Monday, May 12, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Monday, May 12, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

TCN Fundraiser

With over 7,000 readers around the world it’s a little difficult to go door-to-door asking for spare change. Setting up a lemonade stand in front of my house also seemed to fall a bit short, so I thought I’d return to something I did four years ago and solicit contributions in the TCN. I’ve never charged for subscriptions to the TCN, and never expect to, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an expense to putting the TCN together every day. If you wish, you can mail a check or money order to me at the address at the bottom of the newsletter. You may also use a credit card or an e-check via PayPal at the secured link below. Thank you for all your support for the TCN. In the coming weeks I’ll also tell you about other ways to support the TCN, such as through ads, hiring me for voiceovers and creating newsletters for your company or organization. If you have any questions please contact me at i95berniew@aol.com. Thank you!
https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=brwagenblast%40comcast.net&item_name=Transportation+Communications+Newsletter&no_note=1&tax=0&currency_code=USD

AVIATION

1) European Commission Targets ‘Rip-Off’ Air Ticket Sites
Link to story on EurActiv:
http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/commission-targets-rip-air-ticket-sites/article-172267

MARITIME

2) Port of Bremerton Wants Your Attention
Link to story in the Kitsap Sun:
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/may/11/port-of-bremerton-wants-your-attention/
Link to news release from the Port of Bremerton

OTHER

3) Information Tags Along Everywhere You Go
Critics worry about the security of RFID.Link to story in The Baltimore Sun:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.rfid11may11,0,1276217.story

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

4) Virginia Program Trains Seniors in How to Use Transit
Link to story on WTOP Radio:
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=600&sid=1402084

5) Government Enters the Blogosphere
Link to story in Federal Computer Week:
http://www.fcw.com/print/22_13/features/152474-1.html
Feds Discover Gold in Blog Posts
http://www.fcw.com/print/22_13/management/152465-1.html

RAILROADS
6) Over the Bustle of the Everyday Commute, Her Voice has Guided the Way
Sheila Herriott directs passengers at New York’s Penn Station.
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/nyregion/11amtrak.html?partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

7) Eurostar Launches Digital Art Gallery
Link to BBC News story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7360314.stm
Link to news release from Eurostar

ROADWAYS

8) Was Ohio Bridge Scare a Warning?
When gusset plates caused a near-disaster in 1996, it didn't trigger a nationwide alert.
Link to story in the Star Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/local/18849829.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

9) eCall Launch Likely to be Further Delayed
Link to story on Auto Industry:
http://www.autoindustry.co.uk/news/12-05-08_6

10) District of Columbia Council Moves to Block Surveillance Camera Project
Link to story in Washington Technology:
http://www.washingtontechnology.com/online/1_1/32793-1.html

11) License Plate Readers Worry Canadian Privacy Advocates
Link to CP story:
http://nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast.com/journal/article/293310

TELEMATICS

12) Keeping Safety as Its Core, OnStar to Expand
Link to story in Crain’s Detroit Business:
http://crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080511/SUB/688527666/-1

TRANSIT

13) Chicago Roads May Undergo Bumpy Transition to Bus-Only Lanes
Chicago Transit Authority’s effort to reduce gridlock hinges on technology, timeliness.
Link to column in the Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/transportation/chi-getting-around-12may12,0,1542213.column

14) London Mayor to Discuss Oyster Card Expansion Plans
Link to Press Association story:
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gwpIdd4SjNU0e-31vt6qAaCm9PCw

15) Graduate Students Map Out Business Plan, Advertising for Jonesboro, Arkansas’ Transit System
Link to AP story:
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/225545/

16) Privacy Issues with the Use of Smart Cards
Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:
http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9008

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

17) Digicam on Chennai Cops’ Shoulders to Beef Up Surveillance
Digital cameras will transmit images to centralized control room.
Link to story in The Times of India:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Digicam_on_cops_shoulders_to_beef_up_surveillance/articleshow/3030669.cms

VEHICLES

18) Will Cars of the Future Drive Themselves?
Link to story from Portfolio:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23961714/

19) The Crash-Proof Car is Coming
Link to story in The Sunday Times:
http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/features/article3898971.ece


News Releases
1) Eurostar and Google Launch Pioneering Interactive Display System ‘Explore Europe’
2) GeoDecisions and Maine Department of Transportation Unveil Enhanced Straight Line Diagramming Application


Solicitation
- Program Opportunity – Advanced Transportation Technologies – New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
http://www.nyserda.org/Funding/1223pon.asp


Upcoming Events
transport logistic China 2008 – June 17-19 – Shanghai
http://www.transportlogistic-china.com/


Today in Transportation History
1958 **50th anniversary** - The formal North American Aerospace Defense Command agreement between Canada and the US is signed.
http://www.norad.mil/50

Bernie Wagenblast
1 Aberdeen Court
Cranford, NJ 07016-2911
USA

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.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.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast