Thursday, March 19, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

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Registration is now open for IBTTA’s Upcoming Summit – The Future of Tolling:  ORT and the Path to Interoperability, June 14-16, 2009 in Tampa, FL 

Join IBTTA in Tampa, FL and receive cutting-edge information from agencies and toll service providers around the globe on the latest in all-electronic tolling, toll traffic management, and achieving full interoperability. This is the only Summit in the world in 2009 focused on the critical topics of Open Road Tolling, All-Electronic Tolling and Interoperability and will feature more than 100 of our industry’s most experienced and knowledgeable speakers, panelists and exhibitors. What matters most is your customer’s experience driving your roads, the quality of service they receive during the payment process and your success in collecting those payments. Are your customers satisfied? Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary agenda and register today! 

AVIATION

1) FAA to Block Public Access to Raw Bird Strike Data

Link to story in Air Transport Intelligence:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/03/18/324033/faa-to-block-public-access-to-raw-bird-strike-data.html

2) ‘High Risk’ NextGen’s Planning, Leadership Questioned

Link to story on ATW Daily News:

http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=15972

OTHER

3) Mystery Solved: Arizona DOT Returns Lost Slides to California Family

Link to story in The Daily Courier:

http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=65759

RAILROADS

4) New Australian Rail Tunnel Shows Cracks – Electronic Monitoring Being Conducted

Link to story in The Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/national/new-23b-rail-line-shows-a-few-cracks-20090318-925t.html  

ROADWAYS

5) Seattle DOT Botched Snow Response

Link to story in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008885019_sdot19m.html

6) Governor Wants Minnesota to Test Mileage Tax

Link to story on Minnesota Public Radio:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/03/18/mileage_tax/

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) US Transportation Security Administration Lacks Technology to Meet Air Cargo Screening Goal

Link to story in Government Executive:

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=42298

TRANSIT

8) Hong Kong Underground Railway Gets Mobile Phone Coverage

Link to story on cellular-news:

http://www.cellular-news.com/story/36571.php

9) Leaked Web Test Leaves Toronto Transit Riders Mis-Tweeted

Link to story in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/604008

10) Twitter on Transit: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Link to story on TransitTalent:

http://www.transittalent.com/articles/index.cfm?story=Twitter

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Tennessee DOT Smart Way System: Phase Two

Link to story on WTVC-TV:

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/project_976653___article.html/tdot_says.html

VEHICLES

12) Cadillac Finds Its Hot Spot

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/cadillac-finds-its-hot-spot/

13) Can Your Car Know Too Much About You?

Link to story in the San Bernardino County Sun:

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_11948467

News Releases

1) Trip Calculator Helps Broward County, Florida Motorists Find Best Time to Travel

2) Cubic to Expand Bank Card Acceptance in Public Transit Through Exclusive Licensing Agreement with ViVOtech

3) ARTBA Foundation Announces 2009 “Work Zone Safety Awareness Award” Winners

4) Upgrade for Australia’s National Air Traffic Control Towers

Upcoming Events

Webinar: A New Approach to Traffic Signal Timing Education and Training: Mobile Signal Timing Training (MOST) – April 15

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s090415_most.asp

Today in Transportation History

2004 **5^th anniversary** – Twenty-three people, most of them youths, died when a bus and truck collided near Äänekoski, Finland. 

http://www.onnettomuustutkinta.fi/uploads/2u600ppcm9j9l0.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

–~–~———~–~—-~————~——-~–~—-~

  Wednesday, March 18, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

 AVIATION

 1) Europe Official: Air Safety Whistle-Blowers Hushed

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jXt7A0HiPG1eJBR69eo_5FrHUZcQD96VQVHO2

BICYCLES

 2) Internet Map That Pinpoints Danger Spots for Cyclists to Avoid in London

Link to story in the Evening Standard:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23663615-details/Internet+map+that+pinpoints+danger+spots+for+cyclists+to+avoid/article.do

Link to map:  http://labs.timesonline.co.uk/2009/cycling_accidents/

CAMERAS

 3) Extra Second for Yellow Traffic Light Costs Big for Traffic Camera Fine Revenue

City of Rome, Georgia considering ending the use of red-light cameras because of a decrease in revenue.

Link to story in the Rome News-Tribune:

http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/680/public/news953816.html

 4) GOP Nixes Ohio Construction Zone Cameras

Link to AP story:

http://www.wtte28.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.oh/37b4235b-www.wtte28.com.shtml

 5) Controversial New Product Identifies Red-Light Camera Locations

Link to video report on KING-TV:

http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=342931

  GPS / NAVIGATION

 6) Obama Proposes Terminating System that Backs Up GPS

Link to story on NextGov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090317_8821.php

 MARITIME

 7) Japan, China Conduct Communication Drill for Maritime Salvage

Link to Xinhua story:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/17/content_11027936.htm

 8) Robotic Fish to Detect Pollution in Ports

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/7949956.stm

 9) Washington State Lawmakers Scuttle Ferry Naming Rights Idea

Link to story in The Daily Herald:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090318/NEWS01/703189831 

 ROADWAYS

 10) Michigan County Calls for Removal of Hitchhiking Warning Signs

Link to story in The Jackson Citizen Patriot:

http://www.mlive.com/news/citpat/index.ssf?/base/news-27/123738511475140.xml&coll=3

 VEHICLES

 11) Networked Cars Driving Transportation Vision

Link to story in Business Edge:

http://www.businessedge.ca/article.cfm/newsID/19616.cfm

 12) New Consortium Focuses on Infotainment Software

Link to story in Automotive Engineering International:

http://www.sae.org/mags/AEI/6052

News Releases

1) Missouri DOT Asks Drivers to Rate Work Zones – Public Feedback Will Ensure Safety and Efficiency  

2) Sensys Networks Wireless Sensors Based on TI Microcontrollers Help Manage Traffic for 10+ Years Without Maintenance

3) Dadnab Extends Transit Texting Service to Southern California

4) National Traffic Camera Network Offers XML Feeds for Public Safety Data Fusion Applications

Upcoming Events

AASHTO GIS for Transportation Symposium – April 5-8 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

http://www.gis-t.org/

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100^th anniversary** – Einar Dessau of Denmark made what is now considered the first ‘ham’ radio transmission.

http://spurvely.dk/dessau.html  (in Danish)

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

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

 Tuesday, March 17, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

Join Key Transportation Policy Makers at ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting – June 1-3

The Intelligent Transportation Society of America invites you to National Harbor, Maryland – in the Washington, DC metropolitan area – from June 1-3, 2009 for ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition. With ITS America 2009 in the Metro Washington Area, we have a wonderful opportunity to interact with legislators on the federal, state and local level to showcase ITS products and services.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, members of Congress, and key transportation administrators have been invited to speak during the Plenary sessions scheduled on Monday and Wednesday and to experience ITS technologies in action while at the Meeting.  This is a critical opportunity for our industry to demonstrate how ITS technologies can improve safety, mobility, and the environment while optimizing transportation dollars and helping to finance the future of our transportation system. For additional information on the ITS America 2009 Annual Meeting Program, click here.

AVIATION

1) FAA: Memo About Denver Air Safety ‘Alarming’

Link to story on KCNC-TV:

http://cbs4denver.com/investigates/dia.faa.delays.2.960876.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Traffic-Ready PNDs Challenged by Economy

Link to story in This Week in Consumer Electronics:

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6644832.html

OTHER

3) MIT Offering Two One-Week Summer Courses

 –  Discrete Choice Analysis: Predicting Demand and Market Shares

http://web.mit.edu/professional/short-programs/courses/discrete_choice_analysis.html

 –  Modeling and Simulation of Transportation Networks

http://web.mit.edu/professional/short-programs/courses/simulation_transportation.html

4) Latest Issue of Transport Business International Online

Includes articles on ITS, telematics, road safety and traffic management.

Link to magazine:

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=mypagesuite&refresh=pJ06X5r10L4k&PBID=8a22ef1c-9187-4d60-a8da-96ecddd9260a&skip

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) US Lawmakers Want More Interoperability in Emergency Comms

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/03/17/fema-location.aspx

TRANSIT

6) High Costs Kill Off London Underground Mobile Plans

Link to story on ZDNet Asia:

http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/communications/0,39044192,62052240,00.htm

 7) Breaking Down the ‘Silos’ that Isolate Ridership Data

Link to story in Passenger Transport:

http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/aptapt/issues/2009-03-16/19.html

 TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) iFlorida Model Deployment Final Evaluation Report

Link to report from FHWA:

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop08050/index.htm

News Releases

1) NYSDOT, NYSERDA Fund Projects to Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled and Greenhouse Gases

Upcoming Events

2009 International CAD Consortium Conference – May 3-7 – Reston, Virginia

http://www.intlcad.org/

Today in Transportation History

1979 **30^th anniversary** – A portion of the Penmanshiel Tunnel in Scotland collapsed, killing two workers.

http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_Penmanshiel1979.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 12, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Pilot Training Program Uses Specially Equipped Jets to Simulate Unexpected Hazards

Link to story in The Buffalo News:

http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/603882.html

Link to additional information from Calspan Flight Research Group:

http://www.calspan.com/upset.htm

CAMERAS

2) New Anchorage Tunnel’s Security Cameras Not Available Online

Link to story and video report on KTUU-TV:

http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=9991631&nav=menu510_2

3) Mesa, Arizona Loses $ on Traffic Cameras, Says Worth It for Safety

Link to story and video report on KNXV-TV:

http://www.abc15.com/content/traffic/story/Mesa-loses-on-traffic-cameras-says-worth-it-for/EOMv44sCrUOqz3_8M6rrZQ.cspx

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Filipinos Making Their Mark on Google Maps

Link to story in the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20090312-193791/Filipinos-make-their-mark-on-Google-Maps

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Caution: GPS Devices Aren’t Always Right

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-03-11-gps_N.htm

6) Blazing a Trail with a Smartphone, Visual Signposts Included

GPS-enabled phones can be used for navigation and journaling while hiking.

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/technology/personaltech/12smart.html

7) TomTom is Your New Facebook Friend

Link to story on Absolute Gadget:

http://www.absolutegadget.com/200903122269/news/automotive/tomtom-hd-traffic-widget-facebook-bebo-igoogle-real-time-traffic-information.html

RAILROADS

8) Amtrak Unveils Spot TV Campaign

Link to story in Mediaweek:

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/local-broadcast/e3i6ae4453d630258551eafe430d6b2022a

ROADWAYS

9) March Issue of Florida DOT’s SMART Moves Online

Link to newsletter:

http://www.smartsunguide.com/pdf/SMART%20Moves_MARCH%20FINAL%20Issue.pdf

TRANSIT

10) NJ Transit Cuts Costs as Ridership Dips

Agency eliminating toll-free information number and reducing number of printed timetables.

Link to story in the Asbury Park Press:

http://www.app.com/article/20090311/NEWS/90311110/1001/rss

11) DC Metro ‘Punts’: Will Release Schedule Date for Google and Others

Link to story on Greater Greater Washington:

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=1786

12) Wisconsin Bus System Benefits from Christian-Atheist Battle

Link to story in the Wisconsin State Journal:

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/442593

13) Stadium is Citi Field, but the Subway Stop has Other Ideas

Mets decline buying naming rights for subway and Long Island Rail Road stations.

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/nyregion/12shea.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

14) Contactless Payment Cards Next Step for Transit Agencies

Link to story in ContactlessNews:

http://www.contactlessnews.com/2009/03/11/contactless-payment-cards-next-step-for-transit-agencies

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Be a Clever Commuter

Service allows transit users to share information about service disruptions.

Link to video report on WNBC-TV:

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Be_a_Clever_Commuter_New_York.html

16) Imagine a 311 Application for the iPhone

New York City Council members suggest a mobile application with information such as real-time traffic feeds.

Link to blog in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/imagine-a-311-application-for-the-iphone/

News Releases

1) NJ Transit Approves Customer Upgrades at Port Authority Bus Terminal – Project will enhance communications and improve efficiency

2) AUTO21: Strengthening Canada’s Auto Industry Through Advanced Research & Innovation

Upcoming Events

Talking Operations Web Conference – I-95 Express Lanes in Florida: Project Update – April 1

https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=16466

Today in Transportation History

1974 **35^th anniversary** – George D. Sax, credited with creating the first drive-in bank, died.

http://www.horatioalger.com/member_info.cfm?memberid=sax65  

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

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 11, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

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BICYCLES

1) Attacks on Bicycle Commuters Spur Rider-Awareness Campaign

Link to story in The Seattle Times:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008838541_webcyclists10m.html

CAMERAS

2) Governor Gets Plan to Ban Red Light Cameras in Mississippi

Link to AP story:

http://www.wdam.com/Global/story.asp?S=9988021

CARTOGRAPHY

3) California Lawmaker Wants Google Maps to Blur Certain Buildings

All hospitals, schools, churches, and government buildings that appear on online maps would be blurred under proposed legislation.

Link to CNET News story:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10193171-93.html 

Link to video report on KUSI-TV:

http://www.kusi.com/news/goodmorning/40796132.html?video=YHI&t=a

Link to bill from California Legislature: 

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0251-0300/ab_255_bill_20090211_introduced.html

MARITIME

4) Third Maritime Safety Package General Framework

Link to memo from the EU:

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/105&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

ROADWAYS

5) I-19 in Arizona Losing Kilometer Signs

Link to story in The Sahuarita Sun:

http://www.sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/03/06/breaking_news/00mileposts0308.txt

6) Roadkill GPS Navigation System to Protect Animals

Link to National Geographic News story:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/03/090311-roadkill-GPS.html

7) Signs Still Missing in Houston-Area Six Months After Ike

Link to story and video report on KHOU-TV:

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou090309_mp_signs-blown-down.219b8238.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Freeway Call Boxes Going the Way of the Cassette Tape

Link to story in the Orange County Register:

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/call-boxes-county-2330660-orange-mile

9) Terrorist Watch List Hits One Million

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-03-10-watchlist_N.htm

10) State Officials Report Better Communication with US Department of Homeland Security

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/03/11/states-see-better-communication-with-dhs.aspx

Link to further information from the National Governors Association:

http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0903HSASURVEY.PDF

11) Hard Lessons of Fog Tuesday from Abu Dhabi

Link to story in The National:

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090311/PAGETHREE/53252817/1119/FOREIGN

TELEMATICS

12) Tracking Assets with Telematics

Telematics is helping contractors track and manage their equipment, but the lack of standardization frustrates managers and stands in the way of better productivity.

Link to story in Light & Medium Truck:

http://www.lmtruck.com/articles/petemplate.aspx?storyid=404

13) The Best In-Car Technology

A comparison of infotainment features offered for vehicles.

Link to story from AOL Autos:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/11/aa.best.in.car.technology/index.html

TRANSIT

14) GPS Systems Will Inform Massachusetts Commuters About Train Delays

Link to story in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/11/gps_systems_will_help_inform_commuters_about_train_delays/

Link to news release from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority:

http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=16809&month=&year

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Virginia Radio Stations Report Few Glitches with New Traffic Reports

Link to story in The Virginian-Pilot:

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/03/stations-report-few-glitches-outofstate-traffic-reports

VEHICLES

16) World’s First Open-Source Car Hits Geneva Motor Show

Link to column on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-10193838-16.html

17) Analysis of Benefits and Costs of Roll Stability Control Systems for the Trucking Industry

Link to report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/research-technology/report/09-020-RP-Roll-Stability.pdf 

News Releases

1) Maritime Safety: Towards Better Prevention of Maritime Accidents in EU

2) King County and Metro Unveil New Tools for Staying in Tune with Transit Disruptions

3) Fujitsu Launches Graphics SoC for Digital Dashboards & Car Navigation

Upcoming Events

APTA 2009 Bus & Paratransit Conference & International Bus Roadeo – May 1-6 – Seattle, Washington

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

Today in Transportation History

1779 **230^th anniversary** – The US Congress authorized a Corps of Engineers.

http://www.usace.army.mil/History/Pages/Brief/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

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

---

 

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

 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

 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

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

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