Management and Emergency Response. Sessions will explore the most effective tools and communication methods available to promote toll facility safety and security, maintain operations in the face of disruption, and effectively communicate with customers during all phases of an incident – from prevention to recovery. Other topics include crisis management during special events, Post Traumatic Distress Disorder and psychological impacts to employees, the role of engineering and maintenance in prevention and safety, and business continuity during disasters. Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary agenda and register today! 

AVIATION

1) EU Air Safety Agency Pledges Better Rulemaking

EASA has promised to incorporate more ‘communication moments’ into the rulemaking process.

Link to story on EurActiv:

http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/eu-air-safety-agency-pledges-better-rulemaking/article-182169

2) Aviation IT Online News Launched

Link to Aviation IT Online:

http://www.aviationitonline.com/

CARTOGRAPHY

3) Google Street View has to Reshoot in Japan

Link to CNET News story:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10240459-71.html?tag=newsLatestHeadlinesArea.0

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) EU Sends Slovakia Formal Request on Electronic Toll Collection

Link to Dow Jones story:

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200905140654dowjonesdjonline000334&title=eu-sends-slovakia-formal-request-on-electronic-toll-collection

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Garmin Adds Built-In Digital Camera to Waterproof GPS Units

Link to story on ZDNet:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/digitalcameras/?p=706

OTHER

6) US Government Spending $147.6 Billion for R&D Next Year

Expenditure includes $180 million for FAA next-generation projects such as upgraded air traffic control systems and $103 million for ITS.

Link to story in Information Week:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/stimulus/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217500146&subSection=All+Stories

ROADWAYS

7) Calls for Expert Road Crash Teams in UK

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8048971.stm

TRANSIT

8) Boston T Says No to Driver Cell Phones

Link to story in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/05/14/t_says_no_to_driver_cellphones/

News Releases

1) Stay Alive When You Drive – Truck Safety Video Alerts Drivers to Railroad Crossing Tips

Upcoming Events

International Municipal Signal Association Annual Conference – August 18-26 – Orlando, Florida

http://www.imsasafety.org/2009conf/2009conf.html

Today in Transportation History

1804 **205^th anniversary** – The Lewis and Clark Expedition left Camp River Dubois for the official start of their journal to the Pacific Ocean.

http://www.campdubois.com/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast