Wednesday, August 11, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

Participate in Global Traffic Solutions – GEWI Traffic Technologies Tour

This November, GEWI will be touring the US and Canada for the purpose of exchanging information about advanced traffic technologies being used around the world.  The tour demonstrates solutions for a variety of transportation related problems and ideas, including global vehicle/infrastructure projects similar to the US IntelliDrive initiative.  Other topics include data collection, harmonization, interoperability and dealing with emerging data types.  GEWI also wants to hear your current traffic data or system challenges.  This information exchange is just one of the many ways GEWI ensures that the TIC software product continues to be the global leader for the processing of transportation data.

If you’re interested in attending or hosting this free event in your area, contact jim.oneill@gewi.com.

AVIATION

1) Continental CEO Urges Air Traffic System Overhaul

Link to article in the Houston Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7148230.html

2) New Guidelines Tell Indian Co-pilots to Speak Up

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010/08/11/new-guidelines-say-co-pilots-need-to-speak-up/

3) How Steve Slater is Stifling JetBlue’s Social Media Strategy

Link to article in Advertising Age:

http://adage.com/article?article_id=145335

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) US Air Force Announces Civil Navigation Test Vectors for GPS IIF Satellite

Link to article in GPS World:

http://www.gpsworld.com/gnss-system/gps-modernization/news/air-force-announces-civil-navigation-test-vectors-gps-iif-satelli

MARITIME

5) Did Silenced Radio on Tug Lead to Duck Boat Crash?

Link to article in the Philadelphia Daily News:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20100811_Did_silenced_radio_on_tug_lead_to_duck-boat_crash_.html

OTHER

6) Oklahoma Puts Brakes on Plan to Use Highway Traffic Cameras to ID Motorists Without Vehicle Insurance

Link to article in The Oklahoman:

http://newsok.com/highway-camera-plan-hits-roadblock/article/3484208

7) To Use Less Paper, Chicago Transportation Officials Spend Green on GreenPrint

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-08-10/news/ct-met-green-print-cdot-20100810_1_print-job-greenprint-technologies-cdot

8) Government 2.0: In Twitter World, Orange County Transportation Authority Personality Followed by Nearly 27,000

Link to article on PublicCEO.com:

http://www.publicceo.com/index.php/local-governments/151-local-governments-publicceo-exclusive/1831-government-20-in-twitter-world-octa-personality-followed-by-nearly-27000

9) Chennai Traffic Police to be on Facebook

Link to article in the Indian Express:

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/chennai-traffic-police-to-be-on-facebook/197194.html

PARKING

10) An Overview of San Francisco’s New High-Tech Parking System, SFPark

Link to article and video:

http://vimeo.com/13867453

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

11) Fire Prompts Cleveland RTA to Demonstrate Emergency Evacuation Procedures

Link to article in The Plain Dealer:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/08/fire_prompts_rta_to_demonstrat.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Quietly, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Texting Ban for Truckers Goes to US DOT

Link to article in The Trucker:

http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2010/8/11/QuietlyNPRMontextingbanfortruckersgoestoDOT.aspx

TELEMATICS

13) Audible.com: ‘The Vehicle Will be a First Class Connected Internet Device’

Link to article in Telematics Update:

http://social.telematicsupdate.com/executive-viewpoint/audiblecom-“-vehicle-will-be-first-class-connected-internet-device

TRANSIT

14) DC Metro Issues Challenge to App Developers

Link to article on The Transit Wire:

http://www.thetransitwire.com/2010/08/11/metro-issues-challenge-to-app-developers/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Hawaii DOT Launches Web Site to Give Latest Info on Traffic

Link to article in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/hawaiinews/20100811_New_website_gives_commuters_latest_info_on_traffic.html

Link to GoAkamai: http://goakamai.org

16) Google Starts Traffic Service for Moscow, St. Petersburg

Link to article in The Moscow Times:

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/google-starts-traffic-service-for-moscow-st-pete/412178.html

VEHICLES

17) Wireless Car Sensors Vulnerable to Hackers

Link to article in Technology Review:

http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/25962/

18) Early US Tests Find No Toyota Flaw in Electronics

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/business/11auto.html?_r=1

News Releases

1) US DOT’s ITS-JPO Announces Three Free IntelliDrive Meetings for Inventors

2) NTSB Issues Recommendations to Coast Guard on the Use of Cell Phones and Wireless Devices While Operating Vessels

3) Urban Mapping Introduces Geo Fact Finder: Infoviz, Web Mapping, On Demand

4) New York MTA Unveils Online Dashboard to Track Capital Projects

5) How Siemens and Motorola Wireless Networks Helped Chandler, Arizona Traffic Continue to Run Smoothly Through Planned Construction

6) New Visual Brand Identity for the New United Airlines

7) July Marks Record OnStar Navigation Requests

Upcoming Events

Airport Customer Service/Volunteer Ambassador Conference – October 17-19 – Denver

http://events.aaae.org/sites/101005/index.cfm

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** Robert Fox was granted a patent in the UK for a system to display moving ads in railway tunnels.

http://fisherscircle.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/32/

1990 **20^th anniversary** I-10 was completed nationally with the opening of the Deck Park Tunnel in Phoenix.

http://www.azfamily.com/traffic/ADOT-celebrates-20th-anniversary-of-Deck-Park-tunnel-100438154.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

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

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net

Monday, August 9, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Zimbabwe Fools Media with Plane Accident Report

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gPkRvdiRHwfVff9-DFAcjUVD7mcgD9HDEESO0

2) NTSB Offers Training on Aircraft Accident Emergency Communications

Link to article on AvStop.com:

http://avstop.com/news_august_2010/ntsb_offer_training_on_aircraft_accident_emergency_communications.htm

CAMERAS

3) Traffic Camera Debate Heats Up Campaign Trails in US

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/us/08traffic.html

4) Cameras Aim to Boost Safety at Rail Crossings

Link to column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_b54d4771-0592-57f4-9dca-33ae89f5afd6.html

CARTOGRAPHY

5) Making Maps Accessible

Link to blog from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

http://technology.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2010/08/making-maps-accessible.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) US Appeals Court Nixes GPS Tracking Without Warrant

Link to AFP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hmO9Bg0JoO7weLFb4RIKxDdF8G8w

7) TV and Parking Spots: New GPS Navigation Systems

Link to DPA article:

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/338477,new-gps-navigation-systems.html

MARITIME

8) Mississippi River Commission Inspecting Arkansas River via Towboat

Tour offers information on river’s navigation system.

Link to article in the Tulsa World:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100808_11_A11_TheMVM941973

OTHER

9) Victoria Transport Bureaucrat’s Mind Not on the Job

Senior official under fire for sending passenger tweets to fellow transport heavyweights.

Link to article in the Herald Sun:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/transport-bureaucrat-mond-not-on-the-job/story-e6frf7kx-1225901824572

10) Hot Wheels, Want d8? Text It so with New Online Communications Service for Motorists

Link to article in The Advertiser:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/hot-wheels-want-d8-text-it-so-with-new-online-communications-service-for-motorists/story-e6frea73-1225900046355

11) US DOT Appeals to Gen Y Online

Link to column on Nextgov:

http://wiredworkplace.nextgov.com/2010/08/dot_appeals_to_gen_y_online.php

PEDESTRIANS

12) New Traffic Signals Make it Safer for Pedestrians

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-08-09-crosswalk09_ST_N.htm

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

13) Photos Offer a Challenge: Consider Your Commute

Link to article in The Des Moines Register:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201008090405/NEWS/8090317

ROADWAYS

14) Camera Testing Continues on North Carolina’s First Toll Road

Link to story and video on WRAL-TV:

http://www.wral.com/traffic/story/8099780/

15) Roadside Memorial Signs May Be Tough Sell in South Carolina

Link to article in The Sun News:

http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/08/09/1627031/roadside-signs-may-be-tough-sell.html

16) Montana’s Cell Phone Pullouts a Sign of the Times

Link to commentary in the Great Falls Tribune:

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20100808/OPINION01/8080304/State+s+cell+phone+pullouts+a+sign+of+the+times

SAFETY / SECURITY

17) Alabama Feels the High Cost of Distracted Driving

Link to article in The Birmingham News:

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/08/alabama_feels_the_high_cost_of.html

18) Summer Edition of Safe Highway Matters Online

Link to newsletter:

http://www.safehighways.org/SafeHighwayMatters.Summer2010.pdf

TRANSIT

19) Response to Seattle Light Rail Accidents Examined

Passenger communications cited as a problem.

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012557982_traincrash07m.html

20) New York MTA Sued Over Anti-Mosque Bus Ads

Link to story and video on NY1:

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/123391/mta-sued-over-anti-mosque-bus-ads

21) After Boston Herald Tip, MBTA Turns to Social Media to Help Fight Crime on Trains

Link to article in the Boston Herald:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20100731after_herald_tip_mbta_turns_to_social_media_to_help_fight_crime_on_trains_tweet_brings_the_heat/

22) The Case for Frequency Mapping

Link to blog on Human Transit:

http://www.humantransit.org/2010/08/basics-the-case-for-frequency-mapping.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

23) Traffic Alerts Evolving for George Washington Bridge Commuters

Link to article in the Times Herald-Record:

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100809/NEWS/8090320/-1/SITEMAP

24) Victorian Traffic System Wins ‘Smart’ Award

Link to article in Supply Chain Review:

http://www.supplychainreview.com.au/news/articleid/69076.aspx

VEHICLES

25) Engineers Turn Robot Arm Into Formula 1 Simulator

Link to article and video in IEEE Spectrum:

http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/industrial-robots/engineers-turn-robot-arm-into-formula-1-simulator

26) Jerry Flint, Dean of Auto Writers, Dead at 79

Link to article in Forbes:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/08/jerry-flint-obituary-detroit-business-autos-backseat-driver.html

27) Honk if You Hate: Dashboard Gauges You Can’t Read

Link to column in Inside Jersey:

http://www.nj.com/insidejersey/index.ssf/2010/08/honk_if_you_hate_low_tire_pres.html

News Releases

1) Spatial Roundtable Focuses on DOT Asset Management

2) Georgia Tech Extends Global Reach with Panama Logistics Innovation and Research Center

3) Washington Redskins Show Off a New and Improved FedExFied, Including Pre- and Post-Game Traffic Alerts

Solicitation

– Request for Information – IntelliDrive Performance Measurement and Performance-Based Management Demonstrations – US Department of Transportation

http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2010/nri_intellidrive_performance.htm

Upcoming Events

ITS Evaluation Workshop: Emerging Needs and Opportunities in ITS Evaluation, Supporting New Directions in Research and Deployment – September 20 – Irvine, California

http://www.itscosts.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/byLink/2010EvalWorkshop?OpenDocument&Cost%5E

Also see the International Benefits, Evaluations and Costs (IBEC) Facebook Group

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=125581960792461&v=wall

Today in Transportation History

1945 **65^th anniversary** A Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Bockscar, dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=527

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

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

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

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net

Friday, August 6, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

Bernie’s Notes

Sometimes when traveling I’ve made it a point to meet TCN readers. It’s a great opportunity to not only meet face-to-face, but to learn a bit about you and your company. Just last week I had great meetings with several TCN readers in Vermont and New Hampshire. That’s caused me to think that I’m overlooking the chance to meet TCN readers in my own backyard; the New Jersey, New York City area. If you’re either in this area or expect to be visiting and would like to get together, please drop me a note at bernie@bwcommunications.net

AVIATION

1) Air Traffic Technologies Get Boost from US Senate Appropriators

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100805_2074.php

2) A Year After Fatal Collision, Critics Say Not Enough Being Done to Make Northern New Jersey Skies Safer

Critics say not enough being done to improve communications and better track aircraft.

Link to article in The Record:

http://www.northjersey.com/news/080610_Critics_say_not_enough_being_done_to_make_North_Jersey_skies_safer.html

3) Airservices Australia Unveils Major Air Navigation Upgrade Program

Link to article in LogisticsWeek:

http://logisticsweek.com/air/2010/08/australia-unveils-major-air-navigation-upgrade-programme/

4) iPad, Lower Prices May Increase Wi-Fi Usage on Planes

Link to article from The Online Reporter:

http://www.airportbusiness.com/publication/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=38622

5) National Institute for Aviation Research Launches Aging Aircraft Maintenance Web Site

Link to article on AVweb:

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/aging_aircraft_maintenance_site_203081-1.html

6) Next Generation Air Transportation System: FAA and NASA Have Improved Human Factors Research Coordination, but Stronger Leadership Needed

Link to GAO report:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10824.pdf

BICYCLES

7) Apple Introduces Us to the Smart Bike

Link to blog on Patently Apple:

http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2010/08/apple-introduces-us-to-the-smart-bike.html

CAMERAS

8) Maryland to Create Statewide Database for License Plate Readers

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/767477

OTHER

9) Florida to Employees: Keep that Tweet (and Status Update, IM, SMS, etc.)

Link to article in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2010/08/05/web-state-of-florida-record-keeping-electronic.aspx

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

10) Iowa Photo Shoot to Accent Transport Options

Pictures will contrast the amount of space needed to transport the same number of people by car, bus or bicycle.

Link to article in The Des Moines Register:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100806/NEWS/100805055/-1/SPORTS12/Photo-shoot-to-accent-transport-options

RAILROADS

11) Wisconsin Releases Previously Lost Train Records

Link to AP article:

http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/100018064.html

12) Eurostar Offers Redesigned Web Site

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/eurostar-offers-redesigned-web-site/

ROADWAYS

13) Warning Over ‘Steal a Road Cone’ Day in New Zealand

Link to ONE News story:

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/warning-over-steal-road-cone-3687335

TRANSIT

14) Bus Cameras Show Fatal Injury from New Angle

Link to article from the Connecticut Law Tribune:

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202464110184

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Georgia DOT Takes Traffic Light Timing Regional

Coordination will attempt to circumvent challenges of multiple jurisdictions.

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/dot-takes-traffic-light-585959.html

VEHICLES

16) Street Smarts

Driverless cars may be closer than you think but there are some issues to overcome.

Link to blog in The New York Times:

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/06/street-smarts/

17) IntelliDrive System Engineering User Needs Workshops

Link to further information from the Research and Innovative Technology Administration:

http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2010/intellidrive_engineering.htm

News Releases

1) DC Metro Invites Software Developers to Discuss New Transit Data Feed

2) ‘Smart Intersection’ Introduced for Improved Safety and Mobility of Owosso, Michigan’s Surface Transportation System

3) Heading to Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, Alabama? Drop Off Cell Phones at the Beach Express (BEX) and Help Soldiers Call Home

4) UK Hauliers Sign Up to Improved Free-to-Use Web Site for Abnormal Loads

Job Postings

– Economist – Research and Innovative Technology Administration – Cambridge, Massachusetts

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=89697524&JobTitle=Economist

Upcoming Events

Telematics Japan 2010 – October 13-14 – Tokyo

http://www.telematicsupdate.com/japan

Friday Bonus

How Gulliver’s skateboard might have looked to the Lilliputians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU1qSSZDPws&feature=player_embedded

Today in Transportation History

1945 **65^th anniversary** The Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan during World War II.

http://www.time.com/time/2005/hiroshima/

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

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

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

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net