March 12, 2009

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, March 12, 2009 -- ISSN 1529-1057

On Facebook? Become a fan of the Transportation Communications Newsletter!
Sign-up at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Transportation-Communications-Newsletter/25187272828


AVIATION

1) Pilot Training Program Uses Specially Equipped Jets to Simulate Unexpected Hazards
Link to story in The Buffalo News:
http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/603882.html
Link to additional information from Calspan Flight Research Group:
http://www.calspan.com/upset.htm

CAMERAS

2) New Anchorage Tunnel’s Security Cameras Not Available Online
Link to story and video report on KTUU-TV:
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=9991631&nav=menu510_2

3) Mesa, Arizona Loses $$ on Traffic Cameras, Says Worth It for Safety
Link to story and video report on KNXV-TV:
http://www.abc15.com/content/traffic/story/Mesa-loses-on-traffic-cameras-says-worth-it-for/EOMv44sCrUOqz3_8M6rrZQ.cspx

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Filipinos Making Their Mark on Google Maps
Link to story in the Philippine Daily Inquirer:
http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20090312-193791/Filipinos-make-their-mark-on-Google-Maps

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Caution: GPS Devices Aren’t Always Right
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-03-11-gps_N.htm

6) Blazing a Trail with a Smartphone, Visual Signposts Included
GPS-enabled phones can be used for navigation and journaling while hiking.
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/technology/personaltech/12smart.html

7) TomTom is Your New Facebook Friend
Link to story on Absolute Gadget:
http://www.absolutegadget.com/200903122269/news/automotive/tomtom-hd-traffic-widget-facebook-bebo-igoogle-real-time-traffic-information.html

RAILROADS

8) Amtrak Unveils Spot TV Campaign
Link to story in Mediaweek:
http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/local-broadcast/e3i6ae4453d630258551eafe430d6b2022a

ROADWAYS

9) March Issue of Florida DOT’s SMART Moves Online
Link to newsletter:
http://www.smartsunguide.com/pdf/SMART%20Moves_MARCH%20FINAL%20Issue.pdf

TRANSIT

10) NJ Transit Cuts Costs as Ridership Dips
Agency eliminating toll-free information number and reducing number of printed timetables.
Link to story in the Asbury Park Press:
http://www.app.com/article/20090311/NEWS/90311110/1001/rss

11) DC Metro ‘Punts’: Will Release Schedule Date for Google and Others
Link to story on Greater Greater Washington:
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=1786

12) Wisconsin Bus System Benefits from Christian-Atheist Battle
Link to story in the Wisconsin State Journal:
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/442593

13) Stadium is Citi Field, but the Subway Stop has Other Ideas
Mets decline buying naming rights for subway and Long Island Rail Road stations.
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/nyregion/12shea.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

14) Contactless Payment Cards Next Step for Transit Agencies
Link to story in ContactlessNews:
http://www.contactlessnews.com/2009/03/11/contactless-payment-cards-next-step-for-transit-agencies

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Be a Clever Commuter
Service allows transit users to share information about service disruptions.
Link to video report on WNBC-TV:
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Be_a_Clever_Commuter_New_York.html

16) Imagine a 311 Application for the iPhone
New York City Council members suggest a mobile application with information such as real-time traffic feeds.
Link to blog in The New York Times:
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/imagine-a-311-application-for-the-iphone/



News Releases
1) NJ Transit Approves Customer Upgrades at Port Authority Bus Terminal - Project will enhance communications and improve efficiency
2) AUTO21: Strengthening Canada's Auto Industry Through Advanced Research & Innovation


Upcoming Events
Talking Operations Web Conference - I-95 Express Lanes in Florida: Project Update – April 1
https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=16466


Today in Transportation History
1974 **35th anniversary** - George D. Sax, credited with creating the first drive-in bank, died.
http://www.horatioalger.com/member_info.cfm?memberid=sax65

=============================================================================================
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.
© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast