Newsletter Archives - Page 44 of 52

TIC for RDS-TMC and TPEG Broadcast Services – Reach More Navigation Devices Worldwide TIC has extended its globally accepted RDS-TMC broadcast solution to TPEG over digital media such as DAB, HD, satellite radio, and mobile telecoms (GPRS, UTMS), reaching even more navigation devices worldwide. TIC supports TPEG applications including Traffic Flow and Prediction (TFP) and Traffic Event Compact (TEC), AROGA-C location referencing, and encryption. TIC is a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution proven in over 100 projects operating worldwide, including being used to provide Interoperability between legacy systems, 511 Services, to generate Traffic Flows & Predictive models, for Traffic Alerts, Traffic Plans & Simulations, report on Work Zones & Road Conditions, and more. As a COTS solution, TIC can be deployed faster, more affordably, and with less risk than build-your-own solutions. Contact jim.oneill@gewi.com to discuss your requirements.

AVIATION

1) Avoiding Goof-Ups: Indian Airports Rely on Human Eye Link to story in The Times of India: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Avoiding-goof-ups-Indian-airports-rely-on-human-eye/articleshow/4614432.cms

2) Common GPS Could Help Better Track Airline Flights Link to AP story: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-us-trackingplanes,0,4995854.story

3) Federal Aviation Administration Approves Safety-Reporting Program at American Airlines Link to AP story: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/FAA-approves-safetyreporting-apf-15441260.html?.v=1

4) Upgrading Avionics and Air Traffic Management in Tandem Takes Time and Patience Link to story in Military & Aerospace Electronics: http://mae.pennnet.com/display_article/363732/32/NEWS/none/none/1/Upgrading-avionics-and-air-traffic-management-in-tandem-takes-time-and-patience/

CAMERAS

5) Traffic Light Camera Provider Nestor Put in Receivership Link to story in The Providence Journal: http://newsblog.projo.com/2009/06/nestor-traffic.html

6) Speed Cameras on US Highways? Link to story from AOL Autos: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/06/04/aa.speed.cameras.highways/

GPS / NAVIGATION

7) RIM Acquires Dash Navigation Link to story in InformationWeek: http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2009/06/rim_aquires_das.html;jsessionid=QUVGT1NWVHH4UQSNDLPCKH0CJUNN2JVN

MARITIME

8) Washington State Ferries Thinking About Reservation System Link to story in The Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009296076_apwaferryreservations1stldwritethru.html

ROADWAYS

9) US Officials Very Interested in VMT/Road Use Charges – ITS America People Link to story in TOLLROADnews: http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/4193

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band Link to order from the Federal Communications Commission: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-48A1.pdf

TELEMATICS

11) Telematics Industry Relying on Partnerships, Customer Demand, to Survive Auto Crisis Link to column in the Michigan Business Review: http://blog.mlive.com/svengustafson/2009/06/telematics_industry_relying_on.html

TRANSIT

12) Edmonton Transit to Test Smart CardsLink to story in the Edmonton Sun: http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/edmonton/2009/06/04/9672391-sun.html

13) Detroit Department of Transportation Unveils More Informative Bus Signs Link to story in the Detroit Free Press: http://www.freep.com/article/20090604/NEWS01/90604043/1003/DDOT+unveils+more+informative+bus+signs

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) Seattle‘s Bing Trucks Give Real-Time Traffic, Travel Updates Link to story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/170328.asp

15) Montego Bay, Jamaica to Implement Traffic Management System Link to story in the Jamaica Observer: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/html/20090603T220000-0500_152786_OBS____M_TO_EASE_CONGESTION.asp

VEHICLES

16) Telematics Detroit: Toy Store for In-Vehicle Infotainment Link to story on WWJ Radio: http://www.wwj.com/Telematics-Detroit–Toy-Store-For-In-Vehicle-Infot/4528594

17) New BMW’s Drive Themselves (Almost) A new driver-assistance system in the works by BMW means older drivers won’t have to hang up their keys — or their independence. Link to story in Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2009-06/rescued-tech-autonomous-vehicle-control-system-aids-elderly-drivers

News Releases

1) Iteris Awarded $1.5 Million Inland Empire 511 Traveler Information System Contract

2) Get Connected with Complimentary Wi-Fi from US Airways

Upcoming Events

International Public Works Conference – September 6-10 – Melbourne http://www.alloccasionsgroup.com/IPWEA

Today in Transportation History

1939 **70th anniversary** – The St. Louis, carrying 936 Jewish refugees, was refused permission to land in the US. Many of the passengers died in the Holocaust after returning to Europe. http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/stlouis/

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

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

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National Transportation Operations Coalition (NTOC) Newsletter – NTOC Talks: June 3, 2009

June 4, 2009 at 3:00 pm

Talking Operations Webinar Today: Incorporating Pricing into the Long Range Planning Process
http://www.ntoctalks.com/web_casts.php?PHPSESSID=525a2aaab6e252cbee9e4f9064cc2cfa
Category > Opportunity: June 3, 2009 (NTOC)

A few spots are still available for this free Talking Operations, taking place from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today, June 3. To register, click here: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=17182

Description: The Value Pricing Pilot Program has demonstrated that the long-range planning process conducted by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) can be an excellent way to begin the discussion about congestion pricing in large metro areas with environmental and financial constraints. Corridor studies offer another opportunity. This webinar will focus on how pricing can be incorporated into the planning process and considered more widely in more metro areas. Speakers from Texas and Washington will present the state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organization perspectives. These states have successfully used the planning process to deploy congestion pricing. Factors that will be discussed include: what was behind the decision to consider congestion pricing early in the planning process; how transportation agencies in these states routinely assess congestion pricing and managed lanes as possible solutions to congestion problems; and, some of the reasons pricing was considered for implementation. In addition, speakers will share information about the process they use to screen potential pricing strategies and models and other analytical tools they relied on to evaluate potential strategies.

Your Input Requested for IntellidriveSM Survey
http://www.itsa.org/press_release_content/c215_d2943/News.html
Category > Opportunity: June 3, 2009 (ITS America)

The IntelliDriveSM (formerly VII) research program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) combines leading edge technologies to provide the capability for vehicles to identify threats and hazards on the roadway and communicate this information over wireless networks to give drivers alerts and warnings. The program is intended to accelerate the development and market adoption of IntelliDriveSM capabilities, whether they emerge through federally funded research initiatives or as a result of independent research activities in the academic, non-profit, or private sector.

In support of this initiative, U.S. DOT and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) believe that real progress can happen only if there is widespread understanding of the nature and extent of IntelliDriveSM related research (federally funded or not) and of its emerging application and deployment.

To increase this awareness, ITS America invites you to participate in a survey authorized by U.S. DOT, to:

Identify non-federally funded IntelliDriveSM research initiatives underway throughout North America
Explore the research needs of the ITS stakeholder community
Identify ways in which the ITS stakeholder community can be better supported in its collaboration efforts to develop and deploy ITS technologies

A key outcome of this survey will be the development of a Web-based application that routinely identifies IntelliDriveSM research from non-federally funded sources to augment the more widely known research occurring under federal sponsorship. The application will also promote knowledge transfer and collaboration to enhance greater deployment of IntelliDriveSM in support of our nation’s 21st century surface transportation system. To participate in this survey, please visit: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB2296PFTCMBE.

We would like your responses by Friday, June 12. If you have any questions, please contact Brei Whitty at bwhitty@itsa.org.

Transportation Industry’s Best Honored at ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition
http://www.itsa.org/press_release_content/c215_d2951/News.html
Category > Breaking News: June 3, 2009 (ITS America)

ITS America honored the organizations and agencies that demonstrated the most innovative and effective uses of advanced technologies in surface transportation. The awards were presented this week before more than 1,000 of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) leaders during the opening session of ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition at the Gaylord National Hotel & Resort in National Harbor, Maryland.

In the “Best New Practices” category, the public agency winner was the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Traffic Engineering Division for its project “Saving Lives Through Innovative Partnerships – the msTraffic/MED-COM Project.” The private sector company winner was Kapsch TrafficCom won top honors in the “Best New Practices” category for its Smart Road Technologies for Safety and Mobility Travelers” project.

In the “Best New Innovative Products or Services” category the public agency winner was the Florida Department of Transportation for its Office of Motor Carrier Compliance and FreightDesk Technologies for its Truck Control System in Aqaba, Jordan.

For more information on the winning practices, products and services, go to http://www.itsa.org/amawards.html.

$1.5 billion TIGER Discretionary Grants Announced—Local Funding Available
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11542.pdf
Category > Breaking News: June 3, 2009 (U.S. DOT)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the availability of $1.5 billion in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grants for capital investment in surface transportation projects. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region, or metropolitan area and can create jobs and benefit economically distressed areas.

The grants can range from $20 million up to $300 million to support high impact transportation projects. Secretary LaHood can waive the minimum grant requirement for beneficial projects in smaller cities, regions, or states. The U.S. Department of Transportation will require rigorous economic justifications for projects over $100 million. To ensure responsible spending, the department will require all fund recipients to report on their activities on a routine basis.

Applications for TIGER discretionary grants must be submitted by September 15, 2009, from state and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities and others. Comments on the criteria must be received by June 1, 2009. The Federal Register notice can be accessed at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11542.pdf.

TDOT Launches New Motorist Information Tool
http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/1969
Category > Breaking News: June 3, 2009 (U.S. DOT)

Motorists who traveled through Nashville, TN, USA this past Memorial Day holiday had an open road and a new tool to help avoid traffic tie-ups. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) suspended all lane closure activities on state roads and interstates and launched TDOT’s first Twitter page to help keep motorists up to date about problems on volunteer state roadways.

According to TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely, “Twitter is one more way TDOT can help travelers stay informed about road conditions in the volunteer state.”

People wishing to receive TDOT’s Twitter updates can now follow TN511 on Twitter. Motorists can also obtain traffic information on the TDOT Web site and by calling 511 from any land line or cellular phone or by tuning into one of several Highway Advisory Radio stations located in most urban areas.

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FHWA Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter – May 2009

June 4, 2009 at 2:37 pm

(Source: Office of Planning, Environment and Realty Federal Highway Administration)

Recent Events

House Energy and Commerce Committee Approves HR 2454. On May 21, 2009, after several days of deliberation, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved HR 2454 “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.” This includes a proposal for a cap and trade program and several provisions related to the transportation sector. It includes requirements to establish transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions goals and inclusion of a plan to achieve those goals in some metropolitan long-range transportation plans and transportation improvement programs. The legislation also calls for greenhouse gas emission standards on new vehicles including heavy duty on-road and non-road, marine, locomotive, and aircraft engines. The bill will now be referred to up to eight other House committees with jurisdiction over parts of the proposed legislation. The Senate has indicated it will take up climate legislation as well, but the timeline in the Senate is unclear.

EPA and DOT to Conduct Joint Rulemaking on GHG and CAFE Standards. EPA and DOT/NHTSA filed a joint Notice of Intent in the May 22 Federal Register to propose a coordinated greenhouse gas and fuel economy program. The program would apply to light-duty vehicles (cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks) for model years 2012-2016. Standards for model years after 2016 would be developed in a future rulemaking. EPA is considering a standard that would ramp down to an average 250 grams/mile CO2 (155 g/km) for model year 2016. Regarding fuel economy, President Obama announced on May 19 that a combined fleet average standard of 35.5 miles per gallon would apply by the 2016 model year. Preliminary analysis indicates that the combined program would lead to a reduction of approximately 890 million metric tons CO2 equivalent emissions and 1.8 billion barrels of oil for the model years covered. The Federal Register Notice is available here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-12009.htm. A press release from the White House is available here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Announces-National-Fuel-Efficiency-Policy/

EPA Announces 2008 Clean Air Excellence Awards. On May 13, EPA announced the recipients of its awards, including several transportation related entries. Stonyfield Farm, the yogurt maker, received an award in the category of Transportation Efficiency Innovations for strategies that led to a net 37 percent reduction of CO2 emissions in one year, despite company growth. For details on all of the 2008 award recipients see:http://www.epa.gov/air/caaac/recipients.html.

Robert Ritter Named FHWA Sustainable Transport and Climate Change Team Leader. Robert Ritter, currently a Team Leader in the FHWA Office of Planning, will be the Team Leader for FHWA’s Sustainable Transport and Climate Change Team beginning late June. Rob has been leading Phase II of the DOT Gulf Coast Study, which will further study the impacts of climate change on transportation infrastructure and operations and develop risk assessment tools. Prior to joining FHWA in 2003, Rob worked for the Eno Transportation Foundation.

State News

New York City Climate Change Risk. The New York City Panel on Climate Change released a report on climate change projections and potential risks to the city’s critical infrastructure. Global climate model projections are provided for temperature, precipitation, sea level rise, and extreme events for the New York City area. The document also includes information on the likelihood of risks associated with these impacts and their potential implications for New York City infrastructure. An appendix includes a breakdown of implications for several infrastructure categories, including transportation. The full report is available here:http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/pdf/2009/NPCC_CRI.pdf

Impacts of Climate Change in Washington State. Two studies were released discussing the impacts of climate change in Washington State. The studies were commissioned by the Washington State Legislature. The Climate Change Impacts Group at the University of Washington studied potential impacts of climate change using global climate models scaled to the Northwest, and the Climate Leadership Initiative at the University of Oregon looked at potential economic costs to Washington’s families, businesses and communities. The studies show that without action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, impacts in the state will be “profound.” For more information and links to the reports, see: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0901006.html.

Reminders

DOE Funding Available for Transportation Projects that Conserve Energy. The America Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 appropriated $3.2 billion for The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. Transportation strategies are eligible for funding. Applications for the funding must come from states, Indian tribes, or local governments. Grant application deadlines are May 26 for states and June 25 for local governments and tribes. For more information, contact Diane Turchetta at 202-493-0158 or Diane.Turchetta@dot.gov, or see: http://www.eecbg.energy.gov.

2009 Transportation, Planning, Land Use and Air Quality Conference to focus on Climate Change. The conference, sponsored by the Transportation Research Board, FHWA, and others, will explore the latest research in the coordination of transportation, land use and air quality with a specific focus on climate change strategies. The conference will be held in Denver, CO July 28 and 29, 2009. For more information, see:http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/tpluaq/home.html.

If you have any suggestions for inclusion in future issues of Transportation and Climate Change News, or if you would like to receive it directly in the future, please send your suggestions or request to Becky Lupes at Rebecca.Lupes@dot.gov.

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – June 3, 2009

June 3, 2009 at 10:49 pm

Wednesday, June 3, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

TIC3 Speaks Your Language – Deploy in Multiple Languages
Whether you are looking to provide Interoperability between legacy systems, launch or upgrade a 511 Service, generate Traffic Flows & Predictive models, Traffic Alerts, Traffic Plans & Simulations, report on Work Zones & Road Conditions, run an automated Radio Traffic Advisory system, or produce Navigation Quality Data, TIC3 from GEWI is the solution. All of these services, and more, can be achieved by simple configuration of this single commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software platform, already in use in over 100+ projects worldwide. And, it is already configured for 12 languages with other languages easily added. TIC is offered with flexible pricing models, worldwide support, and will also be made available locally through GEWI Authorized Partners. Contact jim.oneill@gewi.com to discuss your requirements.

AVIATION

1) Crash Mystery Tests Limits of Technology

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-06-02-crashinside_N.htm

2) Air France Flight Flew Well Beyond Range of Radar

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j5g0ENmGxuUgPabNpRzvxTuScdUQD98IQJ7G0

3) Factbox: How Planes Get Lost

Link to information from Reuters:

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-40052920090602

4) US Air Force Uses Jets for Long-Range Communications on Battlefields

Link to story on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090602_3113.php

5) Delta Counting on New Red Coats to Boost Customer Service

Link to story in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/delta/stories/2009/06/03/redcoat_delta_customerservice.html

CAMERAS

6) Tennessee Traffic Camera Restrictions Bill Goes to Governor

Link to blog in the Knoxville News Sentinel:

http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/humphrey/2009/06/traffic-camera-restrictions-bi.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

7) Say Hello to BING-411, Bing’s Voice Service

Phone service offers driving directions.

Link to review on Appscout:

http://www.appscout.com/2009/06/say_hello_to_bing-411_bings_vo.php

OTHER

8) News Updates from ITS America Annual Meeting

Link to news update:

http://www.dailynews-online.com/itsa-am/

PARKING

9) New Meters Challenging San Francisco Parkers

Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/03/BA8V17USEA.DTL

ROADWAYS

10) Confusing Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Signs Targeted

Link to story in the Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/local/46769982.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1OiP:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

11) Measures to Stop Wrong-Way Drivers on Dallas North Tollway Debated

Link to story in The Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-wrongway_03met.ART0.State.Edition2.5134ae5.html

12) National Socialists’ Highway Cleanup Hits Bump

Jewish group worked through legislators to have Missouri roadway renamed after rabbi.

Link to editorial in the News-Leader:

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009905310334

SAFETY / SECURITY

13) Airport Officials Ask Congress Not to Disrupt TSA Biometric Work

Link to story in Washington Technology:

http://washingtontechnology.com/articles/2009/06/03/congress-urged-not-to-disrupt-tsa-biometrics-work.aspx

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) Centralize Traffic Monitoring, New Jersey Lawmakers Say

Link to story in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_06dd2c88-4e2f-11de-b544-001cc4c03286.html

News Releases

1) CP24 and GO Transit Announce Exclusive Partnership – Live Reports Delivered from GO Transit Centre

Upcoming Events

smart rivers ’21-The Future of Inland Navigation – September 6-9 – Vienna

http://www.smartrivers.org/

Today in Transportation History

1969 **40^th anniversary** – Australian light aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne and US Navy destroyer, USS Frank E. Evans collided in the South China Sea. Seventy-four died.

http://www.vrb.gov.au/dvapublications/CLIK-Frank-E-Evans.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.

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Bernie’sTransportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – June 1, 2009

June 1, 2009 at 8:07 pm

Monday, June 1, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

New Flexible TIC Architecture On Display at ITS America
TIC’s new architecture is a breakthrough in data processing offering unprecedented flexibility and functionality as required for traffic and travel information and management. As a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution, TIC is a proven, highly scalable solution used in over 100 projects operating worldwide. TIC can be deployed faster, more affordably, and with less risk than build-your-own solutions. TIC is offered with flexible pricing models, worldwide support, in several languages, and will also be made available locally through GEWI Authorized Partners.
See TIC at GEWI booth #329 through Wednesday at ITS America or contact jim.oneill@gewi.com to discuss your requirements.

CAMERAS

1) Effort to Overturn Speed Cameras Fails in Maryland

Link to AP story:

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/gov/2009/06/01-04/Effort-to-overturn-speed-cameras-fails.html

2) Big Brother? North Carolina Cameras Would Record All License Plates

Link to story in the Star-News:

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090530/ARTICLES/905309990/1004?Title=Big-Brother-Area-cameras-would-record-all-licence-plates

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Cell Phone Locator System Needs No Satellite

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/01/technology/start-ups/01locate.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

OTHER

4) Meet the Public’s Voice at Minnesota DOT

Link to story in the Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/local/46586247.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

5) News Updates from ITS America Annual Meeting

Link to news update:

http://www.dailynews-online.com/itsa-am/

ROADWAYS

6) University of South Carolina Focuses on Finding Bridge Damage Through Specialized Sensors

Link to story in The State:

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/805489.html

7) A Traffic Sign for John C. Calhoun

Why so many words on pedestrian yield sign?

Link to blog in The New York Times:

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/01/a-traffic-sign-for-john-c-calhoon/

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) US Department of Homeland Security Expands RFID Use at Borders Today

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/06/01/dhs-expands-rfid-use-at-borders-today.aspx

9) National Transportation Safety Board: Charter Bus Companies Must Have Contingency Plans for Crashes in Remote Areas

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jtKEp9EQ8X9AFP94PbtWyAPOAQWgD98GQUT80

TRANSIT

10) Tube Undergoes Language Upgrade

Ticket machines on the London Underground have been upgraded to operate in 17 different languages.

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8076510.stm

11) Johannesburg BRT E-Ticketing System Delayed

Link to story on ITWeb:

http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2009/0906011042.asp?O=FPTOP&S=IT%20in%20Government&A=ITG

12) London Olympics Tickets to Double as Transport Tickets, Cash?

Link to story in ContaclessNews:

http://www.contactlessnews.com/2009/06/01/olympics-tickets-to-double-as-transport-tickets-cash#top

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Traffic Solutions Just a Phone Call Away in Jakarta

Link to story in The Jakarta Post:

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/05/30/traffic-solutions-just-a-phone-call-away.html

VEHICLES

14) From MPG to Mbps: Broadband Cars to Hit Top Gear in ’12

Link to story in telecomasia:

http://www.telecomasia.net/article.php?id_article=13669

News Releases

1) Clear Channel Radio’s Total Traffic Network Partners with EarthCam

2) TrafficCast’s BlueTOAD to Monitor Traffic Using Bluetooth

3) TransCore and Sensys Networks Announce Alliance to Integrate Arterial Travel Time System into TransSuite

4) Louisiana DOT Launches Improved 511 Traveler Information Service

5) ITS America, IBM, Spencer Trask, & Partners Launch Congestion Challenge for Traffic Solutions

6) Ford Sync with Traffic, Directions and Information Now Live with Inrix Traffic and 3^rd Generation Routing

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Talking Freight Special Session: TIGER Discretionary Grants Program – June 9

http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=17299

Today in Transportation History

1939 **70^th anniversary** – The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 made its first flight.

http://www.warbirdalley.com/fw190.htm

2009 – General Motors declared bankruptcy.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/06/its-official-gm-seeks-bankruptcy-protection.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.

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

May 29, 2009 at 6:31 pm

Friday, May 29, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

TIC3 From GEWI – One Platform, Multiple Deployment Options

Whether you are looking to provide Interoperability between legacy systems, launch or upgrade a 511 Service, generate Traffic Flows & Predictive models, Traffic Alerts, Traffic Plans & Simulations, report on Work Zones & Road Conditions, run an automated Radio Traffic Advisory system, or produce Navigation Quality Data, TIC3 from GEWI is the solution. All of these services, and more, can be achieved by simple configuration of this single commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software platform, already in use in over 100+ projects worldwide. To discuss your requirements, contact jim.oneill@gewi.com and look for GEWI in booth #329 at ITS America.

AVIATION

1) Coalition Aims to Revamp Air Traffic Control System

Link to story in The Record:

http://www.northjersey.com/news/aroundnj/Coalition_aims_to_revamp_air_traffic_control_system.html

RAILROADS

2) Amtrak Inches Closer to On-Track Wi-Fi in Northern California

Link to story on Jaunted:

http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/28/84647/7022/travel/Amtrak+Inches+Closer+to+On-Track+WiFi+in+Northern+California

ROADWAYS

3) High-Tech Upgrades to Pennsylvania Highways Could Manage Congestion

Link to story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_627225.html

4) June Issue of Florida DOT’s SunGuide Disseminator Online

Link to newsletter:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/trafficoperations/Newsletters/2009/2009-006-June.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) GIS Maps Prevent Vehicle Collisions with Elk and Deer

Link to story in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/691425

6) New Travel Rules Kick in June 1 in US Amid Concerns Over RFID-Tagged Passport Cards

Link to story in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9133639

TRANSIT

7) Cleveland‘s Bus Rapid Transit

Link to interview and audio on WNYC Radio:

http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/132968

8) New York MTA Offers Mobile Transit Directions

Link to story in amNY:

http://weblogs.amny.com/entertainment/urbanite/blog/2009/05/mta_offers_mobile_transit_dire.html

VEHICLES

9) Kansas is Owed $1 Million in Motor Vehicle Records Misuse Case

Link to story in The Wichita Eagle:

http://www.kansas.com/news/story/831007.html

News Releases

1) New Ford Sync Application – Traffic, Directions and Information – Ready for Download

Upcoming Events

Integrating Transit Applications: Defining Data Interfaces Using TCIP – June 24-25 – Los Angeles

http://www.ntionline.com/CourseInfo.asp?CourseNumber=TRI27

Friday Bonus

Here’s an interesting way to calm traffic but panic drivers.*

http://sidestreets.freedomblogging.com/2008/11/19/gimme-a-pothole/852/

(*This is not a real product. The photos are from an ad campaign.)

Today in Transportation History

1914 **95^th anniversary** – The RMS Empress of Ireland sank after a collision with the Storstad in the Gulf of St. Lawrence killing 1078 people.

http://www.sea-viewdiving.com/shipwreck_info/empress_home/thetragedy.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.

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter(TCN) – May 28, 2009

May 28, 2009 at 6:09 pm

Thursday, May 28, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

TIC3 From GEWI – One Platform, Multiple Deployment Options

AVIATION

1) Connexion by Boeing’s Former King Marketer Uncensored

Link to column on Flightglobal:

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/runway-girl/2009/05/connexion-by-boeings-former-ki.html

BICYCLES

2) Online Mapping Tool Promotes Bike Safety

Link to story and video in The Seattle Times:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009270653_bikewise28m0.html

Link to bikewise: http://www.bikewise.org/

OTHER

3) Q&A with US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Gary Blore About the New National Security Cutter Bertholf

Link to interview in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/05/28/q-and-a-with-coast-guard-acqusition-rear-admrl-gary-blore.aspx

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

4) Courtesy-Minded Metro Stands Up for Riders Who Shouldn’t Have to

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/26/AR2009052603286.html

RAILROADS

5) Latest Edition of Signal Online

Link to newsletter of the European Rail Traffic Management System:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/interoperability/ertms/doc/012_signal_2009_05_en.pdf

ROADWAYS

6) New Sign Will Count and Display Accident-Free Days on US 2 in Washington State

Link to story in The Snohomish Times:
http://www.snohomishtimes.com/snohomishNEWS.cfm?inc=story&newsID=563

7) Rolling Wheel Deflectometer – Network-Level Pavement Structural Evaluation – Measuring Deflection at Highway Speeds

Link to further information from the Federal Highway Administration:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/management/rwd/index.cfm

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) US-VISIT Tests New Approaches to Exit System

DHS will start testing two methods for electronically collecting and transmitting biometric data on non-citizens as they leave the US through airports.

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/05/27/web-us-visit-pilots.aspx

9) Ohio Troopers to Power Radios with Solar

Link to story in The Columbus Dispatch:

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/05/28/z-apoh_greencruisers_0528.ART_ART_05-28-09_B6_1KE0FQ4.html?sid=101

TELEMATICS

10) Sync Gets Traffic Application

Link to story in the Detroit Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/article/20090528/BUSINESS01/905280459/1210/BUSINESS/Sync+gets+traffic+application

TRANSIT

11) Is God Dead? Or Just Not Riding the Bus?

Link to story in Time:

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1901301,00.html

12) Laval Commuters to Receive GPS Bus Updates

Link to story in The Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/Technology/Laval+unveil+updates/1636772/story.html

13) DC Metro Posting Signs for Next Bus Return

Link to column in The Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/05/metro_posting_signs_for_next_b.html

News Releases

1) NTSB Expands Release of Accident Investigation Public Dockets Available on Web Site Beginning Next Week

2) DOT Secretary LaHood, US CTO Chopra, EPA Advisor Sussman, T&I Chairman Oberstar, Ranking Member Mica, Other Officials to Explore ITS Solutions to Nation’s Transportation, Economic, Environmental Challenges

3) Flyte Systems Installs Live Airline Information at LAX Airport Parking Complex – Will Also Include National Weather and Traffic Information for the Los Angeles Area

4) Brighter Lights On Roads at Night May Make Older Drivers Less Cautious: Ryerson Study

Upcoming Events

Intelligent Transportation Systems in the Airport Environment – August 3-5 – Salt Lake City

http://events.aaae.org/sites/090801/index.cfm

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50^th anniversary** – Two monkeys became the first living creatures to survive a space flight.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/28/newsid_3725000/3725961.stm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

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

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

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

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

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – May 27, 2009

May 27, 2009 at 5:04 pm

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

OpenTMS – Provides Real-Time Operations System Solutions

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

AVIATION

1) FAA Bird Radar Tests to Expand this Summer

Link to story on AVweb:

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

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

Link to column in The Wall Street Journal:

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

3) Ethnic Tamil Malaysians Want Tamil Announcements at Airports

Link to story in The Hindu:

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

CAMERAS

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

Link to story in The Dallas Morning News:

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

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) The GPS Revolution: Location, Location, Location

Link to story in BusinessWeek:

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

OTHER

6) From Traffic Signs to Furniture

Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:

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

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

7) Transportation Security Administration to Promote Secure Flight Program

Link to story on AviationNews.net:

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

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Aviation Groups Fight Airport Badging Rule

Link to story in Aviation Week:

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

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

Link to CBC News story:

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

TRANSIT

10) Plan Would Let Chicago Transit Riders Pay with Phone

Link to story on WLS-TV:

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

11) Subsidized Passes Problem for Phoenix-Area Light Rail

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

Link to story in The Arizona Republic:

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

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

Link to story in the Daily News:

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

13) Twitter Largely Untapped by Campus Bus Services

Link to story in Metro Magazine:

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

14) Israel Admits Tube Advert Map ‘Mistake’

Link to BBC News story:

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

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

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

Link to story on itbusiness.ca:

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

News Releases

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

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

Upcoming Events

Workshop on Roundabouts – August 18 – Maitland, Florida

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

Today in Transportation History

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

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

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

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

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

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

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

Read more Comments Off

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – May 26, 2009

May 26, 2009 at 10:31 pm

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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

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

CAMERAS

1) Internet Accelerating Speed Camera Foes in Maryland

Link to story in The Washington Post:

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

2) Man Unhappy as Traffic CCTV Films His Home

Link to story on Get Surrey:

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

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) The GAO, the Media, and GPS

Link to commentary in The Space Review:

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

OTHER