Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – March 09, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057
AVIATION
1) National Space Biomedical Research Institute, Alion Aim for Software to Help Keep Pilots Oriented
Link to story in Government Computer News:
http://gcn.com/articles/2009/03/09/update2-spatial-disorientation.aspx
CAMERAS
2) Video Surveillance Turns the Corner
Better cameras, smarter software and faster networks enhance systems.
Link to story in Government Computer News:
http://gcn.com/articles/2009/03/09/video-surveillance-technology.aspx
RAILROADS
3) Violations Before Los Angeles Crash Stir Rail Safety Debate
Link to AP story:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g2lXQ1QkZ2c6oj4FJtK3kYMb_S4gD96QCP7O0
ROADWAYS
4) Road Lines Yielding to Wintry Barrage
Markings fade but technology may help drivers stay in their lane.
Link to story in The Boston Globe:
5) Massachusetts Governor Details Flagger Success
Says $12,500 has been saved by taking police off detail.
Link to story in the Boston Herald:
6) Federal Efforts to Strengthen Security Should Be Better Coordinated and Targeted on the Nation’s Most Critical Highway Infrastructure
Link go report from the US Government Accountability Office:
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-57
7) Highway Trust Fund: Improved Solvency Mechanisms and Communication Needed to Help Avoid Shortfalls in the Highway Account
Link go report from the US Government Accountability Office:
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-316
SAFETY / SECURITY
8) Emergency Responders Need Equipment Compatibility, US Department of Homeland Security Official Says
Link to story in Government Technology:
http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/625804
SPACE
9) NASA Plans Improved ‘Internet in Space’
Link to story in Government Computer News:
http://gcn.com/articles/2009/03/09/nasa-software-radios.aspx
TRANSIT
10) Boeing Improves the Landing Technology of Its Planes
Link to story in Quân Ðội Nhân Dân:
http://army.qdnd.vn/vietnam.travel.tnews.23190.qdnd
11) A Bus-Rider’s View of the Pittsburgh-Area Bus System
A few simple things, such as improved information, might go a long way.
Link to story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09065/953550-294.stm
12) Cold, Silent Treatment for MARC Riders
Maryland rail agency could provide better information to customers.
Link to column in The Baltimore Sun:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/bal-md.dresser09mar09,0,1989231.column
13) Google Transit at TransITech: A Year Later and 500% Greener
Link to blog from Google:
http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/03/google-transit-at-transitech-09-year.html
14) Houston Metro Should Stay on Track in Getting Public Input on Rail
Link to editorial in the Houston Chronicle:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/6298263.html
News Releases
1) NOAA Report Uncovers Why Some People Don’t Heed Severe Weather Warnings
2) Hong Kong Coordination Center Ensures Smooth Traffic Flow
3) US Digital Signage Market to Grow by One Third in 2009
4) US Airways Launches Flight Trial of the Next Generation of In-Flight Entertainment Systems
5) New South Wales Trip Planner Widget Now Available for All Web Sites
6) BMW-led Research Validates Fast Delivery of Real-Time Traffic Information via HD Radio Technology
Job Posting
– Communication & Outreach Specialist – US DOT Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office – Washington, DC
– Knowledge & Technology Transfer Program Manager – US DOT FHWA – Washington, DC
Upcoming Events
ACI-NA Customer Service & Aviation Education Conference – April 22-24 – Detroit
http://www.aci-na.org/conferences/detail?eventId=138
Today in Transportation History
1989 **20th anniversary** – Eastern Air Lines filed for bankruptcy protection.
http://testimony.ost.dot.gov/test/pasttest/89test/Murphy1.pdf
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© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast
Of the 36 daily deaths on South Africa’s roads, an average of three are killed in taxi-related incidents – translating into 1 095 deaths every year. And according to a study by the Automobile Association of South Africa, around 70 000 minibus taxi crashes happen each year – double the number of accidents involving other motor vehicles.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) wants to “reopen” the taxi industry in place of the bus-rapid transit (BRT) system, SABC radio news reported on Thursday. This formed part of a counter-proposal to the establishment of the BRT system.
Taxi bosses say the government must shoulder the blame for the recent violent taxi strikes which led to the death of Katrina Samuels and her prematurely born baby, and the emotional and physical scarring of at least one other woman. Three weeks ago, the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) called for its members to stage a three-day strike in opposition to the Bus Rapid Transit System.
Investment in transport-related infrastructure projects will total R50,9-billion over the next three years, reports the Treasury in its 2009 Budget Review. The South African Rail Commuter Corporation will receive an additional R600-million over the medium term in order to overhaul and upgrade 1 900 coaches and improve the signalling system.
Investment in transport-related infrastructure projects will total R50,9-billion over the next three years, reports the Treasury in its 2009 Budget Review. The South African Rail Commuter Corporation will receive an additional R600-million over the medium term in order to overhaul and upgrade 1 900 coaches and improve the signalling system.
The Gauteng provincial government (GPG) would spend about R40-billion in infrastructural projects over the next three years, in a move that could help to mitigate the impact of the global economic slowdown on the province, Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Mandla Nkomfe said on Tuesday.
Intelligent Transport System (ITS) will be introduced on the entire Outer Ring Road (ORR) with Japanese assistance to facilitate smooth flow of traffic. Work on laying an eight-lane, accesscontrolled expressway (ORR), running to a total length of 158 km, around the Hyderabad city is in progress.
The theme for this year’s e-Transport Conference is “Moving People Smartly: Transport Solutions for FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 and Beyond.” The biennial e-Transport Confex is the premier ITS event to network with key decision-makers and ITS professionals and exploit business opportunities in South Africa’s booming ITS market. With a current infrastructure spend of R600 bilion, there are numerous ITS projects in the pipeline.
To view the programme, click 
