[TCN] Friday, August 29, 2008

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Friday, August 29, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

---

Register Now for IBTTA's 76^th Annual Meeting and Exhibition – Early Bird Discount Extended to September 5^th 

 

Registration is now open for IBTTA's 76^th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Connecting, People, Places & Ideas, September 20-24, 2008, in Baltimore, Maryland. Join IBTTA for the most significant gathering of toll industry professionals and business partners in the world. Register by September 5^th and receive a $100 discount off your registration fee. More than 1,000 delegates from 25 countries on six continents will converge on Baltimore's Waterfront to examine best practices and critical innovations in toll industry finance, marketing, technology, customer service, environmental stewardship, operations, maintenance, and related issues. This meeting is hosted by the Maryland Transportation Authority. Registration cut-off for this meeting is September 5, 2008. For more information, visit IBTTA's website and register online today! www.IBTTA.org.

 

 

AVIATION

 

1) FAA Outage Reveals Odd Computing Practices

Link to AP story:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h1bzBw02FwEGqVA7Fw2oLDdSE8zgD92S5GE02

 

CAMERAS

 

2) Iowa Supreme Court Rules Traffic Cameras OK

Link to AP story:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-supco-trafficcame,0,794695.story

 

GPS / NAVIGATION

 

3) Map Reading Skills 'Dying Out Due to Internet and Sat-Navs"

Link to story in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2639307/Map-reading-skills-dying-out-due-to-internet-and-satnavs.html

 

4) European Sat-Nav Device to Warn Against Snarled Roads and Radar

Tom Tom says it will use cellular data from Vodafone.

Link to Deutsche Presse-Agentur story:

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/business/news/article_1427509.php/Sat-nav_device_to_warn_against_snarled_roads_and_radar 

 

OTHER

 

5) Poor Communication Caused Texas DOT's $1 Billion Error

Link to story in the Houston Chronicle:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5972958.html

 

6) Missouri Law Now Mandates English-Only Commercial Driver's License Tests

Link to story in Land Line Magazine:

http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2008/Aug08/082508/082808-04.htm

 

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

 

7) Pennsylvania Turnpike Lease-Backers Issue Poster, Video

Link to story in The Patriot-News:

http://www.pennlive.com/news/capitol/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/121997493131160.xml&coll=1

 

ROADWAYS

 

8) Washington State Rest Area Wi-Fi: Little Used, Expensive and Gone

Link to story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/archives/147374.asp

Link to news release from Washington State DOT:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2008/08/28_RestAreaWiFi.htm

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

9) US Gears Up to Detect Nuclear Materials at Sea

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-08-28-boats_N.htm

 

10) Panel Finds Transportation Worker Identification Credential Riddled with Problems

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://www.fcw.com/online/news/153628-1.html

 

11) Database Catches Unfit Arkansas Big-Rig Drivers

Link to AP story:

http://www.thedailycitizen.com/articles/2008/08/29/ap-state-ar/d92rrnm88.txt

 

12) US Department of Homeland Security Studies PDAs for First Responders

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://www.fcw.com/online/news/153654-1.html

 

TRANSIT

 

13) Miscommunication Blamed in Calgary Train Crash

Link to CTV News story:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080827/train_calgary_080827/20080827?hub=CTVNewsAt11

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

14) Signs Point to Boston T Times

Link to story in the Boston Herald:

http://bostonherald.com/business/general/view/2008_08_29_Signs_point_to_T_times:_Options:_Text_messages__up-to-minute_postings/srvc=home&position=5

 

15) Brisbane Coronation Drive Traffic Management System 'a Failure'

Link to story in the Brisbane Times:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/coronation-drive-lane-system-a-failure/2008/08/27/1219516522271.html

 

VEHICLES

 

16) GM to Offer Radios with Ports for Music Players

Link to AP story:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080829/gm_music_players.html?.v=4

 

 

Upcoming Events

13^th International Conference of Hong Kong Society for Transportation Studies – December 13-15 – Hong Kong

http://home.netvigator.com/~hksts/conf.htm

 

 

Friday Bonus

Washington State DOT Announces Ultra-Green Ferry Routes

http://nakedloon.com/community/2008/04/02/dot-announces-new-ultra-green-ferry-routes/

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1958 **50th anniversary** -- The United States Air Force Academy opened in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

 

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

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.   

© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

[TCN] Thursday, August 28, 2008

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Thursday, August 28, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

---

Third Transportation Book by Joseph M. Giglio in Three Years: Judges of the Secret Court

 

Using the techniques of popular fiction, Giglio dramatizes how America's transportation system can be transformed into a vigorous engine for economic growth-and to make clear that our ability to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive global economy depend on this transformation.

The book gives today's savvy readers a refreshing dose of real-world insights into creating a "New Covenant" on transportation-between the federal government, state and local governments, and private enterprise-that will not simply repair a broken transportation system, but will turn it into a crucial generator of economic growth.  Copies of the book are available for purchase at www.Amazon.com and at www.hudson.org/bookstore.

 

 

AVIATION

 

1) After Flight Delays, FAA May Add Backup System

Link to CNET News story:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10027667-92.html?tag=newsLatestHeadlinesArea.0

 

GPS / NAVIGATION

 

2) Navigon to Offer Free Traffic Across Its Product Range

Link to story in GPS World:

http://cp.gpsworld.com/gpscp/LBS+News/Navigon-to-Offer-Free-Traffic-across-its-Product-R/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/545438?contextCategoryId=1385

 

3) Nokia to Make Lonely Planet Guides Available on Phones

Link to story in InformationWeek:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/gps/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210101831

 

4) Frommer's Travel Guides Now Available for iPod and iPhone

Link to AP story:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-08-27-frommers-for-ipod_N.htm

 

OTHER

 

5) California to Tie Auto Insurance to Miles Driven

Link to AP story:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080827/auto_insurance_miles.html?.v=2

Link to news release from the California Department of Insurance:

http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/0070-2008/release089-08.cfm

 

ROADWAYS

 

6) Feds Fund Arizona I-10 Weather Warning System

Link to story on KOLD-TV:

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=8912738&nav=menu86_2

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

7) Number Plate Cameras at UK Airports

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7585534.stm

 

8) Privacy Group: US Border-Crossing Database Raises Concerns

Link to IDG News Service story:

http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1673547729;fp;2;fpid;1

 

9) US Department of Homeland Security Unveils Wireless Radio for Emergency Response

Link to story on NextGov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080827_1113.php?zone=ngtoday

 

TELEMATICS

 

10) Ten Reasons Why the Insurance Industry Should Care About Telematics

Link to story in Telematics Update:

http://social.telematicsupdate.com/content/ten-reasons-why-insurance-industry-should-care-about-telematics

 

TRANSIT

 

11) Ontario Gives Ottawa $7 Million for Transit Smart Cards

Link to story in The Ottawa Citizen:

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=2418fd0d-8453-4704-b4ac-600209dfb798

 

 

News Releases

1) Tampa Bay Maritime Homeland Security Experiment Focuses on Enhancing Nation's Port Security

 

 

Upcoming Events

ROSATTE (ROad Safety ATTributes exchange infrastructure in Europe) Project Requirements Workshop – September 17 – Paris

http://www.ertico.com/en/subprojects/rosatte/news__events/requirement_workshop.htm

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1937 – Toyota Motor Corporation was founded as an independent company.

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/history/1867.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.   

© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

[TCN] Wednesday, August 27, 2008

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Wednesday, August 27, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

---

Register Now for IBTTA's 76th Annual Meeting and Exhibition – Early Bird Discount Extended to September 5^th 

 

Registration is now open for IBTTA's 76^th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Connecting, People, Places & Ideas, September 20-24, 2008, in Baltimore, Maryland. Join IBTTA for the most significant gathering of toll industry professionals and business partners in the world. Register by September 5^th and receive a $100 discount off your registration fee. More than 1,000 delegates from 25 countries on six continents will converge on Baltimore's Waterfront to examine best practices and critical innovations in toll industry finance, marketing, technology, customer service, environmental stewardship, operations, maintenance, and related issues. This meeting is hosted by the Maryland Transportation Authority. Registration cut-off for this meeting is September 5, 2008. For more information, visit IBTTA's website and register online today! www.IBTTA.org.

 

 

AVIATION

 

1) In-Flight Internet Service Comes with New Porn Monitors: Flight Attendants 

Link to Fox News story:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,410282,00.html

 

2) Aircell Signs Up Fourth Airline for Wi-Fi Service

Link to story in InformationWeek:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/services/data/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210200880

 

3) You Can Make VOIP Calls on Airplanes. Joy.

Link to commentary in BusinessWeek:

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/travelers_check/archives/2008/08/you_can_make_vo.html

 

GPS / NAVIGATION

 

4) Blaupunkt TravelPilot GPS Features Video Overlay

Unit offers real-time video navigation and traffic sign recognition.

Link to CNET News review and video:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10026527-48.html

 

MARITIME

 

5) Gulf of Maine Buoy Weather Network Experiences a Funding Shortfall

Link to AP story:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ME_OCEAN_BUOYS_NHOL-?SITE=NHCON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Link to Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System:  http://www.gomoos.org

 

TRANSIT

 

6) Orange County Transportation Authority Gets Federal Grant to Put Cameras on Buses

Pilot program will allow live monitoring from police vehicles.

Link to story in the Los Angeles Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cameras27-2008aug27,0,2939872.story

Link to OCTA news release:

http://www.octa.net/press_082108.aspx

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

7) EU Project Promises Safer Traffic

Link to IDG News Service story:

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/150394/eu_project_promises_safer_traffic.html

 

VEHICLES

 

8) Put a PC in Your Car

Link to story in Personal Computer World:

http://www.pcw.co.uk/personal-computer-world/features/2224489/give-pc-wheels-4067053

 

 

News Releases

1) Steering Toward Smarter Travel Choices – Over £7m to be invested in adapting and developing technology to help people to make better travel choices

2) Jupiter Shines at the 2008 Olympics

3) In-Flight Wi-Fi Brings Wi-Fi TV Internet TV Stations to Airline Passengers

4) US DOT Awards $14.7 Million for Rural Roads Safety

5) Dial Directions Gives Evite Guests a Voice-Activated Mobile Service for Directions

5) TransCore Launches CabLink, Next Generation Satellite-Based In-Cab Communications, Telematics, and Engine Performance Monitoring Unit

7) Inrix and Beat the Traffic Bring Cutting-Edge Traffic Reports to TV Broadcast Stations Across the Country

8) Garmin Expands Affordable nüvi 2x5 Series, Offering Hands-Free Calling and Lifetime Traffic Alerts

 

 

Upcoming Events

Final FeedMAP Workshop – October 9 – Trento, Italy

http://www.ertico.com/download/feedmap_documents/Agenda.pdf

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1962 – Mariner II was launched on a flight to Venus.

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0827.html#article

 

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

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.   

© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

[TCN] Tuesday, August 26, 2008

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

---

Third Transportation Book by Joseph M. Giglio in Three Years: Judges of the Secret Court

 

Using the techniques of popular fiction, Giglio dramatizes how America's transportation system can be transformed into a vigorous engine for economic growth-and to make clear that our ability to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive global economy depend on this transformation.

The book gives today's savvy readers a refreshing dose of real-world insights into creating a "New Covenant" on transportation-between the federal government, state and local governments, and private enterprise-that will not simply repair a broken transportation system, but will turn it into a crucial generator of economic growth.  Copies of the book are available for purchase at www.Amazon.com and at www.hudson.org/bookstore.

 

 

AVIATION

 

1) FAA Says Communication Breakdown Delaying Flights

Link to AP story:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080826/faa_communication_breakdown.html?.v=13

 

2) Kentucky Crash Brings Subtle Changes in Aviation

Enhanced airfield markings and improved cockpit information among recommendations.

Link to McClatchy Newspapers story:

http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/501764.html

 

3) Sky is the Limit

India's GAGAN project will improve airport and airspace access in all weather conditions.

Link to story in Frontline:

http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/stories/20080912251811400.htm

 

CARTOGRAPHY

 

4) MapQuest Inches Toward Modernity

Link to story on CNET News:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10025491-2.html

 

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

 

5) Money Spent vs. Time Saved Debated for HOT Lanes in Northern Virginia

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/24/AR2008082402559.html?hpid=topnews

 

OTHER

 

6) US Reaches Out to Foreign Tourists with New Web Site

Link to AP story:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-08-26-discover-america_N.htm

Link to Discover America:  http://www.discoveramerica.com  

 

ROADWAYS

 

7) West Virginia Turnpike Accident Response is Lesson

Link to story in The Charleston Gazette:

http://wvgazette.com/News/200808250604

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

8) No Listening to Music While Driving in Mumbai

Traffic police enact ban saying it distracts motorists.

Link to NDTV story:

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080063078

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

9) Georgia DOT Liaison Keeps Traffic Bulletins Flowing

Link to story in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/08/26/bryan_gunter_gdot.html

 

10) Live Traffic Map Service Seeking Volunteers in Ottawa

Link to story in The Ottawa Citizen:

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=8cf96d65-78b4-442f-bf16-76efabe3e394

 

 

News Releases

1) Airbiquity Announces Connected Services Platform for Personal Navigation Devices

2) Eight Live New Delaware DOT Traffic Cameras Will be Operational by Fall

 

 

Upcoming Events

3^rd Annual AAAE/ACC Information Technology for Airports Conference – October 26-28 – San Diego, California

http://events.aaae.org/sites/080906/index.cfm

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1978 **30^th anniversary** - Soyuz 31 was launched, carrying the first German cosmonaut, Sigmund Jähn.

http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/international/english/jaehn_sigmund.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.   

© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast