Wednesday, December 9, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

IRF announces its Third Latin American Regional Congress to be held September 20-23, 2010 in Bogotá, Colombia. The themes of the congress will consist of five parallel tracks September 20-21 (road safety, pavement performance, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), tunnels and financing within a Latin American context).  Finally, the congress will include technical training workshops with themes of regional and local interest September 22-23.  For a topic to be considered for inclusion in the program, please submit a summary by following the link below no later than March 26, 2010.

For more information, visit our website: http://www.irfnews.org/news-events/event-detail/third-latin-american-regional-congress/ (English) or http://irfnews.org/que-es-la-irf/tercer-congreso-latinoamerican-en-bogota-colombia (Spanish) or contact Nelson Bunn, IRFs Director of Latin American Programs, at +1 703 535 1001 or by email atnbunn@irfnews.org.

ROADWAYS

1) Designs for Maryland Intercounty Connector Signs are Scaled Back

Roadway neighbors object to lighted overhead signs.

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/08/AR2009120803595.html

2) Wind Sensors Keep New York MTA Bridge and Tunnel Customers Safe

Link to article in The Queens Gazette:

http://www.qgazette.com/news/2009-12-09/Features/Wind_Sensors_Keep_MTA_Bridge__Tunnel_Customers_Saf.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

3) TSA Puts Five Employees on Leave Over Online Posting

Link to CBS News story:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/09/travel/main5954486.shtml

TRANSIT

4) Maryland Transit Administration Delays Smart Cards but Takes Plastic

Link to column in The Baltimore Sun:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2009/12/mta_delays_smart_cards_but_tak.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

5) SUNA Wants the Green Light for Easing Traffic, and the Sooner the Better

Link to commentary on Current:

http://www.current.com.au/2009/12/09/article/IWDSSXVTJC.html

6) ITS Strategic Research Plan 2010-2014 Approved

Link to further information from US DOT:

http://www.its.dot.gov/strat_plan/index.htm

7) New Publications from US DOT

–  Road Weather Management Performance Metrics: Implementation and Assessment

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=595

–  Incorporating Weather Impacts in Traffic Estimation and Prediction Systems

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=596

News Releases

1) TrafficLand Launches Live Traffic Video Application on Bing Maps

2) FAA to Expand Public Access to Airport Delay Information

Upcoming Events

XIII International Winter Road Congress – February 8-11 – Québec

http://www.aipcrquebec2010.org/index.php?lang=english

Today in Transportation History

1944 **65^th anniversary** – Great Britain eases blackout restrictions.

http://www.homesweethomefront.co.uk/web_pages/hshf_blackout_pg.htm

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© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net