Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – August 6, 2009

August 6, 2009 at 5:08 pm

Thursday, August 6, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) Airline Crew Members Get Fingerprint IDs

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/08/06/tsa-approves-biometric-for-airline-workers.aspx

CAMERAS

2) Louisiana Judge Rules Traffic Camera Enforcement Program Constitutional

Link to story in The Advocate:

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/52563932.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

3) Iowa 911 Call Center Becomes First to Accept Texts

Link to AP story:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-08-05-text-911_N.htm

4) Cells Out: Chicago Transit Authority Bans Workers from Using Phones

Link to story on WMAQ-TV:

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/CTA-cell-phone-ban.html

TRANSIT

5) US Subway Rides Via Cell Phones Still a Ways Away

Link to Reuters story:

http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSTRE5745MX20090806

News Releases

1) Federal Railroad Administration Awards $1 Million Rail Safety Grant to Operation Lifesaver, Inc.

Upcoming Events

AASHTO Snow Expo – August 26-27 – Madison, Wisconsin

http://www.transportation.org/meetings/231.aspx

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100th anniversary** – Alice Ramsey arrived in San Francisco, becoming the first woman to drive across the US.

http://www.aliceramsey.com/triphighlights.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.

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – August 6, 2009

August 5, 2009 at 9:26 pm

Wednesday, August 6, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) American Airlines to Roll Out New System to Manage Planes

Touch screens will replace pieces of paper to manage planes, gates.

Link to story in the Star-Telegram:

http://www.star-telegram.com/local/story/1520310.html

OTHER

2) Wi-Fi Drives Innovation in Tourism

Link to story on Wi-Fi Planet:

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3833371

PARKING

3) Handicap Parking Scofflaws: Anonymous Complaints on Illinois Web Site Brings In 114 Complaints

Link to story in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-talk-handicapaug05,0,882045.story

Link to site:  https://www.ilsos.gov/ContactFormsWeb/disabilitiescomplaintform.html

ROADWAYS

4) The Comparison of Animal Detection Systems in a Test-Bed: A Quantitative Comparison of System Reliability and Experiences with Operation and Maintenance (FHWA)

Link to report from the Western Transportation Institute:

http://www.wti.montana.edu/documents/reports/pdf/4W0049_Final_Report.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) US Senators Clear Way for Measure Replacing REAL ID Law

Link to story on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090729_1610.php

TELEMATICS

6) Telematics Expert Warns Vehicle Tracking Industry Against Under Pricing

Link to story in Materials Handling World Magazine:

http://www.mhwmagazine.co.uk/LatestNews/Telematics_Expert_Warns_Vehicle_Tracking_Industry_Against_Under_Pricing-4678.html

TRANSIT

7) Toronto Transit Commission’s Nerve Center Exposed

Link to story in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/675701

8) New York City Transit Looking for Smooth Voices to Make Announcements

Link to story in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/08/05/2009-08-05_mta_looking_for_a_few_new_smoothsayers.html

9) Dubai GIS Portal to Educate Metro Commuters

Link to story in the Khaleej Times:

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2009/August/theuae_August79.xml&section=theuae&col

10) Crowdsourcing Helps Chicago Chamber of Commerce Find More Bus Riders

Link to story in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/707337

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Improve Communications Between TMC & TMS Elements in a Rural Environment Through a System that is Deployable Statewide

Link to report from the Western Transportation Institute:

http://www.wti.montana.edu/documents/reports/pdf/4W1034_Final_Report.pdf

12) Aurora Cost Benefit for Weather Info in Winter Maintenance

Link to report from the Western Transportation Institute:

http://www.westerntransportationinstitute.org/documents/reports/4W1576_Final_Report.pdf

News Releases

1) ATX Launches New Toyota, Lexus Connected Vehicle Program

2) Auto Industry Urged to Use Vehicle as Communications Platform

3) Young Motorists Most Supportive of Safety Cameras, Says IAM

Upcoming Events

2009 Toll Road Summit of the Americas – November 15-17 – São Paulo, Brazil

http://www.ibtta.org/Events/eventdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3856

Today in Transportation History

1984 **25th anniversary** – Amtrak began service of the Pere Marquette between Grand Rapids and Chicago.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT_PereMarquettebrochure_177470_7.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

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – August 4, 2009

August 4, 2009 at 10:28 pm

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


Register Now for IBTTA’s 77th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, September 13-16, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois!

IBTTA’s 77th Annual Meeting & Exhibition is the most significant gathering of toll industry professionals in the world. Attend this meeting and interact with the most influential experts and decision makers from around the globe and discuss ideas and solutions about transportation financing strategies, the future of tolling and paying for mobility, AET and Interoperability, new ideas for the new economy and sustainable transportation. Featured speakers include Stuart Varney, Business and Financial Journalist and Mark Shields, Syndicated Columnist and Political Analyst. Register by August 14 and receive a $100 discount off your registration fee. This meeting is hosted by the Illinois Tollway and will be held at the Hyatt Regency. For information on registration, hotel reservations, exhibiting or sponsorship, visit IBTTA’s website at www.ibtta.org Register today and get ready for the Transformation of Transportation!

GPS / NAVIGATION

1) GPS In Punjab Traffic Police Vehicles Saved 1130 Lives in a Month

Link to story on Punjab Newsline:

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/17855/38/

MARITIME

2) ‘Big Brother’ Watching Tasmanian Ports

Link to Australian Broadcasting Corp. News story:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/04/2645672.htm

Link to news release from the Tasmania Government:

http://www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=27493

PARKING

3) Electronic San Francisco Parking Meters are Easy to Bilk

Link to story in The Examiner:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Electronic-city-parking-meters-are-easy-to-bilk-52402397.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

4) US Transportation Secretary Calls Summit on Distracted Driving

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gBh5ii0HJc5TbtwUI4uxCB1DgKaAD99S0DCG1

Link to news release from US DOT:

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot11409.htm

TRANSIT

5) BART Starts Accepting TransLink Fare Cards

Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/04/BA9F193EE0.DTL

6) London-Related Lyrics to Appear on Transport for London Mugs and T-shirts

Link to story in NME:

http://www.nme.com/news/pete-doherty/46458

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

7) Follow I-10 Louisiana Construction on Facebook

Link to story in The Times-Picayune:

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/follow_i10_construction_on_fac.html

Link to Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baton-Rouge-LA/Louisiana-Department-of-Transportation-and-Development-DOTD/74154292700?v=wall&viewas=1282261536

8) Some Lament the Loss of Raleigh Beltline’s Code Words

Link to column in The News & Observer:

http://www.newsobserver.com/248/story/1633139.html

VEHICLES

9) Obama Administration Withholds Data on ‘Cash-for-Clunkers’ Program

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gHQR7IBwnpzrhYyGjozayepT-CLQD99S6M481

10) Electronic Driving Instructors Put Thousands of Bus Drivers Through Their Paces

Link to story on silicon.com:

http://networks.silicon.com/telecoms/0,39024659,39476533,00.htm

News Releases

1) Tennessee DOT Receives 2 Millionth Call

2) Port Manatee Launches Newly Redesigned Web Site

3) Inrix Traffic Now Available on App Store

4) MARTA Releases New Web Site and Asks for Customer Feedback

5) Texas DOT Gets Social with Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

6) Traffic Management Plan for Delhi

Upcoming Events

TSAG Case Studies Workshop and Webinar: A Rural Emergency Incident
Utah US Route 163 Motor Coach Crash – August 26

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s090826_tsag_rural.asp

Today in Transportation History

1964 **45th anniversary** – The US Navy reports an engagement with North Vietnamese boats in the Gulf of Tonkin.

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=98

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

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

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 10, 2009

July 13, 2009 at 12:45 am

Friday, July 10, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) Air France Pilots Blame Safety Agencies for Crash of Flight 447

Union says French and European agencies ignored a history of dangerous failures in Airbus speed probes.

Link to story in The Times:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6675343.ece

2) FAA Updating Flight Crew Alerting Standards

Rules would limit the use of red, yellow and amber on the flight deck.

Link to story in Occupational Health & Safety:

http://ohsonline.com/articles/2009/07/10/faa-updating-flight-crew-alerting-standards.aspx

3) Airlines in Love with Versatile Version of Bar Code

Link to story in The Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/portal/business/ci_12805878

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) Men Bests Delaware River Port Authority in Battle Over Privacy

Link to story in the Courier-Post:

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090710/NEWS01/907100338/1006/news01

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) First Look: AT&T’s Turn-by-Turn Navigation iPhone App

Link to review on FoxBusiness:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/personal-finance/lifestyle-money/personal-technology/look-atts-turn-turn-navigation-iphone-app/

MARITIME

6) US Senator John Rockefeller Wants Full Disclosure of Maritime Security Violations and Flubs

Link to story in Government Security News:

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/cms/features/news-analysis/2307.html

7) Washington State Ferries Wireless-Connection High-Speed Data Project

Link to report from the Federal Transit Administration:

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

OTHER

8) Drivers Asked to Test Alternative to Fuel Tax

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jYNPi3-EttcOOLkKFxgDJbvNRaVAD99AHA6G0

9) New Bills in US Congress Would Make RF Spectrum Inventories Open to Public

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/07/10/radio-frequency-spectrum-inventories-legislation.aspx

10) Telecommuting and the Broadband Superhighway

Link to story on Newgeography:

http://www.newgeography.com/content/00885-telecommuting-and-the-broadband-superhighway

11) July Issue of IEEE ITS Society Newsletter Online

Link to newsletter:

http://www.ieeeitss.org/v11n3.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Taking Eyes Off Road Ups Accidents

Link to story in The Hawk Eye:

http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/Texting-070809

TELEMATICS

13) Toyota, Lexus Get New Telematics System

Link to story in Consumer Reports:

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/07/toyota-safety-connect-lexus-enform-new-telematics-systems.html

News Releases

1) Traffax Inc. Conducts July 4 Study of Vehicle and Pedestrian Traffic Flows with DC Department of Transportation

2) Missouri DOT’s Communications System Wins International Award

Upcoming Events

2009 Virginia Hazardous Materials Conference – October 19-23 – Hampton, Virginia

http://www.virginiahazmat.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=85

Friday Bonus

Here’s one more way to keep the passengers’ attention during the airline safety announcements.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/business/30air.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

Today in Transportation History

1789 **220th anniversary** – Alexander Mackenzie discovered the river in Canada which would later bear his name.

http://www.pbs.org/empireofthebay/profiles/mackenzie.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

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 6, 2009

July 6, 2009 at 7:24 pm

Monday, July 6, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) FAA Gets Its New Virtualized Flight-Plan System Off the Ground

Link to story in eWeek:

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/IT-Infrastructure/FAA-Gets-Its-New-Virtualized-FlightPlan-System-into-the-Air-575310/

2) Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Sign Cost Jumps Past $2 Million

Link to story in the Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/local/49940422.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUT

3) Wyoming Requires Marking Wind Towers

Link to AP story:

http://www.trib.com/articles/2009/07/06/news/wyoming/a0e8b7f1fccae835872575e8007c1fe6.txt

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) E-ZPass Subsidy in Maryland Lingered Too Long

Link to column in The Baltimore Sun:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2009/07/ezpass_subsidy_lingered_too_lo.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Navteq: ‘The Phone Will Not Replace the Sat-Nav’

Link to story in Pocket-lint:

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/25235/navteq-phones-wont-replace-satnavs.phtml

OTHER

6) Twitter Comes to the Rescue

Link to column in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/travel/05prac.html

ROADWAYS

7) Federal Stimulus Road Signs Rile Up Some Taxpayers

Link to AP story:

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D998UR900.htm

8) ‘Pictograms’ Make Motorway Debut

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/surrey/8137241.stm

9) Signs to Monitor Driver Behavior in Queensland

Speeding and tailgating will be detected by signs and messages would change accordingly.

Link to story in the Sunshine Coast Daily:

http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2009/jul/06/signs-monitor-driver-behaviour-highway/

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) US Department of Homeland Security Launches Multi-frequency Radio Pilot Program for First Responders

Link to story on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090702_1033.php

TRANSIT

11) Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Testing Trolley Collision-Avoidance System

Link to AP story:

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO117928/

12) Denver’s RTA Preps Train-Stopping System for Colorado Light Rail Trains

Link to story in The Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12728198

13) Utah Transit Riders Use Smart Cards to Pay Fares

Link to story in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/699033

14) Chicago Transit Authority Surveys Customers…Badly

Link to commentary in The Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-doyle/cta-surveys-customers-bad_b_225147.html

News Releases

1) Denver’s RTA Introduces myStop, Automated Telephone System for Schedule Information

CORRECTIONS

There was an incorrect link in Friday’s issue.  The correct link is provided below.

Electronic Tolls Trump Cash on the Highways

Link to story in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124658505980890241.html

Upcoming Events

Large Hub Winter Operations Conference and Expo – July 19-21 – Dearborn, Michigan

http://events.aaae.org/sites/090710/agenda.cfm

Today in Transportation History

1919 **90th anniversary** – The British dirigible R34 completed the first trans-Atlantic crossing upon landing in Mineola, New York.

http://www.aht.ndirect.co.uk/airships/r34/index.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

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 1, 2009

July 1, 2009 at 5:23 pm

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


The USDOT Launches a Website to Provide Real-Time Traffic Information and Travel Times in the Mid-Atlantic

A new website, www.i95travelinfo.org, now offers live traffic speed information on major roadways in the region from New Jersey to North Carolina.  Additionally, based on real-time traffic speeds, the website provides both the current and normal travel times between various cities, airports, and other landmarks on key routes in the multi-state region.  To receive travel time information, users only need to select their starting point and destination from of list of pre-defined locations on the “Travel Time” page. This information can be particularly helpful to long-distance travelers as they prepare to navigate through and around major cities in the Mid-Atlantic region.  The I-95 Corridor Travel Time Information website is one element of the SafeTrip-21 initiative under way by the United States Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, in partnership with the I-95 Corridor Coalition.  The USDOT SafeTrip-21 program supports the use of advanced technology to improve safety and to reduce gridlock on America’s roadways.

AVIATION

1) Airlines Cut IT Spending, Focus on Customer Service

Link to story in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124638716731074767.html

2) Prague Unveils Mobile Phone Check-In Service

Link to story on Airport Technology:

http://www.airport-technology.com/news/news58516.html

3) Kiosks to Help Trace Baggage

Link to story in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204556804574259892408445768.html

4) European Transport Chief Calls for Global Blacklist for Airlines

Link to story on EurActiv:

http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/tajani-proposes-global-blacklist-airlines/article-183643

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

5) Confusion on First Day of Electronic Toll Collecting on George Bush Turnpike

Link to story and video on WFAA-TV:

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/localnews/news8/stories/wfaa090701_lj_tolltag.25bcd48b.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) GPS for Autos Starting to Get ‘Smarter’

Link to story on MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31619055/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

7) iSuppli: Traffic for GPS to Skyrocket

Link to story in TWICE:

http://www.twice.com/article/307266-iSuppli_Traffic_For_GPS_To_Skyrocket.php

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) UK Government U-turns on Compulsory ID Cards for Pilots

Link to ZDNet story:

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39668729,00.htm

Link to news release from the Home Office:

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/id-card-rollout-accelerated

9) Washington State Cell Phone Law a Year Old, but Problems Persist

Link to story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/407755_cellphones01.html

TELEMATICS

10) Embedded Electronics – Cars Get Cooperative

Link to story on ICT Results:

http://cordis.europa.eu/ictresults/index.cfm?section=news&tpl=article&BrowsingType=Features&ID=90703

TRANSIT

11) National Transportation Safety Board: DC Train Signal Failed Before Crash

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hDCAjySS_K-DH_mbJZv7u1ijPSewD995RG1O5

Link to advisory from the NTSB:

http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2009/090701.html

Link to response from WMATA:

http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2651

12) DC Metro: Trains May Run Manually for a Year

Link to AP story:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-06-30-metro_N.htm

13) Boston T Sets Up Phone Lines for Workers

Installation follows ban on carrying of cell phones.

Link to story in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/01/t_sets_up_phone_lines_for_workers/

14) RATP: Live Transit Schedules on iPhone Application

Link to story from Transport Expertise Association:

http://en.transport-expertise.org/index.php/2009/07/01/ratp-live-transit-schedules-on-iphone-application/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) GPS Systems that Give Traffic Reports

Link to story in The Geek Weekly:

http://www.thegeekweekly.com/feature/gps_traffic_reports/index.html

16) FREILOT Pilot Holds First Workshop

Link to story from ERTICO – ITS Europe:

http://www.ertico.com/en/news/ertico_newsroom/the_freilot_pilot_held_its_first_workshop.htm

News Releases

1) ITIS Launches TrafficScience with Navsat in Central America

2) Operation Lifesaver Canada Launches New Site

3) Differences in Navigation User Preferences and Behavior Between Europe and the US Impose Targeted Approaches

4) NASA, Japan Release Most Complete Topographic Map of Earth

5) Maryland State Highway Administration Unveils New User-Friendly Web Site

6) Holase Introduces Ultra Portable Traffic Management System

Upcoming Events

Intelligent Vehicle Technology Transfer (IVTT) Joint Military/Civilian Workshop on IntelliDrive – Gaithersburg, Maryland – July 30

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

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100th anniversary** – Canadian ship captain Joseph-Elzéar Bernier, claimed the Arctic Islands for Canada.

http://explorenorth.com/library/weekly/aa102000a.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

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – June 29, 2009

June 29, 2009 at 5:10 pm

Monday, June 29, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) Computer Failures are Probed in Air France Crash

Link to story in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124605948270463623.html

2) FAA Chief Backs NextGen Users

Link to story in Aviation Week:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=busav&id=news/Babbitt062909.xml&headline=FAA%20Chief%20Backs%20NextGen%20Users

3) Soon, Fliers Can ‘Voice’ Their Complaints at Mumbai Airport

Link to story in The Times of India:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Soon-fliers-can-voice-their-complaints-at-airport/articleshow/4713665.cms

4) Marketers See Fliers Waiting to Claim Bags as Captive Audience

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-06-28-airport-ads_N.htm

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

5) Some Still Slow to Make the Move to Fast Lane

Link to story in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/06/29/a_third_of_tollpayers_still_resist_offer_of_a_free_fast_lane_transponder/

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) Garmin Issues Fix for Widespread GPS Glitch

Link to story in PC Magazine:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2349317,00.asp

OTHER

7) Iowa DOT Blocks Tweeter, Facebook, Other Online Social Media Over Security Concerns

Link to story in The Des Moines Register:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090628/NEWS10/906280337/1011

8) Toyota Technology has Brain Waves Move Wheelchair

Link to AP story:

http://www.smartsunguide.com/pdf/SMART%20Moves_JUNE%20Issue_Final.pdf

9) Besides Rail, We Need Smart Transportation Technology

Link to commentary in the San Jose Mercury News:

http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_12701754

RAILROADS

10) Bellingham, Washington Still Fighting to Keep Amtrak Records Private in Death Case

Link to story in The Bellingham Herald:

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/966547.html

ROADWAYS

11) June Issue of Florida DOT’s Smart Moves Newsletter Online

Link to newsletter:

http://www.smartsunguide.com/pdf/SMART%20Moves_JUNE%20Issue_Final.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Metrorail Crash May Exemplify Paradox of Human-Machine Interaction

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/28/AR2009062802481.html

13) America‘s Fortress: Cheyenne Mountain, NORAD Live On

Link to column on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10274268-52.html

TRANSIT

14) UK Commuters Could Use Phone to Pay for Travel

Link to story in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/5626613/Commuters-could-use-phone-to-pay-for-travel.html

15) Who Owns San Francisco Muni’s Arrival and Departure Times? That Depends on Who You Ask

Link to story in the SF Weekly:

http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2009/06/who_owns_munis_arrival_and_dep.php

16) Sound Transit Releases Powerful PSA Aimed at Youth and Light Rail Safety

Link to video via the Rainer Valley Post:

http://www.rainiervalleypost.com/?p=11779

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

17) Taiwan Traffic Radio Station Can’t Meet Target

Link to story from the Taipei Times:

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-eastasia.asp?parentid=109984

18) Coming Soon: Maps That Give You a More Complete Seattle-Area Traffic Picture

Link to column in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/archives/170396.asp

News Releases

1) Nissan Gets ‘Intelligent’ Over Saving Fuel – Project will use communications technology to teach drivers how to improve fuel economy

2) Washington, DC Launches New Circulator Bus Mobile Application

3) Inrix Wins Contract with GeoDecisions to Aid Government Logistics Using Real-Time Traffic Data

4) Navteq Traffic.com Upgrades Mobile Web Site for Real-Time Traffic Delays

Upcoming Events

12th IFAC Symposium on Control in Transportation Systems – September 2-4 – Redondo Beach, California

http://ee.usc.edu/CTS09/home/

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100th anniversary** – The first flight of a US military airplane took place took place at Fort Myer, Virginia.

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Wright_Bros/Military_Flyer/WR11.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

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

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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.

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – June 25, 2009

June 25, 2009 at 5:21 pm

Thursday, June 25, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


Register Now for IBTTA’s Workshop — 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. Gain valuable knowledge on 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. Meeting highlights include a technical tour of E-470 Public Highway’s Tools and Technology followed by Northwest Parkway’s 5.9GHz DSRC Multi-Application Demonstration, a networking event at INVESCO Field at Mile High, and a fundraising golf tournament to support the IBTTA Foundation. Hotel cut-off extended until July 1st. To register or view the preliminary agenda, visit IBTTA’s website today!

AVIATION

1) Truck Driver Who Crossed Active Logan Airport Runway Unaware It was Open

National Transportation Safety Board investigating communications with construction crews.

Link to story in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/06/25/driver_in_close_call_was_unaware_logan_runway_was_closed/

Link to preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board:
http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/GenPDF.asp?id=OPS09IA008&rpt=p

2) Delta Brings Back Red Coats to Help with Customer Service

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-06-24-delta-red-coats-service_N.htm

3) Better Data Sought on Web Sites for Flights

Senator Charles Schumer wants ID of airline fully clear.

Link to story in The Buffalo News:

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/712895.html

CAMERAS

4) Suit Claims Washington State Drivers Charged Excessive Traffic Camera Fines

Link to story on KING-TV:

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/NW_062409WAB-traffic-camera-fine-lawsuit-TP.1acd870.html

ROADWAYS

5) Dallas North Tollway Wrong-Way Crashes Prompt Look at Deterrents

Link to story in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/062509dnmetwrongway.403a811.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) Boston Mayor to Ban City Workers from Texting

Also planning ad campaign with Safe Roads Alliance to warn of dangers of texting and driving.

Link to story in the Boston Herald:

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20090625keep_your_eyes_on_the_road_mayor_to_ban_city_workers_from_texting

7) New York MTA: Lockheed Martin Screwed Up on Subway Security

Transit agency says company bungled program to link 2,000 cameras capable of ‘intelligent video’ to huge surveillance command centers.

Link to story in the New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06242009/news/regionalnews/mta__lockheed_martin_screwed_up_on_subwa_175907.htm

8) Texting While Driving: How Dangerous is It?

Link to story in Car and Driver:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_cars/texting_while_driving_how_dangerous_is_it_feature

TRANSIT

9) DC Metro Reviewing All Train Signaling Circuits in Wake of Accident

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/25/AR2009062501073.html

10) One Emerging Angle: Was the Fire Department Properly Notified of Metro Crash?

Link to story in the Washington City Paper:

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2009/06/23/one-emerging-angle-was-the-fire-department-properly-notified-of-metro-crash/

11) Philadelphia, NJ Transit Officials Try to Reduce Chances of Train Crashes

Link to AP story:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/train_transit_officials_try_to.html

12) Wisdom-Dispensing London Tube Drivers Take Riders on a Journey from A to B, via E Equals MC2

Subway drivers have been given a book of profound sayings, which they are being encouraged to dispense over the intercom.

Link to AP story:

http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-eu-britain-underground-enlightenment,0,4568289.story

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Florida DOT Launches New Bilingual 511 System

Link to story on WALA-TV:

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/florida/Fla_DOT_Launches_New_511_System

VEHICLES

14) ‘Smart’ Airbags Too Often Fooled

Link to story from MotorMatters:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/19/smart-airbags-too-often-fooled/

News Releases

1) Nationwide Network of Green Flight Paths a World First

2) Travelers Marketing Announces a New Safety/Service Patrol Sponsorship Program

3) Launch of the Trilingual Vocabulary of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

Upcoming Events

European Parking Association Congress – September 23-25 – Vienna

http://www.epacongress.eu/

Today in Transportation History

1954 **55th anniversary** – The US began Project Orbiter with the goal of placing a satellite in orbit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Orbiter

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

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

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – June 24, 2009

June 24, 2009 at 5:04 pm

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


GPS / NAVIGATION

1) Review: In Depth Look at AT&T Navigator Voice Navigation System on the iPhone 3S

Link to ZDNet review:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/cell-phones/?p=1508

MARITIME

2) Port of Beaumont, Texas Trying Out Mobile Command Center

Link to story on KBMT-TV:

http://www.kbmt12.com/news/local/48902527.html

3) Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Wants More Focus Given to Maritime Technology to Fight Security Threats

Link to Bernama story:

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=420035

OTHER

4) Communicating the Value of Transportation Research

Link to reports from the Transportation Research Board:

http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=10534

http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=10557 (contractors final report)

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) University of Maryland Transportation Technology Helped During Deadly Metro Collision

Link to story on WJLA-TV:

http://www.news8.net/news/stories/0609/634529.html

6) US Senators Push for Rail Safety Tech Grants

Link to story in The Journal of Commerce:

http://www.joc.com/node/412044

7) US Report Criticizes Nuclear Detectors

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062202821.html

8) A Scanner Sharply

License plate readers, shifting through roadways for criminals, will soon be able to track you everywhere you drive.

Link to story in the New Haven Advocate:

http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=13506

9) FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Postpones 800 MHz Rebanding Financial Reconciliation ‘True-Up’ Date to December 31

Link to order from the Federal Communications Commission:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1395A1.pdf

TRANSIT

10) Computer Failure May Have Caused DC Subway Crash

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-06-23-metro-crash-tuesday_N.htm

11) New York MTA Sells Naming Rights to Subway Station

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/nyregion/24naming.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

12) Utah Transit Authority Cancels Closed Meeting After Newspaper Protest

Link to story in The Salt Lake Tribune:

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12674674

13) SEPTA Delays ‘Smart-Card’ System Again

Link to story in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090624_SEPTA_delays__smart-card__system_again.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) A Summary of DC Metro Alerts After the Crash

Link to column in The Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/06/metro_alerts_a_summary_of_aler.html?hpid=topnews

VEHICLES

15) ‘Black Box’ Technology Comes to Cars

Link to story in Wired:
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/06/black-box-for-the-car/

News Releases

1) Niagara Falls Bridge Commission Launches Twitter Traffic Updates

2) Operation Lifesaver Launches New Public Awareness Campaign to Reduce Train-Related Pedestrian Deaths and Injuries

3) Iteris Receives Contract Award from Abu Dhabi Department of Transport

4) OmniAir, Brisa and Northwest Parkway to Demonstrate Integrated 5.9GHz DSRC Services

Upcoming Events

Advancing Traffic Signal Management Programs through Regional Collaboration – July 23

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s090701_signal.asp

Today in Transportation History

1969 **40th anniversary** – The Soviet Union launched Cosmos 287, a photo reconnaissance satellite.

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/masterCatalog.do?sc=1969-054A

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

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

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – June 23, 2009

June 23, 2009 at 11:53 pm

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057


Register Now for IBTTA’s Workshop — 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. Gain valuable knowledge on 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. Meeting highlights include a technical tour of E-470 Public Highway’s Tools and Technology followed by Northwest Parkway’s 5.9GHz DSRC Multi-Application Demonstration, a networking event at INVESCO Field at Mile High, and a fundraising golf tournament to support the IBTTA Foundation. Hotel cut-off extended until July 1st. To register or view the preliminary agenda, visit IBTTA’s website today!

AVIATION

1) Aviation Monitor Apes Human Nervous System

Link to story in The Australian:

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25672786-5013040,00.html

BICYCLES

2) New New York City Bike Safety Ads Take a Confrontational Approach

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/new-bike-safety-ads-take-a-confrontational-approach/?apage=1

3) Battle of the Bike Safety PSAs: Los Angeles DOT vs. New York City DOT

Link to story on LA.Streetsblog:

http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/06/22/battle-of-the-bike-safety-psas-ladot-vs-nycdot/

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) Fast Lane Slowdown en Route?

Surge in electronic toll use on Massachusetts Turnpike combined with sky-high transponder requests may lead to toll lane backups.

Link to story in the Boston Herald:

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2009_06_23_Fast_lane_slowdown_en_route_:_Backup_predicted_in_lanes/srvc=home&position=6

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) Malaysian Government Plans GPS Devices on Buses to Curb Speeding

Link to story in The Star:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/23/nation/4171866&sec=nation

6) US Department of Homeland Security Said to Kill Spy Satellite Plan

Link to story in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-spy23-2009jun23,0,6115663.story

7) Traffic Safety Education for Nonengineers

Link to story in Public Roads:

http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/09june/05.htm

TRANSIT

8) Experts Suspect Failure of Signal System, Operator Error in DC Metro Crash

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062203261.html

9) Unified E-Card to be Used for Public Transport in Dubai

Link to story in Emirates Business 24|7:

http://www.business24-7.ae/Articles/2009/6/Pages/22062009/06232009_fb95f4bbb1594ceb95b6a2271c569cc9.aspx

10) Indiana’s Transpo Limits Ads on Buses

Link to story in the South Bend Tribune:

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090622/News01/906239998/1130

11) Taking the Uncertainty Out of Bus Travel

Link to column in The Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/06/_some_of_the_longest.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) Latest Issues of Thinking Highways Online

Link to magazines:

http://www.thinkinghighways.com/#/147 (North America edition)

http://www.thinkinghighways.com/#/146 (Europe/Rest of World edition)

VEHICLES

13) ‘Cash-for-Clunkers’ Web Sites May Mislead, Agency Warns

Link to Bloomberg News story:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601213&sid=a9vyIGpukBss

News Releases

1) ITS-NY Announces 2009 Project-of-the-Year Winners

2) Telematics a Potential Lifeline for Troubled Transportation Industry

3) California Highway Patrol Speed Enforcement Program Lowers Injuries and Deaths

Upcoming Events

2009 NAB Radio Show – September 23-25 – Philadelphia

http://www.nabradioshow.com/

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100th anniversary** – The first transcontinental auto race across North America ended in Seattle.

http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=pf_output.cfm&file_id=2151

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

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