Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Wednesday, June 4, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) European Air Traffic System ‘Wastes Cash’
The boss of German airline Lufthansa has said billions of dollars are being wasted because Europe does not have a unified air traffic control system.
Link to BBC News story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7434442.stm

2) Wind Turbines Pose a Threat to Air Traffic Control
Air traffic control expert tells an inquiry that a vital radar would be subject to high levels of interference from proposed wind farm.
Link to story in The Journal:
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2008/06/04/turbines-pose-a-threat-to-air-traffic-control-61634-21019315/

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) GPS Gadgets Can Reveal More than Your Location
Researchers at Microsoft are developing ways for them to know what you are doing too – even down to which mode of transport you use to get to work.
Link to story in New Scientist:
http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn14052-gps-gadgets-can-reveal-more-than-your-location.html?DCMP=ILC-hmts&nsref=news2_head_dn14052

4) Latest Navigation Technology Promises to Keep You on the Move
Link to story in Automobile Magazine:
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0806_inrix_navigation_technology/index.html

OTHER

5) Guidelines for Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Final Report
Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:
http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9121
Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice
http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9102

ROADWAYS

6) New Traffic Signal Timing Manual Now Available
First manual to present a comprehensive guide and synthesis of current practices related to traffic signal timing for signalized intersections.
Link to additional information:
http://www.signaltiming.com/

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) US Department of Homeland Security Unveils Foreign-Passenger Screening System
Link to story in Government Computer News:
http://www.gcn.com/online/vol1_no1/46390-1.html

8) Oklahoma City Rolls Out Largest Municipal Wi-Fi Network for Public Safety
Link to story in Government Technology:
http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/367420

9) Emergency Advertising
Privately-owned digital billboard companies in Florida agree to display information during hurricanes and other natural emergency situations.
Link to story and video report on WTSP-TV:
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=81909

10) Outdoor Advertisers to Help with Amber Alerts
Link to story and video report on KSL-TV:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=3453387

TRANSIT

11) TriMet Loses Case Over Its Ad Rejection
Link to story in The Oregonian:
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1212548171310830.xml&coll=7


News Releases
1) ACS Completes Acquisition of Transportation Management Systems
2) SpeedInfo Sensors Helps North Carolina Add New Traffic Intelligence to I-95 and I-40 Corridor SmartLink Systems
3) Logica and AirSage Collaborate to Provide New Solution for Real-Time Traffic Information
4) JetBlue Airways Expands Free In-flight Connectivity Services Onboard 'BetaBlue'


Solicitation
- Development and Deployment of Clarus-Enabled Services – Federal Highway Administration
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=02fe8a3d502880b543e49f1d271f23d6&tab=core&_cview=1


Upcoming Events
Governors Highway Safety Association 2008 Annual Meeting – September 7-10 – Scottsdale, Arizona
http://www.ghsa.org/html/meetings/index.html#2008


Today in Transportation History
1783 **225th anniversary** - The first public demonstration of a hot air balloon by Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier in Annonay, France.
http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Dictionary/Montgolfier/DI35.htm

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Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast