Thursday, May 8, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, May 8, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

Registration for IBTTA’s Organization Management Workshop Now Open -- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 1-3, 2008

Centered on the theme Partnership and Performance – Connecting People and Ideas, IBTTA heads to Philly to explore generational factors as they pertain to internal and external communications. Workplace ethics and performance measurement will be explored along with an array of other timely issues surrounding the management of your organization. This workshop is hosted by The Delaware River and Bay Authority, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and South Jersey Transportation Authority. Registration deadline is May 23, 2008. Download the program, find the details and register online today! www.IBTTA.org.


AVIATION

1) Bill Introduced to Study Transition to Biometrics In Airports
Link to story on AviationNews.net:
http://www.aviationnews.net/?do=headline&news_ID=154549

BUSES

2) Show Could be Over for Bus Radio on Seminole County, Florida School Buses
Link to story in the Orlando Sentinel:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/music/orl-busrad0808may08,0,4277382.story

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

3) Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Signing Contracts for All-Electronic Tolling – Cashless by 2012
Link to story in Toll Roads News:
http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/3529

MARITIME

4) Europe Wary of US Demand to Scan Shipping Containers
Link to story on European Voice:
http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/europe-wary-of-us-demand-to-scan-shipping-containers/60673.aspx

5) Sound System Spots Whales, Avoids Ship Strikes
Link to AP story:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2008-05-07-whale-listening-sound_N.htm
Link to additional information from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:
http://www.listenforwhales.org/

OTHER

6) Foes of Web Driving Class Get Scooby Doo Certified
Link to story in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/05/08/drivered_0508.html

7) Feds Want Your Photo on E-Verify
Driver's license pics could appear on site that checks Arizona work eligibility.
Link to story from The Arizona Daily Star:
http://macroworldinvestor.com/m/m.w?lp=GetStory&id=305542581

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Louisiana Bill Seeks to Limit Traffic Cameras
Legislation would make photos of the front of vehicles illegal.
Link to story in The News Star:
http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080508/NEWS01/805080315

9) RFID-Enabled Drivers’ Licenses Help Washington State Residents Cross the Canadian Border
Link to article in Government Technology:
http://www.govtech.com/gt/279970

10) License Plate Recognition Systems Extend the Reach of Patrol Officers
Link to article in Government Technology:
http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/282014

TELEMATICS

11) Analysis: Why Hyundai Turned to Microsoft for Help
Link to commentary in PC Magazine:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2301013,00.asp

TRANSIT

12) Disabled Criticize Pace's Dispatch Computer Service for Paratransit
Link to story in the Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-paratransit_08may08,0,4241658.story
Link to additional information on Pace paratransit service:
http://www.pacebus.com/sub/paratransit/ADA_Chicago.asp

13) Progress on Calling Out Transit Stops ‘Bittersweet’
Toronto lawyer says blind commuters around Ontario are still battling transit systems that won't announce stops.
Link to story in the North Bay Nugget:
http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1019143

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) Services Help Drivers Find Cheapest Gas
As prices at stations surge, consumers deploy technology to help muzzle the guzzle.
Link to story in The Wall Street Journal:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121020930375775415.html

15) New York State DOT Makes Traffic Cameras Available on Mobile Devices
Link to story in The Daily Gazette:
http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/may/08/0508_cellphones/
Link to news release from NYSDOT:
https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/news/press-releases/2008/2008-05-06
Link to site: http://www.informny.com/mobile-r1


News Releases
1) Citilog to Supply Automatic Incident Detection (AID) System to Massachusetts Turnpike Authority for Key Tunnel Infrastructures’ Real-Time Traffic Management
2) North American School Bus Telematics Market: Learning to Grow Amidst Pricing Pressures
3) VZ Navigator Version 4: Available Today – Verizon Wireless customers in 75 cities will be able to access traffic, weather and gas price information


Solicitation
- Presolicitation – Development and Deployment of Clarus-Enabled Services – Federal Highway Administration
https://www.fbo.gov/index?tab=core&s=opportunity&mode=form&id=4bfd9d92210c365fff5f68e945e0a7ba&cck=1&au=&ck=


Upcoming Events
TRB/IBTTA Freeway and Tollway Operations Conference – June 15-18 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
http://www.2008ftoc.com/


Today in Transportation History
1967 – Don Prudhomme became the first dragster to run a quarter mile in under seven seconds.
http://www.snakeracing.com/about_us/the_snake.asp

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© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast