Transportation Communications Newsletter: Thursday, March 1, 2012

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, March 1, 2012 – ISSN 1529-1057

Bernie Wagenblast Transportation Voice Recordings

In the past I've told you about my voiceover work for clients such as the Port Authority of NY & NJ, Virginia DOT, TransCore and Sensys Networks. Just last week, The New York Times featured my voice work for MTA New York City Transit. They asked readers to submit recordings they'd like to hear in the subway stations and we recorded nearly a dozen. I invite you to give a listen to the recordings. Even if you don't have a need for a voiceover I think you'll enjoy these "fantasy" announcements. On the other hand, if you're considering using a professional voice for a transit system, phone greetings or narration, these recordings will give a sample of what I can do. You can also learn more, and hear more traditional examples of my work, by visiting my website.

AVIATION

1) Virgin Atlantic Hires 'Whispering Coach' to Teach Flight Crews How to Speak Quietly

Link to article in USA Today:

http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/story/2012-02-29/Virgin-Atlantics-whispering-coach-to-teach-how-to-zip-it/53307040/1

2) Ryanair CEO: 'Who Needs Self-Service When You've Got the Internet?'

Link to interview on Future Travel Experience:

http://www.futuretravelexperience.com/2012/01/fte-exclusive-ryanair-ceo-michael-oleary-who-needs-self-service-when-youve-got-the-internet/

3) Ryanair to Offer Online Gambling on Its Website

Link to article on Gambling Kingz:

http://www.gamblingkingz.com/news/2012/02/27/888-signs-deal-with-ryanair.asp

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) Living Through an E-ZPass Nightmare

Drivers, experts say the convenience is overrated because the system is flawed.

Link to story on WCBS-TV:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/02/29/cbs-2-investigates-living-through-an-e-zpass-nightmare/

OTHER

5) News from ERTICO

- Swedish ITS Council Report Released

http://www.ertico.com/swedish-its-council-report-released/

- Draft Summary of Findings from Consultation with International Organizations on Seamless Transport

http://www.ertico.com/draft-summary-of-findings-from-consultation-with-international-organisations-on-seamless-transport/

ROADWAYS

6) Scenic North Carolina Seeks Legal Block to New Tree Cutting in Billboard Zones

Link to article in Mountain Xpress:

http://www.mountainx.com/article/40840/Scenic-NC-requests-legal-block-to-new-tree-cutting-in-billboard-zones

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Theme and Kickoff Event Announced for 2012 National Work Zone Awareness Week

Link to further information from US DOT:

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=792

TAXIS

8) Signs Atop New York City Taxis Will Soon Change to 'Available/Unavailable'

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/tlc-lights-cabs-confusing-on-off-duty-codes-article-1.1030277

TRANSIT

9) Montreal's Opus Cards Going Online by End of 2013

Link to article in The Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/Opus+cards+going+online+2013/6230906/story.html

10) Pointing the Way to Better Transit in the Bay Area

Metropolitan Transportation Commission working to improve transit signage across systems.

Link to story on KALW Radio:

http://kalw.org/post/pointing-way-better-transit

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Samsung to Set Up Traffic Management Center in Ethiopia

Link to article on 2Merkato:

http://www.2merkato.com/20120301959/samsung-to-set-up-traffic-management-center-in-ethiopia

12) Transportation Defined: Highway Advisory Radio

Link to blog from Arizona DOT:

http://adotblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/transportation-defined-highway-advisory.html

VEHICLES

13) Apple's Hiring Automotive Engineers, is an 'iCar' Infotainment System Coming?

Link to article on Jalopnik:

http://jalopnik.com/5889578/apples-hiring-automotive-engineers-is-an-icar-infotainment-system-coming

14) Future Connectivity

Ford asked: 'What will communications technology in vehicles help us to do in the future?'

Link to comments on Storify:

http://storify.com/FordEu/future-connectivity-1

15) Facebook and Ford Sync Hackathon

Link to video:

http://youtu.be/AeUF5-PiRQY

News Releases

1) Bradley International Airport Using Digital Notification System to Communicate More Quickly with Airlines

2) Intel Capital Creates $100 Million Connected Car Fund

3) Illinois Tollway Invites Job Seekers to Sign Up for Job Alerts

4) TransCore Completes First Phase of Houston Metro’s 84-Mile Conversion of Reversible HOV Lanes to HOT Lanes

5) Global and China Automotive Audio and Infotainment System Industry, 2010-2011

6) Sprint Becomes Wireless Engine in Chrysler Group's Uconnect Program

7) Bay Area 511 Offers Tips to Help People Manage Rising Gas Prices

Job Postings

Solicitation

Upcoming Events

Mid-America Freight Coalition Annual Meeting – April 18-20 – Minneapolis

http://midamericafreight.org/events/2012am/

Today in Transportation History

1912 **100^th anniversary** Albert Berry became the first person to jump from an airplane with a parachute.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9C01E5DF143CE633A25751C0A9659C946396D6CF

1972 **40^th anniversary** The Southern California Rapid Transit District takes delivery of a steam turbine-powered bus for a year-long demonstration project.

http://metroprimaryresources.info/40-years-ago-today-los-angeles-begins-its-experiment-with-steam-buses-plus-its-rare-documentary-film/3041/

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

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.