Good Policing? Or Power Trip? – Parkersburg, WV cop arrests man for asking a question during traffic stop

April 28, 2011 at 11:34 pm

(Source: Youtube via Reddit)

The video’s owner had this comment: “My brother was pulled over by Officer Board. When he came back to the car I asked him “can I ask you a question” he says “sure”. Officer Board arrested me asking a question that he said I could.”

Whatever be the case it is, the cop seems to be overreacting and escalated a situation that did not need all that level of “enforcement.”   I’d not be surprised if his momentary lack of good judgment costs his job and ends up costing the local government/policy agency a ton of money if this victim goes to court.

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – April 27, 2011

April 28, 2011 at 2:26 pm

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) Can Technology Fix the FAA’s Air Traffic Troubles?

Link to story and video on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/04/26/nextgen.gps.solutions/

CAMERAS

2) Dutch Cops Using TomTom Data to Position Speed Cams

Link to article on TechRadar:

http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/satnav/dutch-cops-using-tomtom-data-to-position-speed-cams-948770

OTHER

3) Shipping Group to Set Electronic Payment Standards

Link to article in The Journal of Commerce:

http://www.joc.com/technology/shipping-group-set-electronic-payment-standards

4) New ITS-JPO-Funded Report Addresses Technology and Collaboration in Transportation Policy

Link to report from the University of Minnesota:

http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/pdfdownload.pl?id=1514

ROADWAYS

5) Should Maine be ‘Open for Billboards?’

Link to article in the Bangor Daily News:

http://goo.gl/iRwWs

TELEMATICS

6) Britain’s Autotxt Develops More Telematics Solution with Deutsche Telekom

Link to article on automotiveIT International:

http://www.automotiveit.com/britains-autotxt-develops-more-telematics-solution-with-deutsche-telekom/news/id-002535

Link to news release:

http://www.autotxt.com/news/autotxt-and-deutsche-telekom-collaborate-in-m2m-telematics-solutions-for-vehicle-manufacturers.aspx

 

TRANSIT

 

7) Delhi Government May Turn to Pod Cars to Boost Public Transport

Link to Express News Service article:

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/govt-may-turn-to-pod-cars-to-boost-public-transport/781954/

8) Long Beach (California) Transit Offering Live Bus Tracking by Phone

Link to article in the Long Beach Post:

http://www.lbpost.com/news/allison/11521

9) Technology Lets Buses Bypass Congestion

Link to article in Research E-News:

http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchENews/2011/04/index.html#technology

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) Apple Using Location Data to Prep Traffic Service

Link to article in The Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/27/apple-location-tracking-traffic-service_n_854279.html

Link to additional information from Apple:

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/04/27location_qa.html

11) Traffic Cameras Keep an Eye on Appleton, Wisconsin Roads

Link to article in The Post-Crescent:

http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110427/APC0101/104270509/If-Appleton-drivers-feel-they-re-being-watched-they-re-right

12) Great Falls, Montana Drops Traffic Alerts from Notification System

Link to story on KRTV-TV:

http://www.krtv.com/news/great-falls-scales-back-scope-of-notification-system/

Link to news release from the City of Great Falls:

http://www.greatfallsmt.net/public_notice/prs/pr20110427NixleChanges.php

VEHICLES

13) SAE, IEEE Partner on Vehicle-to-Smart-Grid Tech

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20057825-54.html

14) A Ride in the Car of the Future

Link to article in PC Magazine:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2384358,00.asp

WAYFINDING

15) Santa Cruz, California City Council Seeks Bids on Design of $1.4 Million Sign Project

Link to article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel:

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_17937882

16) Critics Blast Signs of Excess

City of Boston and two agencies spend $1 million for wayfinding signs.

Link to article in the Boston Herald:

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2011_0426hub_critics_blast_signs_of_excess_city_agencies_dole_out_1m_for_placards/srvc=home&position=0

News Releases

1) eSafety Awards 2011 Nominations: Fifth Edition of the eSafety Awards

2) Ole Miss Center for Traveler Information Announces Advisory Board Members

Upcoming Events

Symposium on Mileage-Based User Fees – June 13-14 – Breckenridge, Colorado

http://utcm.tamu.edu/mbuf/index.stm

Today in Transportation History

1521 **490th anniversary** Explorer Ferdinand Magellan is killed in the Philippines.

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/magellan.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Pimp my ride – Riding topless, police in Fairfax, VA make peers around the country jealous

April 28, 2011 at 2:20 pm

(Source: Reddit)

Found this gem contributed by fellow Redditor beer_OMG_beer.  Who knew some police departments/officers had it this good. A nice BMW 3-series convertible with an awesome license plate to boot.   I can see this a nice recruitment tool if the Fairfax police ever run short of a few men for the force.

Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – April 26, 2011

April 28, 2011 at 1:57 pm

Tuesday, April 26, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


Register Today for IBTTA’s Interoperability and All-Electronic Toll Collection Workshop ― May 15-17, Plano, TX

Register today for IBTTA’s Interoperability and All-Electronic Toll Collection Workshop, the fifth in a series of workshops focused on violations enforcement, open road tolling, all-electronic toll collection (AETC), and interoperability. Held in concert with this Workshop, IBTTA will offer a live webcast of the general session “Tolling Technology: Initiatives and Impacts” on Monday, May 16 at 8:30am (Central Time). Visit www.IBTTA.org/PLANO to view the brochure, register, and learn about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. To view IBTTA’s entire 2011 Education Series, click here.

AVIATION

1) Airlines Turn to Twitter to Ease Passengers’ Frustrations

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2011-04-25-airlines-twitter.htm

2) Dissecting NextGen: a Look Inside the FAA’s NIEC

Link to article in Flight International:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/04/26/355844/dissecting-nextgen-a-look-inside-the-faas-niec.html

3) Webcams Keep Eye on Arlington, Washington Airport for Fun, Safety

Link to article in The Daily Herald:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110426/NEWS01/704269901/-1/headlines

CAMERAS

4) Victoria Shares Red Light Camera Records with the Public

Link to article on FutureGov:

http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/2011/apr/26/victoria-shares-red-light-camera-records-public/

MARITIME

5) Passengers Want Technology as Well as Cabaret on Cruise Ships

Link to article on Tnooz:

http://www.tnooz.com/2011/04/25/gadgets/passengers-want-technology-as-well-as-cabaret-on-cruise-ships

Link to news release from CruiseCompare.co.uk:

http://www.cruisecompare.co.uk/cruise-news/2011/04/3114/Three-quarters-of-cruisers-go-online-onboard/

OTHER

6) Legislature: Tennessee DOT May Advertise on HELP Trucks, 511

Link to article in the Knoxville News Sentinel:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/apr/26/legislature-tdot-may-advertise/

7) Apple and Google Use Phone Data to Map the World

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/26/technology/26locate.html?src=busln

8) Radials Blog Presents Views Urban and Transportation Planning

Link to blog:

http://radialsblog.com/

PARKING

9) Where to Park? Parking in Motion has the Answer

Link to article on The Next Web:

http://thenextweb.com/apps/2011/04/25/where-to-park-parking-in-motion-has-the-answer/

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

10) New York MTA’s New Marketing Campaign Promotes Communication Efforts

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/whats-new-at-the-m-t-a-higher-prices/?partner=rss&emc=rss

ROADWAYS

11) Russian Driver Arrested for Deliberately Crashing Into Vehicles and Posting Videos on YouTube

Link to story and video on Russia Today:

http://rt.com/news/road-vigilante-caught-reckless/

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) National Maritime Security Training Center Opens at Port of Los Angeles

Link to article in the Daily Breeze:

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_17924318

TELEMATICS

13) At New York Auto Show, Telematics are No Longer a Sideshow

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/at-new-york-auto-show-telematics-are-no-longer-a-sideshow/

TRANSIT

14) University of Vermont Student Government Association Votes Not to Fund Bus Schedule Text Updates

Link to article in The Vermont Cynic:

http://www.vermontcynic.com/news/sga-will-not-fund-blirpit-1.2551952

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Travel Developers Find a Nook as Barnes & Noble Opens App Store

Link to article on Tnooz:

http://www.tnooz.com/2011/04/26/mobile/travel-developers-find-a-nook-as-barnes-noble-opens-app-store/

Link to news release from Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/press_releases/2011_april_25_1_2_apps_developer.html

16) Five Rs for Optimizing Digital Transportation Signage

Link to article in Mass Transit:

http://o.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2011/04/15/5-r%25E2%2580%2599s-for-optimizing-digital-transportation-signage/

17) Michigan Governor Needs to Pull the Plug on Electronic Message Signs

Link to editorial in the Midland Daily News:

http://www.ourmidland.com/opinion/editorials/article_a6415484-6f57-11e0-8ce9-001cc4c002e0.html

VEHICLES

18) KnowDigital Finds that ‘The Future is Now’ for In-Car Streaming Radio

Link to article on All Access:

http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/90539/knowdigital-finds-that-the-future-is-now-for-in-ca

Link to additional information from knowDigital:

http://goo.gl/Yuqth

News Releases

1) TransCore Deploys Arterial Traveler Information System for Utah Department of Transportation’s I-15 Reconstruction

2) American Airlines Becomes First Airline to Have an App for Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color

3) US Transportation Secretary LaHood:  North Dakota Becomes 31st State to Ban Texting While Driving

Upcoming Events

Telematics Detroit – June 8-9 – Novi, Michigan

http://www.telematicsupdate.com/detroit/

Today in Transportation History

1956 **55th anniversary** The SS Ideal-X, the first US container ship, began its maiden voyage from Newark, New Jersey to Houston, Texas.

http://www.mgar.net/sealand2.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – April 25, 2011

April 28, 2011 at 1:42 pm

Monday, April 25, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


Are you making a difference?  Open Roads Consulting, Inc. is a privately held American technology firm where we value entrepreneur, team building and creativity in our people.  Together we are on the cutting edge of marketing new technologies specializing in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions for our clients.   We are currently seeking senior-level technical project managers to facilitate our national growth plan.  Our project managers are strong independent thinkers that are responsible for business development and project management of ITS solutions, providing industry setting service for our clients.  If you are looking for a challenging career where you can make a difference with the up and coming industry leader, please visit our website for the complete job description at:  http://www.openroadsconsulting.com/projman0609.html Confidential resumes and salary history should be sent to hr@openroadsconsulting.com.  EOE/AA/M/F/V/D.

BICYCLES

1) Illinois to Start Tracking Bicycle ‘Dooring’ Collisions

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-04-24/news/ct-met-bike-dooring-accidents-0425-20110424_1_dooring-idot-traffic-accident

2) Online Coupon Aids in DC Bikeshare’s Dramatic Ascent

Link to blog on Transportation Nation:

http://transportationnation.org/2011/04/22/online-coupon-aides-in-d-c-bikeshares-dramatic-ascent/

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

3) Illinois Tollway to Allow Online Dispute of Violations

Link to article in The Beacon-News:

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/5013337-418/tollway-to-allow-online-dispute-of-violations.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Personal Safety GPS Device Presents Security Risk

Link to article on CNET:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20056540-245.html

5) US Government Radio Navigation Plan Relies on GPS, with No Backup

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110422_3383.php

OTHER

6) Q&A with Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment

She discusses how The Netherlands will help India in the area of ITS.

Link to interview in the Business Standard:

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/qa-melanie-schultz-van-haegen-netherlands/433301/

PARKING

7) San Francisco Officials Warn to Keep Eyes on Road, Not New Parking App

Link to article in The Examiner:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/04/san-francisco-officials-warn-keep-eyes-road-not-new-parking-app

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

8) Traffic Safety Convoy to Raise Awareness on Road Accidents in Oman

Link to article in the Khaleej Times:

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=&section=middleeast&xfile=data/middleeast/2011/April/middleeast_April506.xml

RAILROADS

9) Travelers Using Technology Find that Trains Beat Planes

Link to Tribune Newspapers column:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-04-19/travel/sc-trav-0419-business-class-20110419_1_travelers-investment-in-high-speed-rail-visual-technology

ROADWAYS

10) Londoners See the Sign

Some of the UK’s new road signs are “sloppily-designed.”

Link to commentary in Auto Racing Daily:

http://www.autoracingdaily.com/news/general-interest/londoners-see-the-sign/

11) Texas Transportation Institute Helps Spread the Word About New National Retroreflectivity Standards

Link to article in Texas Transportation Researcher:

http://tti.tamu.edu/publications/researcher/newsletter.htm?vol=47&issue=1&article=5&year=2011

12) Thinking Highways (Europe/RoW) – March/April 2011 Issue

Link to magazine:

http://thinkinghighways.com/Pages/View-issue.aspx?id=8bc6945e-863e-444a-b2df-45a53f0d2c2f

13) Thinking Highways (North America) – March/April 2011 Issue

Link to magazine:

http://thinkinghighways.com/Pages/View-issue.aspx?id=e3b8e560-5c07-4d07-85af-60a31ca36134

SAFETY / SECURITY

14) FEMA’s Operating Systems Don’t Communicate Effectively, Despite Major IT Investments

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110422_5122.php

TRANSIT

15) NJ Transit Worker Fired for Burning Quran Will Get Job Back

Link to article in The Star-Ledger:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/nj_transit_employee_fired_for.html

16) Web-Based Telematics Move Beyond Dispensing Data

Link to article in Metro:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/Article/Story/2011/04/Web-Based-Telematics-Move-Beyond-Dispensing-Data.aspx

17) Improving the Transportation Experience with Transit Apps

Link to story on Marketplace:

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/04/22/mm-improving-the-transportation-experience-with-transit-apps/

18) Berkshire Regional Transit Authority Rides Into the Future

BRTA is adding ITS technology.

Link to article in the Berkshire Eagle:

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_17912780

19) On Eve of Tragedy Anniversary, TriMet Launches ‘Safety Dashboard’

Link to blog in The Oregonian:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2011/04/on_eve_of_tragedy_trimet_launc.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

20) Wichita, Kansas Roads Get Intelligent Traffic Monitors

Link to story and video on KAKE-TV

http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/Wichita_Roads_Get_Intelligent_Traffic_Monitors_120573524.html

VEHICLES

21) Hidden Peril; Cameras Could Save Hundreds of Children from Backover Accidents

Link to article in the Daily Herald:

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110425/news/799998325/

22) Software Takes on More Tasks in Today’s Cars

Link to blog in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/04/the-growing-role-of-software-in-our-cars/

23) Gas Apps to the Rescue

Link to blog on The Car Connection:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1058884_gas-apps-to-the-rescue

News Releases

1) OnStar Chooses Winning App in Developer Challenge

Job Postings

–  Public Affairs Specialist – Research and Innovative Technology Administration – Washington, DC

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=98734801

Solicitation

–  Request for Bids – Change Xenon Changeable Message Signs To LED – California Department of Transportation

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/weekly_ads/project.php?q=04-2E1704

Upcoming Events

MIT Summer Course:  Discrete Choice Analysis – June 6-10

http://web.mit.edu/professional/short-programs/courses/discrete_choice_analysis.html

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50th anniversary** The first patent is issued for an integrated circuit.

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

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – April 22, 2011

April 28, 2011 at 1:34 pm

Friday, April 22, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


Are you making a difference?  Open Roads Consulting, Inc. is a privately held American technology firm where we value entrepreneur, team building and creativity in our people.  Together we are on the cutting edge of marketing new technologies specializing in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions for our clients.   We are currently seeking senior-level technical project managers to facilitate our national growth plan.  Our project managers are strong independent thinkers that are responsible for business development and project management of ITS solutions, providing industry setting service for our clients.  If you are looking for a challenging career where you can make a difference with the up and coming industry leader, please visit our website for the complete job description at http://www.openroadsconsulting.com/projman0609.html Confidential resumes and salary history should be sent to hr@openroadsconsulting.com.  EOE/AA/M/F/V/D.

AVIATION

1) US DOT Issues Vulnerability Report on the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System

Link to article on AvStop.Com:

http://avstop.com/April_2011/dot_issues_vulnerability_report_on_the_faa_s_atc_system.htm

2) Delta Enables Customers to Track Checked Bags

Link to article in Travel Weekly:

http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Delta-enables-customers-to-track-checked-bags/

Link to video report from WSJ.com:

http://goo.gl/pbYm7

CAMERAS

3) Business Owner Casts Reasonable Doubt on Accuracy of Speed Cameras

Link to article in The Washington Times:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/apr/20/business-owner-casts-reasonable-doubt-on-accuracy-/

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Why Your Trusty GPS Sometimes Fails You

Link to story on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/04/22/travel.gps.troubles/

5) Location-Based Services in Korea Get Support from the Government

Link to article on The Next Web Asia:

http://thenextweb.com/asia/2011/04/22/location-based-services-in-korea-gets-support-from-the-government/

Link to article on ZDNet Korea:

http://www.zdnet.co.kr/news/news_view.asp?artice_id=20110421121659 (in Korean)

OTHER

6) Apple, Google Collect User Location Data

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703983704576277101723453610.html

7) Ireland’s National Roads Authority Fails to See Humor in Radio Ad

Link to article in the Irish Independent:

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/authority-fails-to-see-funny-side-of-the-road-2625882.html

PARKING

8) Phone App, Website Aid Search for Parking in San Francisco

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/21/BAJ21J5IN0.DTL

Link to news release from the San Francisco Mayor’s Office:

http://sfmayor.org/index.aspx?page=356

9) DC Rolls Out Pay-by-Phone Parking Meter System

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc_rolls_out_pay_by_phone_parking_meter_system/2011/04/20/AFg9pSEE_story.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

10) Transportation Agencies Don’t Want to Share Fatal Accident Data

Link to commentary in the Opelika-Auburn News:

http://www2.oanow.com/news/2011/apr/22/mcadory-something-else-government-doesnt-want-you–ar-1750302/

TELEMATICS

11) Telematics Makes Inroads in China’s Car Market

Link to article in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/23ffa86e-6cf9-11e0-83fe-00144feab49a.html

Friday Bonus

How to beat a traffic jam – Russian style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Gsom9ErFuSE

Upcoming Events

ITS Canada Annual Conference and General Meeting – June 12-15 – Vancouver, British Columbia

http://www.itscanada.ca/vancouver2011/

Today in Transportation History

1898 The US Navy began a blockade of Cuba.

http://spanishamericanwar.info/cuba.htm#blockade

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – April 21, 2011

April 21, 2011 at 5:13 pm

Thursday, April 21, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Register Today for IBTTA’s Interoperability and All-Electronic Toll Collection Workshop ― May 15-17, Plano, TX

Register today for IBTTA’s Interoperability and All-Electronic Toll Collection Workshop, the fifth in a series of workshops focused on violations enforcement, open road tolling, all-electronic toll collection (AETC), and interoperability. Held in concert with this Workshop, IBTTA will offer a live webcast of the general session “Tolling Technology: Initiatives and Impacts” on Monday, May 16 at 8:30am (Central Time).  Visitwww.IBTTA.org/PLANO to view the brochure, register, and learn about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. To view IBTTA’s entire 2011 Education Series, click here.

AVIATION

1) Recent Air Controller Incidents No Sign of Crisis, Experts Say

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2011-04-20-air-traffic-control-incidents.htm

2) E-coupons Save Money at Atlanta Airport

Link to article on Cheapflights.com:

http://news.cheapflights.com/2011/04/e-coupons-save-money-at-atlanta-airport/

3) Understanding Apps versus Mobile Web for Airlines and Airports

Link to article on Tnooz:

http://www.tnooz.com/2011/04/21/mobile/understanding-apps-versus-mobile-web-for-airlines-and-airports

GPS / NAVIGATION

4) Russia’s New Smartphone Lays Down Challenge for GPS

Link to BBC News story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13104363

OTHER

5) Religious Conventions: Tending Big Flocks

Transportation issues need to be addressed when large gatherings come to smaller cites.

Link to article in Small Market Meetings:

http://www.smallmarketmeetings.com/Article.aspx?id=440

6) GEWI Newsletter – March/April 2011 (Europe)

Link to newsletter:

http://www.gewi.com/index.htm?Page=News/Newsletters/21

PARKING

7) Putting the PR in Parking

Link to commentary in Parking Today:

http://www.parkingtoday.com/s_article.php?id=290

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

8) New Terror-Alert System Announced; Colored Warnings Scrapped

Link to article and video in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2011-04-20-government-terror-alerts-warnings.htm

Link to news release from the US Department of Homeland Security:

http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1303296515462.shtm

9) Airport Screeners Need Runoff Vote to Choose Union

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j4-jw3wztjH_X0FZGgo7SuFkbIzg?docId=a70c33e32d3f4843a767decf9e3769fc

TELEMATICS

10) Qualcomm: ‘Telematics is the New Roadmap for Insurance Companies’

Link to interview in Telematics Update:

http://goo.gl/FCKds

11) With Train on Backing Vocals, Ford Sings the Body Telematic

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/with-train-on-backing-vocals-ford-sings-the-body-telematic/

12) Leasing Companies Not ‘Grasping’ Telematics

Link to article in BusinessCar:

http://www.businesscar.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=7259&c=2&theme=0

13) New York Auto Show Demo: Mercedes’ mbrace Telematics

Link to blog in Motor Trend:

http://blogs.motortrend.com/new-york-show-demo-mercedes-mbrace-telematics-14389.html

TRANSIT

14) Apps for Massachusetts Commuter Rail Info on Track to Arrive Next Month

Link to article in the Boston Herald:

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2011_0421apps_for_commuter_rail_info_on_track_to_arrive_next_month/

15) A Different Mindset Drives the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority

Link to article in Mass Transit:

http://www.masstransitmag.com/article/10226163/a-different-mindset-drives-rgrta

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

16) Improving Traffic Signal Timing Based on Approaching Speed and Density

Link to article in ITS Institute Update:

http://www.its.umn.edu/News/2011/03/28/signal-timing/

VEHICLES

17) Can Fuel Economy Displays Promote Safe and Fuel-Efficient Driving?

Link to article in ITS Institute Update:

http://www.its.umn.edu/News/2011/04/07/can-fuel-economy-displays-promote-safe-and-fuel-efficient-driving/

News Releases

1) Deadline Extended to June 30th for 2011 National Safety Awards

Upcoming Events

8th ITS European Congress – June 6-9 – Lyon, France

http://2011.itsineurope.com/

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50th anniversary** Maj. Robert White set a speed record of 3,074 mph in the X-15’s first full-throttle flight.

http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum38/HTML/001137.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – April 20, 2011

April 20, 2011 at 5:14 pm

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


 

Register now for the 18th World Congress on ITS, October 16-20th, 2011 in Orlando, Florida

The 18th World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems  and ITS America’s Annual Meeting is this year’s “must attend” event for advanced transportation technologies, featuring:

-over 250 sessions with industry experts and world renowned speakers;

-a broad range of technical tours featuring Florida’s state-of-the-art ITS facilities;

-more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit hall space housing the latest technology products, services, and solutions;

-an action-packed schedule of special events hosted in sunny and beautiful Orlando;

-and more than 25 live, interactive tech demonstrations in the Technology Showcase- the most dynamic way to experience the World Congress!

Register early to reserve your spot for technical tours and special events- space is limited! Visit the World Congress website at www.itsworldcongress.org.

 
AVIATION

 

1) US Orders Airlines to State Fees More Clearly

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/business/20air.html

Link to news release from US DOT:

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2011/dot5111.html

 

BICYCLES

 

2) AARP Pushing Legislation to Reduce Pedestrian, Bicyclist Fatalities in Alabama Cities

Call for new signage, lane striping and other steps.

Link to article in The Huntsville Times:

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/04/aarp_pushing_legislation_to_re.html

 

CAMERAS

 

3) Traffic Cameras Have Drivers Seeing Red

Link to video on NBC’s Today Show:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/42586630#42586630

 

GPS / NAVIGATION

 

4) First Came iPhone’s Thunder, Now GPS Makers Ride the Lightning

Link to article in Fast Company:

http://www.fastcompany.com/1748748/faced-with-the-iphone-gps-makers-ride-the-tigers-tail

 

OTHER

 

5) ACLU: Michigan State Police Using Cellphone ‘Extraction’ Device

Link to story and video on WDIV-TV:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/27564088/detail.html

Link to news release from the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan:

http://www.aclumich.org/issues/privacy-and-technology/2011-04/1542

 

6) States Address English-Only Driver’s License Testing

Link to article in Lane Line:

http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2011/Apr11/041811/041911-05.shtml

 

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

 

7) Federal Report on South Carolina State Transportation Center Withheld

Link to article in The Post and Courier:

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/apr/19/federal-report-on-sc-state-withheld/

Make Public South Carolina State Probe

Link to editorial in The Post and Courier:

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/apr/20/make-public-sc-state-probe/

 

8) Sound Transit Hopes to Teach Students About Public Transportation

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014817962_soundtransit20m.html

 

RAILROADS

 

9) Positive Train Control: Onboard PTC Technology

Link to article in Progressive Railroading:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/pr/article.asp?id=26261

 

ROADWAYS

 

10) Lower Merion, Pennsylvania Can Keep Its Historic Street Signs

Link to article in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://articles.philly.com/2011-04-19/news/29447402_1_street-signs-new-signs-cast-iron-signs

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

11) Traffic Crawling? Time to Get Some Work Done

Link to McClatchy Newspapers article:

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/19/2810254/traffic-crawling-time-to-get-some.html

 

TELEMATICS

 

12) Three-in-Four UK Drivers Willing to Try Telematics to Save on Insurance

Link to article in Post:

http://www.postonline.co.uk/post/news/2044972/-drivers-willing-try-telematics

 

TRANSIT

 

13) Commuter Connect: New Initiative from MBTA

Link to story and video on WFXT-TV:

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/morning/commuter-connect-new-initiative-from-mbta-20110419

 

14) Cincinnati Metro Looking for Feedback on Google Transit

Link to blog in the Business Courier:

http://wwwnew.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2011/04/metro-looking-for-feedback-on-google.html

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

15) Moscow to Upgrade ITS and Build Traffic Management Center

Link to article in The Moscow Times:

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/sitronics-gets-220m-to-fight-traffic/435465.html

 

VEHICLES

 

16) Indie Truckers: Keep Big Brother Out of My Cab

Link to story and audio on NPR’s Morning Edition:

http://www.npr.org/2011/04/20/135507979/indie-truckers-keep-big-brother-out-of-my-cab

 

17) Buick to Launch IntelliLink on 2012 Models

Link to article in AutoWeek:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110419/CARNEWS/110419834

 

18) New Technology Could Change Transportation Funding

Link to article in The Topeka Capital-Journal:

http://cjonline.com/news/2011-04-19/new-technology-could-change-transportation-funding

 

 

News Releases

1) Coalition of Business, Highway, Transit and Environmental Leaders Urge Congress to Support Smart Technologies in Transportation Reauthorization Bill

2) NTSB Opening Investigation Into Air Traffic Control Incident Involving Aircraft Carrying Michelle Obama

3) Kapsch TrafficCom IVHS and Federal Signal Corporation Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Cooperation in the ITS Markets for North America

 

 

Upcoming Events

2011 IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium – June 5-9 – Baden-Baden, Germany

http://www.mrt.uni-karlsruhe.de/iv2011/index.php

Today in Transportation History

1961 **50th anniversary** The first untethered flight of a rocket pack was made by Harold Graham in Niagara Falls, New York.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgLvu4y-AZg

 

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

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

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

 

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

Job Alert: Transit Safety and Security Specialist @ USDOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration – Oklahoma City, OK

April 20, 2011 at 4:05 pm

The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) seeks two Transit Safety and Security Specialist’s (Instructor) to join the Transit Safety and Security Division at the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI).  RITA coordinates the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing rigorous analysis and the deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve our Nation’s transportation system.  The Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) provides premier worldwide training, products and/or services for people in the public and private sectors through innovative, state-of-the-art methods and technologies that contribute to the protection of life, property, and the environment.  The Transportation Safety Institute training center is located in Oklahoma City, OK at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC), a Federal Aviation Administration training and materials facility.  Visit www.tsi.dot.gov to learn more.  The position is located in Oklahoma City, OK.

As a Transit Safety and Security Specialist (Instructor), you will develop training programs, instruct, manage and facilitate classes, perform evaluations, and conduct seminars and symposiums.  Programs include all facets of safety and security work with complex bus and light rail transit systems.

To succeed in this position you must have experience developing, implementing, and/or performing complex assignments in support of transit safety and security projects, programs, and plans, and ensuring compliance with safety oversight regulations.  You must have experience in developing, modifying, and instructing training course content and materials.  You must also have superb organizational, communication and presentation skills.  Payment of relocation expenses may be authorized.  Ability to obtain and retain a travel credit card is required.

This announcement is open to the general public and under merit promotion for current or former Federal employees and people eligible under special hiring authorities. Please note that merit promotion announcements are the vehicle through which Federal employees generally apply for Federal positions.

Click here for the Merit Promotion Announcement

Click here for the Public Announcement

Just when thought you have seen everything on the road.. this one showed up!

April 20, 2011 at 11:06 am

(Source: Reddit & theCHIVE)

A note, shared by fellow Redditor – jnnorris,  about this awesome roadside capture says the incident took place in Apalachin, NY! The vehicle was spotted driving down the road where the speed limit is 65….. NYS Trooper stopped! and someone has also made available the dash cam shot on theChive.  Long live the interwebs for bringing such gems to us.

awesome-randoms-17

Image Courtesy: theCHIVE.com

 

Image Courtesy: Reddit.com