[TCN] Tuesday, April 6, 2010

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

Tuesday, April 6, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Register Now for IBTTA's Upcoming Summit: The Future of Tolling – Going Mainstream

Through ORT and Interoperability, May 23-25, 2010 in Boston, MA




Join the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association in Boston for the fourth Summit in a series of workshops focused on the hot topics of ORT and Interoperability. This Summit will bring together transportation experts who will focus on lessons learned, case studies, business rules and future decision-making about all-electronic toll collection, interoperability, violation enforcement, and implications for vehicle miles traveled charging. Breakout sessions are divided into four main categories – On the Road and in the Car; Technology and Backroom Issues; Road Pricing and Financial Issues and In the Public and Policy Forum. IBTTA is exploring opportunities to involve university students and faculty from the Boston area in research connected with the main topics of this Summit. Click here for registration, hotel and travel information and to view the preliminary agenda.www.IBTTA.org

 

 

AVIATION

 

1) Fliers' Favorite Airport Freebie? Wi-Fi

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-04-06-businesstravel06_ST_N.htm

 

2) Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Signs May Put an End to Terminal Confusion

Link to article in the Pioneer Press:

http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_14826315

 

3) TSA Cracking Down on Bogus Baggage Claims

High-tech surveillance is saving cash, hassles.

Link to article in the Boston Herald:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20100404tsa_cracking_down_on_bogus_baggage_claims_high-tech_surveillance_is_saving_cash_hassles/

 

CAMERAS

 

4) Cameras Make Chicago Most Closely Watched US City

Link to AP article and video:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100406/NEWS02/704069816/-1/headlines

 

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

 

5) Dallas Area Toll Roads to Go Cashless by Year's End, Miami Next Spring

Link to article in TOLLROADSnews:

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/4683

 

OTHER

 

6) Transportation Security Administration TV Studio Goes Tapeless

Link to article in Government Video:

http://www.governmentvideo.com/article/93716

 

RAILROADS

 

7) High-Speed Rail Toolkit Now Online

Link to article in The Daily Journal:

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=128509&title=High-speed%20rail%20toolkit%20now%20online

 

ROADWAYS

 

8) Louisiana House Votes to Cut Some Highway Signs

Legislation would eliminate requirement for signs advising cost and schedule of construction projects.

Link to article in The Advocate:

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/legislature/89968757.html

 

9) German Researchers Develop Sensors to Detect Bridge Rust

Link to article on PhysOrg:

http://www.physorg.com/news189695036.html

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

10) Future Technology at Heart of SmartGate Border Control Kiosks Dispute in New Zealand

Link to article in The Timaru Herald:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/business/3546794/Future-technology-at-heart-of-SmartGate-dispute

 

11) The iPad: Will It Distract Drivers?

Link to blog in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/04/06/the-ipad-will-it-distract-drivers/

 

TRANSIT

 

12) South Korean Government to Install Unified Transport Payment System

Link to article in The Chosun Ilbo:

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/04/06/2010040600400.html

 

13) Now Hear This: New York City Subway Service Announcements are a Train Wreck, Survey Finds

Link to article in the Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/04/05/2010-04-05_subway_announcement_system_a_train_wreck.html

Link to news release from the Straphangers Campaign:

http://www.straphangers.org/announcements10/index.html

 

14) Oyster Card Upgrade Under Way in UK

Link to article in ContactlessNews:

http://www.contactlessnews.com/2010/04/06/oyster-card-upgrade-underway

 

 

News Releases

1) VeriFone Acquires Remaining Minority Interest in VeriFone Transportation Systems

2) Amtrak Positive Train Control on the Fast Track

3) Japan and US Lead in Automotive Telematics Availability

 

 

Upcoming Events

MIT Short Course – Discrete Choice Analysis: Predicting Demand and Market Shares – June 14-18 – Cambridge, Massachusetts

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

 

 

Today in Transportation History    

1960 **50^th anniversary** The Short SC.1, the first British vertical take-off and landing aircraft, made its first in-flight transition.

http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/icons_of_invention/technology/1939-1968/IC.069/'

 

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.    

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

[TCN] Monday, April 5, 2010

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

Monday, April 5, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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Only Four Weeks Away:  Be Sure to Register for ITS America's 20th Annual Meeting & Expo, May 3-5, 2010, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

 

·       FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez joins the lineup of USDOT Presidential Appointees and executives at USDOT's May 4 Opening Plenary.  Speakers Include Administrators of NHTSA, FMCSA and RITA as well as Deputy Administrators of FTA, FRA and RITA.

·       Reserve your hotel room now. Rooms are 90% sold, and conference rates expire April 9.

·       Can't attend?  Register for our technical session webinars.  Click "Attendee Registration"; enter your info; on "Profile Page," scroll down to "Webinar" block.

·       Exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities are still available.

 

 

AVIATION

 

1) Lapses Hinder Rescue Teams Hunting for Lost Planes

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gUsdB2D_EMpcbbDce2qm8PAUQn6wD9ES0U4G0

 

2) FAA Error-Reporting Program Reveals Hazards, Yields Fixes

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-04-04-faa-error-reports_N.htm

 

3) Raleigh-Durham Airport to Appeal Ruling Allowing Newspaper Racks

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-04-05-airportcheckin05_ST_N.htm

 

4) Aviation Apps for iPad

Link to article on AVweb:

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/AviationAppsForIPad_202278-1.html

 

CARTOGRAPHY

 

5) Google Street View Goes 3D

Link to article on Softpedia:

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Google-Catches-the-3D-Craze-139022.shtml

 

OTHER

 

6) States Pursue English-Only Driver Testing Requirement

Link to article in Land Line:

http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2010/Mar10/032910/040210-02.htm

 

7) ITS are Useful Tools to Weaken Greenhouse-Gas Emissions

Link to article in Roads & Bridges:

http://www.roadsbridges.com/Gas-Fizzling-article11

 

8) Need a Cab? New GPS Analysis Shows Where to Find One in New York City

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/nyregion/03icab.html

 

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

 

9) Gainesville, Florida Police Track Percentage of Drivers Yielding to Pedestrians

Link to article in The Gainesville Sun:

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100405/ARTICLES/100409725?Title=GPD-tracks-percent-of-cars-yielding-to-pedestrians

 

RAILROADS

 

10) DB Netz Grows High-Tech Track, Tunnels and Bridges

Link to article in Eurailmag:

http://www.eurailmag.com/mag/21.htm?page=116

 

11) Train Driver Desks Crossing Borders with EUDDplus

Link to article in Eurailmag:

http://www.eurailmag.com/mag/21.htm?page=18

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

12) Airline Passenger Conversations to be Monitored Under EU Project

Link to article in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/7553214/Airline-passenger-conversations-to-be-monitored-under-EU-project.html

 

SPACE

 

13) Key Antenna Fails as Discovery Enters Orbit

Link to article in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9174828/NASA_Key_antenna_fails_as_i_Discovery_i_enters_orbit

 

TRANSIT

 

14) Transit TV Returns with New Programming and an Innovative New Advertising System

Link to article in Los Angeles County MTA's The Source:

http://thesource.metro.net/2010/04/02/transit-tv-returns-with-new-programming-and-an-innovative-new-advertising-system/

 

15) A New Look for Google Transit Maps

Link to Google's Lat Long Blog:

http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-look-for-google-transit-maps.html

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

16) Seven Ways to Get Transportation Information for Shanghai World Expo

Link to article in the China Daily:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009worldexpo/2010-04/05/content_9687283.htm

 

17) Eyes on the Road in San Marcos, California

Link to article in The San Diego Union-Tribune:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/04/eyes-on-the-road/

 

18) Way-To-Go Vancouver Olympics - Lessons For Transport Planners

Link to blog on Planetizen:

http://www.planetizen.com/node/43644

 

VEHICLES

 

19) NHTSA is Behind Times on Car Electronic Safety

Link to article in The Tennessean:

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20104050333

 

20) E-tags Eyed for Car Transport

Link to article in The Yomiuri Shimbun:

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T100404001569.htm

 

21) An Interview with Christopher Barger, Director of Social Media for General Motors

Link to podcast on ZDNet:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/feeds/?p=2622

 

22) Ford Lures Small Businesses with Graphic Web Site to Customize Transit Connect

Link to article in The Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100403/BIZ/4030334/1148/Ford-lures-small-businesses-with-graphic-Web-site-to-customize-Transit-Connect

 

23) Shedding Light on Safety

Mercedes adaptive LED headlight system can help drivers see better and avoid blinding other drivers.

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/automobiles/04LIGHT.html

 

 

News Releases

1) Beat the Traffic Announces New Touch Technology for TV Traffic Reporting

2) EMBARQ Network Launches New Association to Advance Public Transport in Latin American Cities

 

 

Upcoming Events

ITS Joint Program Office Strategic Plan Workshop – April 28-29 – Washington, DC

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/workshops/april28-10.asp

 

 

Today in Transportation History    

1910 **100^th anniversary** The Transandine rail tunnel, connecting Argentina and Chile, opened.

http://www.runyard.org/rr/baja/99_01.html

 

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.    

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

[TCN] Friday, April 2, 2010

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

Friday, April 2, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

 

1) FAA Planners Size Up Workforce Demands with New Air Traffic Control System

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100402_4134.php

 

2) March 2010 Issue of The Front Online

Link to newsletter from the National Weather Service:

http://www.weather.gov/os/aviation/front/10mar-front.pdf

 

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

 

3) Japanese Government to Ax Mileage Discount for ETC-Equipped Cars

Link to article in The Daily Yomiuri:

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T100402002930.htm

 

GPS / NAVIGATION

 

4) Singapore Company Charting Their Way in Business

Link to article from The Strait Times:

http://business.asiaone.com/Business/SME%2BCentral/Prime%2BMovers/Story/A1Story20100331-207734.html

 

ROADWAYS

 

5) A Bridge to Fame in Boise, Honest

Major project includes a kiosk at the airport, online videos and a Facebook page.

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/31/us/31boise.html

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

6) US Revamps Screening of Passengers

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303395904575158252343020226.htm

 

7) Mass Transportation Security Mess: Report Details Chilling Inefficiencies

Link to ABC News story and video:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/mass-transportation-security-mess-report-details-chilling-inefficiencies/story?id=10267397

Link to report from the US Department of Homeland Security Inspector General:
http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_10-68_Mar10.pdf

 

8) LaHood Targets Ford's Sync Ad for Distracted Driving

Link to blog in U.S. News & World Report:

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2010/04/01/lahood-targets-fords-sync-ad-for-distracted-driving.html

 

TELEMATICS

 

9) UPS Turns Data Analysis Into Big Savings

Link to CNET News article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20001576-52.html

 

TRANSIT

 

10) 'Does God Care if I'm Gay?' Ads Pulled from Toronto Transit

Link to article in the Toronto Sun:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/788900--does-god-care-if-i-m-gay-ads-pulled-from-ttc?bn=1

 

11) SEPTA Bus Shelters Getting a Makeover

Plans to eventually include real-time arrival information at all shelters.

Link to story on KYW Radio:

http://www.kyw1060.com/Septa-s-Phila--Bus-Shelters-Getting-a-Makeover/6715271

 

12) Using Social Media to Make Transit Fun

Link to blog on PlanningPool:

http://planningpool.com/2010/03/tech/social-media-transit-fun/

 

VEHICLES

 

13) New Rule Would Require Electronic Recorders in Some Commercial Trucks

Link to article in the Lexington Herald-Leader:

http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/02/1207785/new-rule-would-require-electronic.html

 

14) Motorcycle Study Suggest Safety Courses Don't Reduce Crashes

Link to article in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/03/31/motorcycle-study-suggests-safety-courses-dont-reduce-crashes/

 

15) Cars to Turn Into Mobile Wi-Fi Spots to Connect to Facebook, Twitter

Link to article from The Daily Telegraph:

http://www.news.com.au/technology/cars-to-turn-into-mobile-wi-fi-spots-to-connect-to-facebook-twitter/story-e6frfrnr-1225849111907

 

 

News Releases

1) Father of GPS and Pioneer of Satellite Telemetry and Timing Inducted into National Inventors Hall of Fame

 

 

Upcoming Events

Community Transportation Expo – May 23-28 – Long Beach, California

http://www.ctaa.org/expo

 

 

Friday Bonus

If you want the Easter Bunny to stop at your house, make sure you stop for him first.

http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2010/04/01/publicsafety/gnp-sting040110.txt

 

 

 

Today in Transportation History    

1910 **100^th anniversary** Hubert Le Blon, a French aviator and noted automobilist, became the sixth person to die in an airplane crash.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9904E6D71430E233A25750C0A9629C946196D6CF

 

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.    

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

[TCN] Thursday, April 1, 2010

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

Thursday, April 1, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

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AVIATION

 

1) A Radical Cockpit Upgrade Southwest Fliers Will Feel

Link to column in The Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303338304575155813404043090.html

 

2) Air Safety Requires Worldwide Information Exchange: IATA

Link to AFP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jGofT0qzsSKmGvORMAo6BpaUZjbg

 

CAMERAS

 

3) Sensors Make Cities Smarter

In the not too distant future, cameras and sensors will empower officials to instantly monitor constantly changing dynamics.

Link to article in Governing:

http://www.governing.com/article/sensors-make-cities-smarter

 

MARITIME

 

4) Souped-Up Alert System Spreads the Word for US Coast Guard

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2010/04/05/uscg-aws-alert-system.aspx

 

ROADWAYS

 

5) Nevada's Financial Partners Hit Brakes on 'Black Box' to Track Vehicle Mileage

Link to article in the Las Vegas Sun:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/apr/01/financial-partners-hit-brakes-black-box/

 

TRANSIT

 

6) Metrolink Train Crews Threaten Boycott Over Personality Test Requirement

Link to article in the Los Angeles Times:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/03/metrolink-train-crews-threaten-boycott-over-personality-test-requirement.html

 

7) Philadelphia Transit Riders Protest Gender ID on Passes

Link to article in the Philadelphia Daily News:

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20100331_Transpass_protest__Gender_s_a_sticky_issue.html

 

8) Los Angeles Metro Takes First Steps Towards Real-Time Bus Arrival Information System

Link to article in the Los Angeles County MTA's The Source:

http://thesource.metro.net/2010/03/31/metro-takes-first-steps-towards-real-time-bus-arrival-information-system/

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

9) Sendza Selected for Massachusetts Ad-Driven Traffic Info 511 System

Link to article in Mass High Tech:

http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2010/03/29/daily48-Sendza-selected-for-Mass-ad-driven-traffic-info-511-system.html

 

10) Singapore Traffic Info Platform Makes Driving a Breeze

Link to article from my paper:

http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Transport/Story/A1Story20100401-207906.html

 

VEHICLES

 

11) iBiquity Says More Automakers to Offer HD Radio

Link to AP article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/iBiquity-says-more-automakers-apf-2215079847.html?x=0&.v=2

 

 

News Releases

1) Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Announces Social Media Contest to 'Name the Train'

2) Metro-North Completes Installation of Train Time System

3) Apollo Video Technology's New RoadRunner MRH Series DVR Leads Industry

with 16 Cameras, Highest Resolution, and Longest Recording Rates

 

 

Upcoming Events

Talking Freight Web Conference: Non-traditional Freight Data Sources – April 21

https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=20012

 

 

Today (and Tomorrow) in Transportation History    

1960 **50^th anniversary** The first weather satellite, TIROS-1, was launched.

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/03/dayintech_0401

 

2110 **-100^th anniversary** Ray LaHood IV, kicked-off a campaign against distracted teleportation. 

 

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

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please visit:

http://groups.google.com/group/tcnl/subscribe

If you have any difficulties please contact me at i95berniew@aol.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.    

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net