Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

Join IBTTA at the Toll Road Summit of the Americas – Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 30-April 1, 2008
IBTTA and experts from 20 countries will gather in Buenos Aires to examine an array of institutional models that are now being used to successfully finance and develop both urban and interurban roads. Hosted by AUSA and Associación Argentina de Carreteras, this will be a unique forum for the private and public sectors, as agencies and companies from the Americas and Europe gather to exchange ideas and discuss how to best reduce congestion and improve the flow of goods and people. Download the program, find the details and register online today! www.IBTTA.org

AVIATION

1) Wired Airports
Link to story in Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/02/25/wired-airports-travel-tech-wireless-cx_ew_0226wiredair.html

2) Night-Vision Goggles for All Night Helicopter Operations, FAA Says
Link to story in Aviation International News:
http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/nvg-for-all-night-helo-ops-says-faa/?no_cache=1

3) Aviation Weather: Services at Key Aviation Facilities Lack Performance Measures, but Improvement Efforts are Under Way
Link to testimony from the US Government Accountability Office:http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08491t.pdf

4) Aviation Weather: FAA is Reevaluating Services at Key Centers; Both FAA and the National Weather Service Need to Better Ensure Product Quality
Link to report from the US Government Accountability Office:
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08258.pdf

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Fixes Promised for GPS Devices in Philadelphia Cabs
Link to AP story:
http://cbs3.com/local/Philadelphia.Cabs.Far.2.662798.html

6) Race to Develop Fail-Proof GPS
Link to story in Australian IT:
http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23274506-15306,00.html

RAILROADS

7) Indian Railway Minister Sells Mobile Ticketing, Online Train-Tracking Dreams
Link to Indiatimes News Network story:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Lalu_sells_mobile_ticketing_online_train-tracking_dreams/articleshow/2817307.cms

ROADWAYS

8) Bay Area Freeway Improvements Tied to Car-Fee Increase
Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/26/BA7CV8G5F.DTL

9) Massachusetts Turnpike Technology Lag Costs Money, Time
Link to story in The Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/24/pike_technology_lag_costs_money_time/

10) Ads Urge Support for New York City Congestion Pricing
Link to story in the Times Herald-Record:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/BIZ/802260314

SAFETY / SECURITY

11) Police in Prince George’s County, Maryland to Employ Traffic Cameras, Helicopters Against Street Racing
Link to story in The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022502649.html

12) Demand for Hybrid Driver’s Licenses-Passport Cards High in Washington State
Link to story in Federal Computer Week:
http://www.fcw.com/online/news/151745-1.html

13) US Transportation Security Administration Seeks Advice on Intelligent Video Systems
Link to story in Washington Technology:
http://www.washingtontechnology.com/online/1_1/32328-1.html
Link to request for information: http://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/TSA/HQTSA/Reference-Number-HSTS04-08-ICT7017/Synopsis.html

TELEMATICS

14) Calcutta Police Launching Modernization Drive
Link to story in The Telegraph:
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080227/jsp/calcutta/story_8911683.jsp

15) Overtaking Assistant Could Help Prevent Many Traffic-Related Deaths
Link to story in ScienceDaily:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226092749.htm

TRANSIT

16) Combined Highway, Rail Pass Coming to Massachusetts?
Link to story and video report on WCVB-TV:
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/15411020/detail.html

17) A Text Message Train Ticket in Belgium
Link to story on the Transport Information Group:
http://www.matthieudesiderio.com/?p=138

18) New York MTA Panel Approves E-Mail Upgrades for Long Island Rail Road Alerts
Link to story in Newsday:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/transportation/ny-lilirr265592033feb26,0,7133227.story

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

19) As Motorists Were Stranded, Wisconsin Traffic Cameras Collected Dust
Link to AP story:
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/WDH0101/80226120/1981


News Releases
1) TrafficGauge Launches First Traffic Map Application for Facebook


Upcoming Events
26th Annual Texas Aviation Conference – April 15-17 – Austin, Texas
http://tti.tamu.edu/conferences/tac08/


Today in Transportation History
1973 **35th anniversary** - The Chessie System is incorporated as the corporate parent of the Baltimore & Ohio, Chesapeake & Ohio and Western Maryland railroads.
http://www.trainweb.org/CSHS/

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© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast