Tuesday, March 10, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Official: FAA Shows Progress on NextGen

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/03/09/faa-nextgen.aspx

MARITIME

2) US Transportation Security Administration Says Most Port Workers Enrolled in ID Program

Link to story from CongressDaily:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090309_1529.php

3) Paid Cheerleaders: Does Royal Caribbean’s Viral Campaign Cross the Line?

Link to story on ExpertCruiser:

http://expertcruiser.com/advice/paid-cheerleaders-does-royal-caribbeans-viral-campaign-cross-the-line/

OTHER

4) Graphic Content | Making Obama’s Marks

A look at the logos designed for two economic recovery initiatives, including US DOT’s TIGER program.

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/10/graphic-content-making-obamas-marks/

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

5) Ohio DOT Defends Bridge Safety Amid E-Mails

Link to AP story:

http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20090310/UPDATES01/90310003

ROADWAYS

6) Iowa DOT Uses Lasers, Turbine to Count Traffic

Believed to be first permanent installation in the country.

Link to story on Radio Iowa:

http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=EBF71ABE-5056-B82A-377E827A534B933F

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) FEMA Request Comments on Alert Standard

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/03/09/fema-submits-emergency-alert-standard.aspx

Link to more information on IPAWS:  http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/

8) Claire Bailey, Arkansas Chief Technology Officer, Discusses State’s Wireless Information Network

Link to interview in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/625962

TRANSIT

9) American Public Transportation Association Launches Public Transit Advocacy Campaign

Link to story in Progressive Railroading:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=19874

Link to Public Transportation Takes Us There:  http://www.publictransportation.org/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) New University of Massachusetts Amherst Transit Center

Facility will help drivers in Western Massachusetts know what road conditions are like before they head out.

Link to story and video report on WSHM-TV:

http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/40987437.html

VEHICLES

11) Have Smartphone, Can Travel

Our love of cell phones is spawning applications for driving that can be downloaded for little or no money.

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/automobiles/08PHONE.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

News Releases

1) Meet George and Gracie, the (Synthesized) Voices of BART

2) Lockheed Martin GPS III Team Progressing On-Schedule in Preliminary Design Review Stage

Upcoming Events

Arizona Transit Association Annual Spring Conference – April 26 – Tempe, Arizona

http://www.azta.org/about/event-detail/azta-annual-spring-conference/

Today in Transportation History

1989 **20^th anniversary** – An Air Ontario flight crashed in Dryden, Ontario, killing 24 people.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5i2BF1dastqG7DGZ_vA6SCDbaFQ8A

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

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

Monday, March 9, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) National Space Biomedical Research Institute, Alion Aim for Software to Help Keep Pilots Oriented

Link to story in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2009/03/09/update2-spatial-disorientation.aspx

CAMERAS

2) Video Surveillance Turns the Corner

Better cameras, smarter software and faster networks enhance systems.

Link to story in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2009/03/09/video-surveillance-technology.aspx

RAILROADS

3) Violations Before Los Angeles Crash Stir Rail Safety Debate

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g2lXQ1QkZ2c6oj4FJtK3kYMb_S4gD96QCP7O0

ROADWAYS

4) Road Lines Yielding to Wintry Barrage

Markings fade but technology may help drivers stay in their lane.

Link to story in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/09/road_lines_yielding_to_wintry_barrage/

5) Massachusetts Governor Details Flagger Success

Says $12,500 has been saved by taking police off detail.

Link to story in the Boston Herald:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/2009_03_07_Gov__Deval_Patrick_details_flagger_success:_Saves__12G_taking_cops_off_jobs/

6) Federal Efforts to Strengthen Security Should Be Better Coordinated and Targeted on the Nation’s Most Critical Highway Infrastructure

Link go report from the US Government Accountability Office:

http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-57

7) Highway Trust Fund: Improved Solvency Mechanisms and Communication Needed to Help Avoid Shortfalls in the Highway Account

Link go report from the US Government Accountability Office:

http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-316

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Emergency Responders Need Equipment Compatibility, US Department of Homeland Security Official Says

Link to story in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/625804

SPACE

9) NASA Plans Improved ‘Internet in Space’

Link to story in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2009/03/09/nasa-software-radios.aspx

TRANSIT

10) Boeing Improves the Landing Technology of Its Planes

Link to story in Quân Ðội Nhân Dân:

http://army.qdnd.vn/vietnam.travel.tnews.23190.qdnd

11) A Bus-Rider’s View of the Pittsburgh-Area Bus System

A few simple things, such as improved information, might go a long way.

Link to story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09065/953550-294.stm 

12) Cold, Silent Treatment for MARC Riders

Maryland rail agency could provide better information to customers.

Link to column in The Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/bal-md.dresser09mar09,0,1989231.column

13) Google Transit at TransITech: A Year Later and 500% Greener

Link to blog from Google:

http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/03/google-transit-at-transitech-09-year.html

14) Houston Metro Should Stay on Track in Getting Public Input on Rail

Link to editorial in the Houston Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/6298263.html

News Releases

1) NOAA Report Uncovers Why Some People Don’t Heed Severe Weather Warnings

2) Hong Kong Coordination Center Ensures Smooth Traffic Flow

3) US Digital Signage Market to Grow by One Third in 2009

4) US Airways Launches Flight Trial of the Next Generation of In-Flight Entertainment Systems

5) New South Wales Trip Planner Widget Now Available for All Web Sites

6) BMW-led Research Validates Fast Delivery of Real-Time Traffic Information via HD Radio Technology

Job Posting

 –  Communication & Outreach Specialist – US DOT Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office – Washington, DC

http://tinyurl.com/b95y7h

 –  Knowledge & Technology Transfer Program Manager – US DOT FHWA – Washington, DC

http://tinyurl.com/ch55pz

Upcoming Events

ACI-NA Customer Service & Aviation Education Conference – April 22-24 – Detroit

http://www.aci-na.org/conferences/detail?eventId=138

Today in Transportation History

1989 **20^th anniversary** – Eastern Air Lines filed for bankruptcy protection. 

http://testimony.ost.dot.gov/test/pasttest/89test/Murphy1.pdf

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

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, March 6, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

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ITS America Announces Student Essay Competition – Sponsored by Southwest Research Institute

One of the highlights of ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting is the Student Essay Competition.  We are pleased to announce a call for entries for the 2009 Student Essay Competition, sponsored by Southwest Research Institute. The Student Essay Competition is designed to encourage student interest and future participation in the development of Intelligent Transportation Systems and solutions.  Three winners will be honored in conjunction with the Best of ITS Awards during an awards ceremony on Monday, June 1, 2009, at the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center in National Harbor, MD – inside the Washington DC metropolitan area.  The deadline to submit entries is April 3, 2009.  For full entry guidelines and essay topics for this competition, please click here.  If you have further questions, please contact Edgar Martinez at emartinez@itsa.org or (202) 721-4223.

CAMERAS

1) Panel Votes to End Arizona Photo-Radar System

Link to Capitol Media Services story:

http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/283088

MARITIME

2) EU Launches Maritime Spatial Planning Workshops

Link to story in Maritime Journal:

http://www.maritimejournal.com/archive101/2009/march/online_news/eu_launches_maritime_spatial_planning_workshops

3) Aboard the US Navy’s High-Tech Pioneer, the USS Freedom

Link to story and video in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9128722&intsrc=hm_ts_head

TRANSIT

4) CityRail Puts Brakes on iPhone Timetable App

Link to story in the Brisbane Times:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/biztech/cityrail-puts-brakes-on-iphone-timetable-app/2009/03/05/1235842538382.html

Link to Transit Sydney app:  http://www.funkworks.com.au/transit-sydney/

VEHICLES

5) TRL Consortium Unveils Sentience Vehicle

Link to story in Traffic Technology International:

http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=11117

6) Smart Cars

Link to video on PBS’s Blueprint America:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/featured/blueprint-america-video-smart-cars/471/

Upcoming Events

PRT@LHR (Personal Rapid Transit at Heathrow Airport) – April 21-23 – London

http://www.prtatheathrow.com/

Friday Bonus

Try explaining this one to your boss (an incident which occurred Wednesday in Connecticut).

http://www.courant.com/media/photo/2009-03/45387479.jpg

Today in Transportation History

2004 **5^th anniversary** – The Lady D, a water taxi, overturned in Baltimore Harbor killing five people.

http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2006/MAR0601.pdf

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

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, March 5, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Today and Prepare for the Approaching Recovery: IBTTA’s Workshop on Managing in an Era of Changing Economic Times, April 19-21, 2009 in San Francisco, CA 

Join IBTTA in San Francisco for power-packed educational sessions and walk away with a world of knowledge on better managing your organization today and preparing for the approaching economic recovery. Learn how global issues are affecting your organization and the toll industry, the goals and efforts of the U.S. stimulus program, how to build a cost-conscious culture and make tough decisions, how to position your agency for unique opportunities during this slowdown, solid financing strategies and more. This is one meeting you don’t want to miss! Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary agenda, make your travel arrangements and register today!

AVIATION

1) BWI Airport Uses Twitter to Update @travelers

Link to story on IntoMobile:

http://www.intomobile.com/2009/03/04/bwi-airport-uses-twitter-to-update-travelers.html

Link to BWI Twitter page:  http://twitter.com/BWI_Airport

2) Hong Kong Airline Apologizes for Airport Tantrum Video

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJFHKJTt041ELxDCYFvCwvDOevswD96NPQDO0

Link to YouTube video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbVw7entkxg

RAILROADS

3) Locomotive Cameras May Follow Metrolink Crash Probe

Link to Bloomberg News story:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aUbV7DHy9GxM

SAFETY / SECURITY

4) NTSB Official Sees Threat in Cell Phone Use by Train Crews

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j3Z45uDic1fZCfx8hT1T0-Qqd0cwD96NHLMG0

TELEMATICS

 

5) Organic Grocer Uses Tech to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Telematics solution features real-time vehicle tracking, mileage information, SMS messaging and live traffic information.

Link to story in Progressive Grocer:

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/progressivegrocer/content_display/supermarket-industry-news/e3ib7a02a35762c94344de1767457f865d8

TRANSIT

6) Lynchburg, Virginia Area’s Mass Transit Maps Now a Click Away

Link to story in The News & Advance:

http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/lynchburg_areas_mass_transit_maps_now_a_click_away/14067/  

News Releases

1) New Mexico DOT Announces New Hotline to Take Reports of Fraud, Waste, Abuse or Misconduct

2) 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung: Bilingualism in Public Transport

Solicitation

 –  Call for Tenders – Framework Contract to Provide Technical, Legal and Organizational Support for Implementation of ITS Action Plan – European Commission

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/energy_transport/tenders/2009_en.htm

Upcoming Events

1^st International Summit on the State of the Connected Vehicle – April 16-17 – Detroit

http://www.sae.org/events/scv/

Today in Transportation History

1979 **30^th anniversary** – Voyage 1 made its closest approach to Jupiter.

http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/science/planetary.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

 Wednesday, March 4, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Today and Prepare for the Approaching Recovery: IBTTA’s Workshop on Managing in an Era of Changing Economic Times, April 19-21, 2009 in San Francisco, CA 

Join IBTTA in San Francisco for power-packed educational sessions and walk away with a world of knowledge on better managing your organization today and preparing for the approaching economic recovery. Learn how global issues are affecting your organization and the toll industry, the goals and efforts of the U.S. stimulus program, how to build a cost-conscious culture and make tough decisions, how to position your agency for unique opportunities during this slowdown, solid financing strategies and more. This is one meeting you don’t want to miss! Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary agenda, make your travel arrangements and register today!

AVIATION

1) March/April Edition of FAA Aviation News Focuses on Technology

Link to newsletter:

http://www.faa.gov/news/aviation_news/2009/media/marapr2009.pdf

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Police Use of Warrantless GPS Tracking Challenged in US Court

Link to AP story:

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-dc–gps-privacylaw0303mar03,0,1751321.story

OTHER

3) March Issue of Florida DOT’s SunGuide Disseminator

Link to newsletter:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/trafficoperations/Newsletters/2009/2009-003-Mar.pdf

RAILROADS

4) European Railway Union Awards IT Contract for Freight-Rail Communications Project

Link to story in Progressive Railroading:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=19825

ROADWAYS

5) 24/7 Monitoring Keeps Ontario’s Highway 69 Project on Track

Sensors monitor settlement of nearby railroad tracks.

Link to story in Road Talk:

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/transtek/roadtalk/rt15-1/#a5

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) Fatal Crashes Down in Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Metro Initiative

Specialized computer mapping and a public information campaign part of the effort.

Link to story in The Plain Dealer:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/03/fatal_crashes_down_in_ohio_hig_1.html

Link to news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol:

http://statepatrol.ohio.gov/media/2009/09-015.pdf

7) Puerto Rico Bans Music, Cell Phones for School Bus Drivers

Link to AP story:

http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2009/03/04/2009-03-04_puerto_rico_bans_music_cell_phones_for_s.html

8) Texting on a Train

Where technology exists to prevent transportation tragedies, from air crashes to grade-crossing accidents, it should be used.

Link to editorial in USA Today:

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/03/texting-on-a-tr.html

TRANSIT

9) WMATA Removes NextBus Public Test

Link to story on Greater Greater Washington:

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=1739

10) Chicago Transit Authority’s New Voice: Carolyn Hopkins

Link to story in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-talk-cta-voicemar04,0,7232148.story

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) NYC Subway’s E-Mail Alerts Fail the Blizzard Test

Link to commentary in the Silicon Alley Insider:

http://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-subways-email-alerts-fail-the-blizzard-test-2009-3

12) Superhighway Info Great; Millions Spent on It, Not so Great

Link to editorial in The Bay City Times:

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/bay-city/index.ssf/2009/03/superhighway_info_great_millio.html

News Releases

1) MIT Takes on Global Transportation Challenge – New initiative to pioneer 21^st century solutions via greater coordination and interdisciplinary collaboration

2) The Google Maps vs MapQuest Online Mapping Portal War is Driving Map 2.0 Innovations

3) TransCore Selects GS&P for Team to Provide ITS Design Services for Florida DOT

4) NNG Global Services Selects Cellint for High-Resolution Traffic Service

5) CDW-G Launches Mass Notification Toolkit

Upcoming Events

Mississippi Valley Freight Coalition Spring Meeting & Conference – April 14-16 – Kansas City, Missouri

http://www.mississippivalleyfreight.org/2009meeting.html

Today in Transportation History

1824 **185^th anniversary** – The National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck was created in the UK.

http://www.rnli.org.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 at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 Tuesday, March 3, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

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Registration Now Open for ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition

Registration for the 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) is now open. The three-day conference, held June 1-3, 2009 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland (just inside the Washington, DC metropolitan area), provides the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) industry with a forum to learn about and share insights on the latest advancements in ITS technologies.  Don’t miss this opportunity to find answers to your toughest transportation challenges, meet your legislators on Capitol Hill, see ITS solutions in action, and take home ideas for implementation, and learn from your peers. Be sure to take advantage of the early-bird registration rates which are available through March 31. Click here to register at the early bird rate or here for more information on the 2009 Annual Meeting.

AVIATION

1) Airports Court Airlines in Speed Dating Event

Link to story in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/030309dnbusdfw.3c2e364.html

Link to further information from Network USA 2009:  http://www.networkusa09.com/

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Navigon Talks Up the Role of Voice in Safe Driving

New features on navigation devices include parking information and learning motorists’ driving styles.

Link to IDG News story:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/160465/navigon_talks_up_the_role_of_voice_in_safe_driving.html

Link to news release from Navigon:

http://navigonusa.com/about/press/default.aspx?d=2009-03-02b

3) Garmin Introduces Nuvi GPSs with Pedestrian Navigation

Link to story in PC Magazine:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2342262,00.asp

Link to news release from Garmin:

http://tinyurl.com/aaz3m3

4) TomTom Keeps Up with Tech, Costs

Link to story in Forbes:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/03/tomtom-gps-goddijn-markets-face-0303_geneva_21.html

OTHER

5) Council Formed to Improve Access to Emergency Phone Services

The N11/8XX Essential Services Interoperability Council will promote interoperability and access to the suite of services provided through N11 and 8XX numbers.

Link to story in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2009/03/03/nesic-formed.aspx

6) Add-On Software Apps Make iPhone a Great Travel Partner

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-03-02-iphone-travel-apps_N.htm

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

7) US Stimulus Projects to Feature New Emblem

Link to story in the Washington Business Journal:

http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/03/02/daily42.html

ROADWAYS

8) Philippine Department of Transportation and Communications Launches Road Safety Program vs Giant Billboards

Link to story in The Daily Tribune:

http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/20090303met2.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

9) Some Texas School Districts Seek End to Bus Evacuation Drills

Link to story in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/legislature/stories/DN-schoolbus_03met.ART0.State.Edition1.4a8b2b4.html

Link to further information from the National Transportation Safety Board:

http://www.ntsb.gov/events/journalist/lessons/LL_school_bus_training.pdf

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Tennessee DOT Investigates Massive Backup

Agency plans new Web site procedures to alert drivers and improved information on 511 system.

Link to story and video on WMC-TV:

http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?s=9932373

11) The View from Above: Take Mass Transit

A profile of New York City traffic reporter Tom Kaminski.

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/nyregion/03experience.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

Link to further information from WCBS-AM:

http://www.wcbs880.com/pages/2432.php?contentType=4&contentId=93014

VEHICLES

12) BMW Explores the New ‘Key’ to Payments

Carmaker hopes to use vehicle keys for purchases and other purposes.

Link to story in ContaclessNews:

http://www.contactlessnews.com/2009/03/03/bmw-explores-the-new-key-to-payments

News Releases

1) Hughes Telematics Completes Successful Testing in Europe with Its Aftermarket Solution in-Drive Device – Testing Fuels European Telematics Initiatives

2) Transite Technology Launches New Web Site and Marketing Initiatives

3) Connected Vehicle Proponents to Ask: Is It Time for Internet in Cars?

4) International Association of Fire Chiefs and SkyTerra Publish Information Paper on Communications Interoperability

5) Networks In Motion Strengthens Accuracy of Traffic Services on NAVBuilder Platform with Acquisition of TrafficGauge

 Upcoming Events

Maritime Security Forum – March 25 – New London, Connecticut

http://www.navysna.org/CGForum/Index.htm

Today in Transportation History

1879 **130^th anniversary** – The United States Geological Survey was created.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/c1050/

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

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

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 Monday, March 2, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Today and Prepare for the Approaching Recovery: IBTTA’s Workshop on Managing in an Era of Changing Economic Times, April 19-21, 2009 in San Francisco, CA 

Join IBTTA in San Francisco for power-packed educational sessions and walk away with a world of knowledge on better managing your organization today and preparing for the approaching economic recovery. Learn how global issues are affecting your organization and the toll industry, the goals and efforts of the U.S. stimulus program, how to build a cost-conscious culture and make tough decisions, how to position your agency for unique opportunities during this slowdown, solid financing strategies and more. This is one meeting you don’t want to miss! Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary agenda, make your travel arrangements and register today!

AVIATION

1) Southwest Airlines Criticized for Promotion of Magazine’s Swimsuit Edition

Link to McClatchy Newspapers story:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/02/southwest-airlines-sports-illustrated-swimsuit

BUSES

2) High-End Buses to Make Bid for Lexus Commuters

Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/01/MNOQ166F3C.DTL&type=business&tsp=1

3) Chicago Transit Authority Bus-Tracking Site to Add Service-Delay Alerts

Link to story on Chicago Breaking News:

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/03/cta-bus-bustracker-delay-alert-service-change.html

CAMERAS

4) Arizona Photo Radar Citations Can be Prosecuted Criminally

Link to story in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/624281

5) AAA Alerts Drivers to Arizona Speed Cameras

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-03-01-speedcameras_N.htm

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) GPS Gadgets a Big Distraction for Male Drivers, Survey Finds

Link to AAP story:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25131239-12377,00.html

OTHER

7) Articles from Most Recent Issue of Texas Transportation Researcher

 –  Pay Attention! Enhancing Visibility to Improve Safety on Houston’s ‘Red Line’

http://tti.tamu.edu/publications/researcher/newsletter.htm?vol=44&issue=4&article=3&year=2008

 –  School Zones as Safety Zones: Helping Motorists Reduce Speed Near Schools

http://tti.tamu.edu/publications/researcher/newsletter.htm?vol=44&issue=4&article=6&year=2008

 –  Walk, Bike and be Counted: Automated Sensors are Watching Out for You

http://tti.tamu.edu/publications/researcher/newsletter.htm?vol=44&issue=4&article=9&year=2008

PARKING

8) A Los Angeles Parking Ambassador

Curbing motorists’ anger and confusion, traffic cop William Hartsfield has helped ease LA’s switch from meters to pay stations.

Link to story in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-parking-meters2-2009mar02%2C0%2C1423549.story

RAILROADS

9) Los Angeles Metrolink’s Commitment to Safety Reforms Comes Under Scrutiny

Link to story in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-metrolink-crash-redlights-2009mar02,0,2760811.story

10) Keeping the IT Trains Running

An interview with Ed Trainor, CIO of Amtrak.

Link to interview in CIO Insight:

http://www.cioinsight.com/c/a/Expert-Voices/Keeping-the-IT-Trains-Running/

ROADWAYS

11) Take the Virtual Road to the Super-Datacenter

Link to story in Traffic Technology International:

http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/industry-blogs.php?BlogID=163

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Canadian Trucking Alliance: Border Security Programs Need Coordination

Link to story in Today’s Trucking:

http://www.todaystrucking.com/news.cfm?intDocID=21289&login=i95berniew%40aol%2Ecom&datalogin=%269A6%3BNX%241%0A

13) Technology Promises Speedier US-Mexico Border Crossing

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iAVfE6A6Xae1RECw0u3OAGbMfEywD96K7EHO0

14) Orange County, California, May be Successful Model for Interoperable Communications Systems

Link to article in Emergency Management:

http://www.govtech.com/em/596643

15) Crisis Communication

Texas agencies maximized Web power before and after Hurricane Ike.

Link to story in Texas Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/tt/585985

TRANSIT

16) London Transport Lacked Snow Emergency Plan

Link to story on Sky News:

http://tinyurl.com/dapw5d

Link to report from the London Assembly Transport Committee:

http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/transport/snow-report-0309.pdf

17) South Koreans May Lose Subway Mobile TV as Broadcasters Face Cash Crisis

Link to mocoNews story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/27/AR2009022701707.html

Upcoming Events

Fourth Joint Military/Civilian Conference on Intelligent Vehicle Technology Transfer (IVTT) – April 1-2 – Gaithersburg, Maryland

http://www.intelligent-vehicle.com/index.php/conference

Today in Transportation History

1949 **60^th anniversary** – The first non-stop round-the-world flight was completed on a Boeing B-50A, the Lucky Lady II.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2634

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

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

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast