Friday, April 16, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood to Host Surface Transportation Reauthorization Meeting during ITS America Annual Meeting & Expo in Houston

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has decided to convene a U.S. DOT Surface Transportation Reauthorization Outreach Meeting to solicit the views of key stakeholders on ways to improve the delivery of surface transportation programs.  The meeting is scheduled from 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, immediately following ITS America’s Closing Plenary featuring keynote presentations by Secretary LaHood and Sam Palmisano, Chairman and CEO of IBM.  It is part of a series of sessions across the country designed to bring together Federal, state and local officials, as well as transportation providers, users, and other stakeholders, to discuss the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization. Another great reason to come to Houston for ITS America’s 20th Annual Meeting and Exposition!

AVIATION

1) FAA, IBM Set Sights on Real-Time Network Security

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2010/04/19/update1-ibm-faa-real-time-security.aspx

RAILROADS

2) Local Officials Say They’re in the Dark on Dangerous Freight Rail Traffic

Link to article from The Center for Public Integrity:

http://www.publicintegrity.org/data_mine/entry/2037/

3) Latest Issue of Signal Newsletter of the European Rail Traffic Management System

Link to newsletter:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/interoperability/ertms/doc/017_signal_2010_04_en.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

4) Traffic Safety Data: State Data System Quality Varies and Limited Resources and Coordination Can Inhibit Further Progress

Link to report from the US Government Accountability Office:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10454.pdf

TRANSIT

5) Toronto Mayor Uses Subway PA to Fight for Transit City

Link to article in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/795683–miller-uses-subway-pa-to-fight-for-transit-city

6) Miami-Dade Transit to Remove ‘Offensive’ Islamic Bus Ads

Link to article in The Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/16/1581903/miami-dade-transit-says-it-will.html

VEHICLES

7) Ford to Unveil Navigation Device Aimed at Conserving Fuel

Link to article and video in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/04/15/ford-to-unveil-navigation-device-aimed-at-conserving-fuel/

News Releases

1) IBM Helps City of Stockholm Predict Better Commuting Options

2) Norfolk Southern Goes Social: The Thoroughbred is on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr

3) April 20 Abstract Submission Deadline for Transportation and Development Institute Congress on Integrated Transportation and Development

4) Travelers Marketing is Recognized as the Boston Region’s 11^th Fastest Growing Company

Upcoming Events

ITS Massachusetts Annual Meeting – April 29 – Boston

http://www.itsmassachusetts.org/downloads/2010PrelimaryProgram.pdf

Friday Bonus

Mysterious street signs

http://www.comcast.net/video/mysterious-street-signs/1466225130/Comcast/1464368180/

Today in Transportation History

1935 **75^th anniversary** The first Pan American Airways flight from the continental US to Hawaii left Alameda, California.

http://www.hawaii-post.com/2005-17APR.html

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© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net