Transportation Communications Newsletter: November 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Monday, November 30, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Support for the TCN

It’s been over a year since I last came to the readers of the TCN to ask for your support. It seems like this is a good time to come back. At the end of December I’ll have the hours at my day job cut to part-time. In the long-run I expect this to be good news. It will allow me to devote more time to the TCN and other newsletters I edit and it will permit me to become move involved in my voice-over work. It will also mean considerably less income for the short-term. In the days and weeks ahead I’ll be telling you more about ways you can support the TCN, but here’s a quick overview. The first is contributions to the TCN. More information on this is available at the bottom of today’s issue. Other ways to support the TCN include purchasing ads, using my voice services, having your own customized newsletter or simply telling others about the TCN. Thank you in advance for your support.

AVIATION

1) Airline Safety: The Next Generation of Smart Planes

Link to article in The Christian Science Monitor:

http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2009/11/23/airline-safety-the-next-generation-of-smart-planes/

2) Delta to Close Call Centers in London and Montreal, Bring Jobs Back to the US

Link to article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle:

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/11/30/daily8.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

3) Cashless E-470 Takes Toll on Rental Car Drivers in the Form of Fines

Link to article in The Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13886500

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

4) West Virginia DOT Launches Improved Web Site

Link to story on WHSV-TV:

http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/78160032.html

Link to site: http://www.wvdot.com/

ROADWAYS

5) Wildlife Warnings Go Infrared in Idaho

Link to article in The Spokesman-Review:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/nov/30/wildlife-warnings-go-infrared/

6) New Publications from US DOT

- Truck Size and Weight Enforcement Technology - State of the Practice of Roadside Technologies

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=592

- Truck Size and Weight Enforcement Technologies - Implementation Plan

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=591

- Concept of Operations for Virtual Weigh Station

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=593

TRANSIT

7) Caltrain to Offer Real-Time Delay Data

Link to article in the San Mateo County Times:

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_13881434

8) Pittsburgh-Area Port Authority Set to Get Smarter with New Technology

Link to article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_655327.html

9) Five Commuter iPhone Apps You’ve Gotta Try

Link to article in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/11/commuting-iphone-apps/

10) Laughter on the Go

Transit TV Comedy entertains bus riders in the Los Angeles area.

Link to article in the Santa Monica Daily Press:

http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2009-11-29-65677.113116_Laughter_on_the_go.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Surface Transportation: Efforts to Address Highway Congestion Through Real-Time Traffic Information Systems are Expanding but Face Implementation Challenges

Link to US Government Accountability Office report:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10121r.pdf

VEHICLES

12) Personalized Texas Plates Can Now Carry Firms’ Logos

Link to column in the Houston Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6744388.html

News Releases

1) Near Real-Time Traffic and Weather Data from Traffic Info Map USA 1.2

2) SpeedInfo Earns Patent for Breakthrough Solar-Powered Doppler Radar Sensor Technology

Upcoming Events

Border Wait Time Measurement Technology Test, Evaluation and Deployment Project – Vendor Information Session – December 14

http://www.itsa.org/industry_member_news_content/c91_a3179/News_and_Events/Industry_and_Member_News/Industry_Member_News_Archive.html

Today in Transportation History

1934 **75^th anniversary** - The Flying Scotsman became the first steam locomotive to officially travel at 100 miles per hour.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nationonfilm/topics/railways/background_rise.shtml

Contributions for the TCN

Contributions to the TCN are greatly appreciated. You can mail a contribution to me at:

Bernie Wagenblast

1 Aberdeen Ct.

Cranford, NJ 07016-2911

You may also contribute through PayPal. Just go to:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10069680

Thank you!

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: i95berniew@aol.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.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Friday, November 27, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Pilots of Errant Northwest Flight Cite Distraction in Transcript

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125934128806566563.html

Link to transcripts: http://www.faa.gov/data_research/accident_incident/2009-10-23/

2) Chicago Airport Music Helps Frazzled Fliers Connect with City

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-music-tracker-city-zonenov27,0,6104510.story

Link to further information from the Chicago Music Commission:

http://www.flychicago.com/terminaltunes/

MARITIME

3) New Port Community Information System for Australia

Link to article in Seatrade:

http://www.seatradeasia-online.com/News/4908.html

Link to further information from Tradegate Australia:

http://www.tradegate.org.au/news/14/

4) GPS Tagging for Children on Oasis of the Seas

Link to article in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/cruise-news/6669230/GPS-tagging-for-children-on-Oasis-of-the-Seas.html

OTHER

5) Traffic-Weary Kids Develop Web Site to Help Neighbors Share Rides

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/25/AR2009112501951.html

RAILROADS

6) Free Wi-Fi Awaited in Moscow Railroad Stations in December

Link to article on Russia-InfoCentre:

http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/9282/

Link to further information from Russian Railways:
http://www.rian.ru/moscow/20091126/195609387.html (in Russian)

SPACE

7) A Wild Ride on NASA’s Massive Flight Simulator

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10404808-52.html

Link to further information from NASA:

http://www.aviationsystemsdivision.arc.nasa.gov/facilities/vms/index.shtml

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) Signal Fading on Radio Traffic Reports

Link to AP article:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TRAFFIC_WATCHERS

VEHICLES

9) Toyota Acts to Keep Its Grip on the PR Wheel

Link to column in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a02a2bc2-da78-11de-9c32-00144feabdc0.html

Upcoming Events

Digital Signage Expo – February 23-25 – Las Vegas

http://www.digitalsignageexpo.net/DigitalSignageExpo/DSE.aspx

Friday Bonus

If you thought your daily commute was only fit for a dog, maybe you’re right.

http://image.examiner.com/x-9231-Denver-Dog-News-Examiner~y2009m8d15-Stray-dogs-learn-how-to-ride-subway

Today in Transportation History

1964 **45^th anniversary** - The Pennsylvania Railroad ended Pittsburgh commuter service.

http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/burnham/burnham5.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: i95berniew@aol.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.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, November 26, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) FAA to Improve Landing Operations at Newark Airport Two Years After Whistle-Blower Detailed Safety Risks

New software will give controllers a better picture of when planes will land at converged runways.

Link to article in The Star-Ledger:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/11/faa_to_improve_landing_pattern.html

Link to news release from the US Office of Special Counsel:

http://www.osc.gov/documents/press/2009/pr09_21.pdf

Link to report:

http://www.osc.gov/FY2010/Scanned/DI-07%20DI-08-2225/DI-08-2225%20Agency%20Report%20(Part%201).pdf (part 1)

http://www.osc.gov/FY2010/Scanned/DI-07%20DI-08-2225/DI-08-2225%20Agency%20Report%20(Part%202).pdf (part 2)

Link to letter to the president:

http://www.osc.gov/FY2010/Scanned/DI-07%20DI-08-2225/DI-08-2225%20President%20Letter.PDF

2) Complaints Against Airlines Fall Sharply

Critics say the reason isn't better service; it's that frustrated passengers have given up voicing grievances.

Link to Tribune Newspapers article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tc-biz-trav-complaints-1121-nov26,0,421005.story

Link to Air Travel Consumer Report from US DOT:

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports/2009/November/200911ATCR.PDF

3) FAA Foregoes Public Process in Test Program at Santa Monica Airport

Link to article in the Santa Monica Mirror:

http://www.smmirror.com/MainPages/DisplayArticleDetails.asp?eid=11364

Link to further information from the City of Santa Monica, California:

http://www.smgov.net/departments/cmo/content.aspx?id=2029

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Is It the End of the Line for London’s Iconic Tube Map?

Link to article in the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/nov/26/london-tube-map-design

MARITIME

5) South Korea, US Adopt Joint Maritime Safety Declaration

Link to Yonhap article:

http://balita.ph/2009/11/26/s-korea-u-s-adopt-joint-maritime-safety-declaration/

OTHER

6) European Parliament Rubberstamps Law on Tire Labeling

Link to article on EurActiv:

http://www.euractiv.com/en/energy-efficiency/parliament-rubberstamps-law-tyre-labelling/article-187693

Link to news release from the European Parliament:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/051-65051-327-11-48-909-20091123IPR65050-23-11-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm

RAILROADS

7) November Issue of Signal, the Newsletter of the European Rail Traffic Management System

Link to newsletter:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/interoperability/ertms/doc/015_signal_2009_11_en.pdf

ROADWAYS

8) Graffiti on Highway Signs Costing Utah DOT Big Money

Link to story and video on KSL-TV:

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8807401

9) Solar-Powered Sensor Controls Traffic

Link to article in EDN:

http://www.edn.com/article/CA6707783.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) US Transportation Security Administration Launches Airport Security Innovations Project

Link to article on AviationNews.net:

http://www.aviationnews.net/?do=headline&news_ID=173927

TELEMATICS

11) ARENA Trial in Sweden

Link to article from ERTICO - ITS Europe:

http://www.ertico.com/en/news/ertico_newsroom/arena_trial_in_sweden.htm

TRANSIT

12) Pilot Project Starts in Ontario for ‘Smart’ Transit Cards that Load Online

Link to article in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/731022--pilot-project-starts-for-smart-transit-cards-that-load-online?bn=1

13) Portland’s TriMet Fires MAX Operator Who Ignored Father’s Calls for Help

Link to article in The Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/11/trimet_xxxx_max_operator_who_i.html

14) AC Transit Cuts a Model for Public Input

Link to blog in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/inoakland/detail?&entry_id=52362

Link to commentary on A Better Oakland:

http://www.abetteroakland.com/ac-transits-extensive-service-reduction-planning-process-yields-great-results/2009-11-25

Link to further information from AC Transit:

http://www2.actransit.org/news/articledetail.wu?articleid=0d1850ca&PHPSESSID=7c448dea44ded466173a3b52e170d3a2

15) The Zoo that is Grand Central, at Full Gallop

Coordinating trains on its busiest day of the year requires improvisation.

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/nyregion/26gct.html

16) Tunisia Promotes Use of Information Technology and Communication in Public Transport

Link to story and video on Tunisia Online News:

http://www.tunisiaonlinenews.com/?p=29995

Upcoming Events

NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Show– April 10-15 – Las Vegas

http://www.nabshow.com/2010/default.asp

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50^th anniversary** - Pioneer P3, a lunar probe, was launched. The flight failed 45 seconds after launch.

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/masterCatalog.do?sc=PIONX

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: i95berniew@aol.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.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Happy Thanksgiving!

AVIATION

1) Aviation Groups Tell Congress NextGen Will Spur Jobs

Link to article in The Wichita Eagle:

http://blogs.kansas.com/aviation/2009/11/24/aviation-associations-tell-congress-nextgen-funding-will-spur-jobs/

Link to further information from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association:

http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/articles/2009/091124nextgen.html

ROADWAYS

2) Maryland State Highway Administration Pilots State-of-the Art Variable Speed Advisory Technology

Link to story on WBAL Radio:

http://wbal.com/apps/news/templates/story.aspx?articleid=40528&zoneid=3

Link to news release from Maryland SHA:

http://www.marylandroads.com/Pages/release.aspx?newsId=543

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

3) Traffic-Time Signs Going Statewide in North Carolina

But some commuters don’t find them useful.

Link to article in The Herald:

http://www.theherald-nc.com/front/story/12335.html

4) Intelligent Roads: Several Approaches to Keeping Streets Clearer

Link to article in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c758d0e2-d7bf-11de-b578-00144feabdc0.html

5) Beware, Big Brother is Watching

A look behind-the-scenes of the Bangalore Traffic Management Centre.

Link to article in the Bangalore Mirror:

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=10&contentid=20091124200911241229152504848a683

Link to further information from the Bangalore City Traffic Police:

http://www.bangaloretrafficpolice.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&btp=87

VEHICLES

6) Traffic Accident Avoidance Technology Advances

Link to story on Minnesota Public Radio:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/11/24/crashreduction/

7) GM to Work with National Federation of the Blind on 2011 Chevy Volt Sounds

Link to article in The Car Connection:

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1039004_gm-to-work-with-national-federation-of-the-blind-on-2011-chevy-volt-sounds

Link to news release from General Motors:

http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2009/Nov/1125_Chevy_Volt

News Releases

1) Closer Links for ITS United Kingdom and ITS Australia

2) New Real-Time Interactive Traffic Map Aims to Help Connecticut Travelers

3) European Project for Integration of UAS: Unmanned Aircraft to Conquer the Skies

Job Posting

- Executive Director – E-ZPass Interagency Group – Wilmington, Delaware/Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Area

http://www.e-zpassiag.com/executive_director_ad.pdf

Upcoming Events

Texas Transportation Forum – January 6-8 – Austin, Texas

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/ttf/

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100^th anniversary** - Edvard Rusjan made the first successful flight in an Eastern European airplane.

http://www.earlyaviators.com/erusjan.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: i95berniew@aol.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.