Friday, July 25, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

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

Request for Proposals – Various Services for SANDAG 511 Traveler Information System

ICx Transportation Group, Inc., on behalf of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and Telvent Farradyne Inc., is soliciting proposals from firms to (a) develop sponsorship and other marketing opportunities to generate revenue for the SANDAG 511 system; (b) enhance the 511 traveler information system by providing additional services via the 511 telephone number; and (c) enable mechanisms for the provision of the region’s substantial number of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) streams to the public over various media.
SANDAG operates a 511 traveler information telephone number and co-branded web page for travelers in the San Diego region. Information is available covering traffic, transit, roadside assistance, ridesharing, airports, FasTrak, bicycling, and other programs.
Proposers can obtain RFP documents at http://www.icxt.com/SANDAG_RFPs/. Proposers are requested to submit their proposals electronically to Michael.Berman@icxt.com. Proposals must be received by 4:00 p.m. on July 31, 2008.


AVIATION

1) Logan Airport to Pilot FAA Air-Traffic Monitors
Plasma screens will allow travelers to track real-time weather and jet traffic.
Link to story in the Boston Herald:
http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/2008_07_25_Logan_to_pilot_FAA_air-traffic_monitors/

2) FAA Finds Serious Flaws in Flight Safety at Israeli Airports
Link to story in Haaretz:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1005546.html

3) US Lawmaker: Bring Back Air-Safety Survey
Link to AP story:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j1BGTmqW9V-o1DIlbWpbrChClNxAD924D1IO0

CAMERAS

4) Speed Cameras: A Flash of Irritation
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/speed-cameras-a-flash-of-irritation/

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) 1394 Trade Association Introduces Copper Automotive Standard for Vehicle Navigation
Link to story on Macsiumum News:
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/1394_trade_association_introduces_copper_automotive_standard_for_vehicle_na/
Link to news release from the 1394 Trade Association:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/1394-trade-association-introduces-new/story.aspx?guid=%7BBB8A6738-3D24-4BEA-B9BD-59E6011A0404%7D&dist=hppr

MARITIME

6) Port of Melbourne Maritime Traffic Services ‘Not Up to Standard’
Link to story in the Herald Sun:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24066916-2862,00.html

OTHER

7) ITS Asia Pacific Conference ‘Connecting U & I’ Held in Singapore
Link to story from ERTICO – ITS Europe:
http://www.ertico.com/en/news_and_events/ertico_newsroom/general_news_its_asia_pacific_conference_connecting_u__i_in_singapore.htm

8) South African Vehicle Trackers for Collusion Hearing in November
Link to story on motoring.co.za:
http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4525301&fSectionId=753&fSetId=381

9) TVs Atop Gas Pumps Provide Distraction to Captive Audience
Link to AP story:
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/BUSINESS07/807250335

10) Alberta Appealing English-Only Traffic Ticket Ruling
Link to CBC News story:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/07/24/ticket-language.html

ROADWAYS

11) Some States Close Bridge Inspection Data to Public
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-07-24-bridgereports_N.htm

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) EU Aims to Have Deal on US-Style Passenger Data Plan for Flights by Next Year
Link to AP story:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/24/europe/EU-European-Airline-Security.php

TRANSIT

13) London Transit Oyster Card System Breaks Again
Link to Bloomberg story:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=a_rkR0bdSiUw&refer=uk

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) New Project Test Success of Providing Weather Information at Travel Plazas
Link to story in the National Weather Service’s Aware:
http://www.weather.gov/os/Aware/pdfs/08summer-aware.pdf (page 11)

15) Washington State Patrol Expands Instant-Tow
Tow trucks immediately dispatched when disabled vehicles spotted on a camera from the DOT traffic management center.
Link to story in Nisqually Valley News:
http://www.yelmonline.com/storyliving.php?subaction=showfull&id=1217018106&archive=&start_from=&ucat=5


News Releases
1) Alternet Systems, Inc. Announces Mass Transit Wireless E-Ticket System
2) Security Biometrics Spending Will Reach $7.3 Billion in 2013
3) Washington State DOT Begins Blog for Widening Project
4) Sensys Networks Secures $5M Round of Funding to Support Rapid Growth
5) Northwest Airlines Warns Passengers of Phony E-Mail


Upcoming Events
European Transport Conference 2008 – October 6-8 – Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands
http://www.etcproceedings.org/etc2008/


Friday Bonus
It may not have the same cachet as some sports mascots, but this transportation “mascot” should be recognized around the world.
http://ny.metro.us/metro/local/article/Pedestrian_artist_walks_to_Wburg/13004.html


Today in Transportation History
1973 **35th anniversary** - The Soviet Union’s Mars 5 is launched.
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/masterCatalog.do?sc=1973-049A

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© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast