Thursday, January 17, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, January 17, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Air Traffic Controllers’ Labor Tactics Raise Concern
Safety experts worry that air controllers' statements in labor talks run the risk of scaring flying public.
Link to story in the Los Angeles Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-airtraffic17jan17,1,190075.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california

2) FAA Updates Progress on Efforts to Improve Runway Safety
Link to story on The Aero-News Network:
http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=0090618e-b795-4a41-9c88-f0f1ffca4aec
Link to fact sheet from the Federal Aviation Administration:
http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=10133

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Is GPS Liability Next?
Link to commentary on CNET News:
http://www.news.com/Is-GPS-liability-next/2010-1033_3-6226346.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

4) US Departments of State and Homeland Security Grant RFID Contracts to Speed Border Crossings
Link to story in Government Executive:
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=39060&dcn=todaysnews

5) Detroit’s Blind Spot
Is safety taking a backseat to green technology?
Link to commentary in Newsweek:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/94728

6) Smile, You’re on Millimeter Wave Camera
US Transportation Security Administration purchases cameras that can screen moving crowds to spot weapons.
Link to story on CNET News:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9851543-7.html?tag=nefd.only
Link to additional information on SPO-20 from QinetiQ:
http://www.qinetiq.com/home/security/national_security/spo_20.html
Link to news release from QinetiQ:
http://www.qinetiq.com/home/newsroom/news_releases_homepage/2008/1st_quarter/qinetiq_s_spo_security.html

TRANSIT

7) TransLink Defends Right to Hold Board Meetings in Secret
Vancouver transit agency says closed meetings will be more effective.
Link to CP story:
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gHN0BiYekKixZzkHv6VxryyJylGg

8) Torstar Strikes Deal to Sell Transit TV Unit to IdeaCast Inc.
Transit TV provides digital ad technology on the transit systems in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Milwaukee, and Orlando.
Link to CP story:
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hfMy3vKAzZ-Vqz2TE0DvxkCnInwA
Link to news release from Torstar:
http://www.torstar.com/releases_detail.php?page=952
Link to news release from IdeaCast:
http://www.ideacast.net/pr011608.html

9) Talk to Us, Train Riders Urge Metro-North
Poor communications with train riders and their advocacy group remained the biggest complaint of Connecticut Commuter Rail Council in 2007.
Link to story in The Advocate:
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-commuter2jan17,0,3382767.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines
Link to Commuter Council 2007 annual report: http://www.trainweb.org/ct/2007AnnualReport.pdf

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Virginia DOT Salem Traffic Center Keeps Drivers Informed
Link to story on WSLS-TV:
http://www.wsls.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSLS%2FMGArticle%2FSLS_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173354255523&path=!news!localnews

11) What’s the 511?
San Diego Association of Governments seeks input from truckers for “511 CVO.”
Link to story in Land Line:
http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2008/Jan08/011408/011508-06.htm
Link to SANDAG 511 CVO survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=CrDMee9g3T9sqO_2bErIEKDw_3d_3d/


News Releases
1) America's Beer, Wine & Spirits Retailers Introduce 'Effective Traffic Safety Solutions to Stop Drunk Driving' Toolbox
http://sev.prnewswire.com/beer-wine-spirits/20080117/DC1182117012008-1.html


Job Posting
- Organizational Capacity Building, Program Managers – Volpe National Transportation Center – Cambridge, Massachusetts
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobId=67365850&AVSDM=1%2F17%2F2008+3%3A50%3A06+PM


Upcoming Events
SAE 2008 World Congress – April 14-17 – Detroit
http://www.sae.org/congress/


Today in Transportation History
1949 – The first Volkswagen Beetle arrives in the United States.
http://www.sae.org/automag/bestcar/05.htm

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© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast