Monday, July 6, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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 **100^th 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

Monday, June 29, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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

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

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

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100^th 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

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.

Thursday, June 25, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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 1^st. 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 **55^th 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

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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 **40^th 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

Monday, June 22, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Friday, June 19, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Aircell Gets FAA Approval for Wi-Fi System

Link to story in The Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_12625367

Link to news release from Aircell:

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-18-2009/0005046431&EDATE

CARTOGRAPHY

2) Oops! ‘Ferry Crash’ Unstitches Google Maps

Aerial photo appears to show boats crashing and another one sunk in Sydney.

Link to story in The Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/oops-ferry-crash-unstitches-google-maps-20090618-cl13.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

3) Ohio Turnpike Still a Hole in Regional Tolling

Link to AP story:

http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_12647923

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) US Air Force Reviews Reliability of GPS Satellite Models

Link to story in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124543128766431947.html

OTHER

5) New Jersey Turnpike Wants to Roadblock ‘Exit’ Brew

Toll road asks brewery to halt marketing of beer.

Link to story in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/features/20090619_N_J__wants_to_roadblock__Exit__brew.html

Link to story in TOLLROADSnews:

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/4204

Link to further information from Flying Fish Brewing Co.: http://www.exitseries.com/

RAILROADS

6) Public Rail Crashes Probe Ruled Out in UK

Link to Press Association story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jfPPY2c_mkMzD7_ZuqJFy-0OHCow

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) FOI: Fear of Information

Releasing information on airport staff names salaries is a security concern says city of Houston.

Link to commentary in the Houston Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/casey/6487473.html

Link to story in Texas Watchdog:

http://www.texaswatchdog.org/2009/06/airportpayroll1/

TRANSIT

8) First Amendment Implications for Transit Facilities: Speech, Advertising, and Loitering

Link to further information from the Transportation Research Board:

http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=10528

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Second i-Travel Workshop Held

Link to further information from ERTICO-ITS Europe:

http://www.ertico.com/en/news/ertico_newsroom/second_i-travel_workshop_held.htm

VEHICLES

10) Feds Roll Out Consumer-Friendly Tire Label Rules

Link to story in the Los Angeles Times:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/uptospeed/2009/06/car-tires.html

News Releases

1) New York State Announces Free Statewide 511 Travel Information Phone Service

2) Number of States Banning Texting While Driving Doubles in ‘09

Upcoming Events

TISP Summer Forum: Enhancing Infrastructure Resiliency Through a Planned Investment Strategy – July 29 – Washington, DC

http://www.tisp.org/index.cfm?cdid=11687&pid=10231

Friday Bonus

If you won’t slow down in a work zone, perhaps this will encourage you to take your foot off the gas.
http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/06/09/the-next-great-idea-in-work-zone-safety-engineering/

Today in Transportation History

1934 **75^th anniversary** – The Communications Act of 1934 became law. The act created the Federal Communications Commission.

http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/OSEC/library/legislative_histories/47.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, June 17, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

If you’re on Facebook and/or LinkedIn I invite you to connect with me.  My Facebook page is at http://www.facebook.com/brwagenblast and on LinkedIn at

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/bernie-wagenblast/0/62/190.

AVIATION

1) FAA InFO Notice Takes on Sailplane Transponders

Link to story on the Aero-News Network:

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=ac106c0d-1ce4-4c4b-922e-ea50bbcd29c4

Link to notice from the Federal Aviation Administration:

http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/media/2009/info09009.pdf

2) Business Jet Group Tries to Block Freedom of Information Request

Link to story on ProPublica:

http://www.propublica.org/article/business-jet-group-tries-to-block-foia-request-616

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) GPS Satellite Glitches Fuel Concern on Next Generation

Link to story in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124520702464422059.html

RAILROADS

4) Amtrak Promises Better Communication with Public About Projects Affecting Connecticut

Link to story in The Day:

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=8ce574a4-2b74-40eb-ae60-5394933b3ae4

5) Amtrak Criticized for Pennsylvania Fires

Fire officials say railroad initially refused to stop defective train or halt rail traffic. Amtrak blames miscommunication.

Link to story in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/health_science/daily/20090617_Amtrak_criticized_for_Main_Line_fires.html

ROADWAYS

6) Safety Sign or Massachusetts Governor Campaign Ad?

Link to story and video on WBZ-TV:

http://wbztv.com/local/patrick.highway.signs.2.1048088.html

7) ‘Smart’ Bridges Harness Technology to Stay Safe

Link to story in Scientific American:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=smart-bridges-harness-tech

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) US Department of Homeland Security Launches Second Test of Biometric Exit Processes

Link to story on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090610_9479.php

9) Transportation Security Administration’s Role in General Aviation Security

Link to report from the US Department of Homeland Security Inspector General:

http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_09-69_May09.pdf

TRANSIT

10) Turban-Wearing Transit Workers Demand New York MTA Drop Mandated Logo on Headwear

Link to story in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/06/16/2009-06-16_turbanwearing_transit_workers_demand_mta_.html

11) Prank SEPTA Signs Offend, Amuse

Link to story in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/48196332.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) $22 Million from Feds Will Help Traffic Monitoring on Philadelphia’s I-95 and Vine Street Expressway

Link to story on KYW Radio:

http://www.kyw1060.com/-22-Million-from-Feds-Will-Help-Monitor-I-95-and-V/4620155

13) Dubai Motorists to Get SMS Alert on Heavy Fog Conditions

Link to story in Gulf News:

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10323554.html

News Releases

1) New Pennsylvania DOT Web Site Designed to Enhance Highway Safety

Upcoming Events

Rail Systems Asia 2009 – September 1-3 – New Delhi

http://www.railsystemsasia.com/

Today in Transportation History

1579 **430^th anniversary** – Francis Drake landed along the west coast of the present day United States and called it Nova Albion and claimed it for England.

http://bbprivateer.com/novaalbion.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