Monday, January 10, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Mistakes Led Planes Toward Near-Collision

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704055204576068263274480204.html

2) American Airlines Sues Sabre in Battle Over Flight Listings

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/American-sues-Sabre-in-battle-apf-4013281772.html?x=0&.v=2

CAMERAS

3) Washington State Legislature Re-examines Red Light Cameras

Link to article in The News-Tribune:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/01/07/1492213/2-bills-re-examine-red-light-cameras.html

OTHER

4) Guidance for Developing a Freight Transportation Data Architecture

Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Guidance_for_Developing_a_Freight_Transportation_D_164644.aspx

PEDESTRIANS

5) Glendale, California Paints Traffic Safety Warnings in English, Armenian, Spanish

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/01/glendales-new-traffic-safet-signs-in-english-armenian-and-spanish.html

ROADWAYS

6) Czech Transport Ministry Prepares Eight New Traffic Signs

Link to article in the Prague Daily Monitor:

http://praguemonitor.com/2011/01/10/transport-ministry-prepares-eight-new-traffic-sings

Link to original article in Lidové noviny:

http://www.lidovky.cz/chysta-se-dalsi-znacka-k-nicemu-dzq-/ln_noviny.asp?c=A110108_000008_ln_noviny_sko&klic=240693&mes=110108_0 (in Czech)

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) AP Survey: South Dakota Lawmakers Unsure of Texting Ban

Link to AP article:

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/article_4c9b5ac2-3b03-578f-a44a-e088ae7c1be8.html

TELEMATICS

8) 2011 Detroit Auto Show: Telematics – Coming to Your Next New Car

Link to blog in Consumer Reports:

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/01/2011-detroit-auto-show-telematicscoming-to-your-next-new-car.html

TRANSIT

9) Chicago Transit Authority Unveils Train Tracker

Link to article in the Chicago Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/3216822-417/train-cta-tracker-trains-arrival.html

10) Wi-Fi Coming to Virginia Railway Express in Limited Rollout

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/01/wi-fi-coming-vre-limited-rollout

11) On Train, a Fight Between Silent and Merely Quiet

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/10/nyregion/10quiet.html

12) Symbolism in the Transit World: Helping You Find Your Way

Link to blog on The City Fix:

http://thecityfix.com/symbolism-in-the-transit-world-helping-you-find-your-way/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Cobb County, Georgia DOT Launches Road-Closing Web Tool

Link to article on East Cobb Patch:

http://eastcobb.patch.com/articles/cobb-dot-launches-road-closing-web-tool

Link to video on Cobb County Government Access Channel:

http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSLMQ.aspx?indexPointSKU=ci%2bh9cLdhJYZMvFAF8ec0A%3d%3d

Link to site:

http://www.cobbgis.org:81/CobbCountyRoadClosuresPublic/Viewer.html

14) Ontario Service Provides Personalized Traffic Reports via Smart Phones

Link to article on ITBusiness.ca:

http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=60803

15) A Peek at the Inner Workings of Oregon DOT’s TripCheck

Link to article in the Statesman Journal:

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110110/NEWS/101100319/1001

Link to TripCheck: http://www.tripcheck.com/

VEHICLES

16) GM Concept Car that Will Network with Other Vehicles and Adjust Speed and Route Accordingly

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/01/ces-consumer-electronics-show-general-motors-env.html

17) Pandora’s Tim Westergren on Car Connectivity, Smart Phones and a Potential IPO

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/01/consumer-electronics-show-pandoras-tim-westergren-on-car-connectivity-smartphones.html

18) Denso’s Dashboard Concept Watches for Drowsy Drivers

Link to CNET review:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31229_7-20028003-257.html

19) Car Talk

The automobile of the future will communicate with traffic lights, stop signs and other cars.

Link to article in Hemispheres:

http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/2011/01/01/car-talk/

News Releases

1) Toyota Launches New Collaborative Safety Research Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan

2) Ontario’s GO Transit Launches Text Message Updates to Keep Passengers in the Know on the GO

3) Edmonton Transit Launches Pilot to Deliver Bus Schedules via Texts

4) Hughes Telematics Partners with Location Labs to Bring Cross-Carrier Mobile Location to Connected Vehicles

5) Thinking Cars TV Documentary to air on ORF Austria (January 15) and VRT Belgium (January 16)

6) ATX Group and TeleCommunication Systems Partner to Provide Hyundai the Latest in Connected Navigation

7) ATX Group Teams with Aeris Communications to Deliver New Hyundai Blue Link Connected Vehicle Program

8) Connected Vehicle Provider ATX Group Uses Bing to Co-pilot Hyundai Owners

9) Hyundai’s Connected Vehicle Program Spotlights ATX Capabilities as a Leading Private-Label Telematics Provider to Automotive OEMS

10) Tennessee 511 Closes Out 2010 with Record Number of Calls

11) Tnooz Launches THack in London

**CORRECTION**

In last Wednesday’s edition the following headline which ran in the TCN; ‘Demand Blamed for Bad Road Info in Victoria Following Flooding,’ should have read ‘Demand Blamed for Bad Road Info in Queensland Following Flooding.’  My apologies for the error.

Upcoming Events

Driver-Facing Technologies to Improve Urban Mobility Symposium – February 4 – Cambridge, Massachusetts

http://transportation.mit.edu/live/news/1355-driverfacing-technologies-to-improve-urban

Today in Transportation History

1901 **110^th anniversary** The first major gusher of the Texas Oil Boom took place at Spindletop.

http://www.spindletop.org/timeline/index.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Friday, January 7, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

OTHER

1) Note in Fiery Maryland Package Complained of Road Signs

Link to AP article:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-01-06-maryland-packages_N.htm

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

2) Bollywood Stars to Create Awareness About Car Safety in Mumbai

Link to article in The Times of India:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Stars-to-create-awareness-about-car-safety-in-city/articleshow/7238617.cms

ROADWAYS

3) Swiss Road Signs to be Overhauled

Link to article on GenevaLunch:

http://genevalunch.com/blog/2011/01/07/swiss-road-signs-to-be-overhauled/

4) High-Tech Highway Weigh Stations Coming to Oklahoma

Link to article in Heavy Duty Trucking:

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=72634

5) Virtual Survey Crew Ahead: Radiusmeter Takes Guesswork Out of Signs, Markings for Horizontal Curves

Link to article in Texas Transportation Researcher:

http://tti.tamu.edu/publications/researcher/newsletter.htm?vol=46&issue=3&article=8&year=2010

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) US Seeks International Cooperation on Transport Security

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/40951022

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

7) Nevada Governor, Budget Officials Reject $15 Million Traffic Operations Center in Reno

Link to article in the Reno Gazette Journal:

http://www.rgj.com/article/20110107/NEWS10/101070391/1321/news

News Releases

1) New MyFord Mobile App Keeps Focus Electric Owners Engaged and In Control of Electric Car Experience

2) South Carolina DOT Puts Internet-Based Work Request System Online

Upcoming Events

Talking Freight Webinar: IntelliDrive Program Impacts on Highway Freight – January 19

https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=22445

Friday Bonus

If things don’t go quite right today, think of the mess these guys from Target had to deal with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acWfossz1rc

Today in Transportation History

1931 **80^th anniversary** The first solo flight across the Tasman Sea, between Australia and New Zealand, was made by Guy Menzies.

http://www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/RegisterSearch/RegisterResults.aspx?RID=7637&m=advanced

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Thursday, January 6, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Sabre Ramps Up Online Travel Battle with American Airlines

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Sabre-ramps-up-online-travel-apf-1642619200.html?x=0&.v=9

Link to news release from American Airlines:

http://aa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=3114

2) Shift of Earth’s Magnetic North Pole Impacts Tampa Airport

Link to article in The Tampa Tribune:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2011/jan/05/051900/shift-of-earths-magnetic-north-pole-impacts-tampa-/news-breaking/

Link to notice from Tampa International Airport:

http://www.tampaairport.com/about/media/press_releases/2011/20110104-runway-designation-change.pdf

3) US Airways to Close Manila Call Center

Link to article on TheStreet:

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/10965556/1/us-airways-to-halt-customer-calls-to-manila.html

CAMERAS

4) Traffic Cameras Could be Used to Help Fight Crime in Richmond County, Georgia

Link to story and video on WJBF-TV:

http://www2.wjbf.com/news/2011/jan/06/traffic-cameras-could-be-used-help-fight-crime-ric-ar-1308664/

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Live Traffic Comes to TomTom

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/live-traffic-comes-to-tomtom/

Link to news release from TomTom:

http://investors.tomtom.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=541839

MARITIME

6) Acoustic Cloak Hides Underwater Objects from Sonar

Link to article on ZDNet:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/emergingtech/acoustic-cloak-hides-underwater-objects-from-sonar/2449

Link to news release from the University of Illinois:

http://www.news.illinois.edu/news/11/0105sound_fang.html

OTHER

7) Panel Advises Leadership, Tech Changes for Texas DOT

Better communication with the public one of the recommendations.

Link to AP article:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7368269.html

Link to further information from TxDOT:

http://www.txdot.gov/about_us/organizational_review.htm

8) Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police Launch Web Site Where People Can Post Videos of Traffic Violations

Link to article in the Central Chronicle:

http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=55479

Link to site: http://www.jktrafficpolice.nic.in/

9) Florida DOT’s SunGuide Disseminator – January 2011

Link to newsletter:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/TrafficOperations/Newsletters/2011/2011-001-Jan.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) Driving Instructor Challenges McDonald’s Commercial

Says advice to keep hands at “10 and 2” on the steering wheel is outdated.

Link to article in the Times-News:

http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/article_390cbc59-c256-533c-8b2c-66f86a470988.html

VEHICLES

11) Obama Signs Law to Require ‘Quiet’ Cars to Get Noisier

Link to article in The Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110104/AUTO01/101040430/1361/Obama-signs-law-to-require-%E2%80%98quiet%E2%80%99-cars-to-get-noisier

12) GM Plans to Add Wireless Charging Feature to Cars

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/g-m-plans-to-add-wireless-charging-feature-to-cars/

13) Russia’s First Hybrid Car has GLONASS Navigation, Standard Feature

Link to article in GPS World:

http://www.gpsworld.com/transportation/news/russia%E2%80%99s-first-hybrid-car-has-glonass-navigation-standard-feature-10889

14) Ford’s Chief Technology Officer Says Technology Aims for Safe Driving

Link to video on Bloomberg Television:

http://www.bloomberg.com/video/65712172/

15) Fujitsu Shows Android-Based Car Computing at CES

Link to article on CNET:

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-32254_1-20027541-283.html

16) Why the Biggest Thing at CES is … the Car. And Check Out That Radio!

Link to blog on BNET:

http://www.bnet.com/blog/electric-cars/why-the-biggest-thing-at-ces-is-8230-the-car-and-check-out-that-radio/2923

17) Audi Touts Tech at CES

Link to blog in Forbes:

http://blogs.forbes.com/davidewalt/2011/01/06/audi-touts-tech-at-ces/

News Releases

1) Beat the Traffic to Release RealSpeeds Features on iPhone App

2) CES Showcases Technologies that Bring Internet Into Cars and Combat Distracted Driving, Reports Edmunds.com

3) Telemetria Launches New Telematics Product to Transform Driving Experience

4) Avis Adds Roadside Assistance Feature to Mobile Applications for Apple iPhone

Upcoming Events

Airport Cities World Conference & Exhibition – April 11-13 – Memphis

http://www.globalairportcities.com/about-airport-cities-2011.html

Today in Transportation History

1711 **300^th anniversary** Philips van Almonde, a Dutch admiral who distinguished himself during several naval battles, died.

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

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Wednesday, January 5, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

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BUSES

1) Angry Passengers Still Not Sure Why Greyhound Stranded Them

Bus stopped by bad weather in Ontario, but riders say they were abandoned with no information.

Link to article in the Calgary Herald:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Calgary+travellers+describe+hour+ordeal+Greyhound/4061267/story.html

OTHER

2) ITS Japan News: Japanese Government Launches ‘ITS Task Force’

Link to article from ERTICO:

http://www.ertico.com/its-japan-news-japanese-government-launches-its-task-force/

ROADWAYS

3) Thieves Steal SIM Cards from Johannesburg’s Traffic Lights

Link to article in the Mail & Guardian:

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2011-01-04-thieves-steals-sim-cards-from-joburgs-traffic-lights

4) Smart Highways, Smarter Drivers

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/transportation/Smart-Highways-Smarter-Drivers.html

TELEMATICS

5) OnStar, Verizon Unveil High-Tech Ideas

Link to article in The Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110105/AUTO01/101050399/OnStar–Verizon-unveil-high-tech-ideas

6) Automakers Tie Mobile Networks to In-Car Systems

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704405704576064080514279232.html

7) Tech Early Adoption: Fun in the Living Room, but Safe in the Car?

The new MyFord touch system’s best function may be as a warning to other car manufacturers of how not to go about innovating when it comes to high-tech dashboards.

Link to article in Fortune:

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/01/05/early-adopter-fun-in-the-living-room-but-safe-in-the-car/

TRANSIT

8) California’s Big Blue Bus Receives Award for High-Tech Bus Stops

Link to article in the Santa Monica Daily Press:

http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2011-01-04-71042.113116-BBB-receives-award-for-high-tech-bus-stops.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Demand Blamed for Bad Road Info in Victoria Following Flooding

Department of Main Roads and Transport traffic information phone line and Web site overloaded with users.

Link to article in The Observer:

http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/story/2011/01/06/call-flood-bad-road-information-racq/

News Releases

1) NTSB Issue Recommendations Dealing with Emergency Locator Transmitters in General Aviation Aircraft Following Crash Involving Senator Stevens

2) OnStar Expands Beyond GM Cars – Services Available in a Standalone Rearview Mirror

3) Hyundai Launches All-New Blue Link Telematics Platform

4) Idaho Transportation Department Introduces New ‘Dashboard’ to Track Performance

5) American Airlines Kicks Off 2011 with New Video Campaign to Welcome and Thank Customers

6) ZoomSafer Unveils New Software Service to Measure Use of Phones While Driving

7) Audiovox Launches New ‘Distracted Driver’ Safety Solutions for the Aftermarket

8) Clear Channel Radio’s Total Traffic Network: Navigating the Future with a Fresh Platform, New Partners and Additional Markets

9) Search Airport Parking Launches Park Sleep and Fly Web Site

Upcoming Events

Live Radio Interview on the Traffic Incident Management – January 6 – Sirius/XM Radio

XM channel 171/Sirius channel 147 at 9:05 am ET.  Program will focus on the challenges of the recent ice and snowstorm in New York State.

Today in Transportation History

1781 **230^th anniversary** British forces, led by Benedict Arnold, landed at Westover, Virginia prior to marching to Richmond.

http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/hiway_markers/marker.cfm?mid=4280

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Monday, January 3, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) American Airlines Barred from Safety Board Inquiry

Company copied data from flight recorder before turning it over.

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/01/us/01airline.html

Link to news release from the NTSB:

http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2010/101231.html

2) Pilot’s Radio Blooper Forces Evacuation of US Capitol

Link to article in The Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/pilots-radio-blooper-forces-evacuation-of-us-capitol-20110103-19dbj.html

3) Online Travel Site Expedia Removes American Airlines Flights

Link to story on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/01/02/american.expedia/

4) How Private Aviation Can Stop Wasting Millions on Advertising

Link to column in Forbes:

http://blogs.forbes.com/wheelsup/2011/01/02/how-private-aviation-can-stop-wasting-millions-on-advertising

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) UK Researchers Using Robot Head to Develop Emotional Machines

Experiments including using the robot as a GPS assistant.

Link to article and video in IEEE Spectrum:

http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/artificial-intelligence/charles-babbage-robot-head

ROADWAYS

6) Arizona DOT Plans to Take Over Logo Signs Program

Link to Capitol Media Services article:

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/arizona/article_eea669b4-146a-11e0-9df2-001cc4c002e0.html

7) Latest Issue of Nordic

Road and transport research news from the Nordic countries.

Link to magazine:

http://nordicroads.com/website/index.asp?pageID=390

TRANSIT

8) Curbs Imposed on Tobacco Items’ Ads on Gujarat Public Transport Buses

Link to IANS article:

http://www.sify.com/finance/curbs-imposed-on-tobacco-items-ads-on-gujarat-public-transport-buses-news-default-lbbtuehijeb.html

9) High-Tech Upgrades to Drive MBTA in ’11

Riders will get more apps, info.

Link to column in the Boston Herald:

http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20110103high-tech_upgrades_to_drive_mbta_in_11_riders_will_get_more_apps_info/

VEHICLES

10) An Unlikely Duo’s Auto Safety Quest

A college professor and a former federal transportation official team up to seek standard installation of black boxes in cars.

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/01/nation/la-na-auto-safety-20110102

Link to further information from IEEE:

http://standards.ieee.org/develop/wg/MVEDR-EC.html

News Releases

1) Ford Sync Now in Three Million Vehicles; Customer Satisfaction, Use of Voice Control on Rise

2) Monterey-Salinas Transit Launches New Web Site

3) Aéroports de Paris and JCDecaux Plan Joint Venture to Leverage and Commercialize Advertising Space in Parisian Airports

4) AutoNavi to Provide Connected Navigation Services in China

Solicitation

–  Invitation to Submit an Abstract – 2011 National Rural ITS Conference

http://www.nritsconference.org/2011program.html

Upcoming Events

Institute of Transportation Engineers Technical Conference and Exhibit – April 3-6 – Lake Buena Vista, Florida

http://www.ite.org/conference/

Today in Transportation History

1936 **75^th anniversary** The Air Transport Association of America was founded.

http://www.airlines.org/About/AboutATA/Pages/History.aspx

1986 **25^th anniversary** The SkyTrain began revenue operations between Vancouver and New Westminster, British Columbia.

http://tripplanning.translink.ca/hiwire?.a=iScheduleLookupSearch&LineName=999&LineAbbr=999

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Monday, December 27, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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MARITIME

1) US Coast Guard Tests New Warning System in Florida

Link to article in Florida Today:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/26/1988754/coast-guard-tests-new-warning.html

OTHER

2) New Delhi Autorickshaws Fail to Meet Deadline for Installation of GPS

Link to Press Trust of India article:

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4741060

PEDESTRIANS

3) Disney Tackles a Major Theme Park Problem: Lines

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/business/media/28disney.html

ROADWAYS

4) Railroad Close Call Reporting System Wins Praise

Link to article in Occupational Health & Safety:

http://ohsonline.com/articles/2010/12/27/railroad-close-call-reporting-system-wins-praise.aspx

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) Technology Stepped Up to Curb Reckless Driving in South Africa

Link to story on Eyewitness News:

http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=55763

6) TSA Status Site Tells Whether Your Airport Actually Uses Their Body Scanners

Link to article on Lifehacker:

http://lifehacker.com/5718830/tsa-status-reports-on-whether-your-airport-is-actually-using-their-body-scanners

7) AT&T Video Shows Texting and Driving Don’t Mix

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/27/video-shows-that-texting-and-driving-dont-mix/

Link to video: http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=2964

TELEMATICS

8) Nissan Leaf’s Carwings Keeps You Up to Speed, Puts You in Efficiency Race

Link to blog on AutoblogGreen:

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/12/23/nissan-leaf-carwings-efficiency/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Pakistan Motorway Police Introduce Free SMS Information Service

Link to article in The News:

http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=8066

10) Bahrain Plans Intelligent Transportation System

Link to article on TradeArabia:

http://www.tradearabia.com/news/STN_191014.html

11) Inside Look at Arizona DOT’s Traffic Operations Center

Link to story on KNXV-TV:

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/traffic/traffic_alerts/inside-adot’s-traffic-operations-center

News Releases

1) Iteris to Acquire Meridian Environmental Technologies

Upcoming Events

Mobile and Transit Payments Summit – February 15-18 – Salt Lake City

http://www.smartcardalliance.org/pages/activities-next-conference

Today in Transportation History

1985 **25^th anniversary** Terrorists killed 19 people at the Vienna and Rome airports.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/27/newsid_2545000/2545949.stm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Thursday, December 23, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) ‘New United’ Settles on Technology Systems

Link to article in Air Transport World:

http://atwonline.com/airline-finance-data/news/new-united-settles-technology-systems-1222

2) Expedia Hides American Airlines Airfares in Support of Orbitz

Link to Bloomberg article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-23/expedia-hides-american-airlines-fares-in-support-of-travel-website-orbitz.html

OTHER

3) ITS and Urban Mobility

Link to paper from ERTICO:

http://www.ertico.com/assets/i-Mobility-network/Thematic-Papers/1-Thematic-paper-Urban-Mobility.pdf

PARKING

4) New Streetline App Gives Los Angeles Drivers Real-Time Data on Available Parking

Link to article on TechCrunch:

http://techcrunch.com/2010/12/22/streetline-green-app-launch

PEDESTRIANS

5) Chirping Crosswalk Changes Its Tune

Some Canadian cities updating signals with four descending musical notes because chirping sounds too much like northern cardinal.

Link to article in the National Post:

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/Chirping+crosswalk+changes+tune/4017613/story.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) Pilot Punished for YouTube Video

Video shows what pilot says are serious flaws in airport security.

Link to story and video on KXTV-TV:

http://www.news10.net/news/article.aspx?storyid=113529&provider=top&catid=188

TELEMATICS

7) Mercedes to Launch New Telematics Platform with Internet Access

Link to article on Telematics News:

http://telematicsnews.info/2010/12/22/mercedes-to-launch-new-telematics-platform-with-internet-access_d1221/

Link to article in Automobilwoche:

http://www.automobilwoche.de/article/20101222/REPOSITORY/101229989/1060/mercedes-bringt-in-c-klasse-erstmals-internet-ins-auto (in German)

TOURISM

8) With Travel App, No One Knows You’re a Tourist

Link to AP article:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=132288490

Link to further information from Fodor’s:

http://www.fodors.com/mobile-apps/iphone/

TRANSIT

9) Transport for London Calls for Faster NFC SIM Cards

Link to article in NFC Times:

http://www.nfctimes.com/news/transport-london-calls-faster-nfc-sims

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Keeping Traffic Flowing

A profile of Ron Boodhoo, operations manager of Georgia’s Transportation Management Center.

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/business/atlanta-nightside-keeping-traffic-786524.html

Upcoming Events

North American International Auto Show – January 10-23 – Detroit

http://www.naias.com/

Today in Transportation History

1900 **110^th anniversary** Reginald Fessenden transmitted on Cobb Island, Maryland what is believed to have been the first voice transmission by radio.

http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/it/2001/1/2001_1_40_print.shtml

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Wednesday, December 22, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) United Airlines Employing Technology to Cut Down on Lines

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-1222-linebuster-20101222,0,632321.story

2) Delta Pulls Flights from Some Online Travel Sites

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/business/delta-pulls-flights-from-784834.html

3) What’s Your Airport’s Marketing Strategy?

Link to column in Airport Business:

http://www.airportbusiness.com/web/online/The-New-Airport-Marketing/Whats-Your-Airports-Marketing-Strategy/23$41732

OTHER

4) Five Studies in Car Traffic that Can Teach Us Timesaving Tips

Link to article:

http://mastersinpublicadministration.com/5-studies-on-car-traffic-that-can-teach-us-timesaving-tips

RAILROADS

5) Canadian National Fined for Failing to Report Road Blockages

Link to article in the Lake County News-Sun:

http://newssun.suntimes.com/business/2973224-420/blockages-board-reports-caused-crossings.html

ROADWAYS

6) Pennsylvania Turnpike to Keep Toll Schedules on Tickets

Link to article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10356/1112633-100.stm

7) Abbey Road Zebra Crossing Given Protected Status

Crosswalk made famous on Beatles 1969 album cover.

Link to story and video from BBC News:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12060809

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) US Department of Homeland Security to Speed Traveler Identity Verification

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20101221_1763.php

9) University of Wisconsin-Madison Simulator is Meant to Find What Drives Us to Distraction

Link to article in the Wisconsin State Journal:

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/university/article_bf36e2a2-0d86-11e0-a199-001cc4c03286.html

TRANSIT

10) Digital Displays for Transit: Can More Information Mean More Riders?

Link to article on The City Fix:

http://thecityfix.com/digital-displays-for-transit-can-more-information-mean-more-riders/

11) Philippines Government Eyes GPS for Buses

System being considered for enforcement of traffic rules.

Link to ABS-CBN story:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/12/22/10/dotc-eyes-gps-passenger-buses

12) Marketing a ‘Bowl of Tangled Noodles’

Commentary on clarity of transit maps.

Link to blog on Human Transit:

http://www.humantransit.org/2010/12/email-of-the-week-marketing-a-bowl-of-tangled-noodles.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Delivery Channels for Traffic and Traveler Information Services

Link to paper from ERTICO:

http://tools.emailgarage.com/Pub/wUaRGQAAAAA~/YOt2cVVwj0evU630Ktbavg~~/Html/GotoLink.ashx

VEHICLES

14) Just Launched: Snazzy Mobile Site for 2011 Detroit Auto Show

Link to blog on Social Car News:

http://www.socialcarnews.com/blog/1052615_just-launched-snazzy-mobile-site-for-2011-detroit-auto-show

News Releases

1) Sync AppLink Now Available as Free Download; Ford Fiesta Owners First with Voice Control of Apps

2) Accenture and Magneti Marelli Sign Five-Year IVI, Telematics and Embedded Software Agreement

3) Application of New Technologies to Road Management in Basque Region

4) Pennsylvania Turnpike Hires Consultant to Study Conversion to All-Electronic Toll Collection

Upcoming Events

Mobile World Congress  – February 14-17 – Barcelona

http://www.mobileworldcongress.com/

Today in Transportation History

1890 **120^th anniversary** The Cornwallis Valley Railway began regular service between Kentville and Kingsport, Nova Scotia.

http://www.trainweb.org/canadianrailways/articles/CornwallisValleyRailway.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) American Airlines Pulls Fares from Orbitz

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Airlines-pulls-fares-apf-2096015711.html?x=0&.v=9

2) Airline Gate Agents Face Constant Countdown

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/business/airline-gate-agents-face-783630.html

3) High-Tech Ways to Pass the Time at the Airport

Link to BBC video:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/fast_track/9300606.stm

CAMERAS

4) Redflex Suing Tempe, Arizona to Get Bigger Cut of Traffic Tickets

Link to story and video on KTVK-TV:

http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Redflex-suing-Tempe-to-get-bigger-cut-of–112227104.html

5) In-Car Cameras to be Legal in California in 2011

Car owners will be allowed to install cameras to record accidents and aggressive driving along with other data.

Link to article on California Watch:

http://californiawatch.org/dailyreport/car-cameras-record-state-roadways-7623

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) Portable GPS Devices Head in Wrong Direction as Sales Slip

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2010-12-21-gps21_ST_N.htm

OTHER

7) Texas Aid Network Connects Aid Groups with Transportation Providers

Link to article in the Commercial Carrier Journal:

http://www.ccjdigital.com/texas-aid-network-connects-relief-organizations-with-transportation-providers/

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

8) Anti-Drunk Driving Ad in South Africa Too Shocking for Some

Link to article in the Cape Times:

http://www.capetimes.co.za/rape-in-jail-ad-too-shocking-for-some-1.1003729

ROADWAYS

9) States Prepare New Ways to Tackle Wintry Roads

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-12-21-plowingroads21_ST_N.htm

10) Asheville Highway Mural Cited in New North Carolina DOT Public Art Policy

Link to article in the Asheville Citizen-Times:

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20101221/NEWS/312210001

11) Azerbaijani Parliament Approves Convention on Road Signs and Signals to Match International Standards

Link to Trend News Agency article:

http://en.trend.az/news/politics/1801296.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Auditors Question TSA’s Use of and Spending on Technology

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/20/AR2010122005947.html

TRANSIT

13) First Transit TV Makes Debut in Washington, DC

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dr-gridlock/2010/12/klein_to_demo_transit_tv_today.html

14) Seattle Metro’s Acceptance of ‘Israeli War Crimes’ Bus Ad Draws Complaints

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013725651_israelad21m.html

15) Innovative Ads Bring in Revenue for Caltrain

Link to article in Metro:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2010/12/Innovative-ads-bring-in-revenue-for-Caltrain.aspx

16) In the New York City Subway, Literary Placards Will Soon be Mere Echoes in the Memory

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/nyregion/21poetry.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

17) Gulf Cooperation Council Banks on ITS

Link to article in The Gulf Today:

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/f461eddb-97d2-45a1-b38c-f035d586b8eb.aspx

18) Intelligent Transportation System Plan for Abu Dhabi

Link to article in the Gulf News:

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/intelligent-transportation-system-plan-for-capital-1.733992

19) ‘Invaluable’ New Zealand Traffic Service Launched

Link to story on 3 News:

http://www.3news.co.nz/Invaluable-NZ-traffic-service-launched/tabid/423/articleID/191909/Default.aspx

Link to AA Traffic Roadwatch: http://maps.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatch

VEHICLES

20) Toyota to Pay Record Fines for Disclosure Delay

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/20/business/la-fi-toyota-fine-20101221

Link to news release from US DOT:

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot21610.html

21) China Unicom, Geely Join Hands on 3G Intelligent Vehicles

Link to article on China Knowledge:

http://www.chinaknowledge.com/Newswires/News_Detail.aspx?type=1&cat=RND&NewsID=%2039715

News Releases

1) FCC Takes First Step to Help Revolutionize 911 Services Through Sharing of Videos, Photos and Data

2) Intelligent Transport System to Improve Safety Over the Cardwell Range in Queensland

3) New York MTA Installs Countdown Clocks and Next Train Announcements in 100 Stations

Solicitation

–  Call for Papers – 2011 IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium

http://www.mrt.uni-karlsruhe.de/iv2011/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=56

Upcoming Events

Webinar: The Emergence of Open Electronic Payment Systems in Public Transit – January 18

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s110118_openepay.asp

Today in Transportation History

1620 **390^th anniversary** A landing party from the Mayflower went ashore in present day Plymouth, Massachusetts.

http://www.pilgrimhall.org/arrival.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Monday, December 20, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Deadline Approaching to Submit Papers for the ITS World Congress in Orlando

ITS America is now inviting transportation researchers, practitioners, policy experts and other interested parties to submit a paper for consideration for presentation at the 18^th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems and Annual Meeting convening October 16-20, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Papers must be submitted online no later than January 14, 2011.  Paper presentations are an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your expertise, showcase research results, and advance ideas focused on ITS topics such as high-tech transit solutions, real-time traveler information, performance measurement, intermodal systems integration, advanced traffic management systems, commercial vehicle operations, electronic toll/fare collection, telematics, new consumer applications, and other ITS-related fields.  The program committee is also seeking the most relevant and thought-provoking papers pertinent to the conference theme: Keeping the Economy Moving.  For more information on paper topics or submission guidelines, please visit the World Congress website at www.itsworldcongress.org or contact Nicole Oliphant of ITS America at papers@itsa.org or 202-721-4215.

AVIATION

1) UK Airports and Passengers Take to Twitter as Snow Disrupts British Flights

Link to article in The Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/8214512/UK-weather-airports-and-passengers-take-to-Twitter-as-snow-disrupts-British-flights.html

2) Bangladesh Probes Porn Film Show on Airport Screen

Link to PTI article:

http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/bangladesh-probes-porn-film-show-at-airport-screen-73532

3) Simulated Trouble

Machine trains air traffic controllers to deal with snow, a flock of geese or worse situations.

Link to article in the Daily Pilot:

http://articles.dailypilot.com/2010-12-17/news/tn-dpt-1218-faa-20101217_1_controllers-faa-facilities-bill-withycombe

4) Fujitsu, Boeing to Develop Aircraft Tag System

Link to AFP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hujjWi_sjwqNaR1XjrrjJhR4ZHRA

Link to news release from Fujitsu:

http://www.fujitsu.com/global/news/pr/archives/month/2010/20101217-01.html

CAMERAS

5) Traffic Camera ‘Speed Traps’ Worry Tennessee Lawmakers

Link to AP article:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20101220/NEWS01/12200314/Traffic-camera-speed-traps-worry-Tennessee-lawmakers

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) Is Apple Building Its Own Navigation Service for iPhone?

Link to article in Business Insider:

http://www.businessinsider.com/is-apple-building-its-own-navigation-service-for-iphone-2010-12

MARITIME

7) UK Government Proposes New Tech for Coastguard

Proposals include networked maritime operations centers with improved systems to monitor ships.

Link to article on ZDNet UK:

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/networking/2010/12/20/government-proposes-new-tech-for-coastguard-40091212/

OTHER

8) A Fleeting History: Into the Ether

How technology has revolutionized the fleet industry.

Link to blog in Fleet News:

http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/blog/entry/a-fleeting-history-into-the-ether/38499/

9) Facebook as Travel Guidebook?

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703395204576023780996376852.html

PEDESTRIANS

10) Mixed Signals for New York City Pedestrians

Link to story and audio on WNYC Radio:

http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2010/dec/20/mixed-signals-city-pedestrians/

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

11) Rock and Roads Brought Together to Promote Nebraska Department of Roads

Link to article in the Lincoln Journal Star:

http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/article_e0c31758-0023-575d-934d-6968ff909c95.html

RAILROADS

12) WJLA-TV Reporter ‘International Sensation’ After Tweeting Amtrak Nightmare

Railroad criticized for lack of information.

Link to column in The Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2010/12/channel-7-reporter-tweets-amtr.html

Link to Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/ABC7Stephen

13) Amtrak Apologizes for ‘Communications Breakdown’ that Lead to 11-Hour DC-New York Trip

Link to article in The Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-amtrak-friday-delay-20101219-14,0,67805.story

14) Lessons of MARC 538

‘It’s hard to believe that MARC service will ever improve until Amtrak and MARC employees adopt a greater concern for the well-being of their customers.’

Link to editorial in The Baltimore Sun:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/2010/12/lessons_of_marc_538.html

ROADWAYS

15) Arizona DOT Tries to Secure Revenue from Logo Signs

Link to AP article:

http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2010/dec/18/bc-az-highway-logo-signs/

TELEMATICS

16) The Postman Always Pings Twice

What if the US Postal Service’s fleet of vehicles were equipped with sensors to collect and transmit information?

Link to commentary in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/18/opinion/18ravnitzky.html

TRANSIT

17) New York MTA Begins New Marketing Campaign

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/20/going-your-way-is-going-away-for-now

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

18) Webcast Recording Available for Real-Time System Information Final Rule

Link to further information from US DOT:

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=700

19) Graham Partners Buys Arizona Traffic Control Firm Eberle

Link to article in the Philadelphia Business Journal:

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2010/12/20/graham-partners-buys-ariz-traffic.html

Link to news release:

http://www.pehub.com/91143/graham-partners-completes-acquisition-of-eberle-design/

20) More Road Traffic Information and Better Mobile Maps in Australia

Link to Google Australia blog:

http://google-au.blogspot.com/2010/12/more-road-traffic-information-and.html

News Releases

1) What Does Increased Technology Mean for Motorist Safety?

2) New Site Allows Travelers to Connect with Their Fellow Passengers

3) Nissan Leaf Cars Connected at All Times Through Telenor Connexion

**Bernie’s Notes**

In Friday’s newsletter I noted that I edit several other transportation-related newsletters.  A number of you asked about those newsletters and how you can subscribe.  Several are free and available to anyone who wishes to sign-up.  They include the AASHTO Daily Transportation Update, and TransCentral from Sam Schwartz Engineering.  The AASHTO DTU is a daily that has general transportation news from the US.  TransCentral is a weekly with regional transportation news from New York, Chicago, DC and Florida.  You can click on the links to subscribe.

Job Postings

–  Engineering Research Psychologist (GS-12) – Research and Innovative Technology Administration – Cambridge, Massachusetts

http://goo.gl/mjOs4

–  Engineering Research Psychologist (GS-13) – Research and Innovative Technology Administration – Cambridge, Massachusetts

http://goo.gl/9Ccvq

Upcoming Events

APTA Marketing & Communications Workshop – February 27-March 2 – San Diego

http://www.apta.com/mc/2011/Pages/Marketing.aspx

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** The Servicio de Aviación Militar de Chile, forerunner to the Chilean Air Force, was founded.

http://www.fach.cl/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net