Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – March 24, 2009

March 24, 2009 at 10:35 pm

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) European Air Agency Launches New Control System

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jwTmBkCDo07pLdqvaYGcTJ5M7cEAD973UG283

2) Texas Wind Farm Makes Deal with FAA

Some of the turbines could interfere with radar at nearby airport.

Link to story in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times:

http://www.caller.com/news/2009/mar/24/wind-farm-makes-deal-with-faa/

3) Salt Lake City Airport Takes on Feds in Motto Lawsuit

Airport’s use of “Simpli-fly” may conflict with TSA’s trademark.

Link to story in The Salt Lake Tribune:

http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_11980779

4) Your Airline Wants to Get to Know You

Airlines are getting closer to rolling out new technology that tells airport agents details about you.

Link to column in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123785242956819529.html

5) Web Tech Helps Airlines Reduce Fuel Costs

Link to story on SiliconRepublic:

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/12569/randd/web-tech-helps-airlines-reduce-fuel-costs

BUSES

6) Talking Buses Roll Out in Washington State

Link to story in The News Tribune:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/topstory/story/686148.html

CAMERAS

7) DC Budget Shortfall = More Speed Cams, Tickets

Link to story and video on WRC-TV:

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-Budget-Shortfall–more-speed-cameras–parking-tickets-for-us.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

8) Latest US Air Force GPS Satellite in Orbit

Link to story in Aviation Week:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/GPS032409.xml&headline=Latest%20USAF%20GPS%20Satellite%20In%20Orbit%20&channel=space

MARITIME

9) US Coast Guard: Observations on Changes to Management and Oversight of the Deepwater Program

Link to report from the US Government Accountability Office:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09462t.pdf

ROADWAYS

10) Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to Raise Cash with Billboard Blitz

Nineteen localities receiving ads have little power to say no.

Link to story in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/24/t_set_to_raise_cash_with_billboard_blitz/

11) Professor: Road Line Misperception Decreases Road Safety

Link to story in the Mansfield News Journal:

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20090324/UPDATES01/303240009/1002/NEWS01

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) US National Interoperability Network’s Time Has Come, Panelists Say

Link to story in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/628717

TRANSIT

13) 13 Light-Rail Crashes, but Phoenix Officials Say Safety System Works

Link to story in The Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/03/24/20090324metro-safety.html

14) Real-Time Warnings Can Avoid Hassles

Toronto transit riders can alert other riders to delays

Link to story in Metro Toronto:

http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/comment/article/201132

Link to TTCupdates:  http://ttcupdates.com/community/

15) Chicago Transit Authority Says It’s on Slow Train for Terrorist Alerts

Key officials with bus and rail system lack clearance, panel told.

Link to story in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rail-security-24-mar24,0,1056800.story

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

16) Florida 511 Traffic Hotline Costing Taxpayers Millions

Link to story on WFTV-TV:

http://www.wftv.com/news/18996387/detail.html

17) New Monitoring Systems on Inland California Freeways Expected to Speed Traffic

Link to story in The Californian:

http://www.northcountytimes.com/articles/2009/03/23/news/californian/riverside/za48eebfc6fbaded58825757c00708da3.txt

18) Information Sharing for Traffic Incident Management

Link to publication from the Federal Highway Administration:

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop08059/default.htm

VEHICLES

19) Sprint Provides Wireless Links for Smart Ford F-Series Trucks, E-Series Vans

Link to story in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9130304

News Releases

1) EUMETSAT Discusses Cooperation with European Commission

2) ATX Introduces In-Vehicle Audio Messaging to Facilitate Ongoing Contact with Vehicle Owners, Dealers, Manufacturers

Job Postings

 –  Economist – US DOT, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center – Cambridge, Massachusetts

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobId=80078219&AVSDM=3%2F24%2F2009+2%3A51%3A52+PM

Upcoming Events

Velo-city 2009 – May 12-15 – Brussels

http://www.velo-city2009.com/homepage-en.html

Today in Transportation History

1989 **20th anniversary** – The Exxon Valdez ran aground and spilled 10.8 million gallons of oil in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

http://www.adn.com/evos/pgs/intro.html 

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast ati95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Transportation Research E-Newsletter – March 24, 2009

March 24, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Transportation Research Board

(Source: TRB E-Newsletter)

Seen below are the hyperlikned titles of articles from the TRB E-Newsletter dated:  March 24, 2009.  The TRB Transportation Research E-Newsletter regularly covers transportation research developments in the United States and abroad. This document is not a report of the National Research Council or of the National Academies. The opinions expressed in reports highlighted in TRB’s Transportation Research E-Newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Transportation Research Board or the National Academies

 

TRB News

 

March 26 TRB Webinar: Inspecting and Managing Highway Bridges
Workshop on Identifying Traveler Information Research Needs to Achieve All Roads-All Modes-All the Time: Early Bird Registration Closes March 27th
2009 Transportation Planning, Land Use, and Air Quality Conference
North American Freight Flows Conference: Understanding Changes and Improving Data Sources – Abstracts Due April 6, 2009
Developing a Research Agenda for Transportation Infrastructure Preservation Summit on America’s Climate Choices Webcast
Questions on the RFP for SHRP 2 Project C10: Partnership to Develop an Integrated, Advanced Travel Demand Model and a Fine-Grained, Time-Sensitive Network RFP: Price Indexing in Transportation Construction Contracts – Proposals Due April 24, 2009
RFP: Improving Safety-Related Rule Compliance in the Public Transportation Industry – Proposals Due June 9, 2009

Recently Released TRB Publications


Major Legal Issues for Highway Public-Private Partnerships
Aircraft Deicing and Airfield Anti-Icing Formulations: Aquatic Toxicity and Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Transit Security Update
Committee for Pavement Technology Review and Evaluation Letter Report: March 2009
Making Certain Progress in Uncertain Times: The Transportation Research Board’s 2008 Field Visit Program  

Federal Research News


Using Pricing to Reduce Traffic Congestion
Carbon Sequestration Pilot Program: Implementation and Next Steps
A Report on Worldwide Hydrogen Bus Demonstrations, 2002-2007
Review of Future Development of High-Speed Passenger Rail
Hearing on Air Cargo Screening
Public Port Finance Survey for FY 2006
U.S. Public Port Development Expenditure Report: (FYs 2006 and 2007-2011)
Traffic Volume Trends: January 2009
Long-Term Pavement Performance Compliance with Department of Transportation Information Dissemination Quality Guidelines
Performance-Related Specifications for Portland Cement Concrete Pavements
Performance of Sealed and Unsealed Concrete Pavement Joints  

State Research News


Animal-Vehicle Crash Mitigation Using Advanced Technology–Phase II: System Effectiveness and System Acceptance
A Fitness-for-Purpose Evaluation of Fracture Critical Electro-Slag Welds
Transportation Demand Management Strategies for Schools Phase II: Reducing Auto Congestion Around Schools  

University Research News


UC Berkeley NewsBITS: Spring 2009
Development of a New Tracking System based on CMOS Vision Processor Hardware: Phase I
In-Situ Vehicle Classification Using an ILD and a Magnetoresistive Sensor Array  

International Research News


Public Subsidy for the Bus Industry: The Case for Incentive Per Passenger
Further Training for Older Drivers – An Overview  

In the Know


Integrating U.S. Climate, Energy, and Transportation Policies: Proceedings of Three Workshops
Hearing on the Role of Offsets in Climate Legislation
Risks Older Drivers Pose to Themselves and to Other Road Users
Hearing on ATC Modernization and NextGen: Near-Term Achievable Goals
Driving Assessment for Maintaining Mobility and Safety in Drivers with Dementia

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – March 23, 2009

March 23, 2009 at 5:11 pm

Monday, March 23, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057


AVIATION

1) The Benefits of Integration

Strong IT infrastructure enhances services, reduces costs at Raleigh-Durham Airport’s new terminal.

http://www.airportbusiness.com/print/Airport-Business-Magazine/The-Benefits-of-Integration/1$26381

CAMERAS

2) Mississippi Bans Red-Light Cameras

Link to story in The Commercial Dispatch:

http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=759

3) Traffic Camera Backlash Growing in Ohio Cities

Link to AP story:

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20090322/UPDATES01/90322017

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Google Maps StreetView ‘May be a Security Threat’ in Northern Ireland

Link to story in the Belfast Telegraph:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/technology-gadgets/google-maps-street-view-lsquomay-be-a-security-threatrsquo-14237716.html

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

5) Slovakia‘s Road-Toll System Will be Up and Running by January 1, 2010, says SkyToll

Link to story in Traffic Technology International:

http://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news.php?NewsID=11330

GPS / NAVIGATION

6) Sat-Nav Going Live in Ireland to Beat Gridlock

Link to story in The Independent:

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/sat-nav-going-live-to-beat-gridlock-1681992.html 

7) Top New York Court to Weigh Warrantless GPS Use

Link to AP story:

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny–gpstracking-warra0323mar23,0,266900.story

MARITIME

8) Do Maritime Security Smart Cards Defy Common Sense?

Link to story in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-terrorism-id22-2009mar22%2C0%2C3594305.story

OTHER

9) Federal Inspectors Often Difficult to Reach, Group Says

Inspector general hotline for US DOT handled by third-party call center.

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/22/AR2009032201665.html

10) Spend Now to Help Society Run ‘Smarter’

Link to commentary in JoongAng Daily:

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2902560

11) New Database Tells Big Brother You’re Uninsured

Link to story in Wired:

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/03/the-uninsured-m.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

12) In-Flight Entertainment Systems Raise Safety Issues

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2009-03-22-electronics-fires-airlines_N.htm

TRANSIT

13) Why Metra is Riding Slow Train to Future

Link to story in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-unfriendly-rails-mar23,0,398128.story

14) Union Sues to Get Ad on Fresno, California Bus

Link to story in The Fresno Bee:

http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1277352.html

15) Virtualization and Transit

IT that improves operations and strengthens customer service.

Link to story in Mass Transit:

http://www.masstransitmag.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=8133&pageNum=1

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

16) Stimulus Bill Funds Intelligent Transportation System Projects

Link to story in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/628254

17) Indianapolis Plans for Heavy Super Bowl Traffic

Planning for event begins years before game.

Link to story in The Indianapolis Star:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009903230347

18) Getting Traffic Information to Commuters is an Art and a Science

Link to column in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/autocorner/chi-getting-around-23-mar23,0,717752.column

19) I-80 Web Site is Launched in California

Link to story in The Union:

http://www.theunion.com/article/20090323/WEBUPDATE/903239989/1002/NONE&parentprofile=1053&title=I-80%20website%20launched

Link to Get Across I-80:  http://www.getacross80.com/

VEHICLES

20) New In-Vehicle Platform for Driving Next Generation Car PCs

Link to story on iTWire:

http://www.itwire.com/content/view/23974/598/

21) Smart Truck Deliveries in Berlin

Delivery trucks are equipped with dynamic route planning software.

Link to story on Hellmail:

http://www.hellmail.co.uk/postalnews/templates/postal_global_news.asp?articleid=1385&zoneid=11

News Releases

1) NOAA – Emergency Managers to Test Atlantic/Gulf Tsunami Warning and Response

2) Monash University Study: Roadside Ads Distract Drivers

3) Tees Valley Public Transport Info Service Goes Live

Upcoming Events

Cooperative Systems on the Road – May 12-14 – Helmond, Netherlands

http://www.testsitehelmond.org/

Today in Transportation History

1889  **120th anniversary** – The Woolwich Free Ferry began service.  It crosses the River Thames in London.

http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/Travel/LocalTravelServices/WoolwichFerry.htm

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – March 19, 2009

March 19, 2009 at 10:26 pm

Thursday, March 19, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057


 

Registration is now open for IBTTA’s Upcoming Summit – The Future of Tolling:  ORT and the Path to Interoperability, June 14-16, 2009 in Tampa, FL 

Join IBTTA in Tampa, FL and receive cutting-edge information from agencies and toll service providers around the globe on the latest in all-electronic tolling, toll traffic management, and achieving full interoperability. This is the only Summit in the world in 2009 focused on the critical topics of Open Road Tolling, All-Electronic Tolling and Interoperability and will feature more than 100 of our industry’s most experienced and knowledgeable speakers, panelists and exhibitors. What matters most is your customer’s experience driving your roads, the quality of service they receive during the payment process and your success in collecting those payments. Are your customers satisfied? Visit IBTTA’s website to view the preliminary agenda and register today

AVIATION

1) FAA to Block Public Access to Raw Bird Strike Data

Link to story in Air Transport Intelligence:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/03/18/324033/faa-to-block-public-access-to-raw-bird-strike-data.html

2) ‘High Risk’ NextGen’s Planning, Leadership Questioned

Link to story on ATW Daily News:

http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=15972

OTHER

3) Mystery Solved: Arizona DOT Returns Lost Slides to California Family

Link to story in The Daily Courier:

http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=65759

RAILROADS

4) New Australian Rail Tunnel Shows Cracks – Electronic Monitoring Being Conducted

Link to story in The Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/national/new-23b-rail-line-shows-a-few-cracks-20090318-925t.html  

ROADWAYS

5) Seattle DOT Botched Snow Response

Link to story in The Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008885019_sdot19m.html

6) Governor Wants Minnesota to Test Mileage Tax

Link to story on Minnesota Public Radio:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/03/18/mileage_tax/

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) US Transportation Security Administration Lacks Technology to Meet Air Cargo Screening Goal

Link to story in Government Executive:

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=42298

TRANSIT

8) Hong Kong Underground Railway Gets Mobile Phone Coverage

Link to story on cellular-news:

http://www.cellular-news.com/story/36571.php

9) Leaked Web Test Leaves Toronto Transit Riders Mis-Tweeted

Link to story in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/604008

10) Twitter on Transit: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Link to story on TransitTalent:

http://www.transittalent.com/articles/index.cfm?story=Twitter

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

11) Tennessee DOT Smart Way System: Phase Two

Link to story on WTVC-TV:

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/project_976653___article.html/tdot_says.html

VEHICLES

12) Cadillac Finds Its Hot Spot

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/cadillac-finds-its-hot-spot/

13) Can Your Car Know Too Much About You?

Link to story in the San Bernardino County Sun:

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_11948467

News Releases

1) Trip Calculator Helps Broward County, Florida Motorists Find Best Time to Travel

2) Cubic to Expand Bank Card Acceptance in Public Transit Through Exclusive Licensing Agreement with ViVOtech

3) ARTBA Foundation Announces 2009 “Work Zone Safety Awareness Award” Winners

4) Upgrade for Australia’s National Air Traffic Control Towers

Upcoming Events

Webinar: A New Approach to Traffic Signal Timing Education and Training: Mobile Signal Timing Training (MOST) – April 15

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s090415_most.asp

Today in Transportation History

2004 **5th anniversary** – Twenty-three people, most of them youths, died when a bus and truck collided near Äänekoski, Finland. 

http://www.onnettomuustutkinta.fi/uploads/2u600ppcm9j9l0.pdf

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast ati95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

–~–~———~–~—-~————~——-~–~—-~

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – March 17, 2009

March 17, 2009 at 5:08 pm

 Tuesday, March 17, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057

Join Key Transportation Policy Makers at ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting – June 1-3

The Intelligent Transportation Society of America invites you to National Harbor, Maryland – in the Washington, DC metropolitan area – from June 1-3, 2009 for ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition. With ITS America 2009 in the Metro Washington Area, we have a wonderful opportunity to interact with legislators on the federal, state and local level to showcase ITS products and services.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, members of Congress, and key transportation administrators have been invited to speak during the Plenary sessions scheduled on Monday and Wednesday and to experience ITS technologies in action while at the Meeting.  This is a critical opportunity for our industry to demonstrate how ITS technologies can improve safety, mobility, and the environment while optimizing transportation dollars and helping to finance the future of our transportation system. For additional information on the ITS America 2009 Annual Meeting Program, click here.

AVIATION

1) FAA: Memo About Denver Air Safety ‘Alarming’

Link to story on KCNC-TV:

http://cbs4denver.com/investigates/dia.faa.delays.2.960876.html

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) Traffic-Ready PNDs Challenged by Economy

Link to story in This Week in Consumer Electronics:

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6644832.html

OTHER

3) MIT Offering Two One-Week Summer Courses

 –  Discrete Choice Analysis: Predicting Demand and Market Shares

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

 –  Modeling and Simulation of Transportation Networks

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

4) Latest Issue of Transport Business International Online

Includes articles on ITS, telematics, road safety and traffic management.

Link to magazine:

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=mypagesuite&refresh=pJ06X5r10L4k&PBID=8a22ef1c-9187-4d60-a8da-96ecddd9260a&skip

SAFETY / SECURITY

5) US Lawmakers Want More Interoperability in Emergency Comms

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/03/17/fema-location.aspx

TRANSIT

6) High Costs Kill Off London Underground Mobile Plans

Link to story on ZDNet Asia:

http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/communications/0,39044192,62052240,00.htm

 7) Breaking Down the ‘Silos’ that Isolate Ridership Data

Link to story in Passenger Transport:

http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/aptapt/issues/2009-03-16/19.html

 TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

8) iFlorida Model Deployment Final Evaluation Report

Link to report from FHWA:

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop08050/index.htm

News Releases

1) NYSDOT, NYSERDA Fund Projects to Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled and Greenhouse Gases

Upcoming Events

2009 International CAD Consortium Conference – May 3-7 – Reston, Virginia

http://www.intlcad.org/

Today in Transportation History

1979 **30th anniversary** – A portion of the Penmanshiel Tunnel in Scotland collapsed, killing two workers.

http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_Penmanshiel1979.pdf

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Transportation Research Board E-Newsletter – March 17, 2009

March 17, 2009 at 3:09 pm

(Source: Transportation Research Board)

Transportation Research Board

 

Summary of Contents

TRB News

 Recently Released TRB Publications
 Federal Research News
 State Research News
 International Research News
 In the Know

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – March 12, 2009

March 12, 2009 at 5:10 pm

Thursday, March 12, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057


On Facebook?  Become a fan of the Transportation Communications Newsletter

Sign-up at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Transportation-Communications-Newsletter/25187272828

AVIATION

1) Pilot Training Program Uses Specially Equipped Jets to Simulate Unexpected Hazards

Link to story in The Buffalo News:

http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/603882.html

Link to additional information from Calspan Flight Research Group:

http://www.calspan.com/upset.htm

CAMERAS

2) New Anchorage Tunnel’s Security Cameras Not Available Online

Link to story and video report on KTUU-TV:

http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=9991631&nav=menu510_2

3) Mesa, Arizona Loses $ on Traffic Cameras, Says Worth It for Safety

Link to story and video report on KNXV-TV:

http://www.abc15.com/content/traffic/story/Mesa-loses-on-traffic-cameras-says-worth-it-for/EOMv44sCrUOqz3_8M6rrZQ.cspx

CARTOGRAPHY

4) Filipinos Making Their Mark on Google Maps

Link to story in the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20090312-193791/Filipinos-make-their-mark-on-Google-Maps

GPS / NAVIGATION

5) Caution: GPS Devices Aren’t Always Right

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-03-11-gps_N.htm

6) Blazing a Trail with a Smartphone, Visual Signposts Included

GPS-enabled phones can be used for navigation and journaling while hiking.

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/technology/personaltech/12smart.html

7) TomTom is Your New Facebook Friend

Link to story on Absolute Gadget:

http://www.absolutegadget.com/200903122269/news/automotive/tomtom-hd-traffic-widget-facebook-bebo-igoogle-real-time-traffic-information.html

RAILROADS

8) Amtrak Unveils Spot TV Campaign

Link to story in Mediaweek:

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/local-broadcast/e3i6ae4453d630258551eafe430d6b2022a

ROADWAYS

9) March Issue of Florida DOT’s SMART Moves Online

Link to newsletter:

http://www.smartsunguide.com/pdf/SMART%20Moves_MARCH%20FINAL%20Issue.pdf

TRANSIT

10) NJ Transit Cuts Costs as Ridership Dips

Agency eliminating toll-free information number and reducing number of printed timetables.

Link to story in the Asbury Park Press:

http://www.app.com/article/20090311/NEWS/90311110/1001/rss

11) DC Metro ‘Punts’: Will Release Schedule Date for Google and Others

Link to story on Greater Greater Washington:

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=1786

12) Wisconsin Bus System Benefits from Christian-Atheist Battle

Link to story in the Wisconsin State Journal:

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/442593

13) Stadium is Citi Field, but the Subway Stop has Other Ideas

Mets decline buying naming rights for subway and Long Island Rail Road stations.

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/nyregion/12shea.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

14) Contactless Payment Cards Next Step for Transit Agencies

Link to story in ContactlessNews:

http://www.contactlessnews.com/2009/03/11/contactless-payment-cards-next-step-for-transit-agencies

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Be a Clever Commuter

Service allows transit users to share information about service disruptions.

Link to video report on WNBC-TV:

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Be_a_Clever_Commuter_New_York.html

16) Imagine a 311 Application for the iPhone

New York City Council members suggest a mobile application with information such as real-time traffic feeds.

Link to blog in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/imagine-a-311-application-for-the-iphone/

News Releases

1) NJ Transit Approves Customer Upgrades at Port Authority Bus Terminal – Project will enhance communications and improve efficiency

2) AUTO21: Strengthening Canada’s Auto Industry Through Advanced Research & Innovation

Upcoming Events

Talking Operations Web Conference – I-95 Express Lanes in Florida: Project Update – April 1

https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webConfID=16466

Today in Transportation History

1974 **35th anniversary** – George D. Sax, credited with creating the first drive-in bank, died.

http://www.horatioalger.com/member_info.cfm?memberid=sax65  

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – March 11, 2009

March 11, 2009 at 5:31 pm

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057


BICYCLES

1) Attacks on Bicycle Commuters Spur Rider-Awareness Campaign

Link to story in The Seattle Times:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008838541_webcyclists10m.html

CAMERAS

2) Governor Gets Plan to Ban Red Light Cameras in Mississippi

Link to AP story:

http://www.wdam.com/Global/story.asp?S=9988021

CARTOGRAPHY

3) California Lawmaker Wants Google Maps to Blur Certain Buildings

All hospitals, schools, churches, and government buildings that appear on online maps would be blurred under proposed legislation.

Link to CNET News story:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10193171-93.html 

Link to video report on KUSI-TV:

http://www.kusi.com/news/goodmorning/40796132.html?video=YHI&t=a

Link to bill from California Legislature: 

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0251-0300/ab_255_bill_20090211_introduced.html

MARITIME

4) Third Maritime Safety Package General Framework

Link to memo from the EU:

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/105&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

ROADWAYS

5) I-19 in Arizona Losing Kilometer Signs

Link to story in The Sahuarita Sun:

http://www.sahuaritasun.com/articles/2009/03/06/breaking_news/00mileposts0308.txt

6) Roadkill GPS Navigation System to Protect Animals

Link to National Geographic News story:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/03/090311-roadkill-GPS.html

7) Signs Still Missing in Houston-Area Six Months After Ike

Link to story and video report on KHOU-TV:

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou090309_mp_signs-blown-down.219b8238.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Freeway Call Boxes Going the Way of the Cassette Tape

Link to story in the Orange County Register:

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/call-boxes-county-2330660-orange-mile

9) Terrorist Watch List Hits One Million

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-03-10-watchlist_N.htm

10) State Officials Report Better Communication with US Department of Homeland Security

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/03/11/states-see-better-communication-with-dhs.aspx

Link to further information from the National Governors Association:

http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0903HSASURVEY.PDF

11) Hard Lessons of Fog Tuesday from Abu Dhabi

Link to story in The National:

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090311/PAGETHREE/53252817/1119/FOREIGN

TELEMATICS

12) Tracking Assets with Telematics

Telematics is helping contractors track and manage their equipment, but the lack of standardization frustrates managers and stands in the way of better productivity.

Link to story in Light & Medium Truck:

http://www.lmtruck.com/articles/petemplate.aspx?storyid=404

13) The Best In-Car Technology

A comparison of infotainment features offered for vehicles.

Link to story from AOL Autos:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/11/aa.best.in.car.technology/index.html

TRANSIT

14) GPS Systems Will Inform Massachusetts Commuters About Train Delays

Link to story in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/11/gps_systems_will_help_inform_commuters_about_train_delays/

Link to news release from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority:

http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=16809&month=&year

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Virginia Radio Stations Report Few Glitches with New Traffic Reports

Link to story in The Virginian-Pilot:

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/03/stations-report-few-glitches-outofstate-traffic-reports

VEHICLES

16) World’s First Open-Source Car Hits Geneva Motor Show

Link to column on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-10193838-16.html

17) Analysis of Benefits and Costs of Roll Stability Control Systems for the Trucking Industry

Link to report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/research-technology/report/09-020-RP-Roll-Stability.pdf 

News Releases

1) Maritime Safety: Towards Better Prevention of Maritime Accidents in EU

2) King County and Metro Unveil New Tools for Staying in Tune with Transit Disruptions

3) Fujitsu Launches Graphics SoC for Digital Dashboards & Car Navigation

Upcoming Events

APTA 2009 Bus & Paratransit Conference & International Bus Roadeo – May 1-6 – Seattle, Washington

http://www.apta.com/conferences_calendar/seattle_shared/

Today in Transportation History

1779 **230th anniversary** – The US Congress authorized a Corps of Engineers.

http://www.usace.army.mil/History/Pages/Brief/index.html

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

National Transportation Operations Coalition (NTOC) Newsletter – March 11, 2009

March 11, 2009 at 3:18 pm
National Transportation Operations Coalition


Upcoming Talking Operations Web Cast: April 1

Category > Opportunity: March 11, 2009 (NTOC)

 This Talking Operations Web cast on the 95 Express project in Miami, Florida, will take place on April 1, 2009, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT. The 95 Express opened in Miami-Dade County on December 5, 2008.  This project converted a single High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane into 2 variably priced express lanes. The project also enhanced and expanded Bus Rapid Transit service on I-95 from I-395 in downtown Miami to Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, reducing congestion on that heavily traveled north-south artery. Tolls will vary with level of congestion, the goal being to keep traffic in the express lanes moving at a minimum speed of 45 mph.  Registered vanpools, registered carpools of 3+, registered hybrid vehicles and motorcycles can use the lanes without paying a toll. Buses of several types can also use the lanes toll-free -Miami-Dade and Broward County express and regular transit, public school and over-the-road. Trucks of three or more axles will not be allowed to use the express lanes.

An update on the various aspects of this project will be provided. The presentation will provide information on traffic and revenue, operational statistics, toll-free registrations and lessons learned. Registration will be available later this week at http://www.ntoctalks.com/web_casts.php.

 Registration Now Open for ITS America’s 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition

http://www.itsa.org/amregistration.html

March 11, 2009 (ITS America)

 Registration for the 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) is now open. The three-day conference, held June 1-3, 2009 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland (just inside the Washington, DC metropolitan area), provides the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) industry with a forum to learn about and share insights on the latest advancements in ITS technologies. Don’t miss this opportunity to find answers to your toughest transportation challenges, meet your legislators on Capitol Hill, see ITS solutions in action, and take home ideas for implementation, and learn from your peers. Be sure to take advantage of the early-bird registration rates which are available through March 31. Click the link above to register at the early bird rate or here for more information on the 2009 Annual Meeting.

 Register Today and Prepare for the Approaching Recovery: IBTTA’s Workshop on Managing in an Era of Changing Economic Times

http://www.ibtta.org/Events/eventdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3613

Category > Opportunity: March 11, 2009 (IBTTA)

 Join IBTTA in San Francisco, CA on April 19-21, 2009 for power-packed educational sessions and walk away with a world of knowledge on better managing your organization today and preparing for the approaching economic recovery. Learn how global issues are affecting your organization and the toll industry, the goals and efforts of the U.S. stimulus program, how to build a cost-conscious culture and make tough decisions, how to position your agency for unique opportunities during this slowdown, solid financing strategies and more. This is one meeting you don’t want to miss! Visit IBTTA’s Web site through the link above to view the preliminary agenda, make your travel arrangements and register today!

 Position Announcements: ITS Joint Program Office

Category > Opportunity: March 11, 2009 (ITS JPO)

The following two positions within the U.S. DOT ITS Joint Program Office (JPO) are now available. The closing date is March 27, 2009. Click on the links below for more information and to apply.

Communications and Outreach Specialist, GS-301-14

Announcement No. FHWA-JPO-2009-0002: Open to current and former Federal employees with status (Qualified Government employees should apply under this announcement to ensure maximum consideration).

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=79753233&AVSDM=2009%2D03%2D06+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&q=federal+highway+administration&jbf574=TD04&lid=17514&FedEmp=Y&sort=rv&vw=d&ss=0&brd=3876&FedPub=Y&caller=/agency_search.asp&SUBMIT1.x=61&SUBMIT1.y=14

Announcement No. FHWA-JPO-2009-0003: Open to all U.S. citizens

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=79753342&AVSDM=2009%2D03%2D06+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&q=federal+highway+administration&jbf574=TD04&lid=17514&FedEmp=Y&sort=rv&vw=d&ss=0&brd=3876&FedPub=Y&caller=/agency_search.asp&SUBMIT1.x=61&SUBMIT1.y=14

Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program Manager, GS-301-14/15

Announcement No. FHWA.JPO-2009-0004: Open to all U.S. citizens

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=79753887&AVSDM=2009%2D03%2D06+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&q=federal+highway+administration&jbf574=TD04&lid=17514&FedEmp=Y&sort=rv&vw=d&ss=0&brd=3876&FedPub=Y&caller=/agency_search.asp&SUBMIT1.x=61&SUBMIT1.y=14

Announcement No. FHWA.JPO-2009-0005: Open to current and former Federal employees with status (Qualified Government employees should apply under this announcement to ensure maximum consideration).

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=79753929&AVSDM=2009%2D03%2D06+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&q=federal+highway+administration&jbf574=TD04&lid=17514&FedEmp=Y&sort=rv&vw=d&ss=0&brd=3876&FedPub=Y&caller=/agency_search.asp&SUBMIT1.x=61&SUBMIT1.y=14

Obama & Biden Visit U.S. DOT to Release Recovery Funding

http://www.transportation.org/?siteid=99

Category > Breaking News: March 11, 2009 (AASHTO)

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood last week to address more than 500 U.S. Department of Transportation employees and to formally release $27.5 billion in funding for highway and bridge projects provided by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. The transportation apportionments were issued to states and other parties eight days ahead of the deadline.

“This investment in highways will create or save 150,000 jobs by the end of next year, most of them in the private sector,” Obama said at U.S. DOT headquarters in Washington. “The jobs that we’re creating are good jobs that pay more than average; jobs grinding asphalt and paving roads, filling potholes, making street signs, repairing stop lights, and replacing guardrails.”

More than 100 transportation contracts funded by recovery dollars have already been awarded, with another 200 to be awarded in upcoming weeks. These projects vary greatly from state to state.

More information about the recovery legislation and states moving quickly to begin projects is available on AASHTO’s recovery Web site through the link above. Tables showing the apportionments to both state and local transportation agencies are available from the Federal Highway Administration at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices/n4510705t1.htm.

ATRI Releases Analysis of 30 National Freight Bottlenecks

http://atri-online.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=96

Category > Now Available: March 11, 2009 (ATRI)

 The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released the findings of its Freight Performance Measures Analysis of 30 Freight Bottlenecks. The research, which assesses the severity of 30 freight bottlenecks within the U.S. Interstate system, uses unique analysis methods and data to produce a severity ranking for each location. This research dovetails with the ongoing Freight Performance Measures initiative, which is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and managed by ATRI.

“ATRI’s report provides the first real-world analysis of the congestion that motor carriers experience every day,” said Tim Lynch, legislative affairs senior vice president for the American Trucking Associations. “ATRI’s ranking of freight bottlenecks fills a critical void in our arsenal of tools for identifying, prioritizing and addressing freight system deficiencies for the next surface transportation reauthorization.”

The ATRI analysis of 30 national bottlenecks prioritizes chokepoints on the highway system previously identified by the research community. ATRI researchers used GIS/GPS technology and truck-specific information, as well as sophisticated analysis techniques, to determine what time of day freight was affected by traffic congestion and where the results of such congestion were the most severe. A copy of the full report can be ordered from ATRI through the link above.

 2009 National Work Zone Awareness Week

http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/outreach/wz_awareness.htm

Category > Breaking News: March 11, 2009 (FHWA)

The tenth annual National Work Zone Awareness week will be held April 6-10, 2009. The theme for this year is “Drive to Survive – Our Future is Riding On It!” The national kickoff for this event will be held April 7 at a location near the Boundary Channel Humpback Bridge Replacement Project between Washington, DC and Virginia. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

NADO Launches New Rural Transportation Newsletter

http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/nadort/issues/2007-02-28/

Category > Now Available: March 11, 2009 (NADO)

Click on the link above to view the inaugural issue of the National Association of Development Organizations’ (NADO) new Rural Transportation Newsletter.

Upcoming ITE Webinars

Category > Opportunity: March 11, 2009 (ITE)

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

Operational and Safety Effects of Geometric Design Web Seminar

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_FTE.asp#OSEGD

Background: The purpose of this module is to provide the audience with an overview of the primary geometric design principles necessary to develop safe and efficient roadway and intersection designs. At the conclusion of the module, participants should be able to:

1) Define functional classification of roadway systems.

2) Understand the relationship between geometric design controls and criteria and the safety and operation efficiency of the facility.

3) Understand the key elements of geometric design.

4) Describe traditional and non-traditional intersection designs and intersection layout techniques.

5) Recognize the safety impacts and tradeoffs of alternative geometric designs.

Date: Tuesday, March 17

Credit: 1.5 PDH/.2 IACET CEU

Time: 3:00-4:30 p.m. Eastern

Intended Audience: Traffic engineers, transportation engineers, consultants, recent graduates, and professionals new to the field or professionals looking for a refresher course

Traffic Operations Analysis Web Seminar

http://www.ite.org/education/webinars_FTE.asp#TOE

Background: The purpose of this module is to provide the audience with an understanding of the basic concepts and principles of traffic operations analysis to provide for safe and efficient movement of people and goods.At the conclusion of the module, participants should be able to:

1) Understand traffic flow theory concepts and the relationships between speed, flow and density in uninterrupted flow.

2) Understand and be able to apply concepts of highway capacity analysis and level of service analysis for freeways and signalized intersections.

3) Understand basic principles of traffic signal phasing and timing and their effect on traffic safety and efficiency at intersections and in street networks.

4) Calculate appropriate timing of traffic signal phase change intervals and pedestrian intervals.

5) Understand concepts of speed zoning and be able to apply traffic engineering principles to determination of appropriate speed limits.

Date: Wednesday, March 18

Credit: 1.5 PDH/.2 IACET CEU

Time: 3:00-4:30 p.m. Eastern

Intended Audience: Traffic engineers, transportation engineers, consultants, recent graduates, and professionals new to the field or professionals looking for a refresher course.

Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – March 10, 2009

March 10, 2009 at 5:06 pm

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057


 

AVIATION

1) Official: FAA Shows Progress on NextGen

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/03/09/faa-nextgen.aspx

MARITIME

2) US Transportation Security Administration Says Most Port Workers Enrolled in ID Program

Link to story from CongressDaily:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090309_1529.php

3) Paid Cheerleaders: Does Royal Caribbean’s Viral Campaign Cross the Line?

Link to story on ExpertCruiser:

http://expertcruiser.com/advice/paid-cheerleaders-does-royal-caribbeans-viral-campaign-cross-the-line/

OTHER

4) Graphic Content | Making Obama’s Marks

A look at the logos designed for two economic recovery initiatives, including US DOT’s TIGER program.

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/10/graphic-content-making-obamas-marks/

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

5) Ohio DOT Defends Bridge Safety Amid E-Mails

Link to AP story:

http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20090310/UPDATES01/90310003

ROADWAYS

6) Iowa DOT Uses Lasers, Turbine to Count Traffic

Believed to be first permanent installation in the country.

Link to story on Radio Iowa:

http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=EBF71ABE-5056-B82A-377E827A534B933F

SAFETY / SECURITY

7) FEMA Request Comments on Alert Standard

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2009/03/09/fema-submits-emergency-alert-standard.aspx

Link to more information on IPAWS:  http://www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/

8) Claire Bailey, Arkansas Chief Technology Officer, Discusses State’s Wireless Information Network

Link to interview in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/625962

TRANSIT

9) American Public Transportation Association Launches Public Transit Advocacy Campaign

Link to story in Progressive Railroading:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=19874

Link to Public Transportation Takes Us There:  http://www.publictransportation.org/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

10) New University of Massachusetts Amherst Transit Center

Facility will help drivers in Western Massachusetts know what road conditions are like before they head out.

Link to story and video report on WSHM-TV:

http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/40987437.html

VEHICLES

11) Have Smartphone, Can Travel

Our love of cell phones is spawning applications for driving that can be downloaded for little or no money.

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/automobiles/08PHONE.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

News Releases

1) Meet George and Gracie, the (Synthesized) Voices of BART

2) Lockheed Martin GPS III Team Progressing On-Schedule in Preliminary Design Review Stage

Upcoming Events

Arizona Transit Association Annual Spring Conference – April 26 – Tempe, Arizona

http://www.azta.org/about/event-detail/azta-annual-spring-conference/

Today in Transportation History

1989 **20th anniversary** – An Air Ontario flight crashed in Dryden, Ontario, killing 24 people.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5i2BF1dastqG7DGZ_vA6SCDbaFQ8A

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

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

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast