Monday, November 29, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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November Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone who has helped support the TCN during my November fundraising drive!  As I mentioned at the beginning of the month, this is part of a twice-a-year fundraising effort for the TCN.  In case you missed my previous notes, you can contribute to the TCN with a check or via PayPal.  For those who prefer, I can even send you an invoice.

Information on how to contribute is included at the bottom of today’s edition.  In addition to financial support, there are other ways you can help the TCN.  You can tell others about the TCN and let them know they can subscribe by sending me a note.  You can also buy an ad or use my transportation voice-over services.  More information on my voice-over work can be found atwww.bwcommunications.net.  Please let me know if you have any questions and again, thank you.

AVIATION

1) Laser-Driven System Replaces Ground Personnel Who Directed Pilots Into Gates

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-1128-docking-guidance-20101128,0,1380803.story

2) World-Class Air Traffic Management System for Oman

Link to article in the Oman Daily Observer:

http://main.omanobserver.om/node/31460

3) How Intelligent Flight Paths Can Reduce Delays, Noise, Carbon Emissions

Link to blog on SmartPlanet:

http://www.smartplanet.com/people/blog/pure-genius/how-intelligent-flight-paths-can-reduce-delays-noise-carbon-emissions/5033/

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Google Maps Faces July 2010 Deadline on China Regulations

Link to IDG News Service article:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9198218/Google_Maps_faces_July_2011_deadline_on_China_regulations

5) Does GPS Spell the End to Maps?

While technology is having an impact on the art of map-reading, it’s not charting the end for cartography.

Link to article in the Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/110497584.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

6) Mandatory Use of In-Car Devices for Tolls is Questioned in Taiwan

Link to article in the Taipei Times:

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/11/30/2003489790

MARITIME

7) Florida Goes After Abandoned Boats

Database will track derelict and abandoned vessels.

Link to article in The Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/29/1947751/state-goes-after-abandoned-boats.html

Link to news release from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

http://www.myfwc.com/NEWSROOM/10/statewide/News_10_X_AtRiskVessels.htm

RAILROADS

8) Russian Railways and Italian Firm to Work to Modernize Technology on Rail System

Link to article in The Moscow Times:

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/railways-to-modernize-with-15bln-euros-of-italian-help/425147.html

Link to news release from Russian Railways:

http://eng.rzd.ru/isvp/public/rzdeng?STRUCTURE_ID=15&layer_id=4839&refererLayerId=4530&id=105597

ROADWAYS

9) READ THIS: Local Governments in US Told to Buy New Street Signs

Link to story and video on ABC’s Good Morning America:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/local-governments-told-buy-street-signs/story?id=12256322

Link to news release from US DOT:

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/fhwa6410.html

Additional information from Snopes.com:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/traffic/mixedcase.asp

10) Utah DOT Hits Social Media with Weather Updates

Link to article in the Standard-Examiner:

http://www.standard.net/topics/social-media/2010/11/26/udot-hits-social-media-weather-updates

11) Electronic Sign Fight Pits Safety Against Scenery in South Carolina

Link to McClatchy Newspapers article:

http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/11/29/1839354/electronic-sign-fight-pits-safety.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) Wyoming Makes Changes in Collection of Crash Data Information

Link to article in the Star-Tribune:

http://trib.com/news/local/article_984a96fe-0d1a-5c55-bf02-25f11154928a.html

13) US Navy’s Trident Nuclear Warheads Hit the Highway, Bound for Texas

Trucks are tracked 24/7 by satellite but information on shipments not shared with civilian authorities.

Link to article in the Kitsup Sun:

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/nov/27/tridents-warheads-on-the-road-to-refurbishment/

14) A Media False Alarm Over the TSA

Link to column in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/business/media/29carr.html

15) Vision Zero International – January 2011 Issue Online

Link to magazine:

http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/vision_zero.php

TRANSIT

16) Persistent Track Sensor Woes Continue to Plague DC Metro

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://washingtonexaminer.com/transportation/2009/07/persistent-sensor-woes-continue-plague-metro

17) Minnesota Transit Union Challenges New Policy on Cell Phones

Link to article in the Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/local/110897394.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUycaEacyU

18) Denver’s Upcoming Cannabis Convention Advertises on RTD Buses

Link to article in The Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_16725508

19) Indian Buses to be Equipped with GPS

Link to article in Daily News & Analysis:

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_multi-axle-volvo-launched-soon-to-get-gps_1473204

20) Viaduct Sensors Help Chicago Transit Authority Bridge Budget Gap

Link to column in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/traffic/ct-met-getting-around-1115-20101128,0,4637767.column

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

21) Many Traffic Cams Up and Running on I-95 Through Florida’s Treasure Coast

Link to article in The Tribune:

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/nov/26/many-traffic-cams-up-and-running-on-i-95-through/

22) Travel-Time Information Proposed for M5 Widening in Sydney

Link to article in the Bay Post:

http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/news/national/national/general/traveltime-information-proposed-for-m5-widening/2010403.aspx

23) California Highway Patrol, California DOT to Share Inland Empire Transportation Management Center

Link to article in The Sun:

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_16723281

VEHICLES

24) Best Android Apps for Your Car

Link to article on CNET UK:

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/cartech/best-android-apps-for-your-car-50001788/

News Releases

1) Frederick, Maryland Makes Local Traffic Reports Available via Cable Channel, Live Web Streaming

2) Amtrak California Web Site Has New Look

3) Applications Sought for 2011 National Roadway Safety Awards

4) Delta to Add Inflight Wi-Fi to 223 Delta Connection Jets

5) New Cell Phone Texting Feature Means University of Utah Students Won’t Miss the Bus

6) New Service Helps University of Iowa Bus Riders Get Real-Time Route Information via Mobile Devices

7) Rumbles on the Reservation DVD Now Available

TCN Donations

Checks or money orders may be mailed to:

Bernie Wagenblast

1 Aberdeen CT

Cranford, NJ USA 07016-2911

You may also donate online via PayPal at:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10069680

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Inrix XD Traffic – December 15

http://goo.gl/B2VTh

Today in Transportation History

1910 **100^th anniversary** The first US patent for a traffic signal system was issued to Ernest E. Sirrine.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=8-VKAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&source=gbs_overview_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

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© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net