Thursday, December 31, 2009

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, December 31, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Happy New Year!

AVIATION

1) Pilots Union Faults Feds for Lack of Terror Alert

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Pilots-union-faults-feds-for-apf-1618773051.html?x=0&.v=3

CARTOGRAPHY

2) Map Still Well Positioned in this GPS-Styled World

Link to McClatchy Tribune News Service article:

http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/still+well+positioned+this+styled+world/2370858/story.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) En Route to GPS-Based Air Traffic Control

Image of Anchorage Bowl Traffic Information Service.

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/2300-11386_3-10001896.html

OTHER

4) Ottawa Developing Web Site to Let Residents Know When Plow Will Clear Street

Link to story on CFRA Radio:

http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=70295

5) Trinity Industries to Buy Quixote for $61 Million

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE5BT0DG20091230

Link to news release from Trinity Industries:

http://www.trin.net/invsrela/press/Trinity%20Industries%20Announces%20Definitive%20Agreement%20to%20Acquire%20Quixote%20Corporation%2012-30-09.pdf

ROADWAYS

6) Florida Triples Price of Its Highway Signs

Restaurateurs say increase comes at 'worst' possible time.

Link to article in Florida Today:

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091231/BUSINESS/912310310/1006/news01/State+tripling+price+of+its+highway+signs

7) New Electronic Speed Limit Signs Aim to Make Maine Roads Safer

Link to story on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network:

http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineHeadlineNews/tabid/968/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3479/ItemId/10399/Default.aspx

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) ‘One Database Failure After Another’

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-12-31-watchlist_N.htm

9) TSA Targets Travel Bloggers Over Leaked Security Memo

Link to blog in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=13149.blog

10) Ohio Lists Only 1% of Multi-DUI Drivers

Link to article in The Cincinnati Enquirer:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091230/NEWS0108/912310346/1055/NEWS/Ohio+lists+few+multi-DUI+drivers

11) Oregon Cell Phone Ban has Loophole

Link to AP article:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/apheadlines/technology/story/1011851.html

TELEMATICS

12) Kia to Launch Ford Sync Rival Next Week

Link to blog on The Car Connection:

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1041053_tech-watch-kia-to-launch-ford-sync-rival-next-week

13) Welcome to the Wired Future on Wheels

Link to article in the Financial Post:

http://www.financialpost.com/news-sectors/technology/story.html?id=2393082

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) Interstate Work to Aid Louisiana Motorists in Real-Time

Link to AP article:

http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-89/126226530396060.xml&storylist=louisiana

15) Oregon Commuters Disgruntled at Warning, Response to Tuesday’s Drivetime Snow Storm

Link to article in The Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/commuters_disgruntled_at_warni.html

16) With Planning, West Virginia Turnpike Can Avoid Future Tumult

Communication, or lack thereof, was a huge issue.

Link to commentary on WVNS-TV:

http://www.wvnstv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=72703

News Releases

1) Connecticut Now ‘Tweets’ Real-Time Traffic Alerts

2) Ohio DOT to Ring In New Year with Special Midnight Traffic Tweet

Upcoming Events

3^rd Annual Transportation & Infrastructure Convention – March 10-12 – Washington, DC

http://www.transportationsummit.com/

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100^th anniversary** - The Manhattan Bridge, which connects Brooklyn and Manhattan, opened.

http://www.nycbridges100.org/manhattan.php

http://www.davefrieder.com/html/man1.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/nyregion/31bridge.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 i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Wednesday, December 30, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) Building a Better Pilot

Link to article in The Buffalo News:

http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/907783.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Why Aren’t GPS Navigation Systems More Reliable?

Link to article in PC World:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/185595/why_arent_gps_navigation_systems_more_reliable.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

3) Ford, MIT to Study Driver Stress

Researchers will look at ways technology can reduce driver stress.

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Ford-MIT-to-study-driver-apf-3349861935.html?x=0&.v=1

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

4) New California Traffic Monitoring System Means Jobs

Link to story and video on KXTV-TV:

http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=72449&catid=324

5) Message Boards Popping Up Along Chattanooga’s Highways, Interstates

Link to article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/dec/30/message-boards-popping-up-along-chattanooga/

6) Nova Scotia’s Cobequid Pass Gets New Webcam and Weather Information Station

Link to article in The Chronicle Herald:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1159930.html

7) Smart Highways Taking to the Road via International Initiatives

Link to article in Aftermarket Business:

http://aftermarketbusiness.search-autoparts.com/aftermarketbusiness/Distribution/Smart-highways-taking-to-the-road-via-internationa/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/649506

VEHICLES

8) Top Ten In-Cabin Technologies of the Decade

Link to article in Edmunds Daily:

http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2009/12/tech-tuesdays-top-10-in-cabin-technologies-of-the-decade.html

News Releases

1) iSuppli Exclusive: The Connected Car Arrives at CES

2) Presidential Executive Order on Distracted Driving Effective Today

Upcoming Events

Transportation Research Board Webinar: Communicating the Value of Transportation Research – January 27

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/TRB_Webinar_Communicating_the_Value_of_Transportat_162770.aspx

Today in Transportation History

1959 **50^th anniversary** - The USS George Washington, the first ballistic nuclear submarine, was commissioned.

http://www.navysite.de/ssbn/ssbn598.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 i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

1) ADS-B ‘Critical’ Sites Begin Operating

Link to article in Avionics:

http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/topstories/ADS-B-Critical-Sites-Begin-Operating_65308.html

2) FAA Uses High-Tech Recruiting Tool

Link to story and video on KSAZ-TV:

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/money/job_news/faa_jobs_122809

CAMERAS

3) Red Light, Parking Tickets are Growing Revenue Source for New Orleans

Link to article in The Times-Picayune:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/12/red_light_parking_tickets_prov.html

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Growing Virginia Satellite Imaging Company has Global View

Link to article in the Loudoun Independent:

http://www.loudouni.com/business/2009-12-22/growing-loudoun-satellite-imaging-company-has-global-view

5) Mike Siegel, Rutgers Cartographer Puts New Jersey at Our Fingertips

Link to article in The Star-Ledger:

http://blog.nj.com/iamnj/2009/12/mike_siegel_rutgers_cartograph.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

6) Transport Companies Ask for Delay in Slovakia’s Electronic Toll System

Link to article in The Slovak Spectator:

http://www.spectator.sk/articles/view/37518/10/transport_companies_ask_for_delay_in_electronic_toll_system.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

7) Cell Phone GPS App Could Help Illegal Immigrants Cross Mexico-US Border

Link to article and video in USA Today:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2009/12/cellphone-gps-app-could-help-undocumented-workers-cross-border/1

MARITIME

8) NOAA Tests Free ‘BookletCharts’ with Boaters

Link to article in the Anchorage Daily News:

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/rural/story/1071942.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

9) Tennessee Anti-drunken Driving Campaign for Latinos Gets Grant Extension

Link to article in The Tennessean:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091229/NEWS01/912290343/Anti-drunken+driving+campaign+for+Latinos+gets+grant+extension

10) Safety Campaign Spots Worrisome Traffic Trends

Link to article in Fleet Owner:

http://fleetowner.com/news/topstory/1229-operation-safe-driver-campaign/

Link to news release from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance:

http://www.cvsa.org/news/2009_press.aspx

ROADWAYS

11) New York City Street Fair Bureaucracy Goes Digital

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/street-fair-bureaucracy-goes-digital/

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) New Call for Faster, More Thorough Airport Body Scans

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-12-28-airport-body-scan-machines-terror_N.htm

13) Confusion Fills Skies After Attempted Bombing

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Confusion-fills-skies-after-apf-3165802473.html?x=0&.v=2

14) US Government Launches Distracted Driving Web Site to Warn, Inform

Link to article in Motor Trend:

http://wot.motortrend.com/6604859/government/governent-launches-distracted-driving-web-site-to-warn-inform/index.html

Link to Distraction.gov: http://www.distraction.gov/

15) Police: Twitter Used to Avoid DUI Checkpoints

Link to McClatchy Newspapers article:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010618380_twitterdui29.html

TELEMATICS

16) Automotive Aftermarket Shop of Tomorrow May Include Telematics

Link to article from Aftermarket Business:

http://aftermarketbusiness.search-autoparts.com/aftermarketbusiness/Distribution/Shop-of-Tomorrow-may-include-telematics/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/649502?contextCategoryId=42271

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

17) New Rules Require Better Warnings of Traffic Delays

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-12-28-traffic-info_N.htm

18) Blizzard Overwhelms South Dakota 511 Hotline

Link to article in the Argus Leader:

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20091229/NEWS/912290327/1001/news

VEHICLES

19) US Environmental Protection Agency Launches Emissions Simulator

Link to article in Environmental Leader:

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/12/29/epa-launches-vehicle-emissions-simulator/

News Releases

1) Ford First to Enable iTunes Tagging with Launch of New HD Radio Capability in Its Lineup

2) Connecticut Governor Announces $6 Million for Work on Positive Train Control System for Metro-North

3) Durham, North Carolina Traffic Cameras to be Made Available Online and on Cable TV

4) Passur Launches National Network of Airport Condition Reporting

5) Ford Takes Pragmatic Approach to In-Car Wi-Fi and Internet Access

Upcoming Events

3^rd Annual Transportation & Infrastructure Convention – March 10-12 – Washington, DC

http://www.transportationsummit.com/

Today in Transportation History

1939 **70^th anniversary** - The Consolidated B-24 made its first flight.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2461

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

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 i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net

Monday, December 28, 2009

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Monday, December 28, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Registration Opens for ITS America's 20^th Annual Meeting & Exposition, May 3-5, 2010, Houston, Texas

ITS America's 20^th Annual Meeting & Exposition, May 3-5, 2010 in Houston, Texas, will bring together a diverse community of transportation professionals, business leaders, elected officials, and federal and state public agency representatives for three days of thought leadership in the debate over the nation's transportation future. We invite you to take this opportunity to make business connections, experience the most comprehensive exhibition of smart technologies, earn Professional Development Hours, and take home best practices from leading ITS professionals. Special rates are available for public sector employees and first-time attendees. To register, go to www.itsa.org/amregistration.html.

AVIATION

1) US Officials Keeping New Air Security Strategy Intentionally Vague

Link to article from the International Herald Tribune:

http://www.airportbusiness.com/publication/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=33204

2) New, Terrifying, No-Electronics US Flight Security Rules?

Link to CNET News blog:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10422091-1.html

CAMERAS

3) Big Brother's Watching You...Undress

UK traffic camera pointed toward bedroom.

Link to article in The Sun:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2784654/Mum-CCTV-spied-on-bedroom.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

4) Golden Gate Tolls May Go Digital

Link to article in the San Francisco Examiner:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Golden-Gate-tolls-may-go-digital-80182482.html

OTHER

5) Arizona Lawmaker Wants Tax Info on Gas Pumps

Link to Capitol Media Services article:

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/148844

6) Judge Allows Public Access to New York City Transit-Related Hearings

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/judge-allows-public-access-to-transit-related-hearings/

7) Cities Embrace Mobile Apps, ‘Gov 2.0’

Link to CNN story:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/12/28/government.web.apps/

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) DC Transit Agency Often Slow to Act on Safety Recommendations

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/25/AR2009122501882.html

9) Drink, Drive, Get Blasted on Twitter

Link to story and video on KIAH-TV:

http://www.39online.com/news/local/kiah-dwi-montgomery-story,0,6424023.story

10) 2004 Tsunami Spurred Development of NOAA Warning System

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2009/12/28/tsunami-tech.aspx

TELEMATICS

11) 'Car IT Will be Adapted Soon in India'

Link to article in The Economic Times:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/Car-IT-will-be-adapted-soon-in-India/articleshow/5380139.cms

TRANSIT

12) Metrolink Looks to Track Down Federal Money for New Rail Safety System

Link to story and audio report on KPCC Radio:

http://www.scpr.org/news/2009/12/24/ptc-metrolink/

13) A Stated Preference Analysis of Real-Time Public Transit Stop Information

Link to article in the Journal of Public Transportation:

http://www.nctr.usf.edu/jpt/pdf/JPT12-3Caulfield.pdf

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) Traffic Reports a Friendly, Informed Voice for Drivers

Link to article in the Chicago Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1960945,CST-NWS-ride28.article

News Releases

1) CamTran Offers Live Tracking of Buses

2) New Virgin Atlantic Initiative Connects Passengers to Share Airport Taxi Journeys

Upcoming Events

American Traffic Safety Services Association Annual Convention & Traffic Expo – February 14-18 – San Antonio, Texas

http://www.atssa.com/cs/atssa_2010_traffic_expo

Today in Transportation History

1879 **130^th anniversary** - The Tay Bridge Disaster took place when a rail bridge in Scotland collapsed. Seventy-five people died.

http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BoT_TayInquiry1880.pdf

2009 – The Champlain Bridge, which connected West Addison, Vermont and Crown Point, New York, was demolished.

http://www.wcax.com/global/video.asp?clipId=4416474

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: i95berniew@aol.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.

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net