***UPDATE FOR REGIONS - CONTENTS***

***JULY 15, 2007***

To view any article listed, simply control/click on the mouse.

[***FROM THE TRI RESEARCH CORNER* 2**](#from-the-tri-research-corner)

[Standards In Trade Workshop, Beijing, China
2](#standards-in-trade-workshop-beijing-china)

[TRI Coming to Region VI -Rail Transit Accident Investigation Course
3](#tri-coming-to-region-vi--rail-transit-accident-investigation-course)

[University Transportation Centers Program
3](#university-transportation-centers-program)

[Small Business Innovation Research Program
3](#__RefHeading___Toc172093889)

[Washington State Ferries High Speed Data Demonstration
3](#washington-state-ferries-high-speed-data-demonstration)

[Video Conference on Congestion Management Process 7/26/07
3](#video-conference-on-congestion-management-process-72607)

[***FEDERAL RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS*** 3](#federal-research-publications)

[Audible Signals for Pedestrian Safety in LRT Environments
3](#__RefHeading___Toc172093892)

[Bus Rapid Transit Practioner's Guide
3](#bus-rapid-transit-practitioners-guide)

[Buy America Issues Associated with State DOT Procurement of Para
transit Vehicles Using FTA Funds
3](#buy-america-issues-associated-with-state-dot-procurement-of-para-transit-vehicles-using-fta-funds)

[Cooperative Research Programs Security Research Status Report
3](#cooperative-research-programs-security-research-status-report)

[Current State Issues with Implementing Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) Section 5310 and Section 5311 Programs
3](#current-state-issues-with-implementing-federal-transit-administration-fta-section-5310-and-section-5311-programs)

[Design, Operation, and Safety At-Grade Crossings of Exclusive Busways
3](#design-operation-and-safety-at-grade-crossings-of-exclusive-busways)

[2007 Evaluation of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's
Silver Line Waterfront Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
3](#evaluation-of-the-massachusetts-bay-transportation-authoritys-silver-line-waterfront-bus-rapid-transit-brt)

[Federal Support for Research and Development
*3*](#federal-support-for-research-and-development)

[FMCSA Regulations as they Apply to FTA Section 5310/5311 Providers: A
Handbook, NCHRP Research Results Digest 311
*3*](#fmcsa-regulations-as-they-apply-to-fta-section-53105311-providers-a-handbook-nchrp-research-results-digest-311)

[Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicle R&D: FreedomCAR and the President's
Hydrogen Fuel Initiative
*3*](#hydrogen-and-fuel-cell-vehicle-rd-freedomcar-and-the-presidents-hydrogen-fuel-initiative)

[ITS JPO Lesson Learned Report of the Month
*3*](#__RefHeading___Toc172093902)

[Streamlining the Environmental Process: State DOTs Take on NEPA
Compliance Responsibilities
*3*](#streamlining-the-environmental-process-state-dots-take-on-nepa-compliance-responsibilities)

[Useful Life of Transit Buses and Vans
*3*](#useful-life-of-transit-buses-and-vans)

[**UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PUBLICATION
3**](#university-research-publications)

[Can Transit Oriented Developments Reduce Austin\'s Traffic Congestion?
*3*](#can-transit-oriented-developments-reduce-austins-traffic-congestion)

[***RESEARCH NEWS & INFORMATION*** 3](#research-news-information)

[Best Practices Coordination of Transit Regional Transportation Planning
and Land Use Conference, August 26-28, 2007
3](#best-practices-coordination-of-transit-regional-transportation-planning-and-land-use-conference-august-26-28-2007)

Committee for a Study of Options for Streamlining Standards for ITS
......................7

[32nd International Bus Rodeo -- 2007 Grand Champion Award
3](#nd-international-bus-rodeo-2007-grand-champion-award)

[Emergency Responders Call for Network Solution (Fast Interoperability
Solution) 3](#__RefHeading___Toc172093910)

[First Passengers Travel on World Record Train
3](#first-passengers-travel-on-world-record-train)

[Google Buys GrandCentral Communications
3](#google-buys-grandcentral-communications)

[Highlights from the ITE 2007 Technical Conference and Exhibit
3](#highlights-from-the-ite-2007-technical-conference-and-exhibit)

[Lynx will Spend a Homeland Security Grant to Train Workers
3](#lynx-will-spend-a-homeland-security-grant-to-train-workers)

[Palo Alto -- Train Kills Woman in Car on Tracks
3](#palo-alto-train-kills-woman-in-car-on-tracks)

[St. Louis 'Call-A-Ride' Users Allege Dangerous Waiting Zones
3](#st.-louis-call-a-ride-users-allege-dangerous-waiting-zones)

[University of Kansas Select MV Transportation to Operate Transit
Services
3](#university-of-kansas-select-mv-transportation-to-operate-transit-services)

[Safety Vision, L.P. Announces \$1.4 Million Contract Award from the
Massachusetts
3](#safety-vision-l.p.-announces-1.4-million-contract-award-from-the-massachusetts)

[Bay Transportation Authority 3](#bay-transportation-authority)

[RTC of Southern Nevada Awards Contract 3](#__RefHeading___Toc172093920)

***~====================================================================================~***

## FROM THE TRI RESEARCH CORNER 

### Standards In Trade Workshop, Beijing, China

TRI-30. On May 28-29, 2007, Ron Boenau and Ann Cihon, Office of Research
Management, participated in a Standards In Trade Workshop sponsored by
the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Beijing,
China.  The workshop brought together technical experts from China and
the U.S. to identify and develop cooperative ITS standards-related
activities which could lead to enhanced trade opportunities.

 

The concluding session on future collaboration identified the fact that
the China ITS market potential is great.  Improvements in public
transportation services and traveler information are needed in China and
commitments for investment in transportation infrastructure and services
have been made by the national government.  The recently signed
Memorandum of Cooperation between the USDOT and the Ministry of
Construction can be used as a foundation to identify and develop
transportation standards that would assist both countries and improve
market opportunities and trade relations. 

 

The workshop participants concluded that future collaboration and a set
of actions need to be developed in order to build upon the information
exchange and mutual interest areas identified in this workshop with a
goal of achieving a significant participation of the end users of ITS
products and services.  It was enthusiastically agreed by the workshop
participants that the opportunities afforded by the upcoming ITS World
Congress in Beijing in October 2007 could be leveraged by conducting a
follow-up workshop that would go to the next step in identifying areas
where mutual cooperation could result in the establishment of
transportation standards that are needed in the international
transportation community.

 

NIST will begin the development of such a workshop and expects to use
the expertise of the steering committee that assisted in the development
of the current workshop.  End users of ITS products and services will be
particularly targeted to participate in this workshop along with vendors
and system suppliers.  Ron and Ann will continue to work with NIST staff
in developing a possible follow-on NIST-sponsored workshop in Beijing in
conjunction with the ITS World Congress later this year.  Consideration
will also be given to a possible FTA-sponsored trade mission in
conjunction with the ITS World Congress and the proposed NIST follow-on
workshop. Contact - Ronald E. Boenau, P.E.

Senior Transportation Systems Manager, (202) 366-0195  \[phone\];  (202)
366-3765  \[fax\]

<ronald.boenau@dot.gov>;  [www.fta.dot.gov](http://www.fta.dot.gov/)

### TRI Coming to Region VI -Rail Transit Accident Investigation Course 

During the week of August 6^th,^ Mike Flanigan, Director of the Federal
Transit Administration's Office of Technology, will be teaching a *Rail
Transit Accident Investigation Course* at the Transportation Safety
Institute (TSI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mr. Flanigan is a Senior
Instructor on the TSI Associate Staff.
\[[http://www.tsi.dot.gov](http://www.tsi.dot.gov/)\]. While in
Oklahoma, Mr. Flanigan plans to visit Tulsa Transit to tour one of the
transit demonstration projects using Fischer -- Tropsch Synthetic Fuel. 
The Federal Transit Administration has been working with Integrated
Concepts and Research Corporation (ICRC) to demonstrate the operating
performance of synthetic diesel fuel in transit fleet applications.  The
project goal is to obtain long term transit fleet demonstration data;
such as emissions, operating performances. and mechanical
compatibilities with the fuel.

### University Transportation Centers Program 

*Review of UTC Strategic Plan.* At the request of the Research &
Innovative Technology Administration's University Transportation Centers
(UTC) Program Office, Henry Nejako, FTA Office of Technology, completed
a review of the Strategic Plan submitted by the Center for Multimodal
Solutions for Congestion Mitigation (CMS), University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida. The theme of the Tier I UTC is "Multimodal
Solutions for Congestion Mitigation." Focus areas are:

-   Recurrent congestion,

-   Non-recurrent congestion,

-   Multimodal strategies, and

-   Demand modeling.

Visit UTC Website \[[http://www.rita.dot.gov](http://utc.dot.gov/)

### [[]{#__RefHeading___Toc172093889 .anchor}Small Business Innovation Research Program](http://utc.dot.gov/) 

The Department of Transportation's Small Business Innovation Research
(SBIR) Program Office at the Volpe Center forwarded to FTA eleven
proposals for SBIR Phase I feasibility studies, received in response to
four research topics sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA). The proposals address the following research topics:

  --------------------------------------------------- -------------------
  **FTA Research Topic**                              **Number of
                                                      Proposals**

  Hybrid Propulsion for Rail Locomotives              3

  Methods for Upgrading Existing Automatic Train      3
  Control (ATC) Systems                               

  Very High Speed Third Rail Insulator Cleaning       3

  Better/Faster Braking Systems                       2
  --------------------------------------------------- -------------------

On June 22, Henry Nejako forwarded evaluation instructions and
electronic copies of SBIR proposals to the SBIR evaluation team.

### Washington State Ferries High Speed Data Demonstration 

On June 19, Washington State Ferries (WSF), in partnership with the
Federal Transit Administration, conducted a "Demonstration of Promising
Technologies" for the Wireless Video High Speed Data Project,
WA-26-7006-01.  WSF successfully applied a high bandwidth solution that
is continuous and reliable in a mobile marine environment.  The solution
exhibited may become the framework for the prototype (beta) system
currently being installed on one of WSF's larger vessels and ultimately
used as a national model for ferry systems.  FTA Contact: Charlene
Wilder, 202-366-1077

### Video Conference on Congestion Management Process 7/26/07

Next Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 12 noon there will be a "Let's Talk
Planning Video Conference."  The session is from 12 noon to 1:30 P.M.
and will be on the Congestion Management Process (CMP). 

 

Harlan Miller  from the Office of Planning, Cindy Essenmacher from the
Office of Operations, John Sprowls and Victor Austin from the Federal
Transit Administration will provide an overview of what the Congestion
Management Process is, its relationship to the transportation planning
process and operations, and why it is  important.  The implications of
SAFETEA-LU regarding the Congestion Management Process will also be
discussed.  In addition, speakers from selected FHWA field offices will
provide their perspective.  You are invited to join the conference call.
Contact Charlene Wilder, TRI \[Charlene.wilder@dot.gov\] or Victor
Austin, TPE, 202-366-2996, \[victor.austin@dot.gov\].

## FEDERAL RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc172093892 .anchor}**Audible Signals for Pedestrian
Safety in LRT Environments\
\[**[http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7846](http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=message_link&fn=Key&id=ayssafalapjpmujplrawtxaexwdhbdk&link=azhwivdvaurovuobyyajicpkmcoobhb)\]\
Category \> Now Available: July 3, 2007 (TRB)\
*Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Research Results Digest 84:
Audible Signals for Pedestrian Safety in LRT Environments* examines the
application of audible signals for pedestrian safety in light rail
transit (LRT) environments.  The report includes descriptions of audible
signal systems and associated operating procedures, their integration
with other crossing measures, potential criteria for their use, and
their likely effectiveness and limitations.  Details of a survey that
was used to help develop this report was published as TCRP Web-Only
Document 35. More Online

**\[**[http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7846](http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=message_link&fn=Key&id=ayssafalapjpmujplrawtxaexwdhbdk&link=azhwivdvaurovuobyyajicpkmcoobhb)\]\
\
**Appendixes to TCRP RRD 84: Audible Signals for Pedestrian Safety in
LRT Environments\
**Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Web-Only Document 35,
Appendixes to TCRP RRD 84: Audible Signals for Pedestrian Safety in LRT
Environments includes details of a survey that was used to produce TCRP
Research Results Digest 84. More Online
\[[http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7847](http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=message_link&fn=Key&id=ayssafalapjpmujplrawtxaexwdhbdk&link=ariyylivzduuvabwuhcgamiyxrrebde)\]

### Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner's Guide 

Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 118: Bus Rapid
Transit Practitioner\'s Guide explores the costs, impacts, and
effectiveness of implementing selected bus rapid transit (BRT)
components.  The report examines planning and decision making related to
implementing different components of BRT systems, updates some of the
information presented in TCRP Report 90: Bus Rapid Transit, and
highlights the costs and impacts of implementing various BRT components
and their effectiveness. Read Online
\[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7848>\]

### Cooperative Research Programs Security Research Status Report 

TRB\'s Cooperative Research Program produces a table summarizing more
than 80 security and emergency preparedness projects representing over
\$11 million in the contract research programs for state departments of
transportation and the public transportation industry.  Updated monthly.
\[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=5078>\]

### Buy America Issues Associated with State DOT Procurement of Para transit Vehicles Using FTA Funds

The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Research
Results Digest 319: *Buy America Issues Associated with the State DOT
Procurement of Paratransit Vehicles Using FTA Funds* examines the Buy
America requirements applicable to state departments of transportation
(DOTs) and their sub-recipients in purchases of paratransit vehicles and
examines opportunities for change. Vehicles purchased by state DOTs or
their grant recipients with grants from the federal Section 5310 Elderly
and Persons with Disabilities program, and the Section 5311 Rural and
Small Urban Areas program are the primary focus of this study. However,
Buy America regulations apply equally to all motor vehicles purchased
with U.S. Federal Transit Administration funds, regardless of the
program through which the grant was awarded.  The final option of this
study was to maintain Buy America compliance processes as currently
established. More Online
\[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_browse.asp?id=7>\]

### Current State Issues with Implementing Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 and Section 5311 Programs

*The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Research
Results Digest 320* identifies and prioritizes the current issues facing
state DOTs in the management and administration of their Section.5310
and Section 5311 programs. The digest provides the FTA and state DOTs
with valuable insight and understanding of the issues that are of utmost
importance to state DOTs. A preliminary list of 36 issues that states
face in managing the S. 5310 and S.5311 programs (Table 11) is provided,
along with the overall rankings of the issues by state program managers
(Table 12). The 36 issues are grouped into the following nine
categories: Programmatic Issues, Federal Grant Administration, State
Grant Administration, Funding Issues, SAFETEA-LU Issues, Procurement,
Training, Planning, and Technology. Overall, the most important issues
center on the fact that the responsibilities of state DOTs have been
expanding and continue to expand with respect to managing FTA programs
under SAFETEA-LU. More Online
\[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_browse.asp?id=7>\]

### Design, Operation, and Safety At-Grade Crossings of Exclusive Busways 

\[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7850>\]

FTA-sponsored *Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 117:
Design, Operation, and Safety of At-Grade Crossings of Exclusive
Busways* explores planning, designing, and operating various kinds of
busways through roadway intersections. The report examines at-grade
intersections along busways within arterial street medians; physically
separated, side-aligned busways; busways on separate rights-of-way; and
bus-only ramps. The intersections highlighted include highway
intersections, midblock pedestrian crossings, and bicycle crossings.
Appendixes A through I of the contractor\'s final report were published
as \[[TCRP Web-Only Document
36](http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7720)\] .

### 2007 Evaluation of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Silver Line Waterfront Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) 

FTA is currently evaluating all projects in the National Bus Rapid
Transit (BRT) Consortium, including the Evaluation of the Silver Line
Waterfront BRT project. The evaluation effort addresses issues
associated with the implementation and operation of BRT service. This
information is then shared with the transportation community. It
includes valuable lessons learned useful for planners, engineers,
operators, and others involved in selecting transportation alternative
and implementing new or enhanced services. The report is available at
online at [Boston Silver Line BRT System
Evaluation](http://www.fta.dot.gov/assistance/technology/research_6459.html).

### Federal Support for Research and Development

June 2007. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office has released a report
that examines recent trends in federal support for research and
development and the current state of knowledge about the economic
effects of that support. Read Online
\[<http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/82xx/doc8221/06-18-Research.pdf>\]

### FMCSA Regulations as they Apply to FTA Section 5310/5311 Providers: A Handbook, NCHRP Research Results Digest 311 

This *Ha*ndbook is designed to help state and local governments, transit
agencies, and others who provide transportation services supported by
U.S. Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 and 5311 grants
identify the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
regulations associated with these programs and address those regulations
cost effectively.  Section 5310 grants provide local operators with
funding for public transportation for those who are elderly or have
disabilities. Section 5311 grants provide funding to transit providers
in rural areas. \[<http://trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7365>\]

### Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicle R&D: FreedomCAR and the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative 

An updated U.S. Congressional Research Service report examines the
organization, funding, and goals of the FreedomCAR and Hydrogen Fuel
Initiative, and explores federal legislation relevant to the
partnerships.  FreedomCAR and the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative are two
complementary government-industry research and development initiatives
that promote the development of hydrogen fuel and fuel cell vehicles.
More Online
\[<http://ncseonline.org/NLE/CRSreports/07May/RS21442.pdf>\].

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc172093902 .anchor}**ITS JPO Lesson Learned Report
of the Month\
**July 3, 2007 (ITS JPO)\
The Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO)
Lesson of the Month for June is "*Use transit intelligent transportation
systems (ITS) technologies in rural areas to save agency staff time and
create a more user-friendly system."* The experience of five states in
the implementation of ITS to rural transit is documented herein. Lessons
Learned illustrate how ITS can benefit rural areas.

More Online
\[[http://www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/Lesson?OpenForm&2B118F4E270883D18525728F00085A2E](http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=message_link&fn=Key&id=ayssafalapjpmujplrawtxaexwdhbdk&link=bnrlfduwkyfstbpopekugkplpbmjbod)\]

### Streamlining the Environmental Process: State DOTs Take on NEPA Compliance Responsibilities

FHWA and State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) are working together
to consolidate responsibilities for the Environmental Review Process.
This will shift NEPA responsibilities from the federal level to the
state level. The 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) introduced
two provisions aimed at transferring FHWA environmental responsibilities
from FHWA to state DOTs. The first provision allows participating state
DOTs to assume Categorical Exclusion (CE) responsibilities. The second
provision allows up to five state DOTs to participate in the Surface
Transportation Project Delivery Pilot Program and to assume
responsibility for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other
environmental activities at varying levels. This July 2007 issue of
*Successes in Stewardship* summarizes the two provisions and describes
how state DOTs can apply for CE and/or NEPA delegation. More Online
\[<http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlng/newsletters/jul07nl.pdf>\].

### Useful Life of Transit Buses and Vans

Report No. FTA-VA-26-7229-07.1, April 2007

The Federal Transit Administration sponsored this research to assess the
appropriateness of its existing minimum service-life policy for transit
buses and vans, and the need to change that policy. The research
evaluated the federal minimum service-life requirements based upon the
actual experience of both transit operators and vehicle manufacturers.
This analysis provides the transit industry and the FTA with a better
understanding of (1) the current useful life of transit buses and vans,
(2) the appropriateness of FTA's minimum service-life policy, and (3)
the policy's impact on transit vehicle life expectancies and vehicle
retirement decisions at the agency level. Actual ages of buses retired
from service generally exceed FTA minimums. Transit agencies interviewed
cited availability of capital funds for bus replacement as the primary
determinant of retirement age. Project Manager Henry Nejako, TRI-20,
\[henry.nejako@dot.gov\]. Report is available under Research at
\[http://ftanet/\].

Electronic copy available per request [\[FTA
Research\]](mailto:marina.drancsak@dot.gov).

### *UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS*

### Can Transit Oriented Developments Reduce Austin\'s Traffic Congestion?

Southwest Region University Transportation Center, Texas Transportation
Institute

Texas A&M University System, October 2006

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is expected to generate a long list
of benefits. Reducing car use and relieving traffic congestion are among
the top. This study explores to what extent TOD can contribute to reduce
regional congestion? This paper documents a study of Austin, Texas where
a new commuter rail line is under construction and TOD proposals are
being developed. The study applied the four-step travel demand modeling
to estimate regional travel outcome in one base scenario (No TOD) and
two TOD scenarios for the year 2030. Study results confirm TOD potential
to improve regional travel, if fully implemented. The improvement is
indicated by several measures. More Online
\[<http://swutc.tamu.edu/publications/technicalreports/167869-1.pdf>\]

## **RESEARCH NEWS & INFORMATION**

### Best Practices Coordination of Transit Regional Transportation Planning and Land Use Conference, August 26-28, 2007

Transportation Research Board (TRB) is sponsoring the *Best Practices:
Coordination of Transit, Regional Transportation Planning and Land Use
Conference* on August 26-28, 2007, in Denver, Colorado.  The conference
will explore best practices for integrating transit and land use
planning.  Sessions will examine the Denver story; transit-oriented
development from the national, international, regional, corridor, and
neighborhood perspectives; and regional planning, transit involvement,
and analysis.  Session workshops will address improved planning methods,
innovative thinking, and bus coordination.  The conference will conclude
with a U.S. Federal Transit Administration session on the \"Small Starts
and New Starts Program.\"  Advance registration expires July 27, 2007.
More Online \[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7606>\]

**Committee for a Study of Options for Streamlining Standards for
Intelligent Transportation Systems Letter Report: June 18, 2007  **

Link to report from the Transportation Research Board:

<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=7816>

### 32nd International Bus Rodeo -- 2007 Grand Champion Award

*Best Transit Bus Operator, Maintenance Crew and Grand Champion Named*

APTA News Release, May 9, 2007. The honor of recognizing the men and
women who keep North America\'s bus systems safe and efficient is given
to the bus operator and maintenance team that has the highest combined
score. *Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority* in Los
Angeles, CA won the Grand Champion Award at the prestigious 32nd
International Bus Rodeo held in conjunction with the American Public
Transportation Association (APTA) Bus and Paratransit Conference in
Nashville, TN. *Second place* for the Grand Champion Award was the team
from San Mateo County Transit District in San Carlos, CA. *Third pla*ce
went to the State of Florida team. More than 90 public transportation
systems in North America competed in this year\'s competition. More
Online
\[<http://www.apta.com/media/releases/070509_roadeo_winners.cfm>\]

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc172093910 .anchor}**Emergency Responders Call for
Network Solution (Fast Interoperability Solution)\
Wireless Week - July 06, 2007**\
A national alliance of emergency responders under the name **Comcare**,
is calling for use of *radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP)* *to solve
network interoperability issues*. The group says that RoIP is a
cost-effective solution to solving communications issues, citing the
U.S. military\'s use of the protocol. Comcare says that RoIP solutions
convert over-the-air and wired communications protocols into voice over
IP, dynamically managing connections and call groups.

RoIP means that we no longer have to buy an expensive new radio system
for every organization to get interoperability,\" RoxAnn Brown, director
of Nashville, Tenn., Emergency Communications Center and Comcare
director, said in a statement. \"We have a fast, flexible
interoperability solution for all organizations involved in emergency
response, separate from the critical, but more complicated and
expensive, issues of delivering new radio systems to first responders.\"
More Online

\[<http://www.wirelessweek.com/article.aspx?id=150324>\]

### First Passengers Travel on World Record Train

MassTransit Magazine, June 27, 2007

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="1.6708333333333334in"
height="1.2027777777777777in"}![](media/image2.jpeg){width="1.6666666666666667in"
height="1.1979166666666667in"} *\
*

The Siemens-built *Velaro E is the first German high-speed train to
operate on a railway line in Spain.* The Spanish ministry and the
Spanish National Railways Renfe approved the train for service. The
high-speed train, Velaro, could be operated at a speed of 350 km/h. It
has already reached speeds over 400 km/h during test trips in Spain,
making it the fastest series-production high-speed train in the world.
Now, the first passengers can take advantage of the regular service by
riding a vehicle which is built in Krefeld and Spain. For Siemens, the
overall order including service for 14 years was worth over one billion
euros. Read Online in June 27 issue - Scroll down to "Industry
Announcements" and click on article.
\[<http://www.masstransitmag.com/>\]

### Google Buys GrandCentral Communications

Associated Press 07.03.07, 8:43 AM ET

*Google Inc.* purchased Web-based phone service GrandCentral
Communications, stated Monday on its official blog. The company did not
disclose a purchase price. Fremont, Calif.-based GrandCentral\'s
services let users personalize phone usage with Web-based features like
the ability to assign a single phone number that rings various phones at
once, records calls and accesses visual voicemail. More Online

\[<http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/03/ap3880713.html>\]

### Highlights from the ITE 2007 Technical Conference and Exhibit

The 2007 theme of the Institute of Transportation Engineers' (ITE)
Technical Conference and Exhibit was "Managing Congestion---Can We Do
Better?" The conference, which took place March 25--28, 2007 in San
Diego, California, sought to answer whether the transportation
profession can do a better job of addressing congestion to meet local
concerns and desires. In the opening session, keynote speaker Tyler
Duvall, the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy in the Office
of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT),
explained the importance of focusing on policy issues as public and
private partnerships are forged to find practical solutions to the
nation's congestion problem. More Online
\[<http://www.ntoctalks.com/articles/tctyler.php>\]

### Lynx will Spend a Homeland Security Grant to Train Workers

MassTransit, June 29, 2007

Central Florida\'s bus system is spending nearly \$1 million to train
its drivers and other staff on how to spot terrorists and other bad
guys. A recent \$908,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security
will allow Lynx to give all 1,000 employees lessons in terrorism
awareness and emergency response. Read Online - Scroll down to Lynx...

\[<http://www.masstransitmag.com/online/section.jsp?siteSection=3>\]

A northbound Caltrain train struck a vehicle in a Palo Alto railroad
crossing and killed a woman during the afternoon rush hour Thursday
night, a Caltrain spokesman said.

### Palo Alto -- Train Kills Woman in Car on Tracks 

Mass Transit, June 28 2007

The victim, described only as a middle-aged woman, was killed at 4:50
p.m at East Meadow Drive when her red Toyota Camry stopped on the tracks
at the crossing and failed to move forward when the warning bells and
lights were activated, according to Palo Alto police spokesman Max
Nielepko. \"For unknown reasons, the vehicle remained on the tracks,\"
Nielepko said. The crushed car was carried about a half mile north,
jammed beneath the train. Nielepko said officers were trying to
determine if there was anyone else inside the car.
\[<http://www.masstransitmag.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=3804>

### Pentagon Urged Not to Use Ability to Degrade GPS Signals

Link to story in *Government Executive*:

<http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=37499&dcn=todaysnews>

Link to minutes from National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and
Timing Advisory Board: <http://pnt.gov/advisory/2007-03/minutes.pdf>

A newly formed multiagency advisory board argues that the Defense
Department should never again intentionally degrade the performance of
the Global Positioning System.

At its first meeting held in March, the National Space-Based Positioning
Navigation and Timing (PNT) Advisory Board decided that, although the
Air Force has the ability to degrade signals from the constellation of
GPS satellites through a process known as \"selective availability,\"
board chairman and former Defense Secretary James Schlesinger says he
\"cannot conceive any scenario in which SA has any credibility today,\"
according to [minutes of the
meeting](http://pnt.gov/advisory/2007-03/minutes.pdf), which the board
released this month.

### St. Louis 'Call-A-Ride' Users Allege Dangerous Waiting Zones 

MassTransit Magazine, Top Transit News, June 29, 2007

Disabled riders who depend on Metro\'s *Call-A-Ride* Plus vans are being
forced to wait at busy grocery stores, fast-food restaurants and bus
stops under a transfer policy that critics say is unsafe. In late
November, the region\'s transit agency expanded its transfer policy to
require most wheelchair-using passengers to change vans in the middle of
long-distance trips. But disability-rights advocates say some transfers
subject vulnerable riders to bad weather, parking lot dangers - even
crime. \"This puts people at risk,\" said Andrew Lackey, independent
living and advocacy specialist for St. Louis-based Paraquad. \" Read
Online
\[<http://www.masstransitmag.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=3705>\]

### University of Kansas Select MV Transportation to Operate Transit Services 

The University of Kansas has selected [MV
Transportation](http://www.mvtransit.com/) to operate the institution's
[KU on Whenels trasportation service](http://groups.ku.edu/~kuwheels/).
Beginning August 1, MV will provide fixed-route, paratransit and
park-and-ride services throughout the University. KU will provide the
vehicles for this \$3 million annual contract. MV was selected to
replace the Lawrence Bus Company, which had managed the service since
1960. MV will retain many current employees. To view this article
Online, scroll down to "Industry Announcements" and click on article.
\[<http://www.masstransitmag.com/>\]

### 

### Safety Vision, L.P. Announces \$1.4 Million Contract Award from the Massachusetts 

### Bay Transportation Authority

Safety Vision announced its Houston office has been awarded a \$1.4
million contract to install onboard surveillance camera systems on 155
new buses for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
MBTA is the fifth largest transit system in the U.S., transporting 1.3
million passengers daily. The contract, partially funded by a Department
of Homeland Security grant, was approved by the MBTA Board of Directors
on April 5, 2007. More Online- Scroll down to Safety Vision...
\[<http://www.masstransitmag.com/print/Mass-Transit/Industry-News/1$3564>\]

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc172093920 .anchor}**RTC of Southern Nevada Awards
Contract**\
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) recently
awarded a new three-year contract to Laidlaw Transit Services Inc. to
continue providing paratransit services in Las Vegas, Nevada. Laidlaw
will operate more than 180 vehicles in this three-year, \$75-million
contract. As a result of this award, Laidlaw will begin operating the
SilverSTAR and CATSTAR services, previously operated by Veolia
Transportation, in addition to the ADA paratransit services it has
operated since 2000. More Online -- Scroll down to RTC of Southern
Nevada...

\[
<http://www.masstransitmag.com/print/Mass-Transit/Industry-News/1$3564>\]