Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Wednesday, December 26, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

1) Russia Launches New Generation of GLONASS Satellites into Orbit
Link to Pravda story:
http://english.pravda.ru/russia/kremlin/26-12-2007/103163-glonass-0

2) Seattle Bus Tunnel to Remain Closed for Tests on Computer System
Link to AP story:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_seattle_tunnel.html

3) Arizona Law Removes Copper’s Luster for Criminals
Link to story in the Tucson Citizen:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/72451.php

4) Keeping Track of the Tracks
San Diego Sprinter line's stations, rails, cars equipped with cameras for 'high-tech security.'
Link to story in The San Diego Union-Tribune:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20071226-9999-1mi26dispatc.html

5) Northern Virginia Control Center Manages Traffic
Link to story in the Potomac News:
http://www.potomacnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WPN%2FMGArticle%2FWPN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353985892&path

6) New Blog Puts Spotlight on California General Aviation Airport
Link to story in The Reporter:
http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_7810807
Link to Nut Tree Airport Forum: http://nuttreeforum.nuttreeairport.com/

7) Managing Selected Transportation Assets: Signals, Lighting, Signs, Pavement Markings, Culverts, and Sidewalks
Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:
http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=8496


Upcoming Events
American Traffic Safety Services Association Convention & Traffic Expo – February 8-12 – New Orleans
http://www.atssa.com/cs/atssa-2008-traffic-expo


Today in Transportation History
1870 – Tunnelers met in the middle of the Fréjus Rail Tunnel. The tunnel connects Modane, France and Bardonecchia, Italy.
http://www.planete-tp.com/en/travaux_publics.jsp?PEGA_HREF_14625928_0_0_openRoom=openRoom&PEGAHTML_TEXT_NAME_22222222222222222_attribute=hallFolder_TOPIC_nullhallFolder_ARTICLE_nullhall_TOPIC_nullhall_ARTICLE_nullroom_TOPIC_1196room_ARTICLE_nulllevel1_TOPIC_1302level1_ARTICLE_nulllevel2_TOPIC_1193level2_ARTICLE_null

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
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TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, December 25, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


1) A New Look at Sensors
Link to story in Public Roads:
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/07nov/04.htm

2) New Charlotte Transit Chief’s Mission: Communicate
Link to story in The Charlotte Observer:
http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/419515.html

3) High-Tech Road Show
Wizardry aimed at our cars is expected to take center stage at electronics exhibit.
Link to story in the Las Vegas Sun:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/business/2007/dec/24/566679769.html

4) Location Information of Taxis Will Show Traffic State
Three Japanese companies will establish study group to gather traffic information from taxis.
Link to Nikkei story:
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20071225/144683/

5) Taken for Ride by ‘New’ VTA Trip Planner
Link to commentary in The San Jose Mercury News:
http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_7792493
Link to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Trip Planner: http://www.vta.org/

6) Free Electronic Charts Will Boost Jet Boat Safety in Hong Kong, Macao, Mainland Area
Link to Xinhua story:
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90781/6326415.html

7) Researchers Think About Road Conditions Year-Round
Link to story in The Athens Messenger:
http://www.athensmessenger.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=273&ArticleID=7395&TM=43968.3

8) Sticky Notes Promote Safe Celebrating in South Dakota
Link to story and video report on KELO-TV:
http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail6371.cfm?Id=0,64575

9) Understanding GPS Navigation Traffic Services
Link to story in Consumer Reports:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2007/12/gps-traffic.html

10) New Transport Blog: Transport Futures – Current and Emerging Issues of Interest to Transport Professionals
Link to blog from the Transport Futures Institute:
http://transport-futures.blogspot.com/


News Releases

1) Podcasting from the High Seas – Maritime Bloggers Talk Via Satellite


Upcoming Events
MetroRail 2008 – March 31-April 3 – Copenhagen, Denmark
http://www.terrapinn.com/2008/metrorail/


Today in Transportation History
1907 **100th anniversary** - The Yakima Valley Transportation Company operates its first electric trolley.
http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=7071

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.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.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast

Monday, December 24, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Monday, December 24, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

1) Airport Fast-Pass Moves SlowlyClear, which lets screened travelers skip long security lines, epitomizes the pitfalls of developing technology for Homeland Security agencies.
Link to story in BusinessWeek:http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?687428&8b839cd761578127&6

2) Rivals Learn from Boeing’s ‘Connexion’
Link to AP story:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gnKXfbJ5NPafAukgJxxXGDpQ-u5wD8TNBDVO0
Link to Aircell: http://www.aircell.com/
Link to further information on BetaBlue: http://help.jetblue.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/webisapi.dll/,/?St=78,E=0000000000021549853,K=7947,Sxi=4,Case=obj(385421)

3) US Airways, Other Carriers Race to Upgrade In-Flight Entertainment
Link to story in The Arizona Republic:
http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/1223biz-inflightentertainment1224.html

4) Newark Airport Screeners Create System to Track Lost Items
Link to AP story:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--airportlostandfou1221dec21,0,4503764.story

5) Philadelphia Area Commuters Can Tap Into Traffic Cameras
Link to story in the Bucks County Courier Times:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/25-12232007-1460867.html
Link to PennDOT cameras: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/penndot/districts/district6.nsf/cam_map2?OpenPage
Link to Pennsylvania Turnpike cameras: http://www.paturnpike.com/webmap/PTCIE.htm

6) Indian Air Force Buys Advanced Radars to Improve Coastal Surveillance
Link to NDTV story:
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070036683&ch=12/23/2007%209:52:00%20AM

7) Chicago Transit Authority to Replace Old Rail Station Signs with Uniform System, Boost Updates
Link to column in the Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-gettingaround_24dec24,1,1861794.column

8) Cameras Show Interstate Road Conditions in South Dakota
Link to story in the Argus Leader:
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071222/NEWS/71222007/1001
Link to South Dakota DOT traffic cameras:
http://safetravelusa.com/sd/camera_images.html

9) Fare Game
It's a war of words, as Los Angeles’ DASH buses stop accepting Metro passes on January 1.
Link to story in Los Angeles Downtown News:
http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2007/12/24/news/news02.txt
Link to notice from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation:
http://www.ladottransit.com/whatsnew/121007_MTA.html

10) New Vehicle Technologies May Help Older Drivers
Link to story in Public Roads:
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/07nov/02.htm

11) A Tiny Brain for Your Tire
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/automobiles/23TIRE.html?ex=1356066000&en=106525c3927753f3&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

12) Calgary Area Speed Trap Map Offered Online
Link to story in the Calgary Herald:
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=47e07126-8489-432c-8b13-3f1284076590
Link to map: http://www.xyyc.ca/thewyre.php?wc=11 (free registration required)

13) BMW Launches Site that Welcomes Consumer Input
Site will also be linked to BMW Assist, an in-vehicle telematics and assistance program.
Link to story in Marketing Daily:
http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=73274
Link to news release from BMW of North America:
http://www.techweb.com/showPressRelease.jhtml?articleID=X662956


Upcoming Events
Asia Pacific Rail 2008 – March 11-13 – Bangkok, Thailand
http://www.terrapinn.com/2008/asiarail/


Today in Transportation History
2002 **5th anniversary** – The Delhi Metro opened.
http://www.delhimetrorail.com

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
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TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast

Friday, December 21, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Friday, December 21, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

1) Federal Lawsuit Filed Over Chicago’s Cell Phone Ban
Link to story and video in the Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-cellsuit_20dec20,1,1375208.story

2) Texas Toll Road Critics Denied Access to All Requested Documents
Link to AP story:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5396271.html

3) Transportation Security Administration’s Top Secret Security Center
Facility tracks every plane in the sky in an effort to keep travelers safe.
Link to story and video from ABC’s Good Morning America:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/LegalCenter/story?id=4035695&page=1

4) Massachusetts Turnpike Ponders How to Increase Life in the FastLane
Agency wants to boost use of electronic tolls.
Link to story in The MetroWest Daily News:
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/homepage/x282557239

5) Check Your Wait Times at Airport Security Lines Online
Link to story in The Journal News:
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071221/NEWS03/712210437/1019

6) Airlines Race to Provide In-Flight Internet Access
Link to Reuters story:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071221.wgtAirNet1221/BNStory/Technology/home/

7) Etiquette Questions Arise Over In-Flight Web Access
Link to AP story:
http://www.azcentral.com/business/consumer/articles/1220biz-airborneInternet.html

8) United Airlines Takes the iPod Skyward
Link to story in Wired:
http://blog.wired.com/cars/2007/12/united-airlines.html

9) Alaska Airlines Hopes Airport Gate Displays Lessen Delays
Link to story in the Portland Business Journal:
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2007/12/17/daily30.html
Link to news release from Alaska Airlines:
http://www.alaskasworld.com/newsroom/asnews/asfeatures/AS_20071219_135349.asp

10) Commuters Helping Commuters
New service tips rail riders to problems.
Link to story in Boston Now:
http://www.bostonnow.com/news/local/2007/12/19/commuters-helping-commuters
Link to Clever Commute: http://www.clevercommute.com/

11) Radio Traffic Alerts Improving in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, but May Not Catch Up with Technology
Link to column in The Morning Call:
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-warrior-dec2107,0,7867755.column

12) Signs May Lead to HOV Confusion on Texas Expressway
Link to story and video report on WFAA-TV:
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa071220_mo_hovlanes.3720976c.html

13) National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; Maintaining Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity – Federal Register Notice: December 21, 2007
Link to further information from the Federal Highway Administration:
http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=399

14) December Issue of Florida DOT’s SunGuide Disseminator Online
Link to newsletter:
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/trafficoperations/Newsletters/2007/12_2007/12_2007.htm


News Releases
1) Washington State DOT Report Reveals New Jobs, More People, Slightly Longer Commute in Puget Sound Region – Agency uses technology to reduce delays
2) Travel Web Sites Kayak.com and SideStep to Finalize Merger


Upcoming Events
Infrarail 2008 – March 11-13 – Birmingham, UK
http://www.infrarail.com/


Friday Bonus
An engineer’s perspective on Santa.
http://onthegomom.blogspot.com/2007/12/engineers-perspective-on-santa-funny.html


Today in Transportation History
1987 **20th anniversary** - The ferry Dona Paz sinks in the Tablas Strait after colliding with an oil tanker. It was the worst peacetime maritime disaster in history.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966394,00.html?iid=chix-sphere

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.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.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, December 20, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

1) Seattle Bus Tunnel Closed While Computer Glitch is Repaired
Link to story in The Seattle Times:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004083773_tunnel20m.html
Link to story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/344159_tunnel20.html

2) Air France Tests Cell Services in Europe
Link to AP story:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hupqSBBCtzqjCzzqKIMbMSpEXpjgD8TLBV981
Link to news release and video from Air France:
http://corporate.airfrance.com/index.php?id=alaune_detail&L=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1921&no_cache=1&tt_news[BackPid]=2

3) Mobile Phone Driving Jail Threat in England and Wales
Link to BBC News story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7153070.stm
Link to news release from the Crown Prosecution Service:
http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/180_07.html

4) Quebec Bans Cell Phone Use While Driving, Will Pilot Red-Light Cameras and Photo Radar
Link to UPI story:
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/12/20/quebec_legislates_snow_tires_no_phones/2844/

5) Inside Look at General Motor’s OnStar System
Link to story in InformationWeek:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=205100835

6) Rhode Island Map on a Tight Path
Funding shortfall forces state to sell ads to cover costs.
Link to story in The Providence Journal:
http://www.projo.com/news/content/BZ_STATE_MAP_12-20-07_EK88V2G_v199.194389c.html (may require free registration)

7) Solving the Spectrum Squeeze
Future of IT: We need new approaches and new technology to make the most of a finite resource.
Link to story in Government Computer News:
http://www.gcn.com/print/26_30/45576-1.html

8) Second Life as a Simulation Tool
Professor creates software to control a virtual rapid-transit system called SkyTran
Link to story in The Orange County Register:
http://www.ocregister.com/column/life-second-skytran-1944191-computer-virtual (may require free registration)

9) Mathematicians Develop Model to Solve Traffic Jam Mystery
Link to ANI story:
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/lifestyle/mathematicians-develop-model-to-solve-traffic-jam-mystery_1009552.html

10) Smart Elevators, Dumb People
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/smart-elevators-dumb-people/?hp (may require free registration)


News Releases
1) Houston TranStar Garners Statewide Service Award - Program Tells Travelers of Drive Times
2) Frost & Sullivan Award Underlines Microsoft’s Outstanding Innovations in Customer Service in the Automotive Sector
3) VICS Rejected as National Standard of China Real-Time Traffic Information Service


Job Posting
- Associate Administrator and Director, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center – US Department of Transportation – Cambridge, Massachusetts
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/ftva.asp?seeker=1&JobID=66567890


Upcoming Events
Road Expo Ireland & Civilex – March 5-6 – Dublin
http://www.road-expo.ie/


Today in Transportation History
1918 – The Canadian Cabinet passes an order creating the government-owned Canadian National Railways.
http://www.cn.ca/about/company_information/history/en_AboutHistory.shtml

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

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TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, December 18, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

1) Toyota and “Brain Game” Professor to Develop Cars for the Elderly
Link to AP story:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/18/business/AS-TEC-Japan-Toyota-Elderly-Cars.php

2) Are Driverless Pods the Future?
Link to BBC News story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7148731.stm

3) Booz Allen Weighs Splitting Operations
Link to story in The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/17/AR2007121701831.html (may require free registration)

4) Dash Unveils the First Internet-Connected GPS Device
Link to story on Yahoo Tech:
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/hughes/22053
Link to further information from Dash Navigation: http://www.dash.net/product.php

5) TomTom Says Map Customers’ Trade Secrets are Safe
Link to Reuters story:
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyID=2007-12-18T132503Z_01_L18708924_RTRUKOC_0_US-TOMTOM.xml&archived=False

6) Delhiites May Soon Get Traffic Alerts Via SMS
Link to story in The Economic Times:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Telecom/Delhiites_may_soon_get_traffic_alerts_via_SMS/articleshow/2630188.cms

7) Transport Information Group Formed
Blog will address news and information about transportation.
Link to Transport Information Group:
http://www.matthieudesiderio.com/

8) FHWA Publishes Final Rule on Temporary Traffic Control Devices
Link to notice in the Federal Register:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2007_register&docid=fr05de07-6


News Releases

1) Americans Weigh in on How to Make 'Wait at the Gate' Shorter and More Enjoyable
2) Cellint and Georgia DOT Accomplished a Breakthrough Milestone in the US for Cellular-Based Traffic Monitoring Solutions
3) Delcan’s Los Angeles Regional Traffic Management Center Project Receives CELSOC Engineering Excellence Award
4) Leading Automakers Express Support for Sirius-XM Merger
5) ARINC Wins $6 Million Technology & Support Contract to Continue Its Work at Montreal-Trudeau Airport
6) ARINC Managed Services Delivers Strategic Installation and Maintenance at Dubai International
7) ERTICO – ITS Europe on the Move
8) Avis Launches New Online Tool to Help Travelers Maximize Free Time on Business Trips
9) Houston's KHCW-TV Launches Free Mobile Phone Cam Service Enabling Drivers to Avoid Traffic Headaches


Upcoming Events
T3 Webinar: Approaches to Deploying 511 Systems: Implementers in California, Kansas, and Montana Describe Their 511 Systems – January 9
http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s080109_lessons.asp


Today in Transportation History
1620 – Passengers from the Mayflower came ashore at what would become Plymouth, Massachusetts.
http://www.plimoth.org/

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
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TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Monday, December 17, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

1) UK Road Pricing Scheme 'on Verge of Collapse'
Link to story in The Daily Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/17/nroads117.xml

2) Industry, Public See Digital Billboards Differently
Link to story in the Houston Chronicle:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5383412.html

3) New York MTA Rapid Response Plan for Elevators and Escalators
Agency plans to connect over 300 escalators and elevators to a computerized monitoring system.
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/17/nyregion/17elevators.html?ex=1355547600&en=c70eb52f112267e4&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

4) $2.1 Billion New York Statewide Emergency Radio Plan Flunks First Test
Link to story in The Journal News:
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071215/NEWS05/712150387/1021

5) Next Texas Evacuees Will Face Criminal Checks
Link to story in the Houston Chronicle:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5380868.html

6) Short-Range Radio Looks Set to Challenge Aviation Regulators
Link to story on Inflight Online:
http://www.shephard.co.uk/Inflight/Default.aspx?Action=-1000945703&ID=08b07ad8-b76a-405a-9b42-b1200624b1aa

7) Satnav to Put Lorry Drivers on Right Road in UK
Link to story in The Daily Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/17/nsatnav117.xml
Link to news release from Ordinance Survey:
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/media/news/2007/dec/haulagerouting.html

8) New Personal Rapid Transit System for Heathrow Airport
Link to BBC News story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7147588.stm

9) Growing Rebellion on the High Seas
Passengers reach out via cell phones and the Internet to protest cruise conditions.
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/business/16bug.html?ex=1355461200&en=757ce566ad284dc8&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

10) Smart Radios Step Into the Spotlight
Link to story in Signal Connections:
http://www.imakenews.com/signal/e_article000973574.cfm?x=bbNL9TD,b1PdM2cf

11) Britain's Parking Fines Pressure Shoppers
Surveillance cameras monitor cars as they enter private parking lots and log how long they stay. Fines are imposed for those staying too long.
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-12-16-britishparking_N.htm

12) Heathrow Airport Makes It Easier to Find Your Car
Cameras will monitor cars as they enter garage and then take more photos when they park to help returning travelers locate their vehicles.
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2007-12-16-airport-check-in_N.htm
Link to news release from BAA Heathrow:
http://www.baa.com/portal/page/LHR%5EAbout%20BAA%20Heathrow%5EMedia%20Centre%5ENews%20Releases%5EResults/ab5bbc885b936110VgnVCM10000036821c0a____/a22889d8759a0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____/

13) Firm Uses GPS to Help Truckers Prevent Rollovers
Device measures speed by satellite and automatically applies brakes if it senses danger of a rollover.
Link to story in The Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/12/17/firm_uses_gps_to_help_truckers_prevent_rollovers/

14) Jacksonville, Florida Traffic Management System Being Expanded
Traffic alerts, new cameras coming.
Link to story in the Jacksonville Business Journal:
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2007/12/17/daily2.html

15) Metro-North Railroad Urges Passengers to Watch Where They Step
Link to story in The Advocate:
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-gaps4dec15,0,6545541.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines

16) Putting Canada on the Map
Father of digitized mapping recounts how a stroke of luck led him to develop the world's first geographic information system.
Link to story in The Globe and Mail:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071217.wgtGIS1214/BNStory/PersonalTech/home
17) Keeping Pace with Rush Hour
A profile of Chicago traffic reporter, Abby Ryan.
Link to story in the Chicago Sun-Times:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/700511,CST-NWS-shotgun17.article

18) Fusing Data to Manage Traffic
Link to article in Eureka:
http://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/article/12473/Fusing-data-to-manage-traffic.aspx

19) Remote Sensing Technology for Automotive Safety
Link to article in Microwave Journal:
http://www.mwjournal.com/journal/article.asp?HH_ID=AR_5256 (free registration required)

20) December Issue of IEEE ITS Society Newsletter Online
Link to newsletter:
http://www.its.washington.edu/itsc/v9n4.pdf


News Releases

1) ITS Network Germany is Launched
2) Test Site Sweden Appointed as New Beta Integration Site for CVIS Project


Upcoming Events
APTA Marketing & Communications Workshop – February 24-27 – Orlando, Florida
http://www.apta.com/conferences_calendar/marketing/index.cfm


Today in Transportation History
1834 – The Dublin and Kingstown Railway opened in Ireland.
http://www.dalkeyhomepage.ie/dublinkingstownrailway.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

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Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Thursday, December 13, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

1) US Senator Eyes Air Traffic ‘Czar’
Link to story in the Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/12/13/2007-12-13_sen_schumer_eyes_air_traffic_czar.html

2) Taking Rail, Other Options Out on a Very Public Road
Massachusetts governor’s review of rail extension seeks local voices.
Link to story in The Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/12/13/taking_rail_other_options_out_on_a_very_public_road/ (may require free registration)

3) Republicans, ACLU Join to Oppose Plan for High-Tech Driver’s License in Arizona
Link to Capitol Media Services story:
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/216032

4) Edmonton Axes Bus Rapid Transit
Link to story in The Edmonton Journal:
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/story.html?id=2cb06782-bd89-4758-aada-e0d61e607cc1&k=32946

5) Missouri Command Center Will Hum as Highway 40 Closes
Link to story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/A9229B5F2CBDE7F0862573B00019FD36?OpenDocument

6) 11 Cell Towers to be Installed Along New York’s Adirondack Northway
Would provide coverage along highway where motorist died unable to call for help.
Link to AP story:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5372617.html

7) Billboards Create Digital Wanted Posters
Signs are also used to search for missing children and to warn the public during emergencies.
Link to AP story:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ii_9FOQqFqb4pYwaSBLjMIq2DjzAD8TGPFOG0

8) The Way You Drive is About to Change Dramatically, IBM Predicts
Link to story on ForbesAutos:
http://www.forbesautos.com/news/features/2007/ibm-five-in-five-future-car-trends.html

9) Utah Firm Wants to Go Where GPS Doesn’t
Link to AP story:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jYMuoLpzfwC-qMoRUXnOLUz-zkdwD8TGQCUO0
Link to S5 Wireless: http://www.s5w.com/

10) Driving Test? Not if Car has Sensors
Pennsylvania prohibits use of proximity sensors on vehicles used for driving tests.
Link to story in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_542541.html


News Releases

1) Tentative Program and Call for Papers Announced for 2008 TRB/IBTTA Joint Conference on Freeway and Tollway Operations
2) AirIQ Engages Paradigm Capital Inc. as Advisor
3) I-95 Corridor Coalition's Multi-State Vehicle Probe Data Collection Project is Under Way


Upcoming Events
APTA TransITech Conference – February 20-22- Anaheim, California
http://www.apta.com/conferences_calendar/trantech/index.cfm


Today in Transportation History
1577 **430th anniversary** - Francis Drake departs Plymouth, England to begin a round-the-world voyage.
http://www.mcn.org/2/oseeler/voy.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
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TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Wednesday, December 12, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

1) New Texas Program Allows State Signs for Victims of DWI
Link to AP story:
http://www.news8austin.com/content/headlines/?ArID=196496&SecID=2

2) Ireland M50 Electronic Toll Plan a ‘Rip-Off,’ Hearing is Told
Link to story in The Irish Times:
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/1212/breaking40.htm

3) ADS-B’s Impact on Business Aviation
Link to story in Aviation Week:
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/bca1107p1.xml&headline=ADS-B's%20Impact%20on%20Business%20Aviation&channel=busav

4) Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards Given
Link to list of award winners and additional information:
http://www.roadsafetyawards.com/national/list.aspx?year=2007


News Releases

1) Navteq Announces Approval of Merger Agreement with Nokia
2) User-Generated Content Will Bring Greater Depth to Digital Maps and Points of Interest
3) IntelliOne Awarded Scientific American 50 for TrafficAid
4) Microsoft Acquires One of Europe’s Top Online Map Services; Multimap
5) AT&T Offers Network Industry-First RFID and GPS-Based Solutions for K - 12 Education Segment
6) Navteq Map Expands Speed Limits and Launched Road Side Warnings Map Content Enables Improved Routing and New Navigation Features


Upcoming Events
South West Transit Association Annual Conference – February 17-19 – Fort Worth, Texas
http://www.swta.org/pages/seminar.html


Correction
Yesterday’s “Today in Transportation History” feature should have said:
1987 **20th anniversary** – The first line of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority opened.

Today in Transportation History
1925 – The world’s first motel opened. The Motel Inn is still located in San Luis Obispo, California.
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/1stmotel.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
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TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Tuesday, December 11, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

1) San Francisco Bay Ship Warning System Gets Reprieve from Governor
Link to story in The San Jose Mercury News:
http://www.mercurynews.com/localnewsheadlines/ci_7689749?nclick_check=1

2) Interoperable Road Charging Demonstrated in London
Link to story from ERTICO:
http://www.ertico.com/en/news_and_events/ertico_newsroom/project_news_interoperable_road_charging_demonstrated_in_london.htm

3) In-Flight Internet Too Tempting for Some
Link to AP story:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g4aOK0HuId1Q6oWOGzIM5h9Rtf_QD8TFDAMO0

4) Denver Airport Goes Fast and Free on Wi-Fi
Airport switches from paid to ad-supported wireless networking.
Link to IDG News Service story:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9052058

5) Common Aviation Safety Parlance Often Misconstrued: Experts
Link to Press Trust of India story:
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200712101521.htm

6) Clear Channel Radio’s Total Traffic Network Partners with Trumbull, Connecticut on Traffic Camera
Link to story in Radio & Records:
http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite/NewsStoryPage.aspx?ContentID=1uyQ6jqqvu4%3d&Version=0

7) VicRoads Pays to Sleep on It
Agency will pay for sleep research to study effects of shift work at traffic management center.
Link to story in the Herald Sun:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22909936-2862,00.html

8) You’ll Know Next Stop
Winnipeg Transit drivers to start announcing all stops.
Link to story in the Winnipeg Sun:
http://winnipegsun.com/News/Winnipeg/2007/12/11/4718308-sun.html

9) California's Earthquake Warning System Lags Those in Europe, JapanLink to story in the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/11/MN4OTRN8S.DTL

10) Flying the Friendlier Skies? Delta Offers Videos on Air Etiquette
Link to AP story:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2007-12-10-delta-etiqutte_N.htm
Link to Planeguage: http://blog.delta.com/category/planeguage/

11) Get Traffic and Weather Together at Weather Bonk
Link to story on AppScout:
http://www.appscout.com/2007/12/get_traffic_and_weather_togeth.php
Link to Weather Bonk: http://www.weatherbonk.com/


News Releases

1) National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse Offers New Video on Site Improvements
2) New Web Site Ready to Connect Aviation Enthusiasts
3) EU Study Concludes in Favor of Harmonized Testing for Intelligent Transport Systems
4) NXP, iBiquity Drive Multi-Standard Digital Terrestrial Radio in Cars


Upcoming Events
Safe Highways of the Future 2008 – February 12-14 – Brussels
http://www.safehighwaysofthefuture.com/


Today in Transportation History
1987 **20th anniversary** – The first line of the Santa Clarita Valley Transportation Authority opened.
http://www.vta.org/news/releases/2007/nov_2007/nr11-08_2007.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
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TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast

Monday, December 10, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Monday, December 10, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

1) Rocket (and Subway) Science
Washington Metro hopes upgrade will make for a smarter SmarTrip card.
Link to story in The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/08/AR2007120800737.html (free registration required)
Link to further information on SmarTrip: http://www.wmata.com/riding/smartrip.cfm

2) Sacramento Regional Transit Cameras Watching You
Devices posted at all 47 stations so riders can feel more secure.
Link to story in The Sacramento Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/552177.html (free registration required)
Link to news release from the Sacramento Regional Transit District:
http://iportal.sacrt.com/WebApps/PressReleases/PressReleases.asp?ShowPressID=280

3) Queensland Travel Smart Card Not Ready
Link to story in The Courier-Mail:
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22896654-952,00.html?from=mostpop
Link to statement from the Queensland Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations:
http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=55570

4) New York Area Airports are Behind on Technology
Link to story in The New York Sun:
http://www.nysun.com/article/67787

5) US Agency Tests Auto Crash Alert System
Link to UPI story:
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Science/2007/12/10/us_agency_tests_auto_crash_alert_system/8261/

6) A Starring Role for Drivers Who Drink
Arizona county attorney creates a Web site with mug shots of those convicted of drunken driving.
Link to story in The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/us/10drunk.html?ex=1354942800&en=3848204e1a67c01c&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
Link to Stop DUI AZ: http://www.stopduiaz.com

7) Keeping Traffic Rolling
Michigan DOT operates an intelligent transportation system for the Grand Rapids area.
Link to story in The Grand Rapids Press:
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2007/12/keeping_traffic_rolling.html
Link to Grand Rapids ITS: http://mdotwas1.mdot.state.mi.us/public/drive/grCameraMap.cfm

8) Are Cars Too Safe? Are User Manuals Necessary?
Design guru Don Norman argues for making autos less automated and for infusing gadgets with natural, easy-to-interpret feedback signals.
Link to story in BusinessWeek:
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/dec2007/id2007125_252237.htm?campaign_id=mag_Dec6&link_position=link30
Link to further information from Don Norman: http://www.jnd.org/dn.mss/the_design_of_future_1.html

9) Finding Your Way to Historic New Jersey
Tourist locations come together to develop uniform signage.
Link to column in The Star-Ledger:
http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2007/12/finding_your_way_to_historic_n.html
Link to additional information from Celebrate New Jersey: http://www.celebratenj.org/online_store_top.html

10) In the Future, Smart People Will Let Smart Cars Take Control
Link to story in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/04/science/04tier.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

11) Fuel-Efficiency Gauges Start Appearing in Non-Hybrids
Link to story in USA Today:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-12-09-fuel-gauges_N.htm?csp=N008
Link to photo of energy monitor in Toyota Prius: http://www.toyota.com/images/vehicles/2008/prius/gallery/interior/large/photo_3.jpg

12) Jacksonville Web Site Pushes Alternative to Bus Rapid Transit
Link to story in The Florida Times-Union:
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/120907/met_223793685.shtml
Link to Metro Jacksonville: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/

13) Car Gadgetry at Your Command
Link to column and video in The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/08/AR2007120800006.html (free registration required)

14) Connected Cars, Volkswagen Research
Link to story on Technology News Daily:
http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/8712

15) Japan to Start World’s First GPS Tsunami Monitoring System
Link to story from the Thai News Agency:
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=1721

16) Effective Use of Weigh-in-Motion Data: The Netherlands Case Study
Link to report from the Federal Highway Administration:
http://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl07028/


News Releases

1) Image Sensing Systems Purchases Assets of EIS and Announces Expanded Strategy
2) Increased Info on South Africa Road Safety
3) Project News: SIMBA India National Event, November 21-22, 2007
4) Mississippi DOT Extends MSTraffic Web Site to Mobile Users
5) Harris Team Completes Weather and Radar Processor System Transition to FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure Network


Upcoming Events
American Bus Association Marketplace – February 2-7 – Virginia Beach, Virginia
http://aba.teameventmanagement.com/2008/


Today in Transportation History
1970 – Lee Iacocca is named president of the Ford Motor Company.
http://www.iacocca.com/my-life/index.aspx

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
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TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast

Friday, December 7, 2007

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Friday, December 7, 2007 -- ISSN 1529-1057

1) Civil Rights Lawsuit Claims New York City Police Harasses Photographers
Graduate student says he was handcuffed and questioned while photographing subway stations.
Link to AP story:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--publicpictures1207dec06,0,5178694.story
Link to news release from the New York Civil Liberties Union:
http://www.nyclu.org/node/1525

2) Air Traffic-Like Controls Won’t Work for Vessels on San Francisco Bay
Link to commentary in the San Francisco Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/07/ED4GTPTG6.DTL

3) Federal Government OKs Arizona Plan for High-Tech Driver’s Licenses
Licenses will have radio-identification chip that could be used in lieu of a passport at the US-Mexican border.
Link to story in The Arizona Republic:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1207license1207.html
Link to memorandum of agreement:
http://azgovernor.gov/dms/upload/NR_120607_3-in-1%20ID%20DHS%20MOA.pdf

4) Pennsylvania Township Passes Ordinance Requiring Emergency Alerts on Electronic Billboards
Upper Macungie will require electronic billboard operators to display messages when notified by the Pennsylvania Emergency Alert System.
Link to story in The Morning Call:
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b3-5umacungie.6174368dec07,0,7230825.story

5) New Software to Tackle Traffic Woes in Vietnam
Link to Vietnam News Agency story:
http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=03ECO071207

6) Troopers Team Up for Ads
State police in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts hope to curb drunken driving over the holidays.
Link to story in the Hartford Courant:
http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ctcspdrunk1207.artdec07,0,3611583.story
Link to news release from the Connecticut State Police:
http://www.ct.gov/dps/cwp/view.asp?Q=400288&A=11

7) ITIS Buys Traffic Info Partner, Trafficlink
Link to story on ShareCast:
http://www.sharecast.com/cgi-bin/sharecast/story.cgi?story_id=1790552

8) Airsage: ‘We are a Competitor to Inrix and Navteq/Traffic.com’
Link to story and video interview in GPS Business News:
http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/index.php?action=article&numero=542

9) Wayfinding Scheme Launched in London
Link to story in Design Week:
http://www.designweek.co.uk/Articles/136789/Wayfinding+scheme+launched+in+London.html
Link to Legible London: http://www.legiblelondon.info

10) NASA Develops Super-Accurate Nav System for Scientific Plane
Link to story from Aviation Technology:
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/071206-nasa-super-accurate-navigation-uavsar.html

11) Las Vegas PBS Station Prepares for Emergencies
KLVX will datacast information to laptops of first responders.
Link to story in TV Technology:
http://www.tvtechnology.com/pages/s.0082/t.9888.html


News Releases

1) Real-Time Traffic Information Will Become a Key Feature for Navigation


Upcoming Events
Asia Pacific Low Cost Airline Congress 2008 – January 22-24 - Singapore
http://www.terrapinn.com/2008/lca/


Friday Bonus
And you thought model trains could get out of hand.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/bedroom-747/man-builds-30000-jumbo-jet-simulator-in-his-bedroom-312735.php


Today in Transportation History
1972 **35th anniversary** - Apollo 17 is launched.
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo17info.html

December 9 – 1907 **100th anniversary** – The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners is created, marking the official start of the Port of Los Angeles.
http://www.portoflosangeles.org/about_history.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe send an e-mail to: TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com
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TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.
© 2007 Bernie Wagenblast