Friday, January 1, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Happy New Year!

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

1) Washington State Awards Contract for Statewide Electronic Tolling System

Link to article in the Kitsap Sun:

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/dec/31/state-looking-at-getting-rid-of-toll-booths-at/

Link to news release from WSDOT:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2009/12/30_TollingContract.htm

2) New Electronic Toll System Started in Slovakia

Link to article in Slovakia Today:

http://www.sktoday.com/content/2087_new-electronic-toll-system-started-slovakia

Link to news release from SkyToll:

https://www.emyto.sk/web/10136/show-news-detail/-/journal_content/56_INSTANCE_8aiB/10136/CESMAD_VRATENIE_POPLATKU/NEWS_DETAIL

SAFETY / SECURITY

3) TSA Drops Bloggers’ Subpoenas

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/us/politics/01tsa.html

Link to Christopher Elliott’s blog:

http://www.elliott.org/blog/to-the-team-of-friends-allies-and-advisers-who-helped-make-the-subpoena-go-away/

TRANSIT

4) COTA Riders Like Text Messages

Link to article in The Columbus Dispatch:

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/01/01/copy/cota_upgrade.ART_ART_01-01-10_B3_RUG5TOO.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

5) Washington Metro to Cut Call Center Hours to Ease Shortfall

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/31/AR2009123101349.html

Link to news release from WMATA:

http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4228

News Releases

1) Columbia Transit to Offer Wi-Fi Pilot Project

Upcoming Events

2010 Mid-America Trucking Show – March 25-27 – Louisville, Kentucky

http://www.truckingshow.com/

Friday Bonus

Question: Was this a proper use of 911?

http://www.kirotv.com/news/22084500/detail.html

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** – The Ford Motor Company began operations in the Highland Park Plant.  The factory was where many modern mass production principles were developed.

http://www.nps.gov/history/nR/travel/detroit/d32.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

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

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

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Thursday, December 31, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Happy New Year!

AVIATION

1) Pilots Union Faults Feds for Lack of Terror Alert

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Pilots-union-faults-feds-for-apf-1618773051.html?x=0&.v=3

CARTOGRAPHY

2) Map Still Well Positioned in this GPS-Styled World

Link to McClatchy Tribune News Service article:

http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/still+well+positioned+this+styled+world/2370858/story.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) En Route to GPS-Based Air Traffic Control

Image of Anchorage Bowl Traffic Information Service.

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/2300-11386_3-10001896.html

OTHER

4) Ottawa Developing Web Site to Let Residents Know When Plow Will Clear Street

Link to story on CFRA Radio:

http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=70295

5) Trinity Industries to Buy Quixote for $61 Million

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE5BT0DG20091230

Link to news release from Trinity Industries:

http://www.trin.net/invsrela/press/Trinity%20Industries%20Announces%20Definitive%20Agreement%20to%20Acquire%20Quixote%20Corporation%2012-30-09.pdf

ROADWAYS

6) Florida Triples Price of Its Highway Signs

Restaurateurs say increase comes at ‘worst’ possible time.

Link to article in Florida Today:

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091231/BUSINESS/912310310/1006/news01/State+tripling+price+of+its+highway+signs

7) New Electronic Speed Limit Signs Aim to Make Maine Roads Safer

Link to story on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network:

http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineHeadlineNews/tabid/968/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3479/ItemId/10399/Default.aspx

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) ‘One Database Failure After Another’

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-12-31-watchlist_N.htm

9) TSA Targets Travel Bloggers Over Leaked Security Memo

Link to blog in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=13149.blog

10) Ohio Lists Only 1% of Multi-DUI Drivers

Link to article in The Cincinnati Enquirer:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091230/NEWS0108/912310346/1055/NEWS/Ohio+lists+few+multi-DUI+drivers

11) Oregon Cell Phone Ban has Loophole

Link to AP article:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/apheadlines/technology/story/1011851.html

TELEMATICS

12) Kia to Launch Ford Sync Rival Next Week

Link to blog on The Car Connection:

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1041053_tech-watch-kia-to-launch-ford-sync-rival-next-week

13) Welcome to the Wired Future on Wheels

Link to article in the Financial Post:

http://www.financialpost.com/news-sectors/technology/story.html?id=2393082

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) Interstate Work to Aid Louisiana Motorists in Real-Time

Link to AP article:

http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-89/126226530396060.xml&storylist=louisiana

15) Oregon Commuters Disgruntled at Warning, Response to Tuesday’s Drivetime Snow Storm

Link to article in The Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/commuters_disgruntled_at_warni.html

16) With Planning, West Virginia Turnpike Can Avoid Future Tumult

Communication, or lack thereof, was a huge issue.

Link to commentary on WVNS-TV:

http://www.wvnstv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=72703

News Releases

1) Connecticut Now ‘Tweets’ Real-Time Traffic Alerts

2) Ohio DOT to Ring In New Year with Special Midnight Traffic Tweet

Upcoming Events

3^rd Annual Transportation & Infrastructure Convention – March 10-12 – Washington, DC

http://www.transportationsummit.com/

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100^th anniversary** – The Manhattan Bridge, which connects Brooklyn and Manhattan, opened.

http://www.nycbridges100.org/manhattan.php

http://www.davefrieder.com/html/man1.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/nyregion/31bridge.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

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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  www.bwcommunications.net

Wednesday, December 30, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Building a Better Pilot

Link to article in The Buffalo News:

http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/907783.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Why Aren’t GPS Navigation Systems More Reliable?

Link to article in PC World:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/185595/why_arent_gps_navigation_systems_more_reliable.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

3) Ford, MIT to Study Driver Stress

Researchers will look at ways technology can reduce driver stress.

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Ford-MIT-to-study-driver-apf-3349861935.html?x=0&.v=1

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

4) New California Traffic Monitoring System Means Jobs

Link to story and video on KXTV-TV:

http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=72449&catid=324

5) Message Boards Popping Up Along Chattanooga’s Highways, Interstates

Link to article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/dec/30/message-boards-popping-up-along-chattanooga/

6) Nova Scotia’s Cobequid Pass Gets New Webcam and Weather Information Station

Link to article in The Chronicle Herald:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1159930.html

7) Smart Highways Taking to the Road via International Initiatives

Link to article in Aftermarket Business:

http://aftermarketbusiness.search-autoparts.com/aftermarketbusiness/Distribution/Smart-highways-taking-to-the-road-via-internationa/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/649506

VEHICLES

8) Top Ten In-Cabin Technologies of the Decade

Link to article in Edmunds Daily:

http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2009/12/tech-tuesdays-top-10-in-cabin-technologies-of-the-decade.html

News Releases

1) iSuppli Exclusive: The Connected Car Arrives at CES

2) Presidential Executive Order on Distracted Driving Effective Today

Upcoming Events

Transportation Research Board Webinar: Communicating the Value of Transportation Research – January 27

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/TRB_Webinar_Communicating_the_Value_of_Transportat_162770.aspx

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50^th anniversary** – The USS George Washington, the first ballistic nuclear submarine, was commissioned.

http://www.navysite.de/ssbn/ssbn598.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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  www.bwcommunications.net

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) ADS-B ‘Critical’ Sites Begin Operating

Link to article in Avionics:

http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/topstories/ADS-B-Critical-Sites-Begin-Operating_65308.html

2) FAA Uses High-Tech Recruiting Tool

Link to story and video on KSAZ-TV:

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/money/job_news/faa_jobs_122809

CAMERAS

3) Red Light, Parking Tickets are Growing Revenue Source for New Orleans

Link to article in The Times-Picayune:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/12/red_light_parking_tickets_prov.html

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Growing Virginia Satellite Imaging Company has Global View

Link to article in the Loudoun Independent:

http://www.loudouni.com/business/2009-12-22/growing-loudoun-satellite-imaging-company-has-global-view

5) Mike Siegel, Rutgers Cartographer Puts New Jersey at Our Fingertips

Link to article in The Star-Ledger:

http://blog.nj.com/iamnj/2009/12/mike_siegel_rutgers_cartograph.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

6) Transport Companies Ask for Delay in Slovakia’s Electronic Toll System

Link to article in The Slovak Spectator:

http://www.spectator.sk/articles/view/37518/10/transport_companies_ask_for_delay_in_electronic_toll_system.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

7) Cell Phone GPS App Could Help Illegal Immigrants Cross Mexico-US Border

Link to article and video in USA Today:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2009/12/cellphone-gps-app-could-help-undocumented-workers-cross-border/1

MARITIME

8) NOAA Tests Free ‘BookletCharts’ with Boaters

Link to article in the Anchorage Daily News:

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/rural/story/1071942.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

9) Tennessee Anti-drunken Driving Campaign for Latinos Gets Grant Extension

Link to article in The Tennessean:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091229/NEWS01/912290343/Anti-drunken+driving+campaign+for+Latinos+gets+grant+extension

10) Safety Campaign Spots Worrisome Traffic Trends

Link to article in Fleet Owner:

http://fleetowner.com/news/topstory/1229-operation-safe-driver-campaign/

Link to news release from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance:

http://www.cvsa.org/news/2009_press.aspx

ROADWAYS

11) New York City Street Fair Bureaucracy Goes Digital

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/street-fair-bureaucracy-goes-digital/

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) New Call for Faster, More Thorough Airport Body Scans

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-12-28-airport-body-scan-machines-terror_N.htm

13) Confusion Fills Skies After Attempted Bombing

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Confusion-fills-skies-after-apf-3165802473.html?x=0&.v=2

14) US Government Launches Distracted Driving Web Site to Warn, Inform

Link to article in Motor Trend:

http://wot.motortrend.com/6604859/government/governent-launches-distracted-driving-web-site-to-warn-inform/index.html

Link to Distraction.gov: http://www.distraction.gov/

15) Police: Twitter Used to Avoid DUI Checkpoints

Link to McClatchy Newspapers article:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010618380_twitterdui29.html

TELEMATICS

16) Automotive Aftermarket Shop of Tomorrow May Include Telematics

Link to article from Aftermarket Business:

http://aftermarketbusiness.search-autoparts.com/aftermarketbusiness/Distribution/Shop-of-Tomorrow-may-include-telematics/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/649502?contextCategoryId=42271

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

17) New Rules Require Better Warnings of Traffic Delays

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-12-28-traffic-info_N.htm

18) Blizzard Overwhelms South Dakota 511 Hotline

Link to article in the Argus Leader:

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20091229/NEWS/912290327/1001/news

VEHICLES

19) US Environmental Protection Agency Launches Emissions Simulator

Link to article in Environmental Leader:

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/12/29/epa-launches-vehicle-emissions-simulator/

News Releases

1) Ford First to Enable iTunes Tagging with Launch of New HD Radio Capability in Its Lineup

2) Connecticut Governor Announces $6 Million for Work on Positive Train Control System for Metro-North

3) Durham, North Carolina Traffic Cameras to be Made Available Online and on Cable TV

4) Passur Launches National Network of Airport Condition Reporting

5) Ford Takes Pragmatic Approach to In-Car Wi-Fi and Internet Access

Upcoming Events

3^rd Annual Transportation & Infrastructure Convention – March 10-12 – Washington, DC

http://www.transportationsummit.com/

Today in Transportation History

1939 **70^th anniversary** – The Consolidated B-24 made its first flight.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2461

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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  www.bwcommunications.net

Thursday, December 24, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Merry Christmas

AVIATION

1) EC, FAA Move on SESAR, NextGen Cooperation

Link to article in Aviation Week:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=busav&id=news/COOP122309.xml&headline=EC,%20FAA%20Move%20on%20SESAR,%20NextGen%20Cooperation

Link to additional information on SESAR:

http://www.sesarju.eu/

Link to additional information on NextGen:

http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/nextgen/

2) Instrument Approach Lets Santa Land in Bad Weather

Link to article in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/12/thanks-to-instrument-approach-santa-can-land-in-bad-weather/

MARITIME

3) Bridge Clearance Technology Expected to Enhance Safety on Mississippi River

Link to article in The Times-Picayune:

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2009/12/bridge_clearance_technology_ex.html

Link to Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System Web site:

http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ports.html

OTHER

4) South Africa’s Road Traffic Management Corp. Won’t Bid for Web Site

Link to SAPA article:

http://www.news24.com/Content/SciTech/News/1132/68a17bfd2c9d4bbe9b9800482dcfa7b6/24-12-2009-06-30/RTMC_wont_bid_for_website

Link to Aarto site: http://www.aartoSA.co.za

RAILROADS

5) Eleven Calls Told of Glitches at North Carolina Train Crossing Where Fatal Crash Occurred

Link to article in The News & Observer:

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local_state/story/255027.html

ROADWAYS

6) Cheap Colorado DOT Device Clears Snow-Clogged Traffic Signals

Link to story on KMGH-TV:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/22049107/detail.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Another TSA Security Goof? Details of Air Marshal Guns

Link to ABC News story:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/tsa-security-cops-blast-release-handgun-information/story?id=9403793

Link to additional information from Sig Sauer:

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=54&productid=183

8) Alberta Premier Says Law Prohibiting Texting and Cell Phone Use While Driving Not a Priority

Link to article in the Calgary Herald:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Alberta+urged+cells+roads/2365440/story.html

TELEMATICS

9) Push the Blue Button to Follow Santa Via OnStar

Link to blog and video on Edmunds CarPool:

http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/2009/12/push-the-blue-button-to-follow-santa-via-onstar.html

TRANSIT

10) Riders Wait – & ‘See’

Text and audio information to be provided in New York subway stations.

Link to article in the New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/riders_wait_see_OGWrti7HSshM8SiZ9bv9LM

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Israeli Firm Behind World’s Most Advanced Traffic Information System

Link to article on The Media Line:

http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=27498

Link to Waze Web site: http://www.waze.com/

12) St. Louis Traffic Personality Don Miller Dead at 84

Link to story and video on KTVI-TV:

http://www.fox2now.com/news/ktvi-don-miller-obit-122309,0,4892030.story

Link to additional information from KMOX Radio:

http://www.kmox.com/pages/5954567.php

13) ITS International November/December Issue Online

Link to magazine:

http://www.itsinternational-digital.com/

News Releases

1) OnStar Welcomes Its First Subscriber in China

Upcoming Events

Third International Conference on Innovations in Travel Modeling – May 9-12 – Tempe, Arizona

http://itm2010.fulton.asu.edu/ocs/index.php/itm/itm2010/index

Today in Transportation History

1979 **30^th anniversary** – The first European Ariane rocket was launched.

http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Launchers_Home/SEMN2E67ESD_0.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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  www.bwcommunications.net

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Technicians Knew of Faulty Equipment that Caused Alaska Air Traffic Control Blackout

Link to story on KTUU-TV:

http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=11721145

2) FAA Looks to Technology to Train Air Controllers

Link to story and audio on NPR’s Morning Edition:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121781791

BUSES

3) Intercity Bus Traffic Gets Boost from Portable Electronic Technology, New Survey Finds

Link to article in Busride Magazine:

http://www.busride.com/webexclusive.asp?N_ID=1018

Link to report from the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development:

http://las.depaul.edu/chaddick/docs/Docs/Chaddick_Institute_Survey_of_Technology_.pdf

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Global Nav System Shipments to Hit 1.1 Billion by 2014

Link to article in EE Times Asia:

http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800593512_499488_NT_b949e59b.HTM

5) How Audi’s A8 Exploits Google Earth

Link to Canadian Auto Press article:

http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=2371124

ROADWAYS

6) Holland’s Plan to Cut Traffic: A Tax on Every Kilometer Driven

Link to article in Time:

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1949156,00.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) New Airport T-Ray Screeners Could Save Time, Energy

Link to article on Discovery News:

http://news.discovery.com/tech/airport-security-screening-trays.html

8) Application Disables Smart Phones in Moving Cars

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-texting-block23-2009dec23,0,748558.story

TELEMATICS

9) The Future of Vehicle Apps Are – You Guessed It – On the iPhone

Link to article on Gizmondo Australia:

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2009/12/the-future-of-vehicle-apps-areyou-guessed-iton-the-iphone/

TRANSIT

10) Chicago Transit Authority Expands Bus-Tracking Service to Cell Phones

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-cta-bus-tracker-23-dec23,0,3890765.story

11) Waiting for the Bus? There’s an App for That

Link to article in the Boston Herald:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20091219waiting_for_the_bus_theres_an_app_for_that/

12) Some Dread, Some Cheer Wireless BART Tube

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/22/MNB41B8420.DTL

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) West Virginia Takes Action in Turnpike Snowstorm

Link to article in The Charleston Gazette:

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200912220575

News Releases

1) Three Blinks and It’s Off; New Ford Lane Change Technology Helps Ease Driver Pet Peeves

Upcoming Events

First International Conference in North America on Nanotechnology in Cement and Concrete – May 5-7 – Irvine, California

http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=ac0d41f9-25b7-41ab-8027-3f608b6bb1f0

Today in Transportation History

1939 **70^th anniversary** – Anthony Fokker, a Dutch-American aircraft manufacturer, died.

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Air_Power/Fokker/AP7.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit: http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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  www.bwcommunications.net

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Tallying the Storm Toll on Airlines and Travelers

Link to column in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2009/12/21/tallying-the-storm-toll-on-airlines-and-travelers/

2) European Union Expects Civil Unmanned Air Vehicles to Use General Aviation Equipment

Link to article in Flight International:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/12/22/336387/european-union-expects-civil-unmanned-air-vehicles-to-use-general-aviation.html

OTHER

3) Applying Analysis Tools in Planning for Operations

Link to further information from US DOT:

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=600

ROADWAYS

4) Efforts Lag at Making Highway Work Zones Safer

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/us/22workzone.html

5) District of Columbia DOT Twitter Use Keeps Department Ahead of Blizzard Cleanup

Link to story and audio on WFED Radio:

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/index.php?nid=19&sid=1847276

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) Texting Drivers are More Dangerous than Talkers

Link to article in Network World:

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/122109-texting-drivers-crash-more.html

7) Ad Council, US DOT Launch Drunk Driving PSAs Targeting Women

Link to article in DMNews:

http://www.dmnews.com/ad-council-transportation-department-launch-drunk-driving-psas-targeting-women/article/160073/

TRANSIT

8) Wireless Now Available in BART’s Transbay Tube

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/22/BAJ81B7VF1.DTL

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) A Social Snow Storm for DC-Area Transportation Agencies

Link to column in The Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/12/a_social_snow_storm_for_transp.html

News Releases

1) Ford Uses Hollywood Motion-Capture Software Behind ‘Avatar’ to Improve Vehicle Designs

2) Los Angeles Metro Launches Official Facebook Page

3) Merced County Transit Launches New Web Site

4) XRoad Features Navteq Traffic in iPhone Navigation Application

5) China TransInfo Provides Real-Time Traffic Information Solutions Business Update

6) New Warning System Warns of Driver Drowsiness and Distraction

Upcoming Events

16^th International Conference on Urban Transport and the Environment – May 5-7 – Limassol, Cyprus

http://www.wessex.ac.uk/10-conferences/urban-transport-2010.html

Today in Transportation History

1984 **25^th anniversary** – Bernhard Goetz shot four youths on a New York City subway train.

http://wcbstv.com/classic/Bernie.Goetz.Subway.2.232143.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit: http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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  www.bwcommunications.net

Monday, December 21, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Registration Opens for ITS America’s 20^th Annual Meeting & Exposition, May 3-5, 2010, Houston, Texas

ITS America’s 20^th Annual Meeting & Exposition, May 3-5, 2010 in Houston, Texas, will bring together a diverse community of transportation professionals, business leaders, elected officials, and federal and state public agency representatives for three days of thought leadership in the debate over the nation’s transportation future.   We invite you to take this opportunity to make business connections, experience the most comprehensive exhibition of smart technologies, earn Professional Development Hours, and take home best practices from leading ITS professionals.  Special rates are available for public sector employees and first-time attendees.  To register, go to www.itsa.org/amregistration.html.

AVIATION

1) Airlines Eye ‘Contact-Less’ Travel

Link to AFP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iDzsrlQQD-uv9DJMJylV19RQWCTw

2) A Dream for an Airline and a Hotel Chain

American Airlines gets lots of positive screen-time in new movie.

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/business/media/21adco.html?_r=1

Link to Up in the Air site: http://www.theupintheairmovie.com/

BICYCLES

3) Education Key to Reversing Trend in Bicycle Accidents

Link to article in the Pres-Telegram:

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_14033691

Link to BikeLongBeach.org: http://bikelongbeach.org/

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) North Carolina Turnpike Authority Awards Electronic Toll System Contracts

Link to story on WRAL-TV:

http://www.wral.com/traffic/story/6651570/

5) Southern States do a U-turn on Toll Roads

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-12-21-toll-lanes-south_N.htm

6) New Toll Lanes Untangle Commutes

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-12-20-high-occupancy-toll-lanes_N.htm

MARITIME

7) Port Canaveral, Florida Moves Ahead on $9 Million Joint Port Intelligence and Operation Center Complex

Link to article in the Orlando Business Journal:

http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2009/12/21/story5.html?b=1261371600%5E2604491

8) Reservation System Eyed for Washington State Ferries

Link to story on KOMO-TV:

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/79717787.html

OTHER

9) First Electronic Information Board Unveiled in Qatar

EIBs will be installed in busy pedestrian areas to provide instant information for residents and tourists.

Link to article in The Peninsula:

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=December2009&file=Local_News2009122151316.xml

10) Implementing Transportation Knowledge Networks

Link to further information from the Transportation Research Board:

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Implementing_Transportation_Knowledge_Networks_162700.aspx

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

11) Thousands of Road Safety Posters Lie Unused in South Africa

Link to article from the Weekend Argus:

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=6&art_id=vn20091220082857983C761903

ROADWAYS

12) New Jersey DOT’s Lens Not Focused on Atlantic City

No camera views available online of Atlantic City or County.

Link to editorial in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/blogs/carla_linz/article_a12e12ba-ed77-11de-a8a0-001cc4c03286.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

13) Risky Roads – Traffic Experts have an Arsenal of Solutions

Link to article in the Press-Telegram:

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_14033692

14) Encryption of Drone Feeds Won’t Finish Until 2014, US Air Force Says

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/18/AR2009121804281.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Pune ‘Intelligent Transport System’ to be Managed by Private Agency

Link to article in The Indian Express:

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/-Intelligent-transport-system–to-be-managed-by-private-agency/556607

16) Big Brother to Watch KZN

Freeway management system coming to Durban.

Link to article in The Independent on Saturday:

http://www.independentonsaturday.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=vn20091219092113720C636567

17) Coordinated Technology Could Help Fight Gridlock in Reno

Link to article in the Reno Gazette-Journal:

http://www.rgj.com/article/20091219/NEWS/912190348/1321/news

18) New Jersey Highway Signs Will Get More to Say

Link to article in The Record:

http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/79782212.html

19) Monitoring Traffic at the Lincoln Tunnel from Inside the Tunnel

Link to article and video in The Star-Ledger:

http://videos.nj.com/star-ledger/2009/12/monitoring_traffic_at_the_linc.html

VEHICLES

20) Ford Cars to Become Wi-Fi Hot Spots

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10419548-94.html

Link to news release from Ford:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Ford-SYNC-Goes-WiFi-Turning-prnews-3560719582.html?x=0&.v=1

21) With Improved Features, It’s a Safer Driving World

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2009/12/with_improved_features_its_a_s.html

News Releases

1) Vaisala Acquires Quixote Transportation Technologies, Inc.

Upcoming Events

The Location Business Summit – April 28-29 – Amsterdam

http://www.thewherebusiness.com/locationsummit/

Today in Transportation History

1829 **180^th anniversary** – The Carrollton Viaduct, the first masonary arch railroad bridge in the  US, was officially opened.  The bridge is still in use.

http://www.ce.jhu.edu/baltimorestructures/index.php?location=Carrollton%20Viaduct

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  i95berniew@aol.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  www.bwcommunications.net

Friday, December 18, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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ELECTRONIC TOLLING

1) SkyToll Sees No Obstacle to January 1 Launch of E-Toll System in Slovakia

Link to story on Radio Slovakia International:

http://www.rozhlas.sk/inetportal/rsi/pages/printClanok.php?clanokID=24015&lang=2

OTHER

2) Washington State GIS Transportation Repository Takes Long Road

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/718602?topic=290184

SAFETY / SECURITY

3) TSA Tests Capability of Nuclear-Detection Devices at Denver International Airport

Link to article in The Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14022529

4) New Rule for New York City Cabbies: No Devices in the Ear

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/nyregion/18taxi.html

TELEMATICS

5) Telematics Industry to be Taiwan’s Next Trillion-Dollar Industry

Link to article in The China Post:

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/asia/b-taiwan/2009/12/18/237061/Telematics-industry.htm

TRANSIT

6) Is Big Brother Watching Your ORCA Card?

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010537022_orcacard18m.html

7) Worth the Wait?

How advertisers have transformed the drab city transit stop.

Link to column in The New York Times:

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/worth-the-wait/

Upcoming Events

Galileo Application Days – March 3-5 – Brussels

http://www.application-days.eu/

Friday Bonus

As part of US efforts to encourage exercise, pedestrians can burn extra calories by using a hula hoop while crossing the street.

http://www.seattlepi.com/dayart/20091019/210hula.jpg

Today in Transportation History

1999 **10^th anniversary** – NASA launched Terra, a multi-nation scientific research satellite.

http://terra.nasa.gov/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  i95berniew@aol.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  www.bwcommunications.net

Thursday, December 17, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Deadline Extended: Call for Papers for ITS America’s 20^th Annual Meeting & Exposition

ITS America’s 20^th Annual Meeting & Exposition, May 3-5, 2010, Houston, Texas will provide transportation leaders with effective tools and strategies to create smart cities and communities that are safer, cleaner, more livable and less congested.  Don’t miss out on the opportunity to submit a paper or submit a session proposal to this major ITS event!  The deadline has been extended to Dec. 29, 2009.  For a list of topics, key dates, guidelines, and to submit your paper online, visit www.itsa.org/amprogram.html.

AVIATION

1) Australia to Become First Nation with Radar-Like Coverage of Entire Country

Link to article in The Australian:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/satellite-based-navigation-system-to-allow-air-traffic-controllers-to-pinpoint-aircraft/story-e6frg6n6-1225811541809

2) Air France Inquiry Calls for ‘Black Box’ Changes

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8419565.stm

3) FAA Shows Off Airport Tower Simulator

Link to story and video on WGCL-TV:

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/news/21985534/detail.html

4) City Council’s Hope for Free Internet at Austin-Bergstrom Airport Wishful Thinking

Link to article in the Austin Business Journal:

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2009/12/14/daily35.html

5) Business Aviation Group Pulls Ads from USA Today

Link to blog on Tnooz:

http://www.tnooz.com/2009/12/16/news/business-aviation-group-pulls-ads-from-usa-today/

Link to letter from the National Business Aviation Association:

http://www.nbaa.org/news/letters/20091216-usa-today.php

ROADWAYS

6) North Texas Tollway Authority Installs LED-Enhanced Signs to Prevent Wrong Way Driving

Link to article in the Plano Star-Courier:

http://www.planostar.com/articles/2009/12/16/plano_star-courier/news/246.txt

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Los Angeles Metrolink Got a Waiver to Not Post Simple Safety Signs

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-metrolink-signs17-2009dec17,0,5114265.story

TRANSIT

8) UK Government to Fund Switch to NFC-Compatible Transport Ticketing

Link to article in Near Field Communications World:

http://www.nearfieldcommunicationsworld.com/2009/12/17/32494/uk-government-to-fund-switch-to-nfc-compatible-transport-ticketing/

Link to news release from the Department for Transport:

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?ClientId=202&NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=409585&SubjectId=36

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Ohio Using Twitter for Traffic Updates This Winter

Link to AP article:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/ohio-using-twitter-for-traffic-updates-this-winter-453388.html

10) Dublin Drivers to Get Traffic Updates on Satnavs

Link to article in the Evening Herald:

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/drivers-to-get-traffic-updates-on-satnavs-1979317.html

11) Glitches Hamper Virtual Traffic Monitoring in Bangalore

Link to article in The Hindu:

http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/18/stories/2009121858190100.htm

12) A Friendly Face in a Bad Place

A profile of South Carolina’s incident response team.

Link to article in The Post and Courier:

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/dec/17/a-friendly-face-in-a-bad-place/

VEHICLES

13) Ford Seeks iPhone-Like Apps for Its Cars

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748704541004574599932496893984.html

14) New Audi A8 to Come with Google Earth

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/17/new-audi-a8-to-come-with-google-earth/

Upcoming Events

Mobile World Congress – February 15-18 – Barcelona

http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/

Today in Transportation History

1969 **40^th anniversary** – The US Secretary of the Air Force announced the termination of Project Blue Book, a program to investigate UFOs.

http://www.archives.gov/foia/ufos.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  i95berniew@aol.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  www.bwcommunications.net