Thursday, January 3, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, January 3, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Contract Changes May Ground University of Oklahoma Air Traffic Controller Training Program
Link to story in The Oklahoman:
http://newsok.com/article/3188141/1199329991 (may require free registration)

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) GPS Gadget Spot Can Save Your Hide, for a Price
Link to column in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/edwardbaig/2008-01-02-spot-tracker_N.htm
Link to further information on Spot Satellite Messenger: http://www.findmespot.com/

RAIL

3) European Showcase Train Project ‘Too Complex’
Link to story in the Financial Times:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1e216f54-ba28-11dc-abcb-0000779fd2ac.html
Link to European Rail Traffic Management System site: http://www.ertms.com/

SECURITY / PRIVACY

4) US Registered Traveler Program to Go International
International travelers will soon have the option of registering in advance to speed their passage through security checkpoints at US airports.
Link to story in Washington Technology:
http://www.washingtontechnology.com/online/1_1/32033-1.html

5) US State Department Rule Will Make Passport Cards Scannable from Several Feet Away
Link to story in Federal Computer Week:
http://www.fcw.com/online/news/151200-1.html
Link to notice in the Federal Register:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-25422.pdf

6) Video Cameras Keep Watch in London
Link to photo essay on CNET News:
http://www.news.com/Photos-Video-cameras-keep-watch-in-London/2300-7348_3-6224342.html?tag=nefd.lede

TELEMATICS

7) Radar on the Radar of Analysts
Radar technology favored over other automotive obstacle detection technologies according to report.
Link to CNET News story:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9838844-7.html?tag=newsmap
Link to news release from ABI Research:
http://www.abiresearch.com/abiprdisplay.jsp?pressid=1027

8) Automakers Give Drivers a Lot of New Gadgets
Link to story on WZZM-TV:
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=85744

TRANSIT

9) Edmonton Transit Sounds Out Automated Bus-Stop Notice
Link to story in the Edmonton Sun:
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/01/03/4750201-sun.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

10) States Relying More on Webcams to Keep Motorists Informed
Link to AP story:
http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/01/03/news/local_state/127949.txt

11) Travel Book Publishers Try to Reclaim the Web
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/03/business/media/03guides.html?ex=1357016400&en=80b36b5041c1c3dd&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all


News Releases
1) AirTran Airways to Build Operations Center in Orlando
2) Mondial Develops Bluetooth Solution for Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program
3) Traffic Control Device Rules Strengthened In New Publication - Updates to MUTCD Reflect Lessons Learned in Atlanta Bus Crash
4) Portable Navigation: The Future is Bright for Connectivity
5) Ford SYNC Sales Reach 30,000 in 2007; One Million SYNC Vehicles to be on the Road in Early 2009


Upcoming Events
Institute of Transportation Engineers Technical Conference & Exhibit – March 30-April 2 – Miami
http://www.ite.org/Conference/default.asp


Today in Transportation History
1496 – Leonardo da Vinci unsuccessfully tests his flying machine.
http://www.leonardo.net/flying.html#flying

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© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast