Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, August 7, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

ITS America to Host “New England Workshop on Using Regional ITS Architectures” from September 25-26 in Boston

The preliminary agenda for the “New England Workshop on Using Regional ITS Architectures” is now available. This workshop will be held from September 25-26, 2007 in Boston. This workshop will help attendees learn how to better utilize the regional and statewide ITS Architectures that have been developed over the past several years. All workshop attendees will receive an “ITS Architecture Use and Maintenance Tool Kit” that includes the workshop tutorial presentations, CDs on System Engineering and Regional ITS Architecture Guidance as well as key examples from various state activities. Speakers will include key state and DOT officials, and regional and national Architecture experts. For complete meeting details and registration information, visit www.itsa.org/regional_its_workshop.html.


1) New Bridge-Monitoring Devices Go Unused
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-08-06-ntsb_N.htm

2) Wisconsin Governor Orders Sensors on Bridges
Link to AP story:
http://www.chippewa.com/articles/2007/08/07/ap-state-wi/d8qsapn80.txt
Link to news release from the Wisconsin Governor’s Office:
http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.asp?locid=19&prid=2838

3) Minute-by-Minute Minnesota DOT Cameras After Collapse
Link to story and video report on WCCO-TV:
http://wcco.com/bridgecollapse/local_story_219000719.html

4) New York Taxi Agency Says Cabs Will Get GPS Technology Despite Strike Threat
Link to story in Computerworld:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9029358&intsrc=news_ts_head

5) New Traffic Hazard: Moving Signs
Electronic and mechanical ads near highways concern officials in Maryland.
Link to story in The Baltimore Sun:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/bal-te.md.ar.signs07aug07,0,4401457.story

6) Airport Baggage Might Undergo Public Scrutiny
Study will look at remote scanning of luggage and could include average Americans in the inspection process.
Link to story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_520943.html

7) Judge Bans US Navy from Using Sonar off Southern California
Link to story in the Los Angeles Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sonar7aug07,0,2692726.story?coll=la-home-local

8) Planes to Use Accurate Satellite Data
A new type of satellite navigation system accurate enough to be used for flight is being prepared for a full-scale launch after a series of trials.
Link to BBB News story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6934813.stm

9) Some Airlines Offer Limited Messaging
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-08-06-instant-messaging_N.htm

10) Fliers’ Net-Surfing Days Inch Closer
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-08-06-broadband_N.htm

11) Citizens for Rail Safety, University of Louisville Develop Online Maps to Track Crossing Incidents
Link to story in Progressive Railroading:
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/freightnews/article.asp?id=11184

12) Slow Down, It’s the Fast Lane
Some MassPike commuters would rather pay cash to save time.
Link to story on BostonNOW:
http://www.bostonnow.com/news/local/2007/08/07/slow_down_its_the_fast_lane/

13) South Africa Municipality Installs Improved Road Signs Before 2010 World Cup
Link to story on BuaNews:
http://www.buanews.gov.za/view.php?ID=07080610451001&coll=buanew07

14) Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Intelligent Specialty Vehicle System Pilot Program Report
Link to report from FHWA:
http://www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov//JPODOCS/REPTS_TE/14370.htm


News Releases

1) Missouri Bridge Program to be Highlighted at Missouri State Fair
http://www.modot.org/newsandinfo/District0News.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=11923

2) Florida DOT Receives Management and Operations/ITS Council Award from the Institute of Transportation Engineers
http://www.ite.org/awards/winners/2007/its%20project.pdf

3) Hudson Valley Media Group Launches Comprehensive Bridge Safety Web Site
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,155088.shtml
Link to site: http://www.recordonline.com/bridges


Upcoming Events
6th Chilean Congress of Intelligent Transport Systems & 4th International ITS Exhibition – September 26-28 – Santiago, Chile
http://www.itschile.cl/congreso_chileno_2007/eng/index.htm


Today in Transportation History
1947 **60th anniversary** - The Kon-Tiki completed its voyage when it landed on the island of Raroia in Polynesia.
http://www.kon-tiki.no/

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