Thursday, April 8, 2010

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, April 8, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Now for IBTTA’s Upcoming Summit: The Future of Tolling – Going Mainstream

Through ORT and Interoperability, May 23-25, 2010 in Boston, MA




Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association in Boston for the fourth Summit in a series of workshops focused on the hot topics of ORT and Interoperability. This Summit will bring together transportation experts who will focus on lessons learned, case studies, business rules and future decision-making about all-electronic toll collection, interoperability, violation enforcement, and implications for vehicle miles traveled charging. Breakout sessions are divided into four main categories – On the Road and in the Car; Technology and Backroom Issues; Road Pricing and Financial Issues and In the Public and Policy Forum. IBTTA is exploring opportunities to involve university students and faculty from the Boston area in research connected with the main topics of this Summit. Click here for registration, hotel and travel information and to view the preliminary agenda.www.IBTTA.org

OTHER

1) Along for the Ride

When a team of Seton Hall alumni joined the launch of Shadow Traffic in 1979, they helped transform the morning commute.

Link to article in Seton Hall:

http://www.shu.edu/news/article/271059

2) FEMA Drafts MOU with Fish and Wildlife Service to Safeguard Migratory Birds from Communications Towers

Link to article in Government Security News:

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/article/20458/fema_drafts_mou_fish_and_wildlife_service_safeguar

RAILROADS

3) Amtrak Bill for Public Records: $6,080

Link to article in The Day:

http://www.theday.com/article/20100408/NWS01/304089467/1044

4) Derailed Locomotive Took Virginia Emergency Dispatchers Minutes to Find

Link to story and video on WVEC-TV:

http://www.wvec.com/news/Wrecked-locomotive-took-minutes-to-find-90035662.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) More Enforcement Planned Against Distracted Driving

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303591204575170232249655828.html

Link to news release from US DOT:

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot6210.htm

6) Hurricane Evacuation, Security System Tested

Link to story and video on KRIV-TV:

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/weather/100406-hurricane-evacuation-security-systems-tested

7) TSA OKs More than Just Apple iPad for Screening

Link to article in PCWorld:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/193749/tsa_oks_more_than_just_apple_ipad.html

8) Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 Safety Data Available Monday; Rollout Delayed Until November

Link to article on Truckinginfo:

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=69999

9) Phoning While Driving

Link to articles in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Status Report:

http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr4502.pdf

TRANSIT

10) Feds Deny TriMet’s Request for Quieter Train Horns

Link to article in The Daily News:

http://www.tdn.com/news/state-and-regional/oregon/article_952fa38e-ffc2-5120-a064-68fa7f52d49f.html

11) Seattle Next Train Announcements as Good as They’re Going to Get

Link to blog and video on Seattle Transit Blog:

http://seattletransitblog.com/2010/04/08/next-train-announcements-good-as-theyre-going-to-get/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) South Korea and Japan Streets Ahead in Smart Transport

Link to CNN story:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/04/08/urban.smart.transport/

13) Inside Inrix – How Traffic Data is Collected, What It Means for Your Commute

Link to article in Consumer Reports:

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/04/inside-inrixhow-traffic-data-is-collected-what-it-means-to-your-commute.html

14) Going with the Traffic Flow in Alachua County, Florida

Link to article in The Gainesville Sun:

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100408/ARTICLES/4081057/1002

VEHICLES

15) Toyota Execs Debated When to Disclose Accelerator-Pedal Problem

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota-email8-2010apr08,0,218531.story

16) New Industry Group Formed to Promote Use of Satellite Technology for Australian Trucks

Link to article on Transport & Logistics News:

http://tandlnews.com.au/2010/04/08/article/New-industry-voice-for-IAP-providers/SGIUEJHOAS.html

News Releases

1) London Bike Hire Scheme to Use Contactless Smart Cards from Summer Launch

2) New 511 Travel Information Service to Assist Commuters and Motorists in California’s Inland Empire

3) Could EU-Funded CVIS Study Herald the Dawn of a New Transport Era?

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Impact of the New MUTCD on Pedestrians and Bicyclists – April 15

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/529240787

Today in Transportation History    

1910 **100^th anniversary** The Los Angeles Motordome, a wooden track built for motor racing, opened in Playa de Rey, California.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=950CE6D71430E233A25750C0A9629C946196D6CF

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