[TCN] Monday, August 25, 2008

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Monday, August 25, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

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ITS America Seeks Program Manager for Telecommunications and VII 

 

The Program Manager for Telecommunications and VII is a mid-level position (to be located in Washington, DC), responsible for providing guidance to ITS America's Board of Directors and senior staff on matters involving telematics, telecommunications, and Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII). VII represents a significant ongoing initiative between Federal and State Departments of Transportation (DOTs), US vehicle manufacturers, and some local road authorities to define and test a secure communications system linking vehicles with each other and with road-side infrastructure to be used primarily for improving the safety and efficiency of the nation's road transportation system.  For a complete job description, visit http://www.itsa.org/itsa/files/ITSAJobProgram%20ManagerVII.doc.

 

 

AVIATION

 

1) Advertising May Replace Neon Art at Atlanta Airport

Link to story in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/08/24/airport_art_neon.html

 

2) Aircell Betting In-Flight Internet Will Fly

Link to story on TheStreet:

http://www.thestreet.com/s/aircell-betting-in-flight-internet-will-fly/newsanalysis/transportation/10434436.html

 

3) University of Malta Avionics Research Impresses American Aerospace Industry

Link to story in the Times of Malta:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080824/education/university-avionics-research-impresses-american-aerospace-industry 

 

CARTOGRAPHY

 

4) Google Claims Right to Post Photos from Private Land

Analysis shows more than 100 private roads in Sonoma County, California entered by company's map team.

Link to story in The Press Democrat:

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080821/NEWS/10644/0/news07

 

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

 

5) Newspaper Sellers to Guard Proposed Jakarta Road Pricing System

Link to story in The Jakarta Post:

http://old.thejakartapost.com/detailcity.asp?fileid=20080825.C01&irec=0

 

6) Playing Tag with the Tolls

What's the story with electronic toll tags in Ireland?

Link to story in the Irish Times:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/pricewatch/2008/0825/1219449637175.html

 

PEDESTRIANS

 

7) Textwalkers: Do They Need a Heads-Up?

Link to story in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/24/AR2008082402275.html

 

ROADWAYS

 

8) Redesigned Raleigh Beltline Signs to Drop 'Inner' and 'Outer'

Link to story in The News & Observer:

http://www.newsobserver.com/front/story/1191403.html

 

9) Road Signs Can't Point Out Nebraska Town's Free Wi-Fi

Link to story in the Omaha World-Herald:

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10415031

Link to commentary in Computerworld:

http://blogs.computerworld.com/up_ahead_gas_food_wi_fi_why_not

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

10) US Registry Plan for Foreign Travelers Catches Flak

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-08-24-register_N.htm

 

11) Caution: Driver May be Surfing the Web

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/technology/24digi.html?_r=1&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin

 

12) US Federal Emergency Management Agency Plans to Inventory Emergency Warning Systems

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://www.fcw.com/online/news/153613-1.html

 

13) Flood Warning System Unveiled by California Water Agency

Link to story in The Sacramento Bee:

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1181032.html

 

TRANSIT

 

14) Interview with MIT Subway Hacker Zack Anderson

Link to interview in Popular Mechanics:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4278892.html

 

15) Developing a One-Stop Shop for Public/Specialized Transportation Information in Montana

Link to story in Solutions:

http://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/docs/library/news_summer08.pdf

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

16) Mississippi DOT: New Technology Will Make Travel Easier and Safer Across State

Link to story and video report on WLBT-TV:

http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=8886278&nav=menu119_2

 

17) A New York State Thruway Motorist Asks: What Use is a Warning that Can't be Heard?

Link to column in the Times Union:
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=714935&category=REGION

 

 

News Releases

1) Michigan DOT Says: 'Rumble Strips Save Lives' with Safety Video

2) Fuel Prices, Movie Times and Live Traffic Alerts Among New Features Now Available on Your Wireless Phone with AAA Mobile

 

 

Upcoming Events

2008 IEEE International Conference on Vehicular Electronics and Safety (ICVES'08) – September 22-24 – Columbus, Ohio

http://www.ece.osu.edu/ICVES08

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1768 **240th anniversary** -- Captain James Cook departed England on his first voyage. 

http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/CaptainCooksVoyages/ 

 

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

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] Friday, August 22, 2008

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Friday, August 22, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

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North to the Future:  Register Now for the 2008 National Rural ITS Conference

 

Experience all that Alaska has to offer while networking with transportation professionals from across the US when you join us for the 2008 National Rural ITS Conference. "North to the Future" is the theme for the event. Professional tours, mini-training sessions, and in-depth information exchange opportunities make this a can't miss event. It should be noted that many of the offerings have limited space so we encourage you to register early to guarantee your seat!  So plan your trip north and we'll see you there!   Visit www.nritsconference.org for program details and registration.

 

With so many critical intermodal transportation challenges faced by frontier states and the innovative solutions these states' agencies implement to address these challenges -- Alaska being a leading example -- the 2008 National Rural ITS Conference, September 3-5, is not to be missed!  Hope to see you there!

 

 

AVIATION

 

1) Ads on Nuclear Threat Removed from Democrat and Republican Convention Airports

Link to story in The New York Times;

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/22/us/politics/22nuke.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1219400593-NoUrt5gso43ABFQW2CA+Xw

 

2) Mobile X-Ray Inspections of Cargo Trucks are Used in Surprise Test at O'Hare International Airport

Link to story in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ohare-cargoaug20,0,2884842.story

 

3) FAA Seeks Pilot Feedback on Flight Services

Link to story on AVweb:

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAASeeksPilotFeedbackOnFlightServices_198639-1.html

 

ELECTRONIC TOLLING

 

4) Electronic Toll Dodging Cost 661 Million Yen, but Expressway Toll Booth Violations Down for First Time in FY07

Link to story in The Yomiuri Shimbun:

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080823TDY02304.htm

 

MARITIME

 

5) NOAA Launches Maritime Weather Web Site

Link to story in Federal Computer Week:

http://www.fcw.com/online/news/153579-1.html

Link to Southeastern US Marine Weather site:  http://forecast.weather.gov/mwp/

 

OTHER

 

6) Nevada Lawmakers Reject Hotline to Report License Scofflaws

Link to story in the Las Vegas Review-Journal:

http://www.lvrj.com/news/27267944.html

 

7) Q& A with Mobileye Vision Technologies

Link to interview on just-auto:

http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=95782

 

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

 

8) Web Site, Tour Invite Input on Georgia Transport Plan

Link to AP story:

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8882806

Link to IT³ site:  http://www.it3.ga.gov

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

9) Port's High-Tech IDs are Causing Concern

Link to story in The Daily Record:

http://www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=8360&type=UTTM

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

10) Michigan Pushes Smart Traffic

Link to story in the Times Herald:

http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/NEWS01/808220305/1002

 

VEHICLES

 

11) Teaching Cars to Sing

Sound engineer gives otherwise silent hybrids a voice.

Link to story in Forbes:

http://www.forbes.com/2008/08/21/singing-prius-lotus-tech-science-cz_cf_0821prius.html

 

 

News Releases

1) ITS Midwest Seeks Nominees for 2007-08 'Project of the Year' Award

2) ITS Midwest Extends Date for Abstract Submissions to August 29

3) US Falling Behind in Eco-Friendly Car Electronics, iSuppli Warns

4) Next Generation of Air Traffic Controllers to Benefit from New Tower Control Simulators, US Secretary of Transportation Says

5) FCC's Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau Announces the Activation of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) in Response to Tropical Storm Fay

6) Research and Markets: Benchmarking Telematics in Europe Against Global Trends: Discover Opportunities for Reducing Costs and Expanding Business in Europe

7) I-95 Corridor Coalition Hosting a 511 Webinar on Thursday, September 4 at 10:30 am Featuring James Pol of FHWA

 

 

Upcoming Events

Talking Freight Seminar: Commercial Motor Vehicle Size and Weight – September 17

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=457

 

 

Friday Bonus

Someone in Vermont apparently thought this sign could use some "dressing" up.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/NEWS02/808210392/1003  

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1963 **45th anniversary** - Joseph Walker reached an altitude of 107.96 km in an X-15, an unofficial world record.

http://www.friends-partners.org/partners/mwade/flights/x15ght91.htm  

 

August 23, 1958 **50th anniversary** - The Federal Aviation Administration was created when the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 was signed by President Eisenhower.

http://www.faa.gov/about/media/b-chron.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.

© 2008 Bernie Wagenblast

[TCN] Thursday, August 21, 2008

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Thursday, August 21, 2008 -- ISSN 1529-1057

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Registration for IBTTA's 76^th Annual Meeting and Exhibition Now Open – Baltimore, MD USA, September 21-24, 2008

 

Join IBTTA for the most significant gathering of toll industry professionals and business partners in the world. 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) Few Make Use of US Customs Pilot Plan

Program allows US citizens skip regular customs lines by swiping passport at a special kiosk.

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-08-20-customs_N.htm

 

2) Air Traffic Control Training Program May Stall

University needs money for tower simulation equipment.

Link to story in The Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2008/08/21/20080821biz-asupolyair0821.html

 

3) Two Northwest Airlines Unions Object to Survey Seeking Employees' Views

Link to story in the Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/business/27207389.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1OiP:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

 

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

 

4) Program to Teach Motorists to Safely Share the Road with Truckers

Link to story in the Times Union:

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=713615

 

ROADWAYS

 

5) Walking Human 'Traffic Lights' In Guangzhou

Link to story in the China Daily:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08/21/content_6957993.htm

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

 

6) New York Statewide Emergency Radio Network on Ropes

Link to story in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/statewide-wireless-network-on-ropes/

 

7) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to Send Hours of Service, Electronic Onboard Recorder Rules to Transportation Secretary for Review

Link to story in Transportation Topics:

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=20399

 

TRANSIT

 

8) Bus Systems Lure Riders with Plush Seats and Wi-Fi

Link to AP story:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jyo5_GEnP6yzg-1m6Cez_OfnO4sQD92MQ9HO0

 

9) Minnesota Rail Project Launches New Web Site

Link to story in Metro Magazine:

http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2008/08/Minn-Rail-project-launches-new-Website.aspx

Link to Northstar Commuter Rail site:  http://www.mn-getonboard.com

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

10) Gwinnett County, Georgia Traffic Center Gets More Out of Roads

Link to story in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/gwinnett/stories/2008/08/20/traffic_center.html

 

11) Virginia DOT Unveils Improved Version of 511 Traffic Site

Link to story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-08-20-0177.html

Link to site:  http://www.511virginia.org

 

12) Inside Bangalore's Traffic Control Room

Link to story on Citizen Matters:

http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/view/379-traffic-control-room

 

13) Kathy Denman Keeps Traffic Center Rolling

A profile of a Syracuse, New York traffic reporter.

Link to story in the Solvay-Geddes Express:

http://www.cnylink.com/cnynews/view_news.php?news_id=1219320036

 

 

News Releases

1) National Transportation Safety Board to Offer Training on Emergency Communications Involved in Major Aircraft Accidents

CORRECTION

The wrong link was provided in yesterday's edition to the news release below.

Yotta Launches World's First Panoramic 60 Megapixel Street-Level Imaging Vehicle

 

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Complying with the New FHWA Regulation on High Visibility Garments – September 4

http://www.workzonesafety.org/training/webinar/2008_wz_webinar_high_visibility_clothing

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1983 **25th anniversary** - Philippine opposition leader Benigno Aquino, Jr. was assassinated at the Manila International Airport.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/21/newsid_2534000/2534945.stm

 

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

 

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