Tuesday, June 28, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Countdown to IBTTA Transportation Finance and Policy Summit – July 17-19, 2011 in Baltimore, MD – Hotel Deadline Extended to July 1^st

Hosted by the Maryland Transportation Authority, this Summit will feature interactive sessions covering the full range of issues affecting transportation finance, policy and funding from the action of central banks and congressional reauthorization to regulations affecting TIFIA and other credit assistance programs. Featured speakers include Ray Sheppach, Professor of Practice of Public Policy, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia and Senior Fellow for Economic Policy, Miller Center of Public Affairs; Beverley Swaim-Staley, Secretary, Maryland DOT; and Jack Basso, Director of Program Finance and Management, AASHTO and Commissioner of the Maryland Transportation Authority. This meeting will include a technical tour of the new Intercounty Connector, ceremony recognizing Mary Turkington, Kansas Turnpike Authority Chairman, as an IBTTA Honorary Member, and an evening event at Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Orioles vs. Red Sox). Registration deadline is July 9^th. Visit www.IBTTA.org/BALTIMORE to register and learn about sponsorship opportunities. To view IBTTA’s entire 2011 Education Series, click here.

AVIATION

1) FAA Outlines Paths to In-Flight iPad Operations

Link to article in Aviation International News:

http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/faa-outlines-paths-to-in-flight-ipad-operations-30444/

2) FAA Keeps Tower Markings ‘Voluntary’

Link to article on AVweb:

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAAKeepsTowerMarkingsVoluntary_204883-1.html

3) Twitter is Handy Tool for Airline Passengers

Link to story on CNN:

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-27/travel/airlines.twitter.service_1_social-media-airline-jetblue

4) Why Airlines Should Think More Like Apple

Link to commentary on Tnooz:

http://www.tnooz.com/2011/06/28/news/cloud

CAMERAS

5) Red-Light Camera Backlash. Are They Causing Accidents?

Link to story and video ABC’s World News Tonight:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/red-light-camera-backlash-cameras-causing-accidents/story?id=13925887

6) Novel Testing Device Boosts Traffic Surveillance

Link to article in VTT Impulse:

http://goo.gl/RrZ0o (page 64)

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

7) Is the E-ZPass Box a Trojan Horse for Privacy Invasions?

Link to article on AOL Autos:

http://autos.aol.com/article/e-zpass-privacy-invasion/

PEDESTRIANS

8) New York City DOT Reveals New Street Signs for Disoriented Tourists and Locals

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/06/28/2011-06-28_lost_in_concrete_jungle_dot_seeks_better_street_signs_for_disoriented_tourists__.html

Link to news release from NYC DOT:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pr2011/pr11_54.shtml

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

9) National Group Wants Public to Lobby for Better, Safer Transportation

Link to story and audio report on West Virginia Public Broadcasting:

http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=20760

RAILROADS

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

Link to newsletter:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/rail/interoperability/ertms/doc/022_signal_2011_06_en.pdf

SAFETY / SECURITY

11) Evacuation Plans Age as Population Near Nuclear Plants Soars

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2011-06-27-nuclear-population-nukes_n.htm

12) An Intelligent Watchful Eye On Us All

New camera surveillance technology helps capture potential terrorists.

Link to article in VTT Impulse:

http://goo.gl/RrZ0o (page 42)

TELEMATICS

13) Staying Connected on the Go

Thailand could use new technology to make commuting more productive.

Link to article in The Nation:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/06/28/technology/Staying-Connected-on-the-Go-30158910.html

14) Eyes on the Road

Telematic features provide information but can be distracting.

Link to article in Gambit:

http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/eyes-on-the-road/Content?oid=1825764

VEHICLES

15) Georgia’s ‘In God We Trust’ License Plate Causes Ruckus

Link to article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle:

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2011/06/gas-in-god-we-trust-license-plate.html

WEATHER

16) Weather Service Explores New Ways to Communicate Weather Risk

Link to article in USA Today:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2011/06/communicating-weather-risk-national-weather-service-hurricane-warnings/1

News Releases

1) ITS America Assumes Leadership Role in International Committee for ITS Standards

2) Toyota Announces National Expansion of Safety Program for African American and Hispanic Families

3) Traveller Information Services Association and EasyWay Sign MOU at the European ITS Congress

4) Continental Support the TISA and EasyWay Cooperation with In-Vehicle Devices

Upcoming Events

Transportation & Infrastructure Summit and Global High-Speed Rail Forum – August 9-12 – Irving, Texas

http://www.transportationsummit.com/

Today in Transportation History

1886 **125^th anniversary** The Pacific Express, the first transcontinental train of the Canadian Pacific Railway, departed for its first journey from Montreal to Port Moody.

http://trains-worldexpresses.com/100/121.htm

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© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net