dollar kurs to euro: [TCN] Friday, October 31, 2008

Transportation Communications Newsletter

Friday, October 31, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

Tickets Going Fast for the 15^th World Congress on ITS "Night in Times Square"

Join fellow 15^th World Congress on ITS participants for a truly special evening on Wednesday, November 19 as the World Congress takes over the ESPN Zone in Times Square. Tickets are selling quickly and there may be limited availability once you get to World Congress in November. Located in the heart of Times Square, the ESPN Zone is a world where sport is king. You'll enjoy a tasty menu featuring generous portions of expertly prepared American grill food, an arena of interactive games and attractions, and an unparalleled sports viewing experience. Don't miss this exciting networking opportunity. Tickets are $75.00 and can be purchased at www.itsworldcongress.org.

AVIATION

1) Officials: EU, US Agree on Air Cargo Screening

Link to AP story:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j50X92W5lDhP-j1lxqjitZe0xCfAD94555JG1

2) Airport Security Report Lightweight?

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-10-30-screeners_N.htm

Link to report from the US Department of Homeland Security Inspector General:

http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_08-90_Sep08.pdf

3) Maryland Medevac Crash: Controller Not Required to Know Procedure, FAA Says

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/30/AR2008103004436.html

Link to preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board:

http://ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20081001X14522&key=1

4) Sydney-Bound Qantas Jet 'Flying Blind'

Air New Zealand jet guides 747 with malfunctioning weather radar.

Link to story in The Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/sydneybound-qantas-jet-flying-blind/2008/10/29/1224956143124.html

CAMERAS

5) Amtrak Signs are Creating False Sense of Security, Some Residents Say

Signs advise parking lot has video surveillance, but resident says cameras don't work and railroad won't verify camera status.

Link to story in the Auburn Journal:

http://www.auburnjournal.com/detail/97476.html

OTHER

6) Intelligent Transportation Systems Benefits, Costs, Deployment, and Lessons Learned: 2008 Update

Link to document from US DOT:

http://www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/JPODOCS//REPTS_TE/14412.htm

RAILROADS

7) End to the Mobile Phone Bores: New 'Quiet' Train Carriages to Block Mobile Phone Signals

Link to story in the Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1080866/End-mobile-phone-bores-New-quiet-train-carriages-block-mobile-phone-signals.html

ROADWAYS

8) Emergency Detour Signs to Help Battle Traffic Jams in Ontario

Link to story and video in The London Free Press:

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/2008/10/31/7260946-sun.html

9) Predicting Traffic Jams

Singapore Land Transport Authority working with IBM to develop algorithm to predict traffic flow.

Link to story from The New Straits Times:

http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20081031-97513.html

Link to further information from IBM:

http://domino.watson.ibm.com/comm/research.nsf/pages/r.statistics.innovation.traffic.html

TRANSIT

10) BART Wi-Fi Plan Hits Funding Skid

Link to story in The Examiner:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/BART_Wi-Fi_plan_hits_funding_skid.html

11) Technology Pioneer Finds Its Gravy Train on Public Transit

Advertisers are hopping aboard high-tech system that lights up the dark places.

Link to story in The Globe and Mail:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081031.RADHOCRACY31/TPStory/Business

Link to further information from Sidetrack Technologies:

http://www.sidetrack.ca/system.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

12) Finnra Starts Digitraffic Service

Link to story from ERTICO-ITS Europe:

http://www.ertico.com/en/news_and_events/ertico_newsroom/partner_news_finnra_starts_digitraffic_service.htm

VEHICLES

13) New Jersey Mechanics Seek the Keys to Servicing All Cars

Proposed law, a first in US, would give motorists the ability to obtain the manufacturer's 'codes' necessary to diagnose, service and repair their vehicles.

Link to story in NJBIZ:

http://tinyurl.com/6eosyk

News Releases

1) ITS America Announces Finalists for the 2008 Best of ITS Awards

Upcoming Events

Intertraffic China 2009 – March 18-20 – Shanghai

http://www.china.intertraffic.com/intertrafficchina2009/e

Friday Bonuses

With today being Halloween, I have a couple of items appropriate for the occasion.

The Haunted Tugboat in Port of Milwaukee

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/33551734.html

Batman Surprises Speeders