Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

Registration Still Available for ITS Michigan’s Annual Meeting and Exposition

It’s not too late to register for ITS Michigan’s 2008 Annual Meeting and Exposition to be held May 13-14 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Michigan. With the theme of “Integration of Technology and Services—a World of Innovation,” this year’s conference is shaping up to be an exciting event and will feature stimulating speakers and panels, complemented by an extraordinary set of exhibitors and VII demonstrations. To register and to view a copy of the conference program, go to www.itsmichigan.org.


BUSES

1) Greyhound Appeals to Web-Savvy Travelers with BoltBus
Link to AP story:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-04-29-greyhound-boltbus_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Link to BoltBus: http://www.boltbus.com

ROADWAYS

2) Rutgers/PB-Led Research Team Will Study Hundreds of Bridges
Program aims to create a high-quality database on bridge performance.
Link to story in Engineering News-Record:
http://enr.construction.com//news/transportation/archives/080429.asp

SAFETY / SECURITY

3) Feds to Oak Lawn, Illinois: Stop in the Name of Safety
Town told to remove signs that don’t conform to federal standards. Nearby town still using unorthodox signs.
Link to story and video report on WMAQ-TV:
http://www.nbc5.com/news/16067259/detail.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

4) Cell Phones Making Sense as Sensors
Link to story on CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/04/30/db.cellphonetracking/


News Releases
1) RTA Achievements and ITS Commands the Attention of Intelligent Transport System Conference in Bahrain
2) King County Metro Seeking Public Comment on New Design for Bus Stop Signs
3) European Commission Authorizes a Research and Development Aid Scheme for E-Ticketing System for Public Transport in Germany
4) Environmentally Advanced Road Markings Pave a Safer Way


Job Postings
- Communications and Community Relations Manager – Omnitrans – San Bernardino, California
http://www.transittalent.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=2450
- Project Management – ARINC – Marina del Rey, California
http://www.transittalent.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=2503


Upcoming Events
Telematics Detroit Exhibition – May 21-22 – Novi, Michigan
http://www.telematicsupdate.com/detroit2008/exhibit_index.shtml


Today in Transportation History
1978 **30th anniversary** - Delta Air Lines has its first trans-Atlantic flight.
http://news.delta.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=11058

=============================================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

Registration for IBTTA’s Organization Management Workshop Now Open -- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 1-3, 2008

Centered on the theme Partnership and Performance – Connecting People and Ideas, IBTTA heads to Philly to explore generational factors as they pertain to internal and external communications. Workplace ethics and performance measurement will be explored along with an array of other timely issues surrounding the management of your organization. This workshop is hosted by The Delaware River and Bay Authority, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and South Jersey Transportation Authority. Registration deadline is May 23, 2008. Download the program, find the details and register online today! www.IBTTA.org.

AVIATION

1) Airline Communications
Harvard Business Online has several articles dealing with communication from the airline industry during recent events.
- Crisis Communication and American Airlines
http://conversationstarter.hbsp.com/2008/04/american_airlines_communicatio.html
- How Can British Airways Recover from the Terminal 5 Disaster?
http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/corkindale/2008/04/how_can_british_airways_recove.html
- Delta-Northwest Create the Press Release of the Future
http://conversationstarter.hbsp.com/2008/04/communication_deltanorthwest_c.html
- Why Your Company Needs a News Room
http://conversationstarter.hbsp.com/sviokla/2008/04/why_your_company_needs_a_news_1.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Google Map Directions Get Street View
Link to story on CNET News:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9931506-7.html?tag=nefd.only

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

3) US Secretary of Transportation Launches Blog
Link to story in Federal Computer Week:
http://www.fcw.com/online/news/152376-1.html
Link to news release from US DOT:
http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot5908.htm
Link to the Fast Lane:
http://fastlane.dot.gov/

4) Missouri DOT Sign Does Little to Curb Road Rage
Link to commentary in The Pitch:
http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2008/04/modot_sign_does_little_to_curb.php

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) Now Boarding at BWI Airport: Security with Hint of Calm
Link to story in The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/28/AR2008042802534.html?hpid=topnews

6) Senators, States Beat Up on Real ID Plans
Link to CNET News story:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9931323-7.html?tag=nefd.lede

7) Technology Snags People Passing Stopped School Bus
Test in Syracuse, New York shows higher than expected number of vehicles making illegal passes.
Link to story and video report on News 10 Now:
http://news10now.com/content/all_news/114917/technology-snags-people-passing-stopped-school-bus/Default.aspx

TRANSIT

8) Knoxville Area Transit Picks Firm for Transit Center Rebranding
Link to story in the Knoxville News Sentinel:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/apr/28/kat-picks-knox-firm-transit-center-rebranding/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Nokia Maps Gets Real-Time Traffic Info
Link to story on TechRadar:
http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/satnav/nokia-maps-gets-real-time-traffic-info-334272

VEHICLES

10) Nissan EA2 Concept Showcases Drive-by-Wire Technologies
Link to story in Motor Trend:
http://wot.motortrend.com/6241960/technology/nissan_ea2_concept_showcases_new_by_wire_technologies/index.html


Upcoming Events
Transportation Research Board Webinar: Accommodating Pedestrians at Signalized Intersections – May 8
http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=8976


Today in Transportation History
1882 – The Elektromote, the first trolleybus, was demonstrated by Dr. Ernst Werner von Siemens in Berlin.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/First_Trolleybuss_of_Siemens_in_Berlin_1882.gif

=============================================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

Monday, April 28, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Monday, April 28, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) ID Plan Meant to Clear Fliers of Suspicion
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-04-27-birthdates_N.htm

2) Air Traffic Controller Sounds Alarm
Link to story in Time:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1735387,00.html?imw=Y

3) Hotline Set Up to Report Rogue Helicopters Over Long Island, New York
Link to story in Newsday:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/transportation/ny-liheli285666261apr28,0,7797797.story

BICYCLES

4) Washington, DC to Launch Nation’s First European-Style Bike Share
Link to AP story:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gLuDFvsDBMA_-oEG-8H4k7F7uNRAD90AE1G82

5) A Guide for Reducing Collisions Involving Bicycles
Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:
http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=8960

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) EU Puts Second Galileo Test Satellite Into Orbit
Link to Reuters story:
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSL2730916620080427

MARITIME

7) Video Surveillance System Monitors South Africa Ports
Link to story in Engineering News:
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=130810

8) Singapore Strengthens Position as a Maritime Telecommunications Hub
Link to Bernama story:
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=329511

OTHER

9) Ohio Taking Next-of-Kin Information
Voluntary contact information will go in database in the event of a serious injury or death.
Link to story in The Enquirer:
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008804280324

RAILROADS

10) Dubai All Set to Test Run Driverless Trains in May
Link to story in the Gulf News:
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10208924.html

11) How We Manage Amtrak’s Challenging IT Infrastructure
Link to story in eWeek:
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Knowledge-Center/How-We-Manage-Amtraks-Challenging-Infrastructure/

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Red Light Tickets Hard to Collect on in Missouri
Link to story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/E06B71961D2463E586257438000A9CC2?OpenDocument

13) ‘Wi-Fi’ Speed Cameras to be Tested in UK
Cameras can communicate with each other to track vehicles along highways.
Link to story in the Newham Recorder:
http://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/content/newham/recorder/news/story.aspx?brand=RECOnline&category=newsNEWHAM&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsnewham&itemid=WeED24%20Apr%202008%2009%3A51%3A11%3A407

TRANSIT

14) Providers Not Onboard with Wi-Fi in Los Angeles
Link to story in the Daily Breeze:
http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_9079041

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Road Ahead Looking Clearer for Beijing’s Motorists
Broadcasters move into new studios in city’s traffic command headquarters.
Link to story in the China Daily:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-04/26/content_6645779.htm

16) More Highway Messages Coming to Metro Detroit: Traffic Boards, Cameras Part of National Trend
Link to story in Crain’s Detroit Business:
http://crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080428/SUB/804280323/-1


News Releases
1) Finalists Revealed for 2008 Telematics Awards
2) GPS Devices and Systems Will Generate Revenues of $240 Billion by 2013
3) Greater Boston Subway Stations Getting Improved Electronic Signage and PA Systems from ARINC


Upcoming Events
Modeling and Simulation of Transportation Networks [1.10s] MIT Course – July 28-August 1 – Cambridge, Massachusetts
http://web.mit.edu/mitpep/pi/courses/simulation_transportation.html


Today in Transportation History
1988 **20th anniversary** - An Aloha Airlines flight attendant is killed when an explosive decompression of the jetliner takes place above the Pacific Ocean.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Alohaairlinesdisaster.jpg

=============================================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

Friday, April 25, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Friday, April 25, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) FAA Admits It Mishandled Air Traffic Control Cover-Up
Link to story in The Dallas Morning News:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-controllers_25bus.ART.State.Edition2.28095ea.html

2) Pilot's Missing Laptop Causes Airport Security Scare
Link to story and video on WJLA-TV:
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0408/514346.html

3) When It Comes to Air Traffic Control Maintenance, the Devil’s In the Details
Link to story on Aero-News.Net:
http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=c81d40bb-d587-4e0c-9d75-1dd531ce8993

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Agencies Adapt Commercial Mapping Tolls to Suit Missions
Link to story in Federal Times:
http://federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3493588

OTHER

5) Transportation Agencies Are Acting to Involve Others in Planning and Environmental Decisions
Link to US Government Accountability Office letter:
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-512R

6) Spring Issue of HNTB’s Transportation Point Online
Articles include:
- Texas’ Super Innovation Highway (page 10)
- In Pursuit of Mobility – Atlanta’s gridlocked Northwest Corridor could be home to one of the nation’s next managed lane systems (page 14)
Link to publication:
http://www.hntb.com/documents/pdf/HNTB-TP-5-2008.pdf

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

7) More US Agencies Turn to Podcasts to Get Message Out
Link to story in Federal Times:
http://federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3492381

8) Traffic Safety: Improved Reporting and Performance Measures Would Enhance Evaluation of High-Visibility Campaigns
Link to report from the US Government Accountability Office:http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-477

SAFETY / SECURITY

9) Face Scans to Trial at UK Airports this Summer
Link to story in the Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/25/nface125.xml

TRANSIT

10) What’s Life Without a Car? Google, HopStop are Helping Figure It Out
Link to story on VentureBeat:
http://venturebeat.com/2008/04/22/whats-life-without-a-car-google-hopstop-are-helping-figure-it-out/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Keeping Up with Traffic – The Minnesota Traffic Observatory Focuses on Twin Cities Traffic
Link to story in Civil Engineer:
http://www.ce.umn.edu/news/stories/minnesota_traffic_observatory.html


News Releases
1) MY 511 Allows Users to Personalize 511 Access, Saving Time Online and by Phone
2) US Secretary of Transportation Announces $213 Million Grant to Cut Traffic, Improve Transit and Clean the Air in Los Angeles


Upcoming Events
NEXTRANS Center Inaugural Summit – May 5 – West Lafayette, Indiana
http://www.purdue.edu/dp/nextrans/summit08_main.php


Friday Bonus
What if IKEA redesigned a subway? Nah, something like that would never happen.
http://gizmodo.com/377665/comfy-ikea-train-makes-me-want-to-move-to-the-subway


Today in Transportation History
1901 – New York becomes the first US state to require automobile license plates.
http://www.alpca.org/

=============================================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, April 24, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Air Traffic Controllers’ Numbers Fall
Union, FAA at odds on count, its effect on flight safety.
Link to story in The Courier-Journal:
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080424/NEWS01/804240394/1008/NEWS01

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

2) Illinois Tollway Might Bring Back Beeping I-PASS
Link to story in the Southtown Star:
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/913741,042408tollway.article

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) Speech Input, GPS Make Mobile Search Smarter
Link to story in PC World:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,145010/article.html

OTHER

4) Transport Research Knowledge Centre Web Site Relaunched
Link to story on ScienceBusiness:
http://bulletin.sciencebusiness.net/ebulletins/showissue.php3?page=/548/art/10461&ch=1
Link to site: http://www.transport-research.info

5) Florida Lawmakers Debate Offering a Christian License Plate
Link to AP story:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4715034

ROADWAYS

6) Chairman of House Transportation Committee to National Transportation Safety Board Chief: Reconsider 35W Bridge Hearing
Link to story in the Star Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/politics/18058879.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Chicago Wants Legislature to OK Radar Cameras
Link to story in the Chicago Sun-Times:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/911345,speed042308.article

8) Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel Seeks Volunteers to Develop National Car Accident Reporting Network
Link to story in Government Health IT:
http://www.govhealthit.com/online/news/350324-1.html
Link to news release from HITSP and the National Association of State EMS Officials:
http://web.ansi.org/news_publications/news_story.aspx?menuid=7&articleid=1800

TELEMATICS

9) Microsoft Sync Brings Focus Success
Link to MarketWatch video:
http://www.marketwatch.com/tvradio/player.asp?siteid=yhoof&guid=%7B449B9484%2D8911%2D4F6D%2DB2E7%2DAB9893FA2383%7D

TRANSIT

10) Next Stop on the Yonge Line…’Home Depot’?
Toronto Transit Commission studies feasibility of naming subway stations after major corporations to raise operating funds.
Link to story in the Toronto Star:
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/417766

11) Queensland’s Go-Cards to be Fixed by Week’s End
Link to Australian Broadcasting Corp. News story:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/24/2226775.htm?section=business

VEHICLES

12) Some Car-Stereo Makers See Drivers Ditching CDs for iPods
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-04-23-blauplunkt-mp3_N.htm


News Releases
1) Weather Top Reason for Flight Disruption in the United States: Delays Now Predictable Per Inch of Rain and Degree of Temperature Deviation
2) Honeywell Licenses Navigation System for General Aviation
3) OnStar Tops New Consumer Telematics Vendor Matrix Ranking
4) YouTube Video from Missouri DOT Shows How Dedicated Truck Lanes Could Work
5) FAA Takes Steps to Ensure Proper Reporting of Operational Errors
6) ARINC Brings Fuel Savings to Airlines with AirPlan enRoute Service


Solicitation
- Request for Proposals - ITS Technologies Implementation Evaluation Study RFP – Regional Transportation Commission
http://www.findrfp.com/gov/detail.aspx?id=87689&guid=2E112486B3F9461281C9DBC6527D26F0


Upcoming Events
Webinar: Active Traffic Management Coming to the Urban Partners' Cities: Minneapolis and Seattle – April 30
https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=14088


Today in Transportation History
1967 – Soviet Cosmonaut Vladimir Mikhailovich Komarov becomes the person to die during a spaceflight when Soyuz 1 crashed during re-entry.
http://www.astronautix.com/astros/komarov.htm

=============================================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Wednesday, April 23, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

Join the OmniAir Consortium in McLean, Virginia for the VII Tactical Deployment Workshop, May 22nd, 2008

Join lead thinkers and technical experts working to advance Vehicle Infrastructure Integration at the VII Tactical Deployment (VTD) Workshop. At this event, panelists and the audience will collaborate in a unique ‘option finder’ forum to discuss the tactical environment that’s shaping VII and together, work to distill a practical strategy that answers the uncertainties of full-scale deployment from the technical and business perspectives. Organized by OmniAir members with support from H3B Media (publishers of ‘Thinking Highways’ and ‘ETC, etc’) this workshop offers a thought-provoking chance to listen, contribute and advance VII. Find out more about VTD, the meeting and its registration details by visiting www.omniair.org/vtd/workshop/ or contact OmniAir at info@omniair.org.

AVIATION

1) Blame Game is Off the Ground
Media scrutiny of the airlines and the FAA amid the ongoing industry crisis has pitted one against the other in a messaging battle.
Link to story in PRWeek:
http://www.prweekus.com/Blame-game-is-off-the-ground/article/109326/

BICYCLES

2) New Cameras Will Speed Up South San Francisco Bike Commutes
Video detectors will change signals for bicyclists.
Link to story in The Examiner:http://www.examiner.com/a-1355284~New_cameras_will_speed_up_South_City_bike_commutes.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

3) Florida Judge Tosses Thousands of Citations, Fumes at Toll ‘Injustice’
Drivers ticketed due to malfunctioning transponders.
Link to story in the Orlando Sentinel:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-toll2308apr23,0,4246150.story

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) EU Galileo Sat-Nav Project Gets Final Green Light
Link to AFP story:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gAlYt117rjd87AMacWXUs5IoU8Gg
Link to news release from the EU:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/052-27280-112-04-17-909-20080422IPR27268-21-04-2008-2008-false/default_en.htm

MARITIME

5) Six-Week Ad Campaign to Gain Public Support for Port of Baltimore
Link to story in The Daily Record:
http://www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=5144&type=UTTM

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) Arkansas Uses Program to Check Faces for Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards
Link to AP story:
http://www.thedailycitizen.com/articles/2008/04/23/ap-state-ar/d907d2o01.txt

TRANSIT

7) The Toronto Transit Commission’s Technology Problem
Audit critical of agency’s information technology spending.
Link to commentary in the National Post:
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/04/22/the-ttc-s-technology-problem.aspx

8) British Tube Drivers Protest Film About Subway Suicides
Link to CBC News story:
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2008/04/21/suicide-protest.html
Link to news release from the Associated Society of Locomotive Steam Enginemen and Firemen:
http://www.aslef.org.uk/information/106642/protests_over_tube_suicide_film_this_evening/
Link to site for Three and Out: http://www.threeandoutmovie.com/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Seeds of Statewide Highway Communications System Planted in Putnam County, West Virginia
Link to story and video report on WOWK-TV:
http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=37618

10) Budget Woes Keep Jakarta Police Traffic Cameras Off
Link to story in The Jakarta Post:
http://old.thejakartapost.com/detailcity.asp?fileid=20080423.C03&irec=2

11) Michigan DOT’s Renovated Web Site Eases Trips
Link to column in The Detroit News:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/OPINION03/804230378/1318/OPINION0361
Link to MI Drive: http://www.michigan.gov/drive

VEHICLES

12) Volkswagen Presents Self-Parking Passat
Link to Channel 4 story:
http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=17380
News Releases
1) Inrix Announces Pan-European Road Traffic Information
2) TNO and Inrix Establish Technology and Research Alliance on European Predictive Traffic
3) NDrive Launches World's First Photo Mapping Sat-Nav
4) Detroit Area Traffic Camera Video Gains Wider Audience with TrafficLand
5) The Ultimate Guide to Parking in the UK Launched by Which and the British Parking Association
6) European Commission Facilitates Interoperability for Europe’s Trains


Upcoming Events
5th International Conference Brakes, Wheels, Power… - May 29-30 – Paris
http://www.groupeactis.com/IMG/pdf_prog-frt2008-en.pdf


Today in Transportation History
1948 **60th anniversary** - Zionist forces capture the Port of Haifa during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

=============================================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

Registration for IBTTA’s Organization Management Workshop Now Open -- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 1-3, 2008

Centered on the theme Partnership and Performance – Connecting People and Ideas, IBTTA heads to Philly to explore generational factors as they pertain to internal and external communications. Workplace ethics and performance measurement will be explored along with an array of other timely issues surrounding the management of your organization. This workshop is hosted by The Delaware River and Bay Authority, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and South Jersey Transportation Authority. Registration deadline is May 23, 2008. Download the program, find the details and register online today! www.IBTTA.org.

AVIATION

1) Air Traffic Mistakes Increase, FAA Says
Link to story in The Tampa Tribune:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr/22/me-air-traffic-mistakes-increase-faa-says/

2) Fingerprinting Plan Could be Costly to Airlines
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-04-21-fingerprints_N.htm
Link to news release from the US Department of Homeland Security:
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1208186058701.shtm

3) Boeing and Airbus Join Forces to Urge Better Air Traffic Control Systems
Link to story in the International Herald Tribune:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/22/business/emit.php
Link to news release from Boeing:
http://boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q2/080422c_nr.html

4) Chicago Music Makes Landing at Airports
Program for airports hopes to give lift to local artists.
Link to story in the Chicago Sun-Times:
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/chicagomusic/901842,CST-FTR-ohare18.article

5) American Airlines to Test Retail Sales on Long Flights
Link to story in the Star-Telegram:
http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/596253.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) EU Seen Clearing TomTom’s Tele Atlas Buy – Sources
Link to Reuters story:
http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSL2259459920080422

MARITIME

7) UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency Alerts Seafarers to Distress Beacon Frequency Changes
Link to story on BYM Marine & Maritime News:
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=25399

ROADWAYS

8) Study Explores How Blind Pedestrians Can Cross Safely
Researchers are testing effectiveness of a video system to detect when vehicles have stopped "upstream" to allow pedestrians to cross.
Link to column in The News & Observer:
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1045551.html
Link to additional information on research project:
http://www.walkinginfo.org/aps/2-16.cfm

SAFETY / SECURITY

9) ID Cards Prepare for Takeoff
Airports broaden credentialing efforts as Congress and TSA look at security breaches.
Link to story in Washington Technology:
http://www.washingtontechnology.com/print/23_07/32639-1.html

TRANSIT

10) Officials Pull Ads for Grand Theft Auto from Chicago Buses
Link to story on GamePolitics:
http://gamepolitics.com/2008/04/21/gta-iv-ads-to-be-pulled-from-buses-as-transit-authority-caves-to-pressure/
Link to video report on WFLD-TV:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6353524&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.1.1

11) New Transit Arrival Boards Will Keep Thunder Bay Transit Riders Informed
Link to story in Thunder Bay’s Source:
http://www.tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=106932
Link to NextBus site: http://www.nextbus.com/?a=thunderbay

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) EU Science and Research Commissioner Calls for Moves Towards Intelligent Transport System
Link to story from CORDIS:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN=29363
News Releases
1) United States Leads in Location Aware Services Deployments Today, but the Future Belongs to Europe and Asia
2) US Fire Administration Releases Report on I-35W Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis
3) American Airlines Expands AA.com Diversity and Inclusion Information; Establishes LGBT, Women's Customer Advisory Groups
4) 511 Informs Florida Drivers During Polk County Accident
5) Michigan DOT Revamps Traffic Data Web Site with Mapping Feature
6) FreeMobile411: Now Available on Sprint -- New Free, Multi-Modal (Voice-and-Text) Local Search Application, with Integrated Operator Available as Downloadable App
7) US Department of Transportation Awards Citizant $14 Million Program Management Contract – Five-year assignment on intelligent transport systems


Upcoming Events
Maintenance Decision Support Systems (MDSS) Product Demonstration Showcase – May 28 – Omaha, Nebraska
http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/weather/mitigating_impacts/mdss/showcase/index.htm


Today in Transportation History
1898 **110th anniversary** - US President William McKinley ordered the US Navy to begin a blockade of Cuban ports during the Spanish-American War.
http://www.history.navy.mil/biblio/biblio7/biblio7a.htm#anchor25807

=============================================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

Monday, April 21, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Monday, April 21, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

Business Development Manager Public Transit Solutions – North East Coast, Quebec/Ontario

Continental Public Transit Solutions (former Siemens) develops, installs and maintains Public Transit solutions for CAD AVL fleet management and passenger information.

Develops opportunities in fleet management and mobility customer information market segment and his/her goal is to acquire new projects. Maintains personal contact and builds personal relationships with customers, consultants and industry organizations.

Contact: Arjan van Andel +1 319 270 2342
arjan.van.andel@continental-corporation.com
www.vdo.com/publictransport

AVIATION

1) American Airlines Faults Shifting Rules About Safety
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/19/business/19inspect.html?ex=1366257600&en=18ad09238f468362&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Phone-GPS Software Lets Tampa Company Watch Over the Pope
Link to story in The Tampa Tribune:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr/19/na-cell-phone-gps-lets-tampa-company-watch-over-th/
Link to news release from Actsoft:
http://actsoft.com/news/popes_nyc_visit_press_release.pdf

OTHER

3) New York/New Jersey Port Authority to Offer Greenhouse Offsets
Web site will allow travelers to pay fees.
Link to Reuters story:
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN2144102820080421
Link to news release from the Port Authority:
http://www.panynj.gov/AboutthePortAuthority/PressCenter/PressReleases/PressRelease/index.php?id=1057

4) First Phase of the Unified Traffic System Becomes Operational in UAE
System connects vehicle information from all emirates.
Link to story in Gulf News:
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10207148.html

PARKING

5) City of Los Angeles Launches Public Parking Locator Web Site
Link to site:
http://www.lacity.org/ladot/new/parkinglots/index.html

ROADWAYS

6) No Magic Bullet
Despite promising technologies, transportation mode modernization requires better policies and more funding.
Link to article in Washington Technology:
http://www.washingtontechnology.com/print/23_07/32641-1.html
Curfew Draws Near for Smart Traffic
http://www.washingtontechnology.com/print/23_07/32636-1.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) New Anti-Terrorism Rules 'Allow US to Spy on British Motorists'
Images and information from roadside cameras may be sent overseas.
Link to story in the Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/21/nspy121.xml&DCMP=EMC-new_21042008&loc=interstitialskip

8) New Maryland Law Will Light Up Motorcycles
Link to story in The Capital:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/04_20-58/GOV

9) Can Technology Make Safer Drivers?
Link to column and video in The Wall Street Journal:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120855593026627455.html

10) Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Defends ‘Pink’ as Traffic Enforcement Standard
Official says pink signage has been effective.
Link to story on GMA News:
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/90633/MMDA-defends-pink-as-traffic-enforcement-standard

11) Cost-Effective Information Interoperability for All-Hazards Events in Spite of Decreasing Preparedness Funding - Part Two, The Solution
Link to story in Directions Magazine:
http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=2740&trv=1

TRANSIT

12) Smart Transit Cards Come to Montreal, Quebec
Link to CBC News story:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2008/04/21/qc-smartcards0421.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) A Misuse of Message Signs?
Link to column in the San Jose Mercury News:
http://www.mercurynews.com/localnewsheadlines/ci_8982577


News Releases
1) Citilabs Announces Cube Version 5 – Cube Now Incorporates ESRI’s ArcGIS Technology
2) FCC Announces Agenda For Summit on the Current State and Future of the Nation's Emergency Alert System


Job Postings
- Transit Project Manager – Orange County Transportation Authority – Orange, California
http://www.transittalent.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=2312
- Senior Business Process Analyst – Port Authority of New York & New Jersey – Jersey City, New Jersey
http://www.transittalent.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=2345


Upcoming Events
Seawork International Commercial Marine Exhibition & Conference – June 10-12 – Southampton, UK
http://www.seawork.com/


Today in Transportation History
1918 **90th anniversary** - Baron Manfred von Richthofen, a German fighter pilot known as “The Red Baron,” was shot and killed over France.
http://www.acepilots.com/wwi/ger_richthofen.html

=============================================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

Friday, April 18, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Friday, April 18, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) FAA Stands by Its Cell Phone Ban
Link to story in the Star-Telegram:
http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/590332.html

2) British Airways Tests Predicted Delays at Heathrow’s Terminal 5
Link to Bloomberg story:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aiRkyOkDvJmw&refer=home

3) RFID Bag Tags Could Save Air-Travel Industry Millions
Link to story on Silicon:
http://www.silicon.com/retailandleisure/0,3800011842,39188677,00.htm

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Google Maps Sees Your Traffic Future
Link to story in PC World:
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/006817.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

5) No Free Passes, Just Free E-ZPass Devices
Motorists taking the Maine Turnpike this summer to avoid work on Interstate 295 will be able to borrow transponders for free.
Link to story in the Portland Press Herald:
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=182244&ac=PHnws

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) European Space Agency Creates Galileo Directorate
Link to story in GPS World:
http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/System+Design+and+Test+News/ESA-Creates-Galileo-Directorate/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/510719?contextCategoryId=33831

7) GPS Routed Bus Under Bridge, Company Says
Driver says he didn't see warning signs or lights.
Link to story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/359497_bus18.html?source=mypi

8) Next Stop for Personal Navigation Devices: Real-Time Two-Way Connectivity
Link to story in EE Times Asia:
http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800517815_499488_NT_35f8e92c.HTM

MARITIME

9) Piracy Sparks High-Tech Defenses
Link to article in Time:
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1732125,00.html

OTHER

10) Radio On Bus Fosters Quiet, but Not Peace
BusRadio provides music, ads and public service announcements on school buses.
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/nyregion/17bus.html?ex=1366171200&en=032bae6d4a2ca238&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all#
Link to additional information on BusRadio: http://www.busradio.net

11) Orbital Sciences Sells Transportation Unit
Link to story in The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/17/AR2008041703504.html?hpid=sec-tech (may require free registration)
Link to news release from Orbital Sciences:
http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/release.asp?prid=652

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) License Plate Readers Help Police
Link to video from Government Technology:
http://www.govtech.com/gt/video/?fr_story=819bab09bfb8a7125105f2855219a65dd1079074&utm_source=gten_080401&utm_medium=enews&utm_content=story&utm_campaign=v

13) Photographers’ Rights in the UK: A Guide
Link to story on Digital-Lifestyles:
http://digital-lifestyles.info/2008/04/17/photographers-rights-in-the-uk-a-guide-part-1/ (part 1)
http://digital-lifestyles.info/2008/04/18/photographers-rights-in-the-uk-a-guide-part-2/ (part 2)

14) Articles from Latest Issue of the National Weather Service’s Aware
- Hazmat Support Page Provides Fast, Easy Access (page 3)
- Should NWS Services for PDAs and Cell Phones Continue? (page 5)
- Innovations in Storm and Emergency Communication (page 7)
- NWS Expands Efforts to Mitigate Effects of High Impact Sub-Advisory Snowfall (page 15)
http://www.weather.gov/os/Aware/pdfs/08spring-aware.pdf

TRANSIT

15) Launch of Bay Area’s TransLink Fare Card Put Off Again
Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/18/BAGC9107UJ.DTL

16) Bus Company Issues Apology for Radio Flap
Coach America says bus drivers can no longer play radio.
Link to story on ASU Web Devil:
http://www.asuwebdevil.com/issues/2008/04/18/news/704848
News Releases
1) US DOT Seeks Innovative Research Proposals from Small Businesses to Solve Multimodal Transportation Challenges
2) Vehicle Data and Telematics: What Does the Future Hold for the Insurer?
3) Technology Can Reduce the Driver’s Stress Level


Upcoming Events
Congestion Pricing Think Tank – May 23– McLean, Virginia
http://www.h3bmedia.com/networx/Cpricing.cfm


Friday Bonus
Not all car theft deterrence systems are high-tech.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RucGYoT8tMo


Today in Transportation History
1988 **20th anniversary** - In what was considered the largest naval battle since World War II, US forces sank or destroyed three Iranian warships.
http://www.navybook.com/nohigherhonor/pic-prayingmantis.shtml

=============================================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

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

Technical Proposal Manager Public Transit Solutions

Continental Public Transit Solutions (former Siemens) develops, installs and maintains Public Transit solutions for CAD AVL fleet management and passenger information.

The proposal manager is responsible for the technical design of the customer solution and joins sales force in technical meetings. He/she is responsible for the sales quotations. French writing skills are an advantage. The proposal manager has growth possibilities to become project manager, once the project is acquired.

Contact: Arjan van Andel, +1 319 270 2342
arjan.van.andel@continental-corporation.com
www.vdo.com/publictransport


AVIATION

1) Law Would Ban US In-Flight Cell Phone Use
Link to story in PC World:
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/006813.html

2) New US Presidential Helicopter to Include Advanced Communications Capabilities, Threat Protection
Link to story in Aviation Week:
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/VH71041608.xml&headline=Presidential%20Helo%20To%20Counter%20New%20Threats

OTHER

3) Traffic Busters
Highway information systems and intelligent subways, two concepts to reduce gridlock, expedite commutes and green the environment.
Link to story in Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/technology/forbes/2008/0505/064b.html

4) April Issue of IEEE ITS Society Newsletter
Link to newsletter:
http://www.ewh.ieee.org/tc/its/newsletters/v10n2.pdf

PARKING

5) SFpark Would Micromanage San Francisco’s Scarce Parking Spaces
Link to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/14/MNTO104818.DTL&feed=rss.news

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

6) Public Relations Firms Feed at City-Funded Transit Trough in Honolulu
Link to story in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin:
http://starbulletin.com/2008/04/17/news/story02.html

RAILROADS

7) European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Comes to UK’s Cambrian Line
Link to story on RailwayPeople:
http://www.railwaypeople.com/rail-news-articles/ertms-comes-to-cambrian-line-1538.html

ROADWAYS

8) ‘Photo Cops’ to Tame India’s Manic Traffic
Link to commentary in Livemint:
http://www.livemint.com/2008/04/17103411/Web-Exclusive--8216Photo-c.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

9) Cost-Effective Information Interoperability for All-Hazards Events in Spite of Decreasing Preparedness Funding - Part One, The Environment
Link to article in Directions Magazine:
http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=2739&trv=1

10) Can TSA be Trusted Not to Data Discriminate?
Link to CNET blog:
http://www.cnet.com/8301-13739_1-9918813-46.html

TRANSIT

11) Greening the Traffic Lights
Traffic signal preemption lets buses glide through cities, saving time and energy--and, perhaps, the atmosphere.
Link to story in Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/0505/064.html

12) Chicago Transit Authority Headed in One Right Direction with Bus Tracker Web Site and Google Maps
Link to column in the Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/columnists/chi-0416hypertextapr16,0,3987730.column
Link to CTA Bus Tracker: http://www.ctabustracker.com

13) Google Transit Coming to Los Angeles
Link to column in the Los Angeles Times:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/emeraldcity/2008/04/google-transit.html

VEHICLES

14) Auto Experts Say Buyers Need More Education on Fuel Economy
Link to AP story:
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080416/autos_fuel_economy.html?.v=1


News Releases
1) See It, Hear It, Feel It: Ford Seeks Most Effective Driver Warnings for Active Safety Technology
2) New York Governor Announces New York City Metro Area to Receive $34 Million for Emergency Communications


Upcoming Events
Safety 2008 – June 9-12 – Las Vegas
http://www.asse.org/education/pdc08/


Today in Transportation History
1851 – The Marco Polo was launched in Saint John, New Brunswick. The ship was once considered the fastest in the world.
http://new-brunswick.net/marcopolo/story/index.html

=============================================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast