Friday, June 4, 2010

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Friday, June 4, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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INRIX Launches Free Web-Based Service Enabling Transportation Agencies to View Traffic Flow Conditions Nationwide

Designed for public agencies who own, operate, manage, patrol, and plan the nation’s major highway system, INRIXTraffic.US provides a complete, real-time picture of current traffic flow conditions across the continental United States. INRIXTraffic.US builds upon nearly two years of partnership with The I-95 Corridor Coalition and provides a national version of a site currently in use by dozens of agencies and hundreds of agency employees and contractors along the eastern seaboard. Join INRIX execs Rick Schuman and Ted Trepanier on Thursday, June 10 at 10:00 AM PDT for a special webinar that will provide an overview of INRIXTraffic.US and instructions for using the site as a key component of your transportation operations. Register now for access to the site and webinar at http://www.inrixtraffic.us/.

AVIATION

1) EasyJet to Trial Volcanic Ash 'Radar'

Link to article in The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/04/easyjet-volcanic-ash-radar

Link to news release from easyJet:

http://corporate.easyjet.com/en/media/latest-news/news-year-2010/04-06-2010.aspx

2) Airlines Beginning to Use Features of Future Air Traffic Management System 'NowGen' on Approaches to Some Airports

Link to article in Military & Aerospace Electronics:

http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/avi-article-display/9128012495/articles/avionics-intelligence/news/2010/6/airlines-beginning.html

3) What's Backup Plan if Satellites Go Down on NextGen Air Traffic Management System?

Link to blog in Military & Aerospace Electronics:

http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/blogs/john-mchales-blog/blogs/military-aerospace/avonics-blog/post987_2645370773591590740.html

4) Military Must Work Fast to Make Its Aircraft Avionics Compatible with NextGen Air Traffic Management System

Link article in Military & Aerospace Electronics:

http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/avi-article-display/7108717688/articles/avionics-intelligence/news/2010/6/military-must_work.html

5) Zune Inflight Radio Booked on United Airlines

Link to blog on ZDNet:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/zune-inflight-radio-booked-on-united-airlines/15284

6) GE, Pratt & Whitney, and a Big-Bucks Media War for Fighter Engine

Link to article in Bloomberg Businessweek:

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_24/b4182028760620.htm

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

7) European Electronic Toll Interoperability Questions Raised at 38^th ASECAP Study and Information Days in Oslo

Link to article in Traffic Technology Today:

http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=22256

8) Concerns Raised Over All Electronic Crosstown Expressway Tolls in Florida

Link to story and video on WTSP-TV:

http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=133447&catid=250

GPS / NAVIGATION

9) Chinese GPS Moves Closer

Link to Xinhua article:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-06/04/c_13332853.htm

OTHER

10) Transportation Firms Hailed as IT Innovators

Link to article in The Journal of Commerce:

http://joc.com/trucking/transportation-firms-hailed-it-innovators

11) British Automotive and Electronics Industry Bodies Unite

Link to article in EMT WorldWide:

http://www.emtworldwide.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=34180

ROADWAYS

12) States Seek Alternatives to Roadside Memorials

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-06-04-roadside-memorials-alternatives_N.htm

13) Waterloo, Ontario Region on Long Road to Smarter Traffic Controls

Link to article in The Record:

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/722793

14) Drive by and Smell the Billboard

Link to story and video report on WINK-TV:

http://www.winknews.com/National-World/2010-06-03/Drive-by-and-smell-the-billboard

SAFETY / SECURITY

15) Los Angeles Police Expand iWatch Terror Program to Airport

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hywoP2yQH6blLjkUcr4YtHqUuU_QD9G3VACG1

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-iwatch-20100604,0,3437714.story

16) High-Tech Cameras Being Tested at Connecticut's Bradley International Airport

Link to story and video on WTNH-TV:

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/hartford_cty/Windsor-Locks-high-tech-cameras-installed-at-bradley

17) Disputes Weigh on Proposed Public Safety Network

Link to column in The Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/06/after_the_terrorist_attacks_of.html

TELEMATICS

18) Ford Aims for OnStar with Sync 911 Assist

Link to article and video on LeftLane News:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-aims-for-onstar-with-sync-911-assist-video.html

TRANSIT

19) Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority GM: 'We're Trying to Make Buses Cool'

Link to article on TheTransitWire:

http://www.thetransitwire.com/2010/06/03/mbta-gm-were-trying-to-make-buses-cool/

20) Smart Cards Tap Into Future of City Transit Systems

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/764778

VEHICLES

21) GM Launches Ventures Group to Focus on New Technology

Link to article in The Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100604/AUTO01/6040399/GM-launches-Ventures-group-to-focus-on-new-technology

22) Researchers Hope to Build Autonomous 'Batmobile'

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20006857-52.html

23) With CarMD You Can Heal Your Wheels

Link to article in Bloomberg Businessweek:

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_24/b4182086781709.htm

24) RadioTech Summit: 'Net Radio on Wheels

Link to article in Radio Ink:

http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=1828030&spid=24698

News Releases

1) Trapeze Provides Kansas Department of Transportation with the Tools to Better Communicate Across the Region

2) Mobile Digital Television Launch Gives Detroit Automakers Ideal Mobile Video Test Bed

Upcoming Events

High Speed Rail 2010 – June 17-18 – Los Angeles

http://www.ushsr.com/events/california2010.html

Friday Bonus

When flying out of the airport it's best to be on an aircraft.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWk4MCQaHrc

Today in Transportation History    

1910 **100^th anniversary** Christopher Cockerell, the inventor of the hovercraft, was born in Cambridge, England.

http://www.hovercraft-museum.org/cockerell.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

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

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, June 3, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Today for IBTTA’s Upcoming Workshop:  Modern Toll Roads — A New Chapter in Social Responsibility, June 20-22, 2010 in Athens, Greece

This important workshop will focus on the many facets of how modern toll roads and toll road operators can be socially, corporately and environmentally responsible. Through our continued commitment to the environment, economic development and involvement with local communities, we continue to raise the bar to better run and managed road systems. You’ll hear from transportation experts from around the world on topics such as Interoperability, ORT, technology and toll projects with their contribution to social responsibility and quality of life. Please join us in Athens so we can learn and network together on these important topics. Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary program, register and make your hotel and travel arrangements.

AVIATION

1) FAA Keeps ADS-B Date, but Questions Remain

Link to article in Aviation Week:

http://tinyurl.com/25lmhky

2) British Airways Red-Faced Over Faux Image of Bin Laden Boarding Pass

Link to article on Yahoo News:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts2359

3) FedEx Goes Next-gen, Industry Collaborates on Integrated Operations

Link to article in Avionics Intelligence:

http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/avi-article-display/1423413987/articles/avionics-intelligence/news/2010/6/fedex-goes_next-gen.html

4) Boeing is Bullish on NextGen Aviation Research Center in New Jersey

Link to article in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_cf1911b8-6f34-11df-ba49-001cc4c03286.html

CARTOGRAPHY

5) Google Gung-ho on Mapping Biz in India

Link to article in the Deccan Herald:

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/73219/google-gung-ho-mapping-biz.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) Cogo to Make Navigation, Other Software for Chinese Automaker, Geely

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cogo-to-make-navigation-other-apf-3325706625.html?x=0&.v=1

7) ABI: 'TomTom Ultimately Risks Relegation to the Role of Niche Player'

Link to article on GPS Business News:

http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/ABI-TomTom-Ultimately-Risks-Relegation-to-the-Role-of-Niche-Player_a2284.html?preaction=nl&id=8135716&idnl=69473&

OTHER

8) Missouri Attorney General Promotes Traffic Stops Data Web Site

Link to story on KRCG-TV:

http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=465354

9) More Companies to Supply Cargo Tracking Gadgets in Kenya

Link to article in the Business Daily:

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company%20Industry/More%20companies%20to%20supply%20cargo%20tracking%20gadgets/-/539550/931660/-/hktvq3/-/

10) Ten Suggestions for Those Who Write About Local GIS Implementations

Link to article in Directions:

http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=3511

RAILROADS

11) Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Talk Positive Train Control

Link to video in Progressive Railroading:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/video/details.asp?id=23422

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Survey: More Support Road Rules

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-06-03-traffic-safety-survey_N.htm

TRANSIT

13) Chicago Transit Authority Told by Courts It Cannot Ban Ads for Mature Video Games

Link to article in The Escapist:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/101060-ESA-Wins-Final-Judgment-Over-Chicago-Transit-Authority

14) 14 Transit Apps that Take Advantage of Los Angeles Metro Data

Link to article in The Source:

http://thesource.metro.net/2010/06/02/14-transit-apps-that-take-advantage-of-metro-data/

15) Transit Maps in the Palm of Your Hand (No Refolding Required)

Link to column in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/technology/personaltech/03smart.html

VEHICLES

16) NPR CEO Says All Cars Will Have Internet Radios

Link to article in Barrons:

http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2010/06/02/d8-npr-ceo-schiller-says-all-cars-will-have-internet-radios

17) Audi 'Travolution' Syncs Cars to Traffic Lights, Saves Fuel

Link to CNET review:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20006714-48.html

Link to news release from Audi:

http://www.audiusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1812

18) With Advanced Sensors, Cars Become Increasingly Capable of Driving Themselves

Link to article from New Scientist:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/31/AR2010053101915.html

News Releases

1) Inrix Launches Free Traffic Operations Service for Transportation Agencies Nationwide

2) Ford Improves Sync 911 Assist with GPS Location Awareness for Fast Response; No Fees Attached

Upcoming Events

Navigation and Location Summit Europe – June 15-16 – Berlin

http://www.thewherebusiness.com/navigationeurope/

Today in Transportation History    

1940 **70^th anniversary** The Luftwaffe bombed Paris.

http://worldwar2airwar.com/?p=222

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

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

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Wednesday, June 2, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Air Traffic Manager at Andrews Air Force Base Calls Her Job Best in FAA

Link to article and video in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/01/AR2010060103878.html

CARTOGRAPHY

2) A More Cheerful New York Subway Map

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/arts/design/02map.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

3) California Bill Would Protect Privacy of Tollway Users

Link to AP article:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/06/01/state/n172058D02.DTL

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Trafficmaster Sold to US Private Equity Firm

Link to article in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/electronics/7797746/Trafficmaster-sold-to-US-private-equity-for-73m.html

MARITIME

5) Washington State Ferries Hopes Tweets, Wall Posts Can Boost Ridership

Link to article in the Kitsap Sun:

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/may/31/washington-state-ferries-hopes-tweets-wall-posts/

6) BBC Radio Show Helps Out in Coastguard Drama

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/england/10190546.stm

OTHER

7) US Navy Laser Detects, Tracks Maritime UAVs

Link to article in Avionics:

http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/topstories/Navy-Laser-Detects-Tracks-Maritime-UAVs_68625.html

PARKING

8) The 'Heart of SFPark' Complete with Vehicle Sensor Installation

Link to blog on Streetsblog San Francisco:

http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/06/01/the-heart-of-sfpark-finally-complete-with-vehicle-sensor-installation/

RAILROADS

9) Amtrak to Offer Free Wireless on Acela Express Trains

Link to AP article:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/amtrak_announces_free_wireless.html

ROADWAYS

10) Research Improving Sensor Technology for Bridges and Roadways

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/764646?elq=87896d98d2784e03a7fb4bab891f4370

11) Interstate 81: Fear, Facts and the Future of Southwest Virginia's Most-Trafficked Road

Link to multimedia presentation in The Roanoke Times:

http://www.roanoke.com/multimedia/81/index.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Teens, Traffic Officials Talk About Distracted Driving

Link to story on Minnesota Public Radio:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/06/01/teendriving-proposal/

TRANSIT

13) Bombardier Demos Technology to Improve Track Worker Safety

Link to article in Metro:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2010/05/Bombardier-demos-technology-to-improve-track-worker-safety.aspx

14) Cablevision May Offer Wi-Fi on Metro-North, Long Island Trains

Link to article in Crain's New York Business:

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100602/FREE/100609956

15) PATH Operators Use Simulator to Avoid On-the-Job Training

Link to article in The Record:

http://www.northjersey.com/news/95390974_REAL_TRAINING_ON_A_VIRTUAL_TRAIN.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

16) There's a Drive on to Clear Wrecks Quickly in the Kansas City Area

Link to article in The Kansas City Star:

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/01/1986184/theres-a-drive-on-to-clear-wrecks.html

VEHICLES

17) Is Digital Revolution Driving Decline in US Car Culture?

Link to article in Advertising Age:

http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=144155

18) Ire Grows Over Cost of New Suggested Black Boxes

Link to article in Motor Trend:

http://wot.motortrend.com/6685002/industry-news/ire-grows-over-cost-of-new-suggested-black-boxes/index.html

19) Electric Car Warning Sounds: Don't Expect Ring Tones

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/electric-car-warning-sounds-dont-expect-ringtones/

News Releases

1) Cross County Connection Creates a Multimedia Guide to Get Around Major Construction Project in New Jersey

2) Automotive Infotainment to Decline to $24.8 Billion by 2015

3) Operations Academy Senior Management Program Nomination Forms Due June 4^th for October 2010 Session

4) Ohio DOT to Begin Rush Hour Tweets to Help Keep Motorists Safe

5) Iconosys Expands Texting-While-Driving Lifestyle Solutions with DriveReply for Android and Windows Phone

Job Postings

 -  Civil Engineer (Structures) – US Department of Transportation – Cambridge, Massachusetts

http://tinyurl.com/2bwpx5d

Upcoming Events

Bus Rapid Transit World USA 2010 – June 14-16 – Boston

http://www.terrapinn.com/2010/bususa/

Today in Transportation History    

1910 **100^th anniversary** Charles Stewart Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce, became the first person to make a non-stop double-crossing flight across the English Channel.

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/images/x002-8026-b.jpg

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

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

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, June 1, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057



Register Today for IBTTA’s Upcoming Workshop: Modern Toll Roads — A New Chapter in Social Responsibility, June 20-22, 2010 in Athens, Greece
This important workshop will focus on the many facets of how modern toll roads and toll road operators can be socially, corporately and environmentally responsible. Through our continued commitment to the environment, economic development and involvement with local communities, we continue to raise the bar to better run and managed road systems. You’ll hear from transportation experts from around the world on topics such as Interoperability, ORT, technology and toll projects with their contribution to social responsibility and quality of life. Please join us in Athens so we can learn and network together on these important topics. Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary program, register and make your hotel and travel arrangements.


GPS / NAVIGATION

1) Glitch Shows How Much US Military Relies on GPS
Link to AP article:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gp4YJHFW1EXEJiT8apgRFxg7dXwQD9G2KRJ80

OTHER

2) National Intelligent Transportation Vision Begins to Take Shape
Link to article in Government Technology:
http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/764639

3) White House to Tie Together Mapping and Data Sites
Link to article on Nextgov:
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100528_4200.php

4) May Edition of ERTICO’s iMobility Newsletter
Link to newsletter:
http://webhouse.ipapercms.dk/ERTICO/Newsletter/NewsletterMay2010/

PARKING

5) Tech Tries to Solve San Francisco Parking
Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/inthemission/detail?entry_id=64731

ROADWAYS

6) 'Smarter Highways' Signs Go Online in Washington State in August
Link to story and video on KING-TV:
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Smarter-highway-signs-go-online-in-August-95267859.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Law Enforcement Needs a Standards-Based Communications Infrastructure
Link to article in Government Technology:
http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/764570?elq=0479e8d0537946fc828aa89dbd1a797b

8) Regional Projects Could be Models for National Public Safety Information Sharing
Link to article in Government Technology:
http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/764579?elq=0479e8d0537946fc828aa89dbd1a797b

9) Mexico Fights Corruption Using iPhones and BlackBerrys
App tells drivers what to do when faced with bribery requests from police.
Link to article in the Latin American Herald Tribune:
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=357847&CategoryId=14091

TRANSIT

10) New York/New Jersey Pilot Program Replaces MetroCard Swipe with Credit Card Tap
Link to story and video on NY1 News:
http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/119590/tap-and-pay-pilot-program-kicks-off-at-transit-hubs/

11) Combining Student IDs and Transit Passes
The multi-function, multi-app smart card may not be such a mythical beast.
Link to article on CR80News:
http://www.cr80news.com/2010/05/25/combining-students-ids-and-transit-passes

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) Massachusetts 511 Travel Info System Handles Holiday Test
Link to article in the Telegram & Gazette:
http://www.telegram.com/article/20100601/NEWS/6010389/1003/NEWS03

13) King of the Road
An interview with John Fisher, Assistant General Manager in charge of transportation operations for the Los Angeles DOT.
Link to interview in The Atlantic:
http://www.theatlantic.com/personal/archive/2010/05/king-of-the-road/57474/


News Releases
1) SITA Opens Command Center in Montreal to Manage Global Operations
2) New TomTom Facebook Game Illustrates the Benefits of Live Services


Upcoming Events
National Summit on Rural Traffic Safety Culture - July 11-13 - Big Sky, Montana
http://www.ruraltscsummit.org/


Today in Transportation History
1910 **100th anniversary** The Terra Nova set sail on a journey which would transport Robert Scott to Antarctica in a quest to be the first to reach the South Pole.
http://www.solarnavigator.net/history/scott_of_the_antarctic_explorer_captain_robert_falcon.htm

======================================================================
The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.
To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:
http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe
If you have any difficulties please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.
TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.
© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net