[TCN] Wednesday May 6, 2009

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Wednesday May 6, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Now for IBTTA's Upcoming Meeting — Incident Management, Safety and Security, July 19-21, 2009, Denver, CO 

 

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association in Denver, CO to learn about best practices from around the world in Incident Management and Emergency Response. Sessions will explore the most effective tools and communication methods available to promote toll facility safety and security, maintain operations in the face of disruption, and effectively communicate with customers during all phases of an incident – from prevention to recovery. Other topics include crisis management during special events, Post Traumatic Distress Disorder and psychological impacts to employees, the role of engineering and maintenance in prevention and safety, and business continuity during disasters. Visit IBTTA's website to view the preliminary agenda and register today! 

 

 

AVIATION

 

1) Audit: US Air Traffic Systems Venerable to Attack

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/06/AR2009050601882.html

 

2) Pilots Group Takes to the Airwaves

Link to story on Politico:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22138.html

 

3) A Look at Virgin Atlantic's Cockpit Technology

Link to video on Gadling:

http://www.gadling.com/2009/05/06/gadling-gets-an-exclusive-look-at-virgin-americas-cockpit-tec/

 

4) Airlines Use Computers to Get 'Personal' with Customers

Link to story and video on KXAS-TV:

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/AIrlines-Use-Computers-to-Get-Personal-With-Customers.html

 

CARTOGRAPHY

 

5) Does GPS Mean the End of the Road for Street Directories?

Link to story in The Daily Telegraph:

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,25440716-5007185,00.html

 

MARITIME

 

6) US Coast Guard to Harness Ocean Data to Improve Search and Rescue

Link to story in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2009/05/06/noaa-ocean-data-tool.aspx

 

OTHER

 

7) Latest Edition of Horizons Online

Link to magazine from US DOT's Research and Innovative Technology Administration:

http://www.rita.dot.gov/publications/horizons/2009_05_01/pdf/entire.pdf

 

ROADWAYS

 

8) Boston Drivers Click to Fight Potholes

Link to story in Next American City:

http://americancity.org/daily/entry/1581/

Link to SeeClickFix:  http://www.seeclickfix.com/

 

9) Driving LED Signage Efficiently

Link to story in ECN:

http://www.ecnmag.com/article-Driving-LED-Signage-Efficiently-050609.aspx?menuid=334

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

10) Report: FBI Slow to Update Terror Watch List

Link to AP story:

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=42669

 

11) Ensuring Work Zone Safety and Mobility

Link to interview with the Maryland State Highway Administration in the NTOC Newsletter:

http://www.ntoctalks.com/articles/workzonesafety.php

 

TRANSIT

 

12) Mobile Commerce Apps Gaining Ground in US

But near field communications slow to arrive, conference panelists say.

Link to story in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9132567&intsrc=news_ts_head

 

VEHICLES

 

13) Teens and Driving: Ford Gadget Seeks to Curb Teen Speeding, but 80 MPH Limit Draws Criticism

Link to story in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-talk-my-keymay06,0,881053.story

 

14) Car Talk

Could cars talk to each other directly to make the streets safer?

Link to story in Popular Science:

http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2009-04/car-talk

 

 

News Releases

1) FAA Commends ARINC's Performance in Support of Oceanic Flight Communications

2) Operation Lifesaver 'Shark' Safety PSAs Will be Featured in Amtrak Stations May 9

3) EASi and NeST Announce Strategic Partnership

4) Icomera Introduces Rugged Wi-Fi Cellular Router for Rail and Road Vehicles

 

 

Upcoming Events

APTA Intermodal Operations Planning Workshop – August 3-5 – Salt Lake City, Utah

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

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1909 **100^th anniversary** - Loyd Sigmon, the originator of the 'Sig Alert' system used for major traffic problems in the Los Angeles area, was born.

http://harrymarnell.net/sigalert.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

[TCN] Tuesday, May 5, 2009

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

 

1) Looking for a Wi-Fi Hotspot? Try 10,000 Feet Up

Link to story on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/business.travel/05/04/airplane.wifi/index.html

 

2) Airlines Boost Self-Service with Mobile Check-in

Link to story and audio report on NPR's All Things Considered:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103781402

 

OTHER

 

3) Bush-Era Secrecy Still Hiding Government Data

Information removed includes FAA enforcement actions and pipeline mapping data.

Link to ABC News story:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=7496067&page=1

 

4) Latest Edition of Transport Business Online

Link to magazine:

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=mypagesuite&refresh=J0r72B1i1qH3&PBID=8a22ef1c-9187-4d60-a8da-96ecddd9260a&skip

 

ROADWAYS

 

5) Honk if You're Going to Report This on the Internet

Web sites where you can complain about bad parkers, slow mergers, and that jerk who cut you off.

Link to story in Slate:

http://www.slate.com/id/2217429/?gt1=38002

 

TELEMATICS

 

6) Telematics and GPS Go In the Right Direction

Navigation assistance gets more user-friendly with help of technology.

Link to story on MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30526005/

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

7) Radio Road-Travel News is a Valuable Service in UK

Link to story on PublicTechnology:

http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=19887

 

8) Traffic Lights Covered Up by Ealing Council to Test Congestion 'Cure'

Link to story in The Times:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6207518.ece

 

 

News Releases

1) Best Western First Hotel Chain to Offer New GPS and Online Mapping Service for North America/Caribbean

2) Traffic Sign Recognition Offers Additional Driver Safety

 

 

Upcoming Events

2009 Incident Management, Safety and Security – July 19-21 – Denver

http://www.ibtta.org/Events/eventdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3857

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1494 **515^th anniversary** - Christopher Columbus landed on Jamaica and claimed it for Spain.

http://www.columbusnavigation.com/v2.shtml

 

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

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

[TCN] Monday, May 4, 2009

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Monday, May 4, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Now for IBTTA's Upcoming Meeting — Incident Management, Safety and Security, July 19-21, 2009, Denver, CO 

 

Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association in Denver, CO to learn about best practices from around the world in Incident Management and Emergency Response. Sessions will explore the most effective tools and communication methods available to promote toll facility safety and security, maintain operations in the face of disruption, and effectively communicate with customers during all phases of an incident – from prevention to recovery. Other topics include crisis management during special events, Post Traumatic Distress Disorder and psychological impacts to employees, the role of engineering and maintenance in prevention and safety, and business continuity during disasters. Visit IBTTA's website to view the preliminary agenda and register today! 

 

 

AVIATION

 

1) Colorado Airport May Get Cameras, Not New Tower

FAA committee expected to decide if Aspen airport can extend runway without new tower by using cutting-edge remote camera system.

Link to story in the Aspen Daily News:

http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/134390

 

2) Airlines Seek to Reassure Passengers in Outbreak

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/business/global/04iht-air.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

 

3) Air Force Flight Over Lower Manhattan Showed Bad Taste, Worse Communication

Link to column in The Star-Ledger:

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2009/05/communication_coach_flight_sho.html 

 

GPS / NAVIGATION

 

4) Navigon Leaves North American GPS Market

Link to CNET News story:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10232879-48.html

 

5) New GPS Satellite's Problems Indicated

Link to story in GPS World:

http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/Latest+News/New-GPS-Satellites-Problems-Indicated/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/596465?contextCategoryId=33831

 

6) Smarter GPS to Let Cell Phones Point the Way

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/automobiles/03DASHTOP.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

 

OTHER

 

7) With Twitter as Your Tour Guide, Hitting Los Angeles' Hot Spots is a Breeze

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-04-30-twitter-tips_N.htm 

 

RAILROADS

 

8) Union Pacific Makes a Game of Risk

Link to story from CIO:

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/043009-union-pacific-makes-a-game.html

 

ROADWAYS

 

9) Massive 14^th Street Bridge Project to Begin in Washington, DC

Residents are questioning why the District didn't give more advanced notice.
Link to story and video on WJLA-TV:

http://www.news8.net/news/stories/0409/618465.html

 

10) San Francisco to Try 'Smart' Meters

Link to story in The Examiner:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Muni-Port-team-up-to-try-smart-meters-44202792.html

 

TELEMATICS

 

11) Telematics Still an Option for Repair Shops to Consider

Link to story in Motor Age:

http://motorage.search-autoparts.com/motorage/Business+%26+Management+Solutions/Telematics-still-an-option-for-repair-shops-to-con/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/596366?contextCategoryId=2827

 

TRANSIT

 

12) Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority Lets Residents Comment on Transit Plan by Phone

Link to story in the St. Petersburg Times:

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article997254.ece

 

13) Advertising Company Delivers Ads Between Stop Announcements on Buses and Trains

Link to story in BtoB:

http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090504/HOLD/305049983/1155#seenit  (scroll down to third article)

 

14) Googling the Future

Google Transit changes the way riders find their routes and alters the way they think about public transportation.

Link to story in More Riders Magazine:

http://www.trilliumtransit.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/googling-the-future.pdf

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

15) Minnesota Firm Keeps the Wheels Turning

Image Sensing Systems designs software and equipment that helps to deal with traffic trouble spots around the world.
Link to column in the Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/business/44190017.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1OiP:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

 

16) What Use are Traffic Reports?

What are the chances of getting a radio traffic report that is actually relevant to your current car journey?

Link to BBC News story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8029704.stm

 

 

Job Posting

 -  SHRP 2 Implementation Lead Program Manager – Federal Highway Administration – Washington, DC

http://tinyurl.com/cr3u8v

 

 

Upcoming Events

ITS Strategic Planning Workshop – National Harbor, Maryland – June 4

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

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1859 **150^th anniversary** - The Cornwall Railway opened in the UK.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornwall_Railway

 

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

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

[TCN] Friday, May 1, 2009

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Friday, May 1, 2009 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

 

1) Make Reporting of Bird Strike Data Mandatory

Link to editorial in Newsday:

http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpfaa0112705871apr30,0,6873146.story

 

CAMERAS

 

2) Privacy, Cameras and Roadways

Link to story on Drivers .com:

http://www.drivers.com/article/1074/

 

GPS / NAVIGATION

 

3) GPS Evidence Too Unreliable for Legal Purposes

Link to story in InformationWeek:

http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/gps/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=217201050

 

4) US Department of Transportation Releases Civil Monitoring Performance Document

Link to story in GPS World:

http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/System+Design+and+Test+News/Department-of-Transportation-Releases-Civil-Monito/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/596189?contextCategoryId=33831

 

OTHER

 

5) Cloud Computing Could Help Agencies Track Stimulus Funds

Link to story on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090430_4418.php

 

6) Delaware DOT's Diversity Coaching Backfires

Newsletter lists slurs, insults and stereotypes that shouldn't be used in workplace.

Link to story in The News Journal:

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090501/NEWS02/905010383/1007/DelDOT+s+diversity+coaching+backfires

 

ROADWAYS

 

7) Coordinating, Planning and Managing the Effects of Roadway Construction with Technology

Link to information from US DOT:

http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2009/road_construction_tech.htm

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

8) South Dakota Drivers Sign Up for Sobriety Alerts

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2009-04-30-policetexting_N.htm

Link to Act Civilized:  http://www.actcivilized.com/

 

TRANSIT

 

9) New Direction for San Diego-Area Transit System

Compass cards replacing paper passes with plastic.

Link to story in The San Diego Union-Tribune:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/01/1m1compass213423-new-direction-transit-system/?metro&zIndex=91827

 

10) King County Metro Transit Develops New Tools to Keep You in the Loop

Link to story in the Auburn Reporter:

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/aub/community/44166027.html

 

VEHICLES

 

11) New Generation of Cars are 'Mobile High-Tech Platforms'

Link to story in Engineering News:

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/auto-technology-2009-04-24

 

 

News Releases

1) Operation Lifesaver (Canada) Launches Web Site for Kids

2) South Florida Commuter Services Launches Public Transit Promotion to Feature Carpool Video on CNN

3) E-Railsafe Program Helps Union Pacific Ensure Railroad Safety and Security Awareness

 

 

Upcoming Events

ACI-NA Small Airports Conference – July 16-17 – St. Louis

http://www.aci-na.org/conferences/detail?eventId=136

 

 

Friday Bonus

Don't expect to see these cars in the mall parking lot anytime soon.

http://www.myride.com/snacker-vehicle_category/2009_geneva_auto_show_15_hot_weird_and_wild_cars_youll_probably_never_drive-726-page1.html?id=30986

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1999 **10^th anniversary** - Liberty Bell 7, the space capsule flown by Gus Grissom in 1961, was found on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

http://www.cnn.com/TECH/space/9907/20/grissom.capsule.01/

 

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

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