Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Wednesday, May 9, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

New Book Driving Questions – Developing a National Transportation Vision by Northeastern University Professor of Strategy, Joseph M. Giglio, Ph.D.

The book outlines the current status of the nation's surface transportation system, what a long-range vision of the system might look like and what we should do to turn strategy into reality. The author argues that developing a strategy to address the country's future transportation needs starts with analyzing the evolving external environment. To understand the future needs of surface transportation customers, we must begin by identifying and evaluating the economic, demographic, technological and socio-political variables shaping the future. The author focuses on the key unasked and unanswered questions that should be driving our search for a sound vision of the surface transportation system in America. Also, he suggests a series of guiding principles to guide policymakers as they seek answers to these questions.

The book is available through Amazon. For additional information please visit www.hudson.org or call 202-974-2400.

1) Curbs on Satellite Photos May be Needed Says US Spy Agency Director
Link to AP story:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6618481,00.html

2) EU’s Satellite Navigation System in ‘Crisis’ Over Funding
Link to CBC story:
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/05/09/tech-galileo.html

3) US Airlines Upset with Plan to Collect Fingerprints of Passengers
Link to UPI story:
http://www.upi.com/Security_Terrorism/Analysis/2007/05/08/analysis_airlines_will_take_fingerprints/

4) Pennsylvania DOT Putting More Eyes on the Road to Keep Motorists Moving
Link to story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_506708.html

5) Investigation Finds Confusion Over Where to Report Road Debris in Washington State
Link to story and video report on KIRO-TV:
http://www.kirotv.com/money/13281749/detail.html

6) Moving Forward with the National Transportation Operations Coalition Performance Measurement Initiative
Participants sought for NCHRP pilot study.
Link to story in the NTOC Newsletter:
http://www.ntoctalks.com/articles/performance.php

7) US Department of Homeland Security Launches Project Portal for First Responders
Link to story in Federal Computer Week
http://www.fcw.com/article102671-05-09-07-Web

8) ‘Intelligent’ Cars as Fuel-Efficient as Hybrids
Link to AFP story:
http://www.physorg.com/news97907482.html

9) Taxi Rides in New York City Going High-Tech
Link to AP story:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4789242.html

10) Bridge Study Says Cell Phones Threaten Radio Listening
AM/FM radio still the preferred method for emergency alerts, music, news/sports updates, weather updates and traffic reports -- but that is likely to change.
Link to story on Radio Online:
http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/$rol.exe/headline_id=b9879
Link to news release from Bridge Ratings:
http://www.bridgeratings.com/press_05.09.2007-Mobilphone.htm

11) $102,858 for a Typist with Rhode Island DOT?
Money paid to consultant for “typist” at traffic management center who supplies traffic updates on radio and signs.
Link to story in The Providence Journal:
http://www.projo.com/news/content/DOT_Employees_05-09-07_BN5IM6Q.355be22.html

12) In-Car Navigation Takes a New Turn Amid Resale Woes
Built-in navigation systems increase the depreciation of a car or truck.
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-05-08-navresale-usat_N.htm

13) Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel to Install E-ZPass
Link to story in The Daily Times:
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070509/NEWS01/705090419/1002

14) Next Generation Air Transportation System: Status of the Transition to the Future Air Traffic Control System
Link to testimony for the US Government Accountability Office:
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07784t.pdf


News Releases

1) Sanef Acquires Webraska
http://webraska.com/News/PressReleases_Show.php?pr=20070509_sanefwebraska

2) Madison, Wisconsin Area Traffic Cameras Now Available to General Public
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/opencms/export/nr/modules/news/news_0170.html_786229440.html
Link to Madison area traffic information: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/madison/


Job Posting
- Senior General Engineer – US DOT’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center – Cambridge, Massachusetts
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/getjob.asp?JobId=56717744&AVSDM=5%2F8%2F2007+5%3A06%3A41+PM


Upcoming Events
ANSI Homeland Security Standards Workshop on Transit Security – May 29 – Arlington, Virginiahttp://www.ansi.org/news_publications/news_story.aspx?menuid=7&articleid=1488


Today in Transportation History
1972 **35th anniversary** – Israeli commandos storm a hijacked jet at Lod Airport in Tel Aviv.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/9/newsid_4326000/4326707.stm

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Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast