Friday, September 19, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Friday, September 19, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Watchdog: FAA Failed to Act on Runway Safety Problems
Link to AP story:
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=41012&dcn=todaysnews

CAMERAS

2) Traffic Light Scam Stuns Italian Motorists
Link to story in the Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/2983777/Traffic-light-scam-stuns-Italian-motorists.html

3) Pasay City, Philippines to Install Spy Cameras vs. Abusive Traffic Enforcers
Link to story in the Inquirer:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080919-161698/Pasay-City-to-install-spy-cameras-vs-abusive-traffic-men

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Specialized Maps Pinpoint Crime, Cheap Gas, More
Link to column in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/kimkomando/2008-09-18-specialized-maps_N.htm

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Russia’s Glonass to be Compatible with GPS, Galileo
Link to Interfax story:
http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1560638/russias_glonass_to_be_compatible_with_gps_galileo/

6) Your GPS and Live Traffic Updates
An explanation of services available in Australia.
Link to story in PC World Australia:
http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1073730321;fp;4194304;fpid;1

OTHER

7) Westwood One Gives More Details on Metro Networks Overhaul
Link to story in Radio Ink:
http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=143502&pt=todaysnews

PARKING

8) Spot Prices
New systems will make finding parking spaces easier and help to reduce congestion.
Link to story in The Economist:
http://www.economist.com/science/tm/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12236749

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

9) Avon and Somerset Constabulary Joins Facebook
Traffic updates among the services provided.
Link to story in the Weston and Somerset Mercury:
http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/content/twm/news/story.aspx?brand=Westonmercury&category=newsNorthSomerset&tBrand=westonmercury&tCategory=znews&itemid=WeED19%20Sep%202008%2009%3A06%3A44%3A400
Link to Facebook page: http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/facebook

RAILROADS

10) ‘Automated’ Railroads
Reporter looks at how they work and if they’re safe.
Link to story and video report on WTVC-TV:
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/jobs_971683___article.html/automated_people.html

11) Train Fans Fear Los Angeles Crash Will Derail Their Hobby
Link to AP story:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hy0jYaI8m9QlR9_6nf0pACTAlXSQD939CUGG3

12) Latest Edition of the European Rail Traffic Management System Newsletter Signal Online
Link to newsletter:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/ertms/newsletter/doc/2008/008_signal_2008_09_en.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

13) Anxiety-Detecting Machines Could Spot Terrorists
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-09-18-bioscanner_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

14) Salt Lake City Airport Safety Chief: Warnings Ignored
Says he was ordered not to bring safety fears to the attention of the public or city hall.
Link to story in The Salt Lake Tribune:
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10506829

15) Taking Pictures of Utah’s FrontRunner Train Could Land You in Trouble
Link to story and video report on KSL-TV:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4286032&autostart=y

TELEMATICS

16) Audi Backs Traffic Project to Get Cars Talking to Traffic Lights
Link to story on Jalopnik:
http://jalopnik.com/5052150/audi-backs-traffic-project-to-get-cars-talking-to-traffic-lights-minimize-time-spent-at-stops
Link to news release from Audi:
http://www.easier.com/view/News/Motoring/Audi/article-205024.html

TRANSIT

17) Rubbing Out Rudeness on Public Transit
Transit authorities around the US ramp up efforts to improve manners.
Link to story on MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26741276/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

18) Traffic-Tracking Phone Gets $14 Million Funding
Link to story in the Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2008/09/22/story1.html

VEHICLES

19) The Digital Car is the Next Big Applications Market
Link to commentary on VentureBeat:
http://venturebeat.com/2008/09/18/the-digital-car-is-the-next-big-applications-market/


News Releases
1) Surface Navy Association Greater Washington Chapter Seeks Support for Operation Second Chance to Provide Conversion Van for Recovering Shipmates
2) Nebraska Association of Transportation Providers Web Site has a New Look
3) FHWA Invites Applications for Grants that Use Innovative Pricing Strategies that Relieve Congestion
4) US Department of Transportation Identifies Critical Border Congestion Relief Projects
5) Randall-Reilly and TransCore Form Partnership
6) Burlington County (New Jersey) Bridge Commission Invests in Technology Upgrades – Portable toll collection system can be used in emergencies


Upcoming Events
Digital Signage Expo 2009 – February 24-26 – Las Vegas
http://www.digitalsignageexpo.net/Events/DigitalSignageExpo2009LasVegas/AttendeeInformation/AboutDSE2009/tabid/72/Default.aspx


Friday Bonus
Berlin transport system introduces scentsational new plan.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3618306,00.html


Today in Transportation History
1881 – The St. Clare Tunnel, connecting Sarnia, Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan, opened.
http://www.canadianheritage.org/images/large/20346.jpg

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© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast