Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, August 30, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Automation in the Air Dulls Pilot Skill

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gdmYSGPD7TdQa-QsiKHXDoTd_uaA?docId=a4e56bdd941949d9b5f711277b56bdf5

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) A Driving Route Made Just for You

A research project provides personalized directions that adapt to weather, traffic conditions, and your own driving habits.

Link to article in Technology Review:

http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/38454/?nlid=nldly&nld=2011-08-30&a=f

OTHER

3) Palm Beach County, Florida Considers Improving Development Alert Signs

Effort could include larger text, bigger signs and electronic message boards.

Link to article in the Sun Sentinel:

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/palm/blog/2011/08/palm_beach_county_considers_im.html

4) FixMyTransport Uses Crowdsourcing to Solve Travel Problems

Website will notify operators when commuters have complaints about rail, bus, tube and ferry services.

Link to article in the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/aug/30/fixmytransport-travel-problems

Link to FixMyTransport: http://www.fixmytransport.com/

PARKING

5) Need a Parking Space? Look in Your Hand

Link to story and audio on NPR's All Things Considered:

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/29/140032852/need-a-parking-space-look-in-your-hand

6) Electronic Signage System Will Direct Overflow Parking at Gettysburg Battlefield Visitor Center

Link to article in the Gettysburg Times:

http://www.gettysburgtimes.com/news/local/article_8cc92de8-d257-11e0-b20b-001cc4c002e0.html

7) Valet Parking, the App

New Boston University application finds closest parking spots, best price.

Link to article on BU Today:

http://www.bu.edu/today/2011/valet-parking-the-app/

ROADWAYS

8) 'Common Sense' Prompts US to Scrap Traffic-Sign Deadlines

Link to Bloomberg article:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/08/29/bloomberg1376-LQPINO1A74E901-5461LURP8RNHNH2U1KEEUI68UC.DTL

Link to news release from US DOT:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1143.htm

9) Intelligent Systems at an Intelligent Price

The benefits of high-tech transportation may be surprisingly affordable today.

Link to article in Better Roads:

http://www.betterroads.com/road-science-5/

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) Dispatcher Fired for Failing to Tell Ohio DOT of Covered Stop Sign

Fatal accident occurred at intersection.

Link to article in The Chillicothe Gazette:

http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20110829/NEWS01/110829006/Dispatcher-did-not-tell-ODOT-covered-stop-sign

11) Senator Rockefeller Tells FCC Secure Communications Needed in Disasters

Link to article in Government Security News:

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/24351?c=communications

TRANSIT

12) FCC Asked to Disallow Wireless Shutdowns on Public Transit

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/e-government/FCC-Asked-to-Disallow-Wireless-Shutdowns-on-Public-Transit.html

13) GPS Technology to Help Streamline Bus Riders in Montana Track Their Buses

Link to article in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle:

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/city/article_3221acc6-d298-11e0-9b6f-001cc4c002e0.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) Vermont 511 Service Faces Challenge in Wake of Devastating Floods

Link to story on Vermont Public Radio:

http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/91796/

15) New Phone Application Could Ease Drivers' Woes in Galway, Ireland

App will provide live journey information and may give five-day traffic forecast.

Link to article in The Connacht Sentinel:

http://www.galwaynews.ie/21259-new-phone-application-could-ease-drivers-woes

VEHICLES

16) No Driver Needed: Iowa Firm Develops 'Autonomous' Tractor

Link to article from The Des Moines Register:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/story/2011-08-29/No-driver-needed-Iowa-firm-develops-autonomous-tractor/50179858/1

Link to more news release from Kinze Manufacturing:

http://www.kinze.com/news/viewNewsArticle.html?id=38

News Releases

1) Air Transport Association Calls for National Airline Policy, Accelerated Implementation of New Air Traffic Procedures

2) Econolite Centracs Advanced Transportation Management System Enhancing Sustainability and Quality of Life in Orange County, California

3) New Traffic Information Service Goes Live in UK

4) Nav Canada Begins International Flight Trials to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Solicitation

- Request for Information – Traffic Data Sources Evaluation –SAIC/Metropolitan Transportation Commission

http://www.saic.com/transportation/trafficdatarfi/

Upcoming Events

IEEE ITS Conference – October 5-7 – Washington, DC

http://www.seas.gwu.edu/itsc2011/

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50^th anniversary** The first Minuteman missile was launched from a silo. The launch was unsuccessful and the missile was destroyed.

http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2001/March%202001/0301minuteman.aspx

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