U.S.DOT Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter – Winter/Spring 2012

June 27, 2012 at 11:12 am

Prepared by the Office of Planning, Environment and Realty @ Federal Highway Administration
www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/climate_change/

Recent Events and Reports

FHWA‘s Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Pilots Completed. Five areas have completed vulnerability and risk assessments of their transportation infrastructure under FHWA’s pilot program to implement a draft framework for climate change vulnerability and risk assessment. Each area took a different approach and contributed significantly to the understanding of potential climate change impacts on their transportation assets, and to the body of knowledge of the transportation community as a whole. FHWA will use the experiences of the pilots to update the draft framework. A very brief description of each pilot:

  • WSDOT assessed the infrastructure it owns, including roads, rail, ferry facilities, and airports. They held workshops around the State, presenting information on climate projections and asking maintenance engineers and other employees with intimate familiarity with the assets, “What keeps you up at night?” to help identify current vulnerabilities that may be exacerbated in the future.
  • A New Jersey project was led by NJTPA and was supported by an interagency partnership, including the three New Jersey MPOs, NJDOT, NJ Transit, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, and the NJ State Climatologist. The pilot closely followed the three steps of the Conceptual Risk Assessment Model in its analysis of the New Jersey Turnpike/I-95 corridor and the New Jersey Coast.
  • The Oahu MPO used an interagency, multidisciplinary two-day workshop to facilitate a climate change dialog and identify five key vulnerable assets for further study. The five assets were then assessed in more detail.
  • The University of Virginia developed a priority setting tool to assess how consideration of climate change and other factors may affect project prioritization in a transportation plan. They used the Hampton Roads region as a case study.
  • MTC, in partnership with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission and others, led a study of a portion of the Bay, stretching from the Oakland Bay Bridge to the San Mateo Bridge (Alameda County). This study was focused on sea level rise. The project team developed asset risk profiles for a representative list of assets within the study area, including exposure to sea level rise, sensitivity to sea level rise (based on level of use, age, seismic retrofit status, maintenance cost, and liquefaction susceptibility).

For more information see FHWA’s pilots website which includes links to the individual pilot web pages where most of the final reports are posted. Also see recordings of two webinars on the pilots to hear about the projects directly from the project leads:

  • In FHWA Pilots Webinar I, Becky Lupes from FHWA gives an overview of the vulnerability and risk assessment framework, Jeff Perlman from NJTPA presents the results of the New Jersey study, and Carol Lee Roalkvam from WSDOT gives an overview of the WSDOT study.
  • In FHWA Pilots Webinar II, after Becky Lupes gives a very short introduction, Brenda Dix from MTC gives an overview of the San Francisco Bay study, Jim Lambert from the University of Virginia gives an overview of the Virginia Study, and Randolph Sykes from the Oahu MPO gives an overview of the Oahu study.

FHWA Releases GHG Strategy Analysis Tool. The Energy and Emissions Reduction Policy Analysis Tool (EERPAT) was developed to assist state transportation agencies with analyzing greenhouse gas reduction scenarios and alternatives. The Tool allows agencies to quickly assess policy interactions in hundreds of scenarios. The Tool uses GreenSTEP, developed by the Oregon State DOT, as its foundation, and is expected to have regular enhancements. FHWA will be conducting pilots of the tool in early 2012. DOTs interested in participating in the pilots should contact Diane Turchetta at 202-493-0158 or diane.turchetta@dot.gov.

FHWA’s Conditions and Performance Report Includes Chapter on Climate Change Adaptation. FHWA’s bi-annual “Report to Congress” for the first time includes a chapter on climate change adaptation. The chapter includes information on projected climate change impacts to highway transportation, steps for assessing adaptation needs, discussion of adaptation options, barriers to implementation of adaptation measures, and some current adaptation activities underway by USDOT, and state and local transportation agencies.

FHWA Newsletter Highlights use of ROW for Renewable Electricity Generation. The December issue of FHWA’s Success in Stewardship Newsletter, “Utilizing the Highway Right-of-Way to Generate Renewable Energy,” highlights DOT efforts in Oregon, Ohio, Massachusetts, and North Carolina to use highway rights-of-way for solar, wind, and biofuel generation.

FAA Issues NEPA GHG Guidance. On January 12, the Federal Aviation Administration issued interim guidance on considering greenhouse gas emissions in NEPA studies. The guidance calls for including an estimate of CO2 equivalent emissions if conducting an analysis of other air emissions or if computing and reporting on fuel burn in the NEPA document.

EPA Issues Draft Guidance on Using MOVES for Estimating State and Local On-Road GHG Emissions. The draft EPA guidance, “Using MOVES for Estimating State and Local Inventories of On-Road Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Consumption,” explains how to use the MOVES model to estimate greenhouse gas emissions from on road vehicles to create state or local inventories, or to estimate total energy consumption from the on-road sector. This document is posted on a new web pagethat also hosts other recent EPA publications about estimating emission reductions of both greenhouse gases and criteria pollutants from transportation efficiency strategies.

Army Corps of Engineers Issues Sea Level Rise Guidance. USACE’s “Engineering Circular 1165-2-212” provides guidance for accounting for projected future sea level rise across the project life-cycle for all Army Corps Civil Works activities. According to the Circular, local sea level rise is required to be considered in all Corps coastal activities. The circular includes some broad guidelines on how to develop and consider this information in alternatives selection for a project (pp.1-4), and also includes several appendices. One appendix is designed to help project sponsors estimate future trends in local sea level rise relevant to a specific project, while a second provides a decision-support flowchart for developing ranges of projected local sea level rise.

Report Identifies Climate Information and Assistance Needs. “Climate Adaptation & Transportation: Identifying Information and Assistance Needs” summarizes presentations and discussions from a NOAA workshop to investigate the transportation community’s needs for assistance from the climate science community, identifying the major findings and recommendations for addressing them. Workshop discussion focused on ways the climate science community can help meet transportation organizations’ needs for data, decision support tools, technical assistance, and other activities.  Attendees included representatives from the transportation and climate science fields in government, academia, consulting, and the nonprofit communities. The Center for Clean Air Policy and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute led this study with funding from NOAA.

State and Local News

Florida Report Looks at Assessing Sea Level Rise on Transportation Infrastructure. A new report sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Development of a Methodology for the Assessment of Sea Level Rise Impacts on Florida’s Transportation Modes and Infrastructure,” provides recommendations on how to assess the impacts of Sea Level Rise (SLR) on transportation infrastructure in Florida. Researchers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) reviewed existing SLR forecasts, undertook an extensive inventory of the transportation network along the Florida coastline, and developed a methodology for identifying and assessing potentially vulnerable transportation infrastructure. The researchers applied this methodology and developed case studies for three locations in the state. The report provides recommendations to FDOT on building the impact of SLR into their planning, project development, and construction processes.

WSDOT Issues Updated Climate Change Guidance. WSDOT has issued updated guidance on considering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change effects in project evaluations. The guidance calls for no GHG, qualitative GHG, or quantitative GHG analysis based on the class of environmental review, and provides a recommended quantitative approach for the analysis and sample language. It also addresses how climate change effects could be considered by asking project teams to ask and answer the question: “how will my project be affected by climate change?” and provides the steps and resources to do this.

Washington State Issues Framework for Addressing Climate Change Challenges. In recognition of a projected $10 billion in costs from climate change by the end of the decade, Washington State has released an “Integrated Climate Change Response Strategy” that is intended to provide a broad framework for decision-makers to use in their day-to-day work to ensure that consideration of climate change impacts is given a high priority. The strategy, “Preparing for a Changing Climate: Washington State’s Integrated Climate Response Strategy,” was completed by the Department of Ecology in collaboration with other state agencies and released April 3. It lays out a variety of threats ranging from the risks posed by a projected spike in diseases found in warmer climates such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia to increased flooding brought on by more frequent extreme weather events.

The response plan suggests adaptive strategies such as public education to meet disease threats and floodplain restoration, with the goal of increasing water storage capacity to fend off floods. The report calls for reducing risk of damage to buildings, transportation systems, and other infrastructure by:

  • Identifying vulnerable areas and taking proactive steps to reduce risks to infrastructure;
  • avoiding climate risks when siting new infrastructure and planning for growth; and
  • enhancing capacity to prepare for more frequent and severe flooding, rising sea levels, wildfires, and changes in energy supply and demand.

The report noted WSDOT’s recent efforts to conduct a qualitative assessment and initial screening of state-owned transportation infrastructure vulnerable to climate impacts as part of FHWA’s pilot program. The results of that assessment will be used to help prepare for future conditions and incorporate climate information into decision-making.

New York State Creates Electric Vehicle Voucher Incentive Program – The FHWA New York Division approved $10 million of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds for the initial year of a statewide project entitled the “New York State Electric Vehicle Voucher Incentive Program.”  This program is intended to help the private companies, public entities, and non-profit entities operating vehicles within New York State to purchase new electric-battery powered medium and heavy-duty (Class 3-8) trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more.  MPOs in all air quality nonattainment/maintenance areas of the State are being given the opportunity to endorse the statewide project on their Transportation Improvement Programs. If an MPO chooses not to endorse it, dealers in their area will not be eligible to participate.  It is estimated that this incentive program will provide vouchers for at least 450 vehicles in the first year, reducing greenhouse gases by an estimated 11,700 tons and saving about 1 million gallons of diesel fuel. This project was the result of cooperative discussions between the New York Division’s Planning, Environment, and Right of Way Section, the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and the New York City Department of Transportation. More information is available in a press releasefrom Governor Cuomo.

New York State Releases Climate Change Adaptation Report. In an effort to provide state decision makers with information on the state’s vulnerability to climate change and to assist in the development of adaptation strategies, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) produced “ClimAID: the Integrated Assessment for Effective Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in New York State.” The report contains a chapter on transportation infrastructure in the state, including a comprehensive description of the sector, the relevant climate hazards, and resulting vulnerabilities. The transportation chapter also outlines key adaptation strategies and important equity and environmental justice considerations.

Oregon’s TIGER III Electric Vehicle Charging Corridor Project Gets Major Boost. The Electric Vehicle Charging Corridor Connectivity Network Project in Oregon has been awarded an additional $1.34 million in TIGER III funding. The current project, originally funded with $2 million in TIGER II funding will install 22 DC fast charging stations at major destinations outside of Oregon’s metropolitan areas.  The project is anticipated to begin installation in April 2012, and be completed by December 2012. The additional TIGER III funding will allow expansion of the DC fast charging stations network as envisioned in the State’s original proposal.

NJTPA Hosts International Discussion on Climate Change Adaptation. On March 28, 2012, The North Jersey Transportation Authority (NJTPA) hosted the Symposium – Adapting to Climate Change: an International Discussion. As part of a tour of US transportation agencies, researchers from the Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories (FEHRL) met with officials from NJTPA, NJ Transit, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Rutgers University, and others to exchange information on infrastructure resiliency and climate change adaptation activities. More information, including presentations and video recordings of the proceedings, is available on the NJTPA website.

Announcements

FHWA and AMPO Webinar on Climate Change Planning for MPOs: Effective Implementation of Traffic Operations and Management. June 26, 2012, 2:00-3:30 Eastern time. How are MPOs building on existing transportation management and operations programs to meet climate change needs? For GHG reductions? For better emergency response to extreme weather (climate) events? This webinar is free and open to all, however registration is required. This is the last in a series of six webinars on climate change sponsored by FHWA and AMPO.

Portland State University Transportation Seminar Series Explores Modeling and Climate Change – For the Spring of 2012, Portland State University’s Center for Transportation Studies Seminar Series, traditionally covering a breadth of current transportation topics, will instead focus on the single theme of transportation modeling, specifically taking a policy oriented approach and examining climate change impacts. Speakers for the series of 8 to 10 seminars will include both public and private sector transportation professionals. The series is free and open to the public. Webcasts of each seminar will be available live and archived; see www.cts.pdx.edu/seminars/ for topics and scheduling details.

If you have any suggestions for inclusion in future issues of Transportation and Climate Change News, or if someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you’d like to receive it directly in the future, please send your suggestions or request to Becky Lupes at Rebecca.Lupes@dot.gov or Heather Holsinger at Heather.Holsinger@dot.gov.

Enhanced by Zemanta

USDOT Transportation and Climate Change Newsletter – Late Summer/Fall 2011

November 16, 2011 at 4:37 pm

Prepared by the Office of Planning, Environment and Realty,  Federal Highway Administration

www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/climate/

To view PDF files, you need the Acrobat® Reader®.

Recent Events and Reports

NHTSA and EPA Issue NOI for Model Year 2017-2025 Vehicle Fuel Economy, GHG Emissions. In an August 9 Federal Register notice (html), NHTSA and EPA issued a supplemental notice of intent to develop fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards for model year 2017-2025 light-duty vehicles, with an ultimate fuel economy standard of 54.5 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks by model year 2025.

FHWA and Volpe Center Release Guide on Incorporating Climate Change Considerations into Scenario Planning, Results of a Cape Cod Pilot Project. A Framework for Considering Climate Change in Transportation and Land Use Scenario Planning: Final Report is a product of the Interagency Transportation, Land Use, and Climate Change Cape Cod Pilot Project a multi-agency project that took place between early 2010 and mid-2011. The Pilot Project provided a transportation and land use development scenario for Cape Cod, Massachusetts, focused on reducing future greenhouse gas emissions and considering the potential impacts of sea-level rise on the region. This scenario was derived from a process of data collection, scenario development by a consultant and regional and local government during a workshop, and scenario assessment. The outcomes of this scenario planning process will inform and support the region’s long-range transportation planning and other related efforts, as well as the planning efforts of local, state, and federal agencies. The report/guidebook gives an overview of the process used and includes lessons learned that could inform future similar efforts. The pilot project was jointly funded by FHWA, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

First installment of Gulf Coast Study, Phase 2 completed. U.S. DOT recently posted the first of several interim deliverables for the project. Task 1: Assessing Infrastructure for Criticality in Mobile, AL examines transportation infrastructure to assess and identify the parts of the transportation system deemed most important to the Mobile area. Analyses were conducted to rank assets based on an analysis of operational, socio-economic and health and safety characteristics for each transportation mode. The information in this interim report and the next one on climate change projections (Task 2) will be used to assess the vulnerability of critical links and assets (Task 3).

Electric Vehicles Study Underway, Interim Products Released. FHWA, AASHTO and the Pew Center for Climate Change have undertaken a research project to accelerate the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles by defining an action plan for integrating these vehicles with the U.S. electrical grid nationwide. Three white papers will be developed as a result of the project including:

  • State of Play: identifies and explains (1) challenges for the nationwide development of the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market, (2) public policies in place to support PEV deployment, (3) PEV market forecasts, and (4) current PEV deployment (Completed)
  • Literature Review: summarizes (1) key externalities that PEVs might address; (2) issues related to PEVs, the electric power system, and the vehicle market; and (3) public policy options. (Completed)
  • Action Plan: will propose a set of recommendations for integrating plug-in electric vehicles with the U.S. electrical grid nationwide. The plan will address the respective roles of the various government and private sector players, lay out a timeline for critical steps, and describe an adaptive strategy that takes into account lessons learned. (In Progress)

More information on the project can be found on the Pew PEV Website.

FTA Releases Report on Climate Change Impacts to Transit. Flooded Bus Barns and Buckled Rails: Public Transportation and Climate Change Adaptation is an excellent report that includes a discussion of anticipated climate change impacts on U.S. transit; synthesizes existing vulnerability assessment, risk management and adaptation planning tools with application to public transit agencies; describes strategies for adapting transit assets and operations to climate change impacts; and links adaptation strategies to transit agency organizational structures and activities. Detailed case studies focus on climate adaptation activities by the New York State MTA; the Los Angeles County MTA; Mobile, Alabama’s Wave Transit (part of US DOT’s Gulf Coast Study); and Transport for London.

GAO Releases Report on Federal Climate Change Funding. The GAO’s new report – Climate Change: Improvements Needed to Clarify National Priorities and Better Align Them with Federal Funding Decisions – provides information on climate change funding levels and how climate change activities are organized across the Federal government. The report concludes that two key factors complicate efforts to align climate change related expenditures with climate change strategic priorities: 1) a lack of a shared understanding of these priorities, in part due to inconsistent messaging across policy forums and documents, and 2) the existing mechanisms for aligning priorities and funding are non-binding, and at times conflict with agency responsibilities and priorities. The GAO recommends the establishment of clear federal climate change priorities, including relevant agency roles and responsibilities, and a reassessment of the current practices for defining and reporting federal climate change funding.

TRB Releases E-Circular on Adapting Transportation Infrastructure for Climate Change. Adapting Transportation to the Impacts of Climate Change: State of the Practice 2011, includes ten articles on climate change adaptation issues and activities in the transportation sector.

Report Details Recommendations and Methods for Inventorying GHG Emissions from State DOT Operations. While much focus on State DOT GHG emissions has been on tailpipe emissions from vehicles operating on state roads and highways, this NCHRP 25-25 Task 65 Report, Synthesis of Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory Methodologies for State Transportation Departments, focuses on the emissions resulting from state DOTs’ own operations.

DOT Headquarters Building Achieves LEED Gold Standard.DOT’s headquarters building has achieved a gold designation for the category “Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Certification.” The building is owned by The JBG Companies. Several highlights of the project are:

  • JBG earned an Energy Star rating of 93 during the performance period. (This was the second year the Energy Star designation was awarded)
  • Water fixtures were retrofitted resulting in a $64, 000 reduction in water expenditures, a 25% reduction over the prior year.
  • The recycling plan was enhanced, resulting in 50% of all waste being diverted from the landfill by recycling. This also included a 100% recycling of mercury containing lamps and batteries.
  • The cleaning contractor, Busy Bee, implemented a comprehensive Green Cleaning Program. This includes over 90% of the cleaning products meeting the independent sustainability criteria, such as Green Seal.
  • The US DOT purchased 100% of its electricity from green renewable sources.
  • The maintenance staff made modifications to the Building Automation System in order to exceed the ASHRAE 62.1-2007 standards for ventilation. In addition, high efficiency MERV 14 filters were installed to reduce airborne particulate for an improved Indoor Air Quality program.

The highlights above are some of the 37 separate credits addressed across all LEED subject areas.

State and Local News

New Initiative Promotes “Smart” Transportation at State DOTs. The State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI) is a new working group of state DOT executives interested in transportation reform, for better economic, social and environmental outcomes. SSTI member states also work to improve management and governance of transportation agencies. SSTI disseminates accounts of state-level reform for use by the general transportation community. For example, SSTI has just published reviews of the sea change at Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as well as Washington State Department of Transportation’s Sustainability Efforts. For these documents, or to subscribe to SSTI news, event announcements, and reports, please go www.ssti.us.

Caltrans Issues Sea Level Rise Guidance.Caltrans has developed Guidance on Incorporating Sea Level Rise for use in planning and development of Project Initiation Documents. The guidance includes a two step process to determine whether to include adaptation measures in the project programming and design: (1) determine whether the project will potentially be impacted by seal level rise, and (2) conduct a risk assessment to determine whether the potential impacts warrant spending the resources to incorporate adaptation measures into project design. The guidance includes discussion of ten factors to consider when determining whether to incorporate sea level rise into project programming and design. The guidance also includes a standard set of sea level rise projections to be used statewide.

Wilmington Area Planning Council Publishes Sea Level Rise Transportation Vulnerability Assessment.WILMAPCO’s Transportation Vulnerability Assessment identifies existing and planned transportation infrastructure at risk under Maryland and Delaware-specific inundation and surge scenarios. The assessment profiles both regional and neighborhood-level impacts. A steering committee comprised of local transportation and environmental planners, sea-level rise experts and interested members of the public guided the project. Additional information can be found on WILMAPCO’s sea level rise homepage.

Announcements

CTOD to Hold Webinar on Climate Change and Transit Oriented Development, December 20, from 2:00-3:00 EST. This webinar is one in a monthly series conducted by the Center for Transit Oriented Development and sponsored by FTA. Registration opens two weeks prior to the webinar.

Reminders

FHWA Holding Series of Webinars on Congestion Pricing. The FHWA Offices of Operations and Innovative Program Delivery have launched a new webinar series, entitled “Overcoming the Challenges of Congestion Pricing.” These webinars are aimed at state and local agencies that are currently in the process of implementing or would like to implement congestion pricing; decision-makers/political leaders who want to better understand the benefits of congestion pricing; MPOs that may be interested in incorporating pricing into their planning activities; and others who just want to learn more about congestion pricing strategies. Congestion pricing strategies can often have a co-benefit of reducing GHG emissions. Registration is free and open to everyone who is interested.

Future Webinar Schedule – October through December 2011 (dates are tentative and subject to change)

  • October 27 – Integrating Transit with Congestion Pricing and Increasing Congestion Pricing Acceptance
  • November 17 — Best Practices in Parking Pricing
  • December 15 — Results of the Urban Partnership and Congestion Reduction Demonstration Programs.

If you have any suggestions for inclusion in future issues of Transportation and Climate Change News, or if someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you’d like to receive it directly in the future, please send your suggestions or request to Becky Lupes at Rebecca.Lupes@dot.gov or Heather.Holsinger@dot.gov.

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

July 27, 2011 at 6:58 pm

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) FAA Stats Show Fewer Pilots Break Airspace Rules

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gVoFpOoHuFZGHLfzR8ozDKpM2T-A?docId=452516f1126346f69eac2da86f17d067

2) Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover; How Many Ways to Leave an Airport?

There’s a little-tapped marketing opportunity for airports to help their passengers leave the airport more efficiently and conveniently.

Link to column in Airport Business:

http://www.airportbusiness.com/web/online/The-New-Airport-Marketing/Fifty-Ways-to-Leave-Your-Lover-How-Many-Ways-to-Leave-an-Airport/23$46357

GPS / NAVIGATION

3) China Launches Ninth Satellite for Global Navigation System

Link to Xinhua article:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sci/2011-07/27/c_131011502.htm

4) Waze Navigation App Updated with Text-to-Speech, Commuting Widget

Link to CNET’s The Car Tech blog:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20083652-48/waze-navigation-app-updated-with-text-to-speech-commuting-widget/

OTHER

5) ERTICO Talks to Vladimir Kryuchkov, CEO ITS-Russia

Link to interview from ERTICO:

http://www.ertico.com/ertico-talks-to-vladimir-kryuchkov-chief-executive-officer-its-russia-newly-joined-member-of-the-network-of-its-nationals/

6) Why the Future of Transportation is All About Real-Time Data

Link to article on Mashable:

http://mashable.com/2011/07/27/transportation-future-data/

7) Sensor – Summer 2011

–  Cars and Roads Share Info, Alert Drivers

http://www.its.umn.edu/Publications/Sensor/2011/02/alert.html

–  Can Fuel-Economy Displays Promote Safe, Fuel-Efficient Driving?

http://www.its.umn.edu/Publications/Sensor/2011/02/seminar.html

–  Signs Use Solar Power to Make Rural Intersections Safer

http://www.its.umn.edu/Publications/Sensor/2011/02/solar.html

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

8) Texas Transportation Institute Helps Texas DOT Ask Texans the Right Questions

Link to article in the Texas Transportation Researcher:

http://tti.tamu.edu/2011/06/01/assessing-customer-satisfaction/

ROADWAYS

9) Hindhead Tunnel Opens in UK After Decades of Traffic Problems

High-tech employed to monitor traffic.

Link to BBC News story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-14278289

Link to further information from the Highways Agency:

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/3832.aspx

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) Why Emergency Managers Should Use Social Media

Link to video in Emergency Management:

http://www.emergencymgmt.com/video/Why-Emergency-Managers-Should-Use-Social.html

TRANSIT

11) Exit of New York MTA Chief Leaves Tech Upgrades in Doubt

Link to article in the New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/mta_sidetracked_Sbjgf69aTJXamo5n3SzmMP#ixzz1T8goQ7I4

12) MBTA Riders Loco for Big Logo

Link to article in the Boston Herald:

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2011_0727t_riders_loco_for_big_logo/

13) ‘Excuse Me – is that Your Bag?’ Meet Alice Riley, DC Metro’s Zen-Like Voice

Link to article and video on TBD.com:

http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-on-foot/2011/07/-excuse-me-mdash-is-that-your-bag-meet-alice-riley-metro-s-zen-like-voice–11984.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) KC Scout Eases Traffic Flow

Link to commentary in The Examiner:

http://www.examiner.net/opinions/x404068170/Quibell-KC-Scout-eases-traffic-flow

15) Predictive Traffic More than Good Enough

Link to blog from Strategy Analytics:

http://blogs.strategyanalytics.com/AMCS/post/2011/07/27/INRIXs-$500M-post-funding-valuation-speaks-volumes-regarding-the-importance-of-predictive-traffic-data.aspx

News Releases

1) SAP and Google Team to Put ‘Big Data’ on the Map

2) NTSB Takes Safety Message to Pilots and Enthusiasts at AirVenture

3) Inthinc Introduces Speed-by-Street and Verbal In-Cab Driver Mentoring Solution to Federal Fleet Managers

4) Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Launches Mobile Site for 511 Traveler Information Service

5) Research and Markets: European PND Market to Grow 1.5% 2010-2014

Upcoming Events

2011 Airport Public Safety & Security Fall Conference – August 29-September 1 – Arlington, Virginia

http://www.aci-na.org/event/241

Today in Transportation History    

1866 **145th anniversary** The first successful underwater telegraph cable was completed between Europe and North America.

http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/Milestones:Landing_of_the_Transatlantic_Cable,_1866

1991 **20th anniversary** The Twin Cities & Western Railroad began operations.

http://www.tcwr.net/

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

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 Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net

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

July 25, 2011 at 7:53 pm

Monday, July 25, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) Palm Beach International Airport Noise Monitors Called Costly, Useless

Link to article in The Palm Beach Post:

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/pbia-airport-director-seeks-to-end-noise-monitoring-1640863.html

2) Inside Air-Traffic Control at Experimental Aircraft Association Event

Link to story and video on WLUK-TV:

http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/inside-air-traffic-control-at-EAA

3) San Francisco International Airport Spokesman Ron Wilson Dies

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/24/BAMA1KEI43.DTL

CAMERAS

4) Red-Light Cameras Aren’t the Bonanza Florida Cities Expected

Link to article in The Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/23/2328390/red-light-cameras-arent-the-bonanza.html

5) Cops Versus Cameras

Link to commentary on Darien Patch:

http://darien.patch.com/articles/cops-versus-cameras

CARTOGRAPHY

6) Google Street View Cars Grabbed Locations of Phones, PCs

Link to article on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20082777-281/street-view-cars-grabbed-locations-of-phones-pcs

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

7) Cost of E-ZPass Device to Drop by Half

Link to article in The Baltimore Sun:

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-07-22/news/bs-md-ezpass-contract-20110722_1_e-zpass-users-e-zpass-consortium-e-zpass-interagency-group

Link to article on TOLLROADSnews:

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/5394

MARITIME

8) Safer Voyage for Ships with Singapore’s New Control Center

Link to article in The Straits Times:

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_694560.html

OTHER

9) Inrix Aims to Drive Its Traffic Data Into a Billion-Dollar Business

Link to article in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2015702595_inrix25.html

Link to news release from Inrix:

http://inrix.com/pressrelease.asp?ID=133

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

10) China’s Efforts to Muzzle News of Train Crash Sparks Outcry

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/25/us-china-train-censorship-idUSTRE76O1IG20110725

Link to news release from the Ministry of Railways:

http://www.china-mor.gov.cn/xwzx/jrtt/201107/t20110725_24977.html (in Chinese)

Link to further information on China Digital Times:

http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2011/07/directives-from-the-ministry-of-truth-wenzhou-high-speed-train-crash/

11) Complaints in Malta About Lack of Information on Planned Street Work

Link to article in The Malta Independent on Sunday:

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=129336

ROADWAYS

12) Can I-66 Get Smart? That Depends on Drivers as Virginia Aims to Boost Traffic Technology

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/can-i-66-get-smart-that-depends-on-drivers-as-virginia-aims-to-boost-traffic-technology/2011/07/21/gIQAM7EfVI_story.html

13) New Technology Could Save Lives, Money at Rural Intersections

Link to story and video on KSTP-TV:

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S2193902.shtml?cat=127

SAFETY / SECURITY

14) Circuits, Radar Aim to Separate Norfolk Light Rail and Autos

Link to article in The Virginian-Pilot:

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/07/circuits-radars-aim-separate-norfolk-light-rail-and-autos

15) Cellphone Use Crashes Up in South Africa

Link to article in the Daily News:

http://www.dailynews.co.za/cellphone-use-crashes-up-1.1105308

16) Plan to Install 300 CCTV Cameras in Ahmedabad

Bus stops, railway stations, airports among locations where cameras will be located.

Link to Press Trust of India article:

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/plan-to-install-300-cctv-cameras-in-ahmedabad-121847

17) Transportation Worker Identification Credentials Have Supporters, Detractors

Link to article in Houma Today:

http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20110724/ARTICLES/110729722/-1/opinion?Title=-TWIC-cards-have-supporters-detractors

18) Carmakers’ Drive to Keep Eyes on the Road

Link to article in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/01424cfa-acaa-11e0-a2f3-00144feabdc0.html

TRANSIT

19) Pittsburgh-Area Transit Agency Starting ‘Smartcard’ Fare System

Link to article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11206/1162761-147.stm

20) Commuters Asking for Answers After Heat-Related Havoc on Metro-North

Some complain about poor communications.

Link to article in The News-Times:

http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Commuters-asking-for-answers-after-heat-related-1583697.php

 21) Brampton, Ontario Prepares to Züm Zoom

Bus rapid transit service uses signal prioritization and provides real-time information at stops and online.

Link to article in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/news/transportation/article/1014817–brampton-prepares-to-zum-zoom

22) Buses on Indore, India Bus Rapid Transit Route to Offer Dream Journey

Link to article on dailybhaskar.com:

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MP-IND-buses-on-indore-brts-route-to-offer-dream-journey-2289785.html

23) University of Massachusetts, Connecticut Bus Company Offer ‘First-Ever’ Transit Certificate Program

Link to AP article:

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/20110724umass_hartford_bus_company_offer_transit_training/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

24) Florida 511 System Calls Decline, Website Visits Rise

Link to article and video in the Sun-Sentinel:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-511-traffic-hotline-20110722,0,2206360.story

25) Indonesia to Implement Smart Transportation System

Link to article in the Jakarta Globe:

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/indonesia-to-implement-smart-transportation-system/455082

26) Florida Spends $5.6 Million on Signs, Warning of Problems on Two Bridges

Link to story on WINK-TV:

http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2011-07-25/State-Spends-56-Million-on-Signs-warning-of-Problems-on-Two-Bridges

27) Inrix Driving Next-Gen Traffic, Cloud Delivery Platforms

Link to blog from Strategy Analytics:

http://blogs.strategyanalytics.com/AMCS/post/2011/07/25/INRIX-steering-traffic-services-into-the-cloud.aspx

28) Reduced Congestion, Safer Pedestrians in New York City Thanks to FHWA and ‘Midtown in Motion’

Link to blog from US DOT:

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2011/07/reduced-congestion-and-safer-pedestrians-in-new-york-city-thanks-to-midtown-in-motion.html

VEHICLES

29) Nevada DOT Begins Field Test of Car-Tracking Technology for Potential New Tax

Link to Nevada News Bureau article:

http://www.nevadanewsbureau.com/2011/07/22/ndot-begins-field-test-of-car-tracking-technology-for-potential-new-tax/

30) Complexity Stalls Ford’s High-Tech Drive

Link to article in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/fbfa0dba-aca8-11e0-a2f3-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1T7Wxsu00

(free registration required)

News Releases

1) Navteq Traffic Launches RDS Real-Time Traffic Services Across Russia via Autoradio

2) China Domestic Automotive OEMs Target Telematics Market

3) US DOT Secretary LaHood Meets with American Society of Travel Agents Corporate Advisory Council

4) Discrete Wireless Becomes NexTraq

5) Harman Wins Ferrari 2011 Innovation Award

6) Three Embry-Riddle Student Teams Sweep FAA Runway Safety Design Challenge

7) BP Launches Commute Better Campaign in Columbus, Ohio

8) Iteris Advances Its Traffic Management Strategy with Vehicle Sensors Divestiture

9) Summer 2011 Issue of the South Bay Expressway’s The Sun

Upcoming Events

Webinar: The Integrated Truck Program – August 25

http://checkbox.truckline.com/Survey.aspx?s=270cc486a6604826b0f83b881381a869

Today in Transportation History  

 

1956 **55th anniversary** The SS Andrea Doria collided with the MS Stockholm off Nantucket Island.

http://www.andreadoria.org/

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

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 Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net

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

July 21, 2011 at 5:54 pm

 Thursday, July 21, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) Budget Cuts Could Delay NextGen Development

Link to article in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/atlantic/budget-cuts-could-delay-nextgen-development/article_7de96d5e-b319-11e0-ae5c-001cc4c03286.html

2) FAA Brings in Simulation Control Tower to Las Vegas

Link to story and video on KVVU-TV:

http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/15119174/faa-brings-in-simulation-control-tower-to-vegas

3) FAA Team Figuring Out How Unmanned Drones Can Coexist with Commercial Aircraft

Link to article in The Press of Atlantic City:

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/faa-team-in-egg-harbor-township-is-figuring-out-how/article_dfc688e8-b348-11e0-991f-001cc4c03286.html

4) New FAA Website Targets Midair Collisions

Link to article on AVweb:

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/NewFAAWebsiteTargetsMidairCollisions_204999-1.html

Link to See and Avoid: http://www.seeandavoid.org/

OTHER

5) Florida Makes $63 Million Selling Drivers’ Info

Link to story and video on WPLG-TV:

http://www.local10.com/news/28600374/detail.html

RAILROADS

6) Changes Signal Death of Old Technology

UK’s Network Rail moving to centralize signaling system.

Link to article in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/7b52182e-b211-11e0-a06c-00144feabdc0.html

ROADWAYS

7) MnPASS Lanes, Traffic Cams Back and Running in Minnesota

Link to story on KMSP-TV:

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/minnesota/mndot-back-mnpass-traffic-cams-july-21-2011

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) New Facial Recognition Scanners to be Introduced at Heathrow Airport

Link to article in The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/government-computing-network/2011/jul/21/ukba-baa-heathrow-scanners

9) US Fed Up with Driver Texting

Link to article on The Street:

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/11190712/1/us-fed-up-with-driver-texting.html

10) Boeing Gets Deal for Security Surveillance on Delaware River

Link to story and video in the Daily Times:

http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2011/07/20/news/doc4e2644856dab2542988221.txt

Link to news release from Boeing:

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1843

11) Robotic Jet Ski to Patrol Harbors

Link to article on Discovery News:

http://news.discovery.com/tech/robotic-jet-ski-patrol-harbors-110720.html

TRANSIT

12) 500 Bus Data Signs to be Installed in Dublin

Link to article in The Irish Times:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0721/breaking54.html

13) Heat Knocks Out New York City Subway Countdown Clocks

Link to story and video on NY1:

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/143382/heat-knocks-out-subway-countdown-clocks

14) Enabling Cost-Effective Multimodal Trip Planners Through Open Transit Data

Link to further information from the Location-Aware Information Systems Laboratory at the University of South Florida:

http://www.locationaware.usf.edu/ongoing-research/projects/open-transit-data/

Link to OpenTripPlanner: http://opentripplanner.usf.edu/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Georgia DOT Employee Accused of Accepting Bribes

Link to story and video on WGCL-TV:

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/15118215/gdot-employee-of-accepting-bribes-contract-awarded-to-company-who-paid-him

Link to report from the Georgia Office of the Inspector General:

http://www.oig.georgia.gov/OIG/Files/11-027%20DOT.pdf

16) Apps Let You See Montreal’s Roads Before You Get There

Link to article in The Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/Apps+lets+Montreal+roads+before+there/5135099/story.html

VEHICLES

17) Toyota’s New Pre-Crash Technology Directs Steering

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Toyotas-new-precrash-apf-2467379656.html?x=0&.v=3

18) Interview with Alexis Charbonnel, Automotive Business Development Manager, Arkamys

Link to interview from Frost & Sullivan:

http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/market-insight-top.pag?docid=238462654

News Releases

1) US Airways First US Domestic Airline to Offer Natural Language Understanding Interactive Voice Response System

2) Trimble to Acquire PeopleNet to Expand Its Presence in Growing Transportation and Logistics Market

3) TransCore Teams with Industry Leaders to Win Two ITS New York Project of the Year Awards

4) ALK Technologies Wins ‘Outstanding Project of the Year in Freight Management’ Award from ITS New York

Job Postings

–  Proposal Coordinator – Nelson/Nygaard – San Francisco, California

http://www.transittalent.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=22054

–  Field Supervisor – Omnitrans – San Bernardino, California

http://www.transittalent.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=22058

Upcoming Events

AASHTO Standing Committee on Rail Transportation Annual Meeting – September 11-14 – Charlotte, North Carolina

http://www.scort2011.com/

Today in Transportation History  

 

1911 **100th anniversary** The New York City Board of Estimate awarded the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company a contract to build 87 new miles of subway lines.

http://www.nycsubway.org/articles/psc_dual_system_rapid_transit_1912.html

1961 **50th anniversary** Mercury Redstone 4, also known as Liberty Bell 7, with Gus Grissom aboard was launched.

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=MERCR4

2011 The US Space Shuttle program came to an end with the landing of Atlantis.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.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 Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 19, 2011

July 19, 2011 at 11:27 pm

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


Register Today for IBTTA’s 79th Annual Meeting & Exhibition: Making the Difference ― September 11-14, 2011 in Berlin, Germany

Join IBTTA in Berlin for what promises to be the year’s largest gathering of toll industry professionals. With presentations from more than 90 industry experts, representing 25 countries around the world, the IBTTA Annual Meeting offers a unique learning and business opportunity!  An outstanding technical program with tracks on interoperability, tolling infrastructure around the world, communications, and environment/social responsibility – make your plans today!  Visit www.IBTTA.org/BERLIN to view the preliminary brochure, register, and learn about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.

AVIATION

1) US-India to Cooperate on Flight Navigation Systems

Link to Indo-Asian News Service article:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/US-India-to-cooperate-on-flight-navigation-systems/Article1-722918.aspx

Link to news release from the India Ministry of Civil Aviation:

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=73321

2) Atlantic City International Achieves Virtual Expansion with Technology Upgrades

Link to article in Airport Improvement:

http://www.airportimprovement.com/content/story.php?article=00284

3) Austin-Bergstrom International Teams with American Airlines and TSA in Self-Tag Pilot

Link to article in Airport Improvement:

http://www.airportimprovement.com/content/story.php?article=00281

4) Sensis Aims to Improve Traffic Around Airport Gates

Link to article in the Central New York Business Journal:

http://cnybj.com/Channels/Technology/tabid/73/itemid/14936/sourcemid/417/Sensis-aims-to-improve-traffic-around-airport-gates/Default.aspx

OTHER

5) Microsoft Bing Taps Gigwalk’s iPhone ‘Mobile Workforce’

People get paid to take photos of items such as streets signs for navigation companies.

Link to blog in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/technologybrierdudleysblog/2015655814_microsoft_bing_taps_gigwalks_m.html

PARKING

6) Pay-by-Phone Parking Still Imperfect in DC

Link to story on WTOP Radio:

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=41&sid=2461257

PEDESTRIANS

7) No Tickets for Texting and Walking in Philadelphia

Link to story on WPVI-TV:

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8258570

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Los Angeles International Airport Blames Technical Failures for Ongoing Security Woes

Link to story on KNBC-TV:

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Airport-Security-Breakdown–125778018.html

9) South Australia Police Goes Online

Link to article in Blueprint:

http://www.police.sa.gov.au/public/download.jsp?id=56866 (page 2)

10) The Role of Libraries and Librarians in Disaster Risk Reduction and Response

Link to transcript of EMForum.org presentation:

http://www.emforum.org/vforum/lc110713.htm

TELEMATICS

11) Pushing Buttons: Trying the OnStar Aftermarket Mirror

Link to article in Consumer Reports:

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/07/pushing-buttons-trying-the-onstar-aftermarket-mirror.html

TRANSIT

12) New South Wales Public Transport Wi-Fi in New Agency’s Hands

Link to article on iTnews.com.au:

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/264071,nsw-public-transport-wifi-in-new-agencys-hands.aspx

13) Utah Transit Authority Hopes to Improve Rider Communication with New Signs

Link to article in the Deseret News:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705387809/UTA-hopes-to-improve-rider-communication-with-new-signs.html

14) MBTA’s YouTube Video Enlightens Commuters on the Ins and Outs of Quiet Cars

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/07/18/railroads_youtube_video_explains_rules_of_quiet_cars/

Link to video: http://youtu.be/u2pV8-TeEk4

15) Public Participation Strategies for Transit

Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Public_Participation_Strategies_for_Transit_165652.aspx

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

16) Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Unveils Online Traffic Navigator System

Link to article on Newsbytes Philippines:

http://newsbytes.ph/2011/07/19/mmda-unveils-online-traffic-navigator-system/

Link to news release from the MMDA:

http://www.mmda.gov.ph/news.html#jul182011

Link to Metro Manila Traffic Navigator:

http://mmdatraffic.interaksyon.com/system-view.php

17) The Carmageddon Effect

Is the real story here about good transportation planning?

Link to article on Planetizen:

http://www.planetizen.com/node/50452

18) Summary of Responses to November 2010 Request for Information on Real-Time System Management Information Program

Link to notice in the Federal Register:

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2011_register&docid=fr19jy11-8

19) Integrate Traffic Data with IBM Intelligent Transportation Using a Traffic Data Gateway

Link to further information from IBM:
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/industry/library/ind-inteltrans/index.html?ca=drs-

VEHICLES

20) Ford Sees All-Digital Car Audio Future

Link to article on just-auto:

http://www.just-auto.com/news/ford-sees-all-digital-car-audio-future_id112779.aspx?lk=dm

21) Ford Proves the Blind Can Drive a Stick

Link to article in Wired:

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/07/ford-proves-that-blind-drivers-can-learn-a-stick-shift

22) Study Shows Automatic Braking Reduces Rear-End Crashes

Link to article in USA Today:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/07/study-shows-automatic-braking-reduces-rear-end-crashes/1

Link to news release from the Highway Loss Data Institute:

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr071911.html

News Releases

1) General Motors to Launch First Real-World Smart Grid Pilot with OnStar and Chevy Volt

2) Washington State DOT’s Innovative Management on I-5 Wins Award

3) AAA and the League of American Bicyclists Gear Up to Promote Safety: Not Child’s Play Any More

4) Kansas DOT’s Websites and Phone Services to be Unavailable to Public Wednesday and This Weekend

5) Navteq Expands Latin America Map Coverage to Include Uruguay

6) American Airlines Publishing Wins Multiple Magnum Opus Awards

7) China Automotive OEMs Face Telematics Challenges

8) New European Commission Tachograph Rules Will Save Companies More than €500 Million per Year

9) South Australia Police News Launch Mobile Web App

10) Bahrain Works Ministry Prepares National Plan for Traffic Safety

Upcoming Events

Podcar City: Stockholm – September 6-8 – Stockholm

http://podcarcity.org/stockholm/conference/

Today in Transportation History  

 

1911 **100th anniversary** Tolls were removed from the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queensboro and Williamsburg bridges in New York City.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F10716F63F5517738DDDAE0894DF405B818DF1D3

1961 **50th anniversary** TWA introduced the first regular in-flight movies.  The first film shown was By Love Possessed.

http://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/Pass_the_Popcorn.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 Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 18, 2011

July 18, 2011 at 10:11 pm

Monday, July 18, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


CAMERAS

1) Washington State Will Soon Have Eyes on I-5 Blind Spot

Link to article in The Daily Herald:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110718/NEWS01/707189877/0/NEWS

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Delta IV Lifts GPS Satellite Into Orbit

Link to article and video in Florida Today:

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110717/NEWS02/107170317/Delta-IV-lifts-GPS-satellite-into-orbit

3) Google Maps Dumps Driving Times with Traffic Estimates

Link to article in PC Magazine:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388609,00.asp

4) Public Electric Vehicle Charge Stations Coming to Car GPS

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20080313-54/public-ev-charge-stations-coming-to-car-gps/

OTHER

5) Washington State Litter Hotline Falls Victim to Budget Cuts

Link to story and audio on KUOW Radio:

http://kuow.org/northwestnews.php?storyID=138176035

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

6) Carmageddon: A Word that Got Attention, and Creator Gets His Due

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/07/carmageddon-creator-credited-with-getting-public-to-take-405-closure-seriously.html

7) Carmageddon II: Officials Likely to Use Same Fear-Factor Approach

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/07/carmageddon-ii-la-will-likely-take-same-approach-next-year.html

8) India Turns to Comic Books to Teach Road Safety

Link to AFP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h2IFzaDNf9m-znJH9ct25MtqUxeQ?docId=CNG.a44aaf9b8d6c4a5793fc64c9e5371dcb.81

ROADWAYS

9) The Evolution of Traffic Signal System Software – What’s Next

Link to blog on Terranautix:

http://terranautix.com/2011/07/16/the-evolution-of-traffic-signal-system-software-%E2%80%93-what%E2%80%99s-next/

TRANSIT

10) DC Metro Launches Aggressive Social Media Effort

Link to article in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/metro-launches-aggressive-social-media-effort/2011/07/15/gIQA3J2XKI_story.html

11) Wi-Fi on Public Transport May Appease Commuters

Australian survey shows most public transport users willing to pay more for premium services.

Link to article on The Courier Pigeon:

http://thecourierpigeon.com.au/wi-fi-on-public-transport-may-appease-commuters/852208/

Link to further information from the Tourism and Transport Forum:

http://www.ttf.org.au/DisplayFile.aspx?FileID=1182

12) Cool Official Response in New Zealand to Free Wi-Fi for Trains

Link to article on Stuff.co.nz:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/5298327/Cool-response-to-free-wi-fi-for-trains

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) New York City Traffic System Aims to Keep ‘Midtown in Motion’

Link to story and video on NY1:

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/143146/traffic-system-aims-to-keep–midtown-in-motion-

Link to news release from the NYC Mayor’s Office:

http://goo.gl/Nyvtg

14) Nepal Government Okays Traffic FM Radio Station

Link to article in Republica:

http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=33598

15) TomTom’s Real-Time Traffic Claims Questioned in South Africa

Link to article on MyBroadband:

http://mybroadband.co.za/news/gadgets/28992-tomtom%E2%80%99s-real-time-traffic-claims-questioned.html

Link to further information from the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa:

http://www.asasa.org.za/ResultDetail.aspx?Ruling=5636

16) A Lot of Technology Goes Into Traffic Monitoring

Link to article in The Daily Herald:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110718/NEWS01/707189879

VEHICLES

17) How Intelligent Cars Will Make Driving Easier and Greener

Link to article in Popular Science:

http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2011-07/smartening-car

News Releases

1) Comments on Crash Data Guidelines Sought

Upcoming Events

Talking Freight Webinar – 2011 TIGER Discretionary Grants – July 27

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=742

Today in Transportation History  

 

1966 **45th anniversary** Gemini 10 was launched.

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1966-066A

2001 **10th anniversary** A CSX freight train derailed and caught fire in a tunnel under downtown Baltimore.

http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/jpodocs/repts_te/13754.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 Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 15, 2011

July 15, 2011 at 6:00 pm

Friday, July 15, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) San Antonio, Texas Boasts Latest Training Technology for Air Traffic Controllers

Link to story and video on KENS-TV:

http://www.kens5.com/news/San-Antonio-airport-boasts-latest-training-technology-for-air-traffic-controllers-125598318.html

2) Air Canada Fined for No French

One instance cited where passenger requested 7Up in French but was served a Sprite.

Link to article and video in the Ottawa Sun:

http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/07/14/air-canada-language-ruling-sparks-controversy

3) Singapore Airlines Sorry for Aggravation on New Website

Link to article on Tnooz:

http://www.tnooz.com/2011/07/15/news/singapore-airlines-sorry-for-aggravation-on-new-website

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Engineering, Aerial Mapping Firm Woolpert Acquires Water-Mapping Company, Geomatics Data Solutions

Link to article in the Dayton Daily News:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/business/dayton-company-acquires-survey-firm-1208006.html

OTHER

5) New South Wales Government Announces One Body for Roads, Rail, Freight and Ferries

Link to article in the Macarthur Chronicle:

http://macarthur-chronicle-campbelltown.whereilive.com.au/news/story/state-government-announces-one-body-for-roads-rail-freight-and-ferries/

TELEMATICS

6) EMI by the Dashboard Light

Electromagnetic interference more of an issue as telematics increases in vehicles.

Link to article in Microwave Journal:

http://www.mwjournal.com/article.asp?HH_ID=AR_11086 (free registration required for full article)

TRANSIT

7) California Lawmakers Push for Electronic Ads on Santa Monica Buses

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/07/lawmakers-push-for-electronic-ads-on-santa-monica-buses.html

8) Wi-Fi Service Now Available on Bay Area Light Rail System

Link to article in the San Jose Mercury Star:

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_18480248

Link to news release from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority:

http://www.vta.org/news/show/NR+11+07+03

9) Ottawa’s OC Transpo Slams Private Twitters Tweeting Bus Updates

Link to CBC News story:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/07/14/ottawa-transpo-twitter.html

10) University Traveler Value of Potential Real-Time Transit Information

Link to article in the Journal of Public Transportation:

http://www.nctr.usf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/JPT14.2Fries.pdf

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) No Car-tastrophe in ’84

As Los Angeles prepares for Carmageddon this weekend, a look at what happened during the 1984 Olympics when massive traffic jams were predicted.

Link to video on KCET-TV:

http://www.kcet.org/shows/socal_connected/content/transportation/no-car-tastrophe-in-84.html

12) Traffic and How to Avoid Future Carmageddons

Link to commentary on Fox Business:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2011/07/14/traffic-and-how-to-avoid-future-carmaggedons/

News Releases

1) US DOT Proposes Rule to Require Airlines to Report More Data on Fees, Baggage and Mishandled Wheelchairs

2) Sensys Networks Launches TrafficDOT 2.0

3) ITS United Kingdom Launches ITS on Your Doorstep Series of Events

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Statewide Opportunities for Integrating Operations, Safety and Multimodal Planning – August 2

https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=23227

Friday Bonus

 

If you’ve seen Star Wars these devices probably look familiar.  Except these were created by GE in the 1960s.

http://www.gereports.com/where-jules-verne-meets-star-wars-ges-walking-truck-of-the-1960s/

Today in Transportation History  

 

1741 **270th anniversary** Aleksei Chirikov, a Russian explorer, became the first European to reach the Alaska coast.

http://www.win.tue.nl/~engels/discovery/chirikov.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 Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 14, 2011

July 15, 2011 at 4:36 pm

Thursday, July 14, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) Houston Airport Study Tracks Airport Times Using Bluetooth

Link to article in the Houston Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7652388.html

2) Gogo Launching New In-Air Multimedia Platform Beyond Just Wi-Fi

Link to ZDNet blog:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/gogo-launching-new-in-air-multimedia-platform-beyond-just-wi-fi/52336

BICYCLES

3) Roanoke’s Award-Winning Greenway Map

Link to blog from the Virginia Bicycling Federation:

http://www.vabike.org/roanokes-award-winning-greenway-map/

CAMERAS

4) Debate Over Whether Austin, Texas Traffic Cameras Should Record

Link to story and video on KVUE-TV:

http://www.kvue.com/video/featured-videos/Debate-over-whether-traffic-cameras-should-record-125538533.html

OTHER

5) Trends in Computer Vision

An overview of vision-based data acquisition and processing technology and its potential for the transportation sector.

Link to paper from ITS America:

http://www.itsa.org/knowledgecenter/technologyscan/1301

6) Congress Conclusions: 8th ITS European Congress

Link to document:

http://tools.emailgarage.com/Pub/mAdlIgAAAAA~/V9TcEx3Pm0iEVNxXoD7CmQ~~/Html/GotoLink.ashx

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

7) Transport Quebec Needs to Make Changes: Ex-Traffic Reporter

Agency needs to revamp how it communicates says member of new roadwork coordination committee.

Link to article in The Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/Transport+Quebec+needs+make+changes+Rick+Leckner/5098496/story.html

ROADWAYS

8) Brisbane’s Clem7 Tunnel Should Have Had More Speed Signs: State Advice Revealed

Drivers challenging tickets when speeds are dropped following an incident.

Link to article in the Brisbane Times:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/clem7-should-have-had-more-speed-signs-state-advice-revealed-20110714-1hg05.html

TRANSIT

9) As Phones Jam Following Mumbai Blasts, Twitter, Facebook Save the Day

Sites not only allow anxious relatives and friends to connect, but provide traffic updates.

Link to article in The Times of India:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/As-phones-jam-Twitter-Facebook-save-the-day/articleshow/9217717.cms

10) Upgrade for Melbourne Train Radios Sends a Costly Signal

Link to article in The Age:

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/upgrade-for-train-radios-sends-a-costly-signal-20110713-1hdyd.html

11) London’s Useless Bus Route ‘Spider Maps’ Due for an Overhaul

Link to blog on The Global Urbanist:

http://globalurbanist.com/2011/07/12/londons-useless-bus-route-spider-maps-due-for-an-overhaul.aspx

12) What Maps Should be at Stops and Stations?

Link to blog on Human Transit:

http://www.humantransit.org/2011/07/what-maps-should-be-at-stops-and-stations.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Regional Panel OKs New Traffic Management Center for Philadelphia

Link to article in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/125548253.html

14) Google Maps Gets Traffic Info in 13 European Countries

Link to further information from Google:

http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2011/07/live-traffic-information-for-13.html

15) Interview with Decell: Real-Time Traffic in Israel and Central Europe

Link to interview in GPS Business News:

http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/Interview-with-Decell-Real-Time-Traffic-in-Israel-and-Central-Europe_a3143.html (link may only work for a short time)

VEHICLES

16) Can Your Car be Hacked?

Link to article in Car and Driver:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11q2/can_your_car_be_hacked_-feature

News Releases

1) House Lawmakers Call on US DOT to Shelve Plan to Disable BARR

2) International Conference of Electrical Engineering Ends with Declaration to Build and Operate ITS

 Job Postings

–  Traffic Engineering Group Manager ITS – RC Associates LLC – Tampa, Florida
http://goo.gl/HVTta

–  Marketing Manager/Public Information Officer – Antelope Valley Transit
Authority – Lancaster, California

http://www.transittalent.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=21863
–  Manager, Market Development – Santa Clara Valley Transportation
Authority – San Jose, California

http://www.transittalent.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=20792

Upcoming Events

10th Annual Southern California Transportation Summit – September 6 – Los Angeles

http://mobility21.com/overview/

Today in Transportation History  

 

1911 **100th anniversary** Harry Atwood landed a plane on the south lawn of the White House and was given an award by President Taft.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00F11F73F5517738DDDAC0994DF405B818DF1D3

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

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 Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 13, 2011

July 14, 2011 at 3:55 pm

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) Enabling the Passenger

Airports have opportunity to capitalize on customer service gaps with new passenger processing and communication technologies.

Link to article in Airport Business:

http://www.airportbusiness.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=45619

2) Mobile Information Delivery

A look at the advantages of mobile-enabled websites for airports.

Link to article in Airport Business:

http://www.airportbusiness.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=45621

OTHER

3) How We Travel: A Sustainable National Program for Travel Data

Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/_How_We_Travel_A_Sustainable_National_Program_for_164998.aspx

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

4) California’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission Plans $2.4 Million Public Information Campaign

Hope to encourage drivers to comply with 65 mph speed limit and change driving habits that contribute to global warming.

Link to Bay Area News Group article:

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_18463151

RAILROADS

5) Union Pacific Tracks Flood Disaster

Link to article in the Omaha World-Herald:

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110712/MONEY/707129963

ROADWAYS

6) Montreal Highway Repairs a Surprise to Officials

Even road construction coordination committee members say they were caught unaware.

Link to article in The Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Ville+Marie+repairs+surprise+officials/5093193/story.html

Link to news release from Transport Quebec announcing appointment of committee:

http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/portal/accueil/salle_presse#mobilite (in French)

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) Campaign Aims to Increase Safety Measures on Abu Dhabi Main Roads

Link to article in The Gulf Today:

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/60f43907-f853-40da-9ecf-22ddd332bcab.aspx

TRANSIT

8) NJ Transit Scores Low on Communication in Customer Surveys

Link to article in The Star-Ledger:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/07/nj_transit_scores_low_on_commu.html

Link to news release from NJ Transit:

http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2692

9) Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Selling Ads on Its Website to Raise Revenue

Link to AP article:

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/33486–mbta-selling-ads-on-its-website-to-raise-revenue

10) New Signs to Make Los Angeles Metro’s Nextrip Data Easier to Access

Signs display QR code to bring user directly to mobile-optimized page.

Link to article on blogdowntown:

http://blogdowntown.com/2011/07/6312-new-signs-to-make-metros-nextrip-data-easier

11) New Digital Signs Bring Memphis Area Transit Authority Trolley Riders Up to Speed

Link to article in The Commercial Appeal:

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jul/13/keeping-02/

12) Chennai and Hyderabad Local Bus Services Board Google Transit

Link to blog from Google India:

http://googleindia.blogspot.com/2011/07/chennai-and-hyderabad-local-bus.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

13) Political Stakes are High for I-405 Closure

This weekend’s Carmageddon could be a public relations fiasco or a home run, depending on whether drivers heed the advice of officials.

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0713-405-pols-20110713,0,6913158.story

14) How Mobile Tech is Being Used to Fight Carmageddon

Link to blog and video on Mashable:

http://mashable.com/2011/07/13/carmageddon/

VEHICLES

15) The Great Online Car-Radio Race

To woo the coveted drive-time listener, Pandora and rival Clear Channel are trying to outfit cars with music apps.

Link to article in Fortune:

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/14/the-great-online-car-radio-race

News Releases

1) Wayne County Airport Authority to Partner With Clear Channel Airports, McConnell Communications to Develop New Community Showcase Program

2) Replay of Ford Live Chat with Marketing Director on the Latest Tools

3) Amtrak Safety Video Receives Top Honors

4) Radio Show Super Session Focuses on ‘The Road Ahead: Entertainment and Information in the Car’

5) FCC Strengthens Enhanced 911 Location Accuracy Requirements for Wireless Services

6) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Announces Redesigned ‘Protect Your Move’ Website

7) New Air Traffic Control Center Implemented by Indra in Lima Starts Up

Upcoming Events

2nd International Conference on Driver Distraction and Inattention – September 5-7 – Gothenburg, Sweden

http://www.chalmers.se/safer/ddi2011-en/

Today in Transportation History    

1836 **175th anniversary** US patent #1 was issued for an invention designed to improve the traction of locomotive wheels.

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa073100b.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 Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net