Monday, April 23, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Monday, April 23, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

ITS America’s 2007 Annual Meeting & Exposition

With expanded networking opportunities, a focused educational program and a grand-scale exhibition, ITS America’s 2007 Annual Meeting & Exposition, June 4-6, 2007 promises to be one of our best events ever! This year’s meeting in Palm Springs, California will be THE major gathering of transportation and technology professionals. Our event will feature dozens of innovative mobility solutions and one of the largest integrated demonstrations of deployed and marketable ITS technologies – in particular Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) technologies.

Pre-registration is available through May 30. For the latest information on the program, registration, sponsorships, and exhibit opportunities, visit www.itsa.org/annualmeeting.html.


1) Judge Creates Class Action for Iowa Traffic Camera Lawsuit
Link to AP story:
http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6407547&nav=2HAB

2) High-Tech Radios to Boost Boston T Safety
Link to story in The Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/04/21/high_tech_radios_to_boost_t_safety/
Link to news release from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority:
http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=11519&month=&year

3) Growing Wireless Use Highlights Limitations of 911
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2007-04-22-e911-systems_N.htm

4) Expanded Program May Reduce Weather-Related Flight Delays
Link to story in The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/20/AR2007042001938.html (may require free registration)

5) Arizona Plans Statewide Speed-Enforcement Program
State is planning to use automated equipment to enforce speed limits and catch red-light runners. Program will be the first of its kind in the US.
Link to AP story:
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/179713

6) Fastquake Alert Urged for Saving More Lives
System could minimize effect, depending on location of epicenter.
Link to MediaNews story:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_5731178

7) US Government to Test Internet Routing in Space
Link to story from National Journal’s Technology Daily:
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=36689&dcn=todaysnews

8) Europe Testing EGNOS Flight Satellite Navigation Service
Link to story from SatNews:
http://www.satnews.com/stories2007/4335/
Link to further information on innovations report:
http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/informationstechnologie/bericht-83116.html

9) Toll Signs Take New Direction
Experiment aims to boost safety.
Link to column in the Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0704220329apr23,1,5853125.column?coll=chi-news-hed

10) UK MP’s Campaign Silences Train Horns at Night
Link to story in The Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/21/ntrain21.xml

11) Farther, Faster? Not Anymore
Progress in transportation is stalling as technology lags and suburban sprawl ties things up.
Link to story in The Philadelphia Inquirer:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20070423_Farther__faster__Not_anymore.html

12) New Road Signs Put Brakes on Speed Cameras
Vehicle-activated signs are seen as more driver-friendly than cameras and are being used as replacements in some locations.
Link to story in The Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/21/ndrive21.xml

13) Green Insurance Uses GPS
A UK insurer has created an insurance policy that uses technology as well as discounts to encourage greener driving.
Link to story on New Car Net:
http://www.newcarnet.co.uk/Auto_news.html?id=6726

14) Pennsylvania DOT Keeps Eyes on Highways
Cameras pick up problems quickly. Allow for quick response. More planned for summer.
Link to story in The Express-Times:
http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-11/117730115050700.xml&coll=2

15) Satellite Navigation Users at Risk for False Messages
Off-the-shelf equipment used to transmit fake warnings.
Link to IDG News Service story:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=mobile_devices&articleId=9017379&taxonomyId=75

16) Rise in LED Signs Poses Highway Hazard
Link to commentary in The Tennessean:
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070423/OPINION01/704230369/1008

17) RFID Sensor System Promoted for Highway Safety
Link to story on RFID Update:
http://www.rfidupdate.com/news/04232007.html#article_1344

18) Car Locators Expected to Grow
Link to story on Twice:
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6435610.html?industryid=23103 (may require free registration)

19) In Case of Emergency: Share
New tools and standards ease the way for crisis centers to cooperate.
Link to story in Washington Technology:
http://www.washingtontechnology.com/print/22_07/30514-1.html


News Releases

1) Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority Launches Toll-Free Call Center to Answer Question on Forthcoming Toll System
http://www.ameinfo.com/117664.html

2) Telvent to Acquire Caseta Technologies
http://www.telvent.com/press/2007/NP_Caseta_23Abr07_Ing.pdf

3) Media Advisory: News Conference April 25 to Release Report on Road Crash Deaths of American Travelers Abroad
http://www.cathygillen.com/clientnews.php


Upcoming Events
Web Conference: Talking Freight - Freight Analysis Framework Forecasts and 2005 Provisional Estimates – May 16
https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=10705


Job Postings
- Manager of Toll System Development – MTA Bridges and Tunnels – New York, New York
http://www.mta.info/bandt/employ/jobp741.htm
- Project & Quality Assurance Manager, Intelligent Transportation Systems – MTA Bridges and Tunnels – New York, New York
http://www.mta.info/bandt/employ/jobp743.htm
- Intelligent Transportation Systems Support Specialist Assistant – MTA Bridges and Tunnels – New York, New York
http://www.mta.info/bandt/employ/jobp077.htm
- Webmaster – MTA Bridges and Tunnels – New York, New York
http://www.mta.info/bandt/employ/jobp040.htm


Solicitation
- Request for Proposals – 511 Traveler Information Service – Wisconsin Department of Transportation
http://vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/asp/BidDetail.asp?Systembidnumber=11326&LegalNoticeReferal=11326


Today in Transportation History
1987 **20th anniversary** - Chrysler Corporation announces the purchase of Lamborghini.
http://www.lambostuff.com/xq/asp/Page.1/action.1/qx/history-of-lamborghini.htm

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© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast