Transportation Communications Newsletter: September 2011

Friday, September 30, 2011

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Friday, September 30, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

ITS World Congress Reception and Dinner Hosted by ITS Florida

Start the 18^th ITS World Congress off with a bang, or at least a beach party, where lush tropical forest meets clear waters. Join the crowd at SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove Monday, Oct. 17, 7:00 – 10:00 PM. Sponsored by ITS Florida, this is one of the premier social and networking events at the World Congress. You are welcome even if you are not attending the World Congress; you may register ($100 per person) through ITS Florida at this URL: http://fs16.formsite.com/ITSFlorida/DiscoveryCove/index.html

This is a fantastic opportunity! Normally Discovery Cove tickets start at several times that much and you’ll enjoy the beauty of the park, live entertainment, dancing, a tasty Caribbean dinner, and great fellowship. Instructions will come with the tickets at registration, or separately if you are not attending the Congress itself.

AVIATION

1) Bing Launches Airport Maps for 42 US Cities

Link to article on TechCrunch:

http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/29/bing-launches-airport-maps-for-42-us-cities/

CAMERAS

2) High-Tech Cameras for Olympics 2012 Prove Successful

Link to article on the Dorset Echo:

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/weymouth_olympics_2012/news/olympics_news/9276813.High_tech_traffic_cameras_for_Olympics_2012_prove_successful/

CARTOGRAPHY

3) Google Show ‘Helicopter View’ of Routing on Maps

Link to article on Search Engine Land:

http://searchengineland.com/google-shows-helicopter-view-of-routing-on-maps-95191

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Tennesseans to Travel with GPS Monitors in Unusual Study on Transportation, Health

Link to article in The Tennessean:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110930/NEWS07/309300074/Tennesseans-travel-GPS-monitors-unusual-study-transportation-health

OTHER

5) US Department of Justice Okays Clear Channel Buying Metro Networks

Link to article on Radio-Info.com:

http://www.radio-info.com/news/the-doj-okays-clear-channel-buying-metro-networks

PARKING

6) Smart Parking Tech Might be Paying Off in US Cities

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/transportation/Smart-Parking-Tech-US-Cities.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) US Port Security Technology Evolving

Link to story on the Voice of America:

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/US-Port-Security-Technology-Evolving-130793378.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) Street Smarts

Link to article in Time:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2094362,00.html

9) Traffic Alert Signs to be Posted at New I-94 Tunnel in Wisconsin

Link to article in Milwaukee Small Business Times:

http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2011/9/29/electronic-alert-signs-to-be-posted-at-new-i-94-tunnels

News Releases

1) AirportHotelGuide.com Announces the Launch of New Travel App

2) Raytheon to Unveil Deployable Air Traffic Control System

3) TomTom Marks the First Year Anniversary of its Traffic Reduction Plan with Launch of International Traffic Foundation

4) National Frequency Allocation Plan Released in India

5) National Parking Association and Parking in Motion Launch Initiative to Increase Real-Time Access for Consumers

Upcoming Events

Webinar: TomTom's Latest: Consumer and Fleet Connected Technologies, ITS Information Systems and Automotive Advancements – October 5

http://www.itsa.org/events/itsamericawebinarseries

Friday Bonus

How do you get an 85 foot mast under a 65 foot bridge?

http://www.break.com/index/how-to-get-an-85-ft-mast-under-a-65-ft-bridge-2158403

Today in Transportation History

1946 **65^th anniversary** The US government announces that US Navy vessels will be permanently stationed in the Mediterranean Sea.

http://www.c6f.navy.mil/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, September 29, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Attend IBTTA's Facilities Management and Maintenance Workshop, October 23-25, 2011 in Nashville, TN

IBTTA's Facilities Management and Maintenance Workshop will explore challenges and solutions to operating a toll facility. Topics range from emergency management, performance measurement and bridge restoration to safety, design and toll collection in an AET environment. This meeting is ideal for toll industry professionals with an interest in maintenance, operations, security, technology, engineering, design. Arrive a day early and take part in IBTTA’s Community Service Project — Waterway Clean Up. On Sun., October 23, attendees will have the opportunity to assist Nashville’s flood recovery by participating in a special waterway clean-up project aimed at unclogging the natural water flow by removing trash and debris from a local waterway and its neighboring banks. Visit www.IBTTA.org/nashville to view the preliminary brochure, register, and learn about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. Register by October 7, 2011.

AVIATION

1) Federal Committee: Airlines Should Get Government Loans to Buy NextGen Equipment

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/committee-airlines-should-get-government-loans-to-buy-equipment-for-new-air-traffic-system/2011/09/29/gIQALRun7K_story.html

2) Marketing of Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport

Link to article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press:

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2011/sep/29/airport-marketing-budget-170000/

CAMERAS

3) New Washington State Law Allows Traffic Cameras on School Buses

Link to article on seattlepi.com:

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/New-law-allows-traffic-cameras-on-school-buses-2193185.php

OTHER

4) 'Smart City' Tech Investment to Total $108 Billion by 2020

Link to SmartPlanet blog:

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/-8216smart-city-tech-investment-to-total-108-billion-by-2020/19541

ROADWAYS

5) Traffic-Smoothing Signals Spread Out Across Florida's Space Coast

Link to article in Florida Today:

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110929/NEWS01/309290003/Traffic-smoothing-signals-spread-out-across-region

SAFETY / SECURITY

6) California Highway Patrol Says Motorcycle Awareness Campaign Cut Fatalities

Link to article in The Sacramento Bee:

http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2011/09/chp-says-motorcycle-awareness-campaign-cut-fatalities.html

7) Video Conferencing System Helps Emergency Response Teams Mobilize

Link to article on SearchUnifiedCommunications.com:

http://searchunifiedcommunications.techtarget.com/news/1280099343/Video-conferencing-system-helps-emergency-response-teams-mobilize

TRANSIT

8) Bug Fixer Update for Google Maps Brings Improved Transit Navigation

Link to article on Phandroid:

http://phandroid.com/2011/09/27/bug-fixer-update-for-google-maps-brings-improved-transit-navigation/

9) San Benito County, California Joins Google Transit to Aid Route Planning

Link to article in the Hollister Free Lance:

http://hollisterfreelance.com/news/279357-county-joins-google-transit-to-aid-route-planning

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Drivers Still Confused by Electronic Road Signs in Washington State

Link to story on KING-TV:

http://www.king5.com/news/local/WSDOT-electric-signs-130749468.html

11) New Freeway Cameras Will Monitor Traffic Flow in Ann Arbor, Michigan Area; Message Boards Will Warn of Congestion

Link to article on AnnArbor.com:

http://www.annarbor.com/news/freeway-cameras-will-monitor-traffic-flow-in-ann-arbor-area/

News Releases

1) RATP Paris Metro is Pioneering the Future in Metro Automation and Signaling, Says Frost & Sullivan

2) 'Pop-Up' Storm Forecasting Program Added to FAA Flight Planning System

3) Rhode Island Governor, RIDOT Announce Expansion of I-95 Travel Time Information

4) In-Vehicle Apps Hit the Road - Top Three Tips to Build Market-Proven In-Vehicle System

Upcoming Events

RailTrends 2011 – November 1-2 – New York City

http://www.railtrends.com/

Today in Transportation History

1911 **100^th anniversary** Italy and Turkey went to war over what is today known as Libya. The war was the first to use airplanes.

http://www.turkeyswar.com/prelude/trablusgarp.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

BlueTOAD™ On The Road

BlueTOAD by TrafficCast is the industry's leading Bluetooth™ traffic monitoring system. It accurately measures travel times, road speeds and route choice behaviors through anonymous detection of Bluetooth signals from mobile devices inside vehicles, and the vehicles themselves. An advanced software interface is included that automatically calculates the traffic data, in real-time or over time, displayed in color-coded speed maps as well as a dashboard format. BlueTOAD can work independent of local power and data connectivity, or installs directly in traffic signal cabinets. And the new Mini-BlueTOAD is perfect to collect data for studies, performance measures and before/after analysis.

And BlueTOAD is on the road. Distributors are showcasing the technologies at regional trade shows across the country, including, ITS-Arizona on September 29 in Mesa, OTEC in Columbus October 25-26, the Milwaukee ITS-Forum in Milwaukee November 1, GRITS - Gulf Region ITS in Montgomery November 2-4 and ITS-Texas in San Marcos November 9-11. And, of course, the ITS World Congress - Booth #1771 – in Orlando October 16–20. For more information on these and other shows where BlueTOAD will be hopping, visit http://trafficcast.com/events/P0/

PARKING

1) IBM Launches City Parking Analytics System

Link to IDG News article:

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/240726/ibm_launches_city_parking_analytics_system.html

2) Australian Airports Adopt High-Tech Parking System

Link to article in The Australian:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/it-business/airports-adopt-high-tech-parking-system/story-e6frganx-1226148702776

3) Los Angeles Moves to Credit Card Readers and On-Street Sensors for Parking

Link to article in Parking Today:

http://www.parkingtoday.com/s_article.php?id=358

PEDESTRIANS

4) Flexible Traffic Light Wraps Around Trees

Link to article in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/02/flexible-traffic-light-wraps-around-trees/

TRANSIT

5) Cellphones Come to New York City Subways

Link to segment on WNYC Radio's Brian Lehrer Show:

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/2011/sep/28/cell-phones-come-nyc-subways/

6) Navigating the Garden State: By Train

Link to article on South Brunswick Patch:

http://southbrunswick.patch.com/blog_posts/navigating-the-garden-state-by-train-21587682

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

7) Virginia DOT Awards Contract for 511 Travel Information System to Iteris

Link to article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2011/sep/28/tdbiz03-vdot-awards-contract-for-511-travel-inform-ar-1341736/

Link to news release from VDOT:

http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/statewide/2011/vdot_awards_contract_for54547.asp

VEHICLES

8) Verizon: 'We Have to Extend Beyond Cellular,' Including Intelligent Transportation

Link to article in Mobile Communications International:

http://www.telecoms.com/33672/%E2%80%9Cwe-have-to-extend-beyond-cellular%E2%80%9D-says-verizon-spokesperson/

9) Irish EU Commissioner Gets Update on Advanced Vehicle Technology

Link to article in the Galway Independent:

http://www.galwayindependent.com/motoring/motoring/irish-eu-commissioner-gets-motor-industry-update-20110928/

10) New iPhone Application to Help Dutch Drivers Reduce Their Fuel Consumption

Link to blog on Green Car Congress:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2011/09/new-iphone-application-to-help-dutch-drivers-reduce-their-fuel-consumption.html

News Releases

1) Share Ride and Transit Advocacy Group Launch Site with Airport Share Ride and Public Transit Information

2) Houston TranStar Wins National Award for Innovation in Providing Travel-Time Information

3) ACS Speeds Up How Riders of NJ Transit Pay for Travel

Upcoming Events

7^th Brazilian Congress on Highways & Concessions and Brasvias Exhibition – October 24-28 – Iguazu Falls, Brazil

http://www.irfnews.org/news-events/event-detail/irf-brazil-conference-abcr-annual-meeting/

Today in Transportation History

1066 **945^th anniversary** William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England to begin the Norman Conquest.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/418324/Norman-Conquest

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Smarten UP! with Sensys Networks' Arterial Travel Time
Accurate Performance Measures for Active Traffic Management

Smart cities all over the world are investing in a sustainable infrastructure of wireless sensor networks for active traffic management. Discover the benefits of accurate, dependable performance measures for optimized arterial management — on a regional scale.

Preview Sensys Networks' Arterial Travel Time (ATT) system in action at the upcoming 2011 ITS World Congress. See how Sensys Networks' accurate data will soon provide real-time traveler information to millions of residents and visitors alike along Orlando's busy International Drive.

We invite you to find out more about Sensys Networks' universal platform of infrastructure-based solutions for arterial management. Visit us at Booth 1857 and at our Mobility Village location — and get ready to change your game. www.sensysnetworks.com

AVIATION

1) Google Flight Search Suffers Some Turbulence

Link to article in Technology Review:

http://www.technologyreview.com/web/38642/?p1=A1

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) GPS Data on Beijing Cabs Reveals the Cause of Traffic Jams

Link to article in Technology Review:

http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/38679/?p1=A1

OTHER

3) InformationWeek Highlights Several Transportation Organizations for IT Innovation

- Heavy Truck Maker, PACCAR, Revs Up IT Innovation Amid a Brutal Recession

http://informationweek.com/news/global-cio/interviews/231600897

- 15 Government IT Innovators

http://informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/231600939?pgno=5 (TSA)

http://informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/231600939?pgno=15 (Kansas DOT)

ROADWAYS

4) Siemens Developing Intelligent Transportation Technology Using Traffic-Light Timing Systems and Mobile Phones

Link to article on Green Car Congress:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2011/09/siemensits-20110923.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) NHTSA Funds Development of Alcohol-Measuring Start Button

Link to article in Autoweek:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110927/CARNEWS/110929902

SPACE

6) NASA Launches Apps Competition

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/wireless/NASA-Launches-Apps-Competition.html

TELEMATICS

7) GM's OnStar Reverses Course on Tracking

Link to article on CNNMoney:

http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/27/technology/onstar_tracking_reversal/index.htm

Link to news release from General Motors:

http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Sep/0927_onstar

TRANSIT

8) New York MTA Begins Subway Cell Service on Select Platforms

Link to story and video on NY1:

http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/147918/mta-begins-subway-cell-service-on-select-platforms

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

9) Transports Quebec Spent $60,000 on 'Technical Team' to Advise on Congestion

Link to article in The Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Transport+Quebec+spent+week+traffic+advice/5461948/story.html

10) Traffic Clogs Emerging Economies

2011 Commuter Pain Index finds technology might help alleviate the problem.

Link to story and audio report on the Voice of America:

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Traffic-Clogs-Emerging-Economies-130651473.html

11) Inrix to Provide Traffic Data to Google in Multi-million Dollar Deal

Link to article on GeekWire:

http://www.geekwire.com/2011/inrix-lands-multimillion-dollar-deal-provide-traffic-data-google-maps

12) New Jersey Traffic Operations Center Named in Honor of John Cifelli

Former Turnpike director of maintenance credited with getting state moving after blizzard.

Link to article in the Asbury Park Press:

http://www.app.com/article/20110927/NJNEWS/309270067/State-traffic-center-honors-Middlesex-man

VEHICLES

13) California Dealers Must Flag Salvaged Vehicles with Warning Sticker

Link to article in Automotive News:

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110927/RETAIL07/110929912/1400

14) European Project Takes Another Step Towards Completely Automated Cars

Link to article in New Electronics:

http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/electronics-technology/european-project-takes-another-step-towards-completely-automated-cars/37062/

15) Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot Driver Clinics Test How Drivers Get Along with Innovative Safety Technology

Link to US DOT's Fast Lane blog:

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2011/09/connected-vehicle-safety-pilot-driver-clinics.html

News Releases

1) Cubic Partners with PATCO to Offer Riders the World's First Transit Agency-Branded Contactless Visa Prepaid Card for Transit and Retail

2) New York DMV Offers 'MyDMV' Internet Application

3) NexTraq Integrates GIS Mapping with GPS Fleet Tracking for the Oil and Gas Industry

4) New York City Launches Nation’s Most Sophisticated Active Traffic Management System Powered by TransCore’s TransSuite Traffic Management Software and RFID Technology

5) Amtrak to Notify Virginia Passengers of Major Service Disruptions via Twitter

6) Chemtrec Recognized for Overall Excellence in Technology Adoption and Innovation

7) Raileasy and Thales Introduce First Live-Ticketing App for Android Phones

Job Postings

- Transit and Paratransit Operations Manager – LAKETRAN – Painesville, Ohio

http://www.transittalent.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=23256

- General Manager – First Transit – San Rafael, California

http://www.transittalent.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=23262

Solicitation

- Call for Demonstrations – ITS World Congress 2012

http://2012.itsworldcongress.com/content/news/updates/call-for-demonstrations

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Marketing High-Speed Rail in a Volatile Political Climate – October 5

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=28064

Today in Transportation History

1956 **55^th anniversary** US Air Force Captain Milburn Apt, became the first person to fly at Mach 3 onboard a Bell X-2. Shortly after attaining Mach 3 the aircraft lost control and crashed, killing Capt. Apt.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,824589,00.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.