Talking Operations Webinar Today: Incorporating Pricing into the Long Range Planning Process
http://www.ntoctalks.com/web_casts.php?PHPSESSID=525a2aaab6e252cbee9e4f9064cc2cfa
Category > Opportunity: June 3, 2009 (NTOC)

A few spots are still available for this free Talking Operations, taking place from 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today, June 3. To register, click here: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=17182

Description:  The Value Pricing Pilot Program has demonstrated that the long-range planning process conducted by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) can be an excellent way to begin the discussion about congestion pricing in large metro areas with environmental and financial constraints. Corridor studies offer another opportunity. This webinar will focus on how pricing can be incorporated into the planning process and considered more widely in more metro areas. Speakers from Texas and Washington will present the state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organization perspectives. These states have successfully used the planning process to deploy congestion pricing. Factors that will be discussed include: what was behind the decision to consider congestion pricing early in the planning process; how transportation agencies in these states routinely assess congestion pricing and managed lanes as possible solutions to congestion problems; and, some of the reasons pricing was considered for implementation. In addition, speakers will share information about the process they use to screen potential pricing strategies and models and other analytical tools they relied on to evaluate potential strategies.

Your Input Requested for IntellidriveSM Survey
http://www.itsa.org/press_release_content/c215_d2943/News.html
Category > Opportunity: June 3, 2009 (ITS America)

The IntelliDriveSM (formerly VII) research program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) combines leading edge technologies to provide the capability for vehicles to identify threats and hazards on the roadway and communicate this information over wireless networks to give drivers alerts and warnings. The program is intended to accelerate the development and market adoption of IntelliDriveSM capabilities, whether they emerge through federally funded research initiatives or as a result of independent research activities in the academic, non-profit, or private sector.
 
In support of this initiative, U.S. DOT and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) believe that real progress can happen only if there is widespread understanding of the nature and extent of IntelliDriveSM related research (federally funded or not) and of its emerging application and deployment.

To increase this awareness, ITS America invites you to participate in a survey authorized by U.S. DOT, to:

• Identify non-federally funded IntelliDriveSM research initiatives underway throughout North America
• Explore the research needs of the ITS stakeholder community
• Identify ways in which the ITS stakeholder community can be better supported in its collaboration efforts to develop and deploy ITS technologies

A key outcome of this survey will be the development of a Web-based application that routinely identifies IntelliDriveSM research from non-federally funded sources to augment the more widely known research occurring under federal sponsorship. The application will also promote knowledge transfer and collaboration to enhance greater deployment of IntelliDriveSM in support of our nation’s 21st century surface transportation system. To participate in this survey, please visit: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB2296PFTCMBE.
 
We would like your responses by Friday, June 12. If you have any questions, please contact Brei Whitty at bwhitty@itsa.org.

Transportation Industry’s Best Honored at ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition
http://www.itsa.org/press_release_content/c215_d2951/News.html
Category > Breaking News: June 3, 2009 (ITS America)

ITS America honored the organizations and agencies that demonstrated the most innovative and effective uses of advanced technologies in surface transportation. The awards were presented this week before more than 1,000 of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) leaders during the opening session of ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting & Exposition at the Gaylord National Hotel & Resort in National Harbor, Maryland.

In the “Best New Practices” category, the public agency winner was the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Traffic Engineering Division for its project “Saving Lives Through Innovative Partnerships – the msTraffic/MED-COM Project.” The private sector company winner was Kapsch TrafficCom won top honors in the “Best New Practices” category for its Smart Road Technologies for Safety and Mobility Travelers” project.
 
In the “Best New Innovative Products or Services” category the public agency winner was the Florida Department of Transportation for its Office of Motor Carrier Compliance and FreightDesk Technologies for its Truck Control System in Aqaba, Jordan.

For more information on the winning practices, products and services, go to http://www.itsa.org/amawards.html.

$1.5 billion TIGER Discretionary Grants Announced—Local Funding Available
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11542.pdf
Category > Breaking News: June 3, 2009 (U.S. DOT)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the availability of $1.5 billion in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grants for capital investment in surface transportation projects. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region, or metropolitan area and can create jobs and benefit economically distressed areas.

The grants can range from $20 million up to $300 million to support high impact transportation projects. Secretary LaHood can waive the minimum grant requirement for beneficial projects in smaller cities, regions, or states. The U.S. Department of Transportation will require rigorous economic justifications for projects over $100 million. To ensure responsible spending, the department will require all fund recipients to report on their activities on a routine basis.

Applications for TIGER discretionary grants must be submitted by September 15, 2009, from state and local governments, including U.S. territories, tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities and others. Comments on the criteria must be received by June 1, 2009. The Federal Register notice can be accessed at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11542.pdf.

TDOT Launches New Motorist Information Tool
http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/1969
Category > Breaking News: June 3, 2009 (U.S. DOT)

Motorists who traveled through Nashville, TN, USA this past Memorial Day holiday had an open road and a new tool to help avoid traffic tie-ups. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) suspended all lane closure activities on state roads and interstates and launched TDOT’s first Twitter page to help keep motorists up to date about problems on volunteer state roadways.
 
According to TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely, “Twitter is one more way TDOT can help travelers stay informed about road conditions in the volunteer state.”
 
People wishing to receive TDOT’s Twitter updates can now follow TN511 on Twitter. Motorists can also obtain traffic information on the TDOT Web site and by calling 511 from any land line or cellular phone or by tuning into one of several Highway Advisory Radio stations located in most urban areas.

Upcoming ITE Webinars
http://www.ite.org/education/clearinghouse/
Category > Opportunity: June 3, 2009 (ITE)

The Institute of Transportation Engineers is offering the following upcoming Webinars:

Professional Traffic Operations Engineer® (PTOE) Refresher Courses
http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_ptoe.asp#PTOE__SUITE
 
Background: The suite of courses includes five (5) learning modules on traffic engineering studies, traffic operations analysis, operational effects of geometric design, traffic safety and traffic control devices. See individual modules below for course details and learning objectives.

Dates: Tuesdays, June 2-30, 2009 (Modules 1-5)
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Eastern
Intended Audience: Transportation Planners, Traffic/Transportation Engineers, Consultants and prospective PTOE exam takers
 
Traffic Operations Practitioner Specialist® (TOPS) Refresher Courses
http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_tops.asp#Suite%20REFRESHER
 
Background: The suite of courses includes six (6) learning modules on traffic operations studies, traffic devices, elements of design, traffic safety, incident management and transportation management. See individual modules below for course details and learning objectives.
Dates: Wednesday, August 19 – September 23, 2009 (Modules 1-6 )
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Eastern
Intended Audience: Transportation Planners, Traffic/Transportation Engineers, Consultants and prospective TOPS exam takers

Urban Street Geometric Design Web Seminar Series
http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_usgdh.asp#URBAN_STREET_SERIES
 
Background: The suite of courses includes seven (7) learning modules that serve as a training supplement to the recently released ITE Urban Street Geometric Design Handbook. Course titles include: Introduction to Geometric Design, Design Philosophy and Controls, Geometric Design Consideration for Local and Collector Streets, Challenges of Urban Intersection Design, Access Management Techniques for the Design of Safe and Efficient Urban Streets, Successful Design of Urban Arterial Streets and Keys to Safe and Efficient Roadside Design. While the courses can be taken separately, participants are encouraged to take advantage of the series discount.

Dates: June 9-August  20, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern
Intended Audience: Traffic/Transportation Engineers and Consultants

Reminder: Exploratory Advanced Research Program Proposals Due June 24
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/index.cfm
Category > Opportunity: June 3, 2009 (FHWA)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Exploratory Advanced Research Program has posted its spring Broad Agency Announcement covering 12 topics in four focus areas: nanoscale research; concepts for integrated highway safety and systems operations; new technologies and advanced policies for energy and resource conservation systems; and macro, mega and national scale modeling systems. Proposals are due Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Please see http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/advancedresearch/index.cfm.

Fulfill Your Professional Development Requirements at the ITE 2009 Annual Meeting and Exhibit
Category > Opportunity: June 3, 2009 (ITE)
http://www.ite.org/annualmeeting

The ITE 2009 Annual Meeting and Exhibit will take place August 9–12, in San Antonio, TX, USA. For a copy of the preliminary program, visit: http://www.ite.org/annualmeeting/prelimprogram.pdf)

You can earn IACET Continuing Education Credits (CEU) and Professional Development Hours (PDH) by attending ITE’s high-quality, in-depth technical sessions and tours. To help you fulfill your professional development requirements for licensure, PTOE and PTP certifications, ITE has:

• Created a technical program with enough sessions to fulfill an entire year of professional development requirements.
• Developed an easy to use electronic professional development tracking form with pre-filled information from the meeting.
• Provided a dedicated Web site (http://www.ite.org/pdrks) to keep track of all your professional development, not just ITE training.

Register at the non-member rate and receive a free membership for the remainder of 2009. For more information, please contact Christina Garneski, Marketing and Membership Services Senior Director, at cgarneski@ite.org.

Also keep in mind, if three or more people from your company register you receive a 20 PERCENT DISCOUNT off the total registration price. For more information and to register online, visit http://www.ite.org/annualmeeting. To take advantage of the 20 percent discount for signing up three individuals, please fill out the form on the site. 

With these tools in place to help you succeed, now is the time to register for the 2009 Annual Meeting and Exhibit. The early-bird registration fee ends on July 9, 2009.