Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

Join IBTTA in Orlando, Florida for the Facilities Management Workshop - April 27-29, 2008

Join the industry’s leading engineers and technical experts at the Facilities Management Workshop and obtain practical solutions to the daily challenges involved with the operation of a toll facility. Program topics ranging from engineering & design, maintenance, security and law enforcement operations, and technology will be covered. Hosted by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise and Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority this workshop will assist you in better managing your facility, while also gaining insight on how agencies are approaching many environmental issues such as alternative fuels, LEED®/Green Facilities and air quality. Registration deadline is April 15, 2008. Download the program, find the details and register online today! www.IBTTA.org.


AVIATION

1) EU to Allow Cell Service on Planes
Link to AP story:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g7PmoG-XjlPm2-y4Qgg632knK1fQD8VT8T7O1
Link to news release from the European Commission:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/537&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

2) Heathrow T5 Failure: What Really Happened
Link to story on ZDNet:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/projectfailures/?p=681

3) New Towers Keep People Off Runways
Three foot tall towers will be used to coordinate movements during event at Florida airport.
Link to story in The Ledger:
http://www.theledger.com/article/20080408/NEWS/804080420/1004

4) Sensis Wins Contract for Air Traffic Research
Link to story in The Post-Standard:
http://www.syracuse.com/business/index.ssf?/base/business-12/1207645172255470.xml&coll=1
Link to news release from Sensis:
http://sensis.com/docs/591/

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Cell Phone GPS Faces Challenges
Link to story on CRM Daily:
http://www.crm-daily.com/story.xhtml?story_id=020001YSWL7C

6) GPS Devices to Monitor Manitoba Auto Thieves
Belt, ankle hardware to keep tabs on province's 20 worst offenders.
Link to story in the Winnipeg Free Press:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/story/4155694p-4744191c.html

RAILROADS

7) Fatal 2005 South Carolina Train Crash Spurs New Safeguards
Increased use of warning systems one change.
Link to story in The State:
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/368834.html
Link to additional information on Carolina ALERT system:
http://www.sc.edu/emergency/

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Maryland Legislature Decides Against Speed Cameras
Link to AP story:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/04_08-01/OUD
Link to Senate bill: http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/bills/sb/sb0269t.pdf

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Speed Limit to Vary on Stretch of I-5 in Washington State, in Bid to Ease Jams
Speed will be adjusted via electronic signs in an attempt to make traffic flow more smoothly.
Link to story in The Seattle Times:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004334020_lowspeed08m.html

10) Virginia Traffic Company Looks Beyond the Beltway
TrafficLand sees potential in partnering with mapping Web sites and mobile companies.
Link to story in The Examiner:
http://www.examiner.com/a-1326692~Fairfax_traffic_company_looks_beyond_the_Beltway.html


News Releases
1) Federal Aviation Administration Announces Major Communications System Upgrade
2) SEPTA Announces New Measures to Enhance Security – Smart Stations will include surveillance cameras, expanded alarm systems and emergency telephones
3) Chicago Transit Authority Information Now Available on Google Transit


Bernie’s Notes
The banner atop the TCN this week will be orange to commemorate Work Zone Awareness Week. As you drive through work zones please slow down and use extra care. In the US alone there are nearly three work zone fatalities every day.
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/wz_awareness.htm


Solicitation
- Request for Proposals – HOV/HOT Transition Business Plan – California Department of Transportation
http://caltrans-opac.ca.gov/consult.htm (scroll down)


Upcoming Events
Africa Rail 2008 – June 2-6 – Johannesburg, South Africa
http://www.terrapinn.com/2008/railza/


Today in Transportation History
1610 - Samuel de Champlain set sail from France for Quebec.
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trr009.html

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© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast