Monday, May 4, 2009

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Monday, May 4, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

Register Now for IBTTA’s Upcoming Meeting — Incident Management, Safety and Security, July 19-21, 2009, Denver, CO

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association in Denver, CO to learn about best practices from around the world in Incident Management and Emergency Response. Sessions will explore the most effective tools and communication methods available to promote toll facility safety and security, maintain operations in the face of disruption, and effectively communicate with customers during all phases of an incident – from prevention to recovery. Other topics include crisis management during special events, Post Traumatic Distress Disorder and psychological impacts to employees, the role of engineering and maintenance in prevention and safety, and business continuity during disasters. Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary agenda and register today!


AVIATION

1) Colorado Airport May Get Cameras, Not New Tower
FAA committee expected to decide if Aspen airport can extend runway without new tower by using cutting-edge remote camera system.
Link to story in the Aspen Daily News:
http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/134390

2) Airlines Seek to Reassure Passengers in Outbreak
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/business/global/04iht-air.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

3) Air Force Flight Over Lower Manhattan Showed Bad Taste, Worse Communication
Link to column in The Star-Ledger:
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2009/05/communication_coach_flight_sho.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Navigon Leaves North American GPS Market
Link to CNET News story:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10232879-48.html

5) New GPS Satellite’s Problems Indicated
Link to story in GPS World:
http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/Latest+News/New-GPS-Satellites-Problems-Indicated/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/596465?contextCategoryId=33831

6) Smarter GPS to Let Cell Phones Point the Way
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/automobiles/03DASHTOP.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

OTHER

7) With Twitter as Your Tour Guide, Hitting Los Angeles’ Hot Spots is a Breeze
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-04-30-twitter-tips_N.htm

RAILROADS

8) Union Pacific Makes a Game of Risk
Link to story from CIO:
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/043009-union-pacific-makes-a-game.html

ROADWAYS

9) Massive 14th Street Bridge Project to Begin in Washington, DC
Residents are questioning why the District didn't give more advanced notice. Link to story and video on WJLA-TV:
http://www.news8.net/news/stories/0409/618465.html

10) San Francisco to Try ‘Smart’ Meters
Link to story in The Examiner:http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Muni-Port-team-up-to-try-smart-meters-44202792.html

TELEMATICS

11) Telematics Still an Option for Repair Shops to Consider
Link to story in Motor Age:
http://motorage.search-autoparts.com/motorage/Business+%26+Management+Solutions/Telematics-still-an-option-for-repair-shops-to-con/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/596366?contextCategoryId=2827

TRANSIT

12) Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority Lets Residents Comment on Transit Plan by Phone
Link to story in the St. Petersburg Times:
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article997254.ece

13) Advertising Company Delivers Ads Between Stop Announcements on Buses and Trains
Link to story in BtoB:
http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090504/HOLD/305049983/1155#seenit (scroll down to third article)

14) Googling the Future
Google Transit changes the way riders find their routes and alters the way they think about public transportation.
Link to story in More Riders Magazine:
http://www.trilliumtransit.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/googling-the-future.pdf

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Minnesota Firm Keeps the Wheels Turning
Image Sensing Systems designs software and equipment that helps to deal with traffic trouble spots around the world.Link to column in the Star Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/business/44190017.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1OiP:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

16) What Use are Traffic Reports?
What are the chances of getting a radio traffic report that is actually relevant to your current car journey?
Link to BBC News story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8029704.stm


Job Posting
- SHRP 2 Implementation Lead Program Manager – Federal Highway Administration – Washington, DC
http://tinyurl.com/cr3u8v


Upcoming Events
ITS Strategic Planning Workshop – National Harbor, Maryland – June 4
http://www.itsa.org/ITS_Strategic_Planning.html


Today in Transportation History
1859 **150th anniversary** - The Cornwall Railway opened in the UK.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornwall_Railway

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© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast