Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 -- ISSN 1529-1057

Vice President for Programs - Intelligent Transportation Society of America - Washington, DC

Founded in 1991, the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) is a not-for-profit member organization and the leading advocate for technologies that improve the safety, security, and efficiency of the nation's surface transportation system. The vice president for programs is a member of ITS America's senior executive team, with primary oversight of its contractual relationships with the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and other organizations. The individual is also responsible for engaging and acting on behalf of ITS America's membership and the broader ITS community to help save lives, time, and money and sustain the environment through broad deployment of ITS technologies. The vice president for programs reports to ITS America's executive vice president and oversees a staff of professionals and consultants who support the U.S. DOT and other clients as well as the ITS America Coordinating Council and forums.

For the full job description, visit http://www.itsa.org/itsa/files/pdf/ITSAJob_VPPrograms.pdf.

AVIATION

1) FAA Updates NextGen Plan, Targets 2018
Link to story in Aviation Week:
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/FAA020309.xml&headline=FAA%20Updates%20NextGen%20Plan,%20Targets%202018&channel=comm

CARTOGRAPHY

2) Making Digital Maps More Current and Accurate
Link to story from ICT:
http://www.gisuser.com/content/view/16722/28/

3) Different Directions: Online Mapping Services are Changing
Link to CNET News column:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10156727-2.html?tag=newsLatestHeadlinesArea.0

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Update on National PNT Architecture, Federal Radionavigation Plan, More
Link to story in GPS World:
http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/Survey+&+Construction+News/Update-on-on-National-PNT-Architecture-Federal-Rad/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/578880?contextCategoryId=33831

5) Google Latitude Lets You Track Friends, Employees
Link to story in Computerworld:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9127372&intsrc=hm_list

OTHER

6) Smart Tech: Where’s Our Stimulus?
IBM CEO Palmisano makes a public plea for upgrading the US's crumbling infrastructure using ‘smart’ technologies.
Link to story in BusinessWeek:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2009/tc2009023_287296.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_news+%2B+analysis

7) Computer Simulation Helps Answer Transportation Issues Facing Large Cities
Link to story on ScienceDaily:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090203110321.htm

ROADWAYS

8) Hackers’ Road Sign Pranks Worry Highway Officials
Link to AP story:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/feb/04/hackers-road-sign-pranks-worry-highway-officials/

9) February Edition of Florida DOT’s SunGuide Disseminator Online
Link to newsletter:
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/trafficoperations/Newsletters/2009/2009-002-Feb.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) The Possible Effects of Commercial Electronic Variable Message Signs (CEVMS) on Driving Safety - Phase 1
Link to report from the Federal Highway Administration:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/realestate/cevms.htm

11) Colbert ‘Nails’ Pesky Amtrak Photographers
Link to commentary on DCist:
http://dcist.com/2009/02/colbert_nails_pesky_terrorist_amtra.php

TRANSIT

12) New York City Transit E-Mail System to Notify Riders if Lost Items are Found
Link to story in the Staten Island Advance:
http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1233666018172870.xml&coll=1
Link to news release from MTA New York City Transit:
http://www.mta.info/mta/news/releases/?en=090203-NYCT14

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Getting the Information Out to Drivers
Portsmouth traffic management center keeps motorists informed during UK snowstorms.
Link to story in The News:
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/travel-latest/Getting-the-information-out-to.4943312.jp

VEHICLES

14) Driver Assistance Comes of Age
Link to story on just-auto:
http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=97861&lk=dm


News Releases
1) Study: Ford Sync Reduces Driving Distractions, Helps Drivers Keep Eyes on Road
2) HNTB Honors New Fellows


Upcoming Events
OmanHydro Symposium – March 15-18 – Muscat, Oman
http://www.omanhydro.com/English/topics/conference/index.php


Today in Transportation History
1999 **10th anniversary** - The M/V New Carissa ran aground near Coos Bay, Oregon.
http://www.newportnet.com/home.cfm?dir_cat=48439

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© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast