*To view any article listed, simply use the mouse and control/click the
title.*

#### Transit Research Update Contents 

[**SPECIAL 3**](#special)

[Announcement of FY 2008 TCRP Projects for Potential Contractors
3](#announcement-of-fy-2008-tcrp-projects-for-potential-contractors)

[Preliminary Agenda of FTA Forums at the TRB 87^th^ Annual Meeting,
January 13-17, 2008
3](#preliminary-agenda-of-fta-forums-at-the-trb-87th-annual-meeting-january-13-17-2008)

[Paratransit Eligibility 101, January 10, 2008
3](#paratransit-eligibility-101-january-10-2008)

[Connecting Communities Public Transportation Emergency Preparedness
Workshop
4](#connecting-communities-public-transportation-emergency-preparedness-workshop)

[Intelligent Transportation Society of America's International Economic
Briefing and Reception Series -- Embassy of Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Nov.
20, 6:30pm
4](#intelligent-transportation-society-of-americas-international-economic-briefing-and-reception-series-embassy-of-kazakhstan-tuesday-nov.-20-630pm)

[FROM THE TRI RESEARCH CORNER 4](#from-the-tri-research-corner)

[511 Travel Information Exchange Forum
4](#travel-information-exchange-forum)

[Construction Project Management Handbook
4](#construction-project-management-handbook)

[Intermodal Advance Research Working Group
5](#intermodal-advance-research-working-group)

[Standards in Trade Workshop 5](#standards-in-trade-workshop)

[Integrated Corridor Management Requirements 2007 Workshop
5](#integrated-corridor-management-requirements-2007-workshop)

[![](media/image1.jpeg){width="0.6in"
height="0.4013888888888889in"}Traveler Information Service
Usage Statistics 6](#traveler-information-service-usage-statistics)

[FEDERAL RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS 7](#federal-research-publications)

[Assessing the Business Case for Integrated Collision Avoidance Systems
on Transit Buses
7](#assessing-the-business-case-for-integrated-collision-avoidance-systems-on-transit-buses)

[Best Practices to Enhance the Transportation-Land Use Connection in the
Rural United States
7](#best-practices-to-enhance-the-transportation-land-use-connection-in-the-rural-united-states)

[Connecting People to Employment: An Evaluation of the Job Access and
Reverse Commute (JARC) Services Provided in 2006
7](#__RefHeading___Toc183397148)

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

[Demonstration of Ultra-Clean Fischer-Tropsch Diesel Fuel in Cold
Weather Environment. Draft Report 8](#__RefHeading___Toc183397150)

[Emerging Wireless Technologies for Coordinating Transit and Paratransit
Services A Final Report on the Cape Cod WiFi Project
8](#emerging-wireless-technologies-for-coordinating-transit-and-paratransit-services-final-report-on-the-cape-cod-wifi-project)

[Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Program FY 2006 Service Profiles
8](#job-access-and-reverse-commute-jarc-program-fy-2006-service-profiles)

[11^th^ Annual FTA State Safety Oversight Program Meeting Summary
8](#th-annual-fta-state-safety-oversight-program-meeting-summary)

[Rail Passenger Safety: Equipment and Technologies
9](#rail-passenger-safety-equipment-and-technologies)

[Successes in Environmental Stewardship, November 2007 Newsletter
9](#successes-in-environmental-stewardship-november-2007-newsletter)

[INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH 9](#international-research)

[Energy and Sustainability (ENERGY 2007)
9](#energy-and-sustainability-energy-2007)

[Skyweb Express Feasibility Study -- Transportation for the 21^st^
Century
9](#skyweb-express-feasibility-study-transportation-for-the-21st-century)

[Maglev breakthrough as Munich link approved
10](#maglev-breakthrough-as-munich-link-approved)

[Transportation Decision Making Report.
10](#transportation-decision-making-report)

[Urban Transit Systems And Technology Report.
10](#urban-transit-systems-and-technology-report.)

[Work Begins on Galileo Control Centers
10](#work-begins-on-galileo-control-centers)

[RESEARCH NEWS & INFORMATION 11](#research-news-information)

[19,000 Environmental Impact Statements Added to TRIS Database
11](#environmental-impact-statements-added-to-tris-database)

[511 Provides Local Assistance During Wildfire Emergency
11](#provides-local-assistance-during-wildfire-emergency)

[Amarillo, Texas, Transit is Starved for Bus Drivers
11](#amarillo-texas-transit-is-starved-for-bus-drivers)

[Data, Survey Methods, Traffic Monitoring, and Asset Management
11](#data-survey-methods-traffic-monitoring-and-asset-management)

[DIPNOTE --The U.S. Department of State's Official Blog
12](#dipnote-the-u.s.-department-of-states-official-blog)

[Institutional Needs in Safety Planning Webinar November 13, 2007
12](#__RefHeading___Toc183397169)

[New 511 Traffic Alert System Unveiled in Massachusetts
12](#new-511-traffic-alert-system-unveiled-in-massachusetts)

[NJ DOT is Giving Motorists the 5-1-1
13](#nj-dot-is-giving-motorists-the-5-1-1)

[Kirkland, Washington Puts New Face on Pedestrian Program
13](#kirkland-washington-puts-new-face-on-pedestrian-program)

[GM Presents Vision of Software-Based Cars
13](#gm-presents-vision-of-software-based-cars)

[Navigating the Road to GIS Success: Key Components of the Montana
Department of Transportation's Strategic Plan
13](#navigating-the-road-to-gis-success-key-components-of-the-montana-department-of-transportations-strategic-plan)

[WisDOT Research Announce the 2008 Work Program
14](#wisdot-research-announce-the-2008-work-program)

## SPECIAL

### Announcement of FY 2008 TCRP Projects for Potential Contractors

The research projects to be undertaken by TRB\'s Transit Cooperative
Research Program (TCRP) as part of its Fiscal Year 2008 activities have
been identified and are now available for review. This announcement
contains problem statements that are preliminary descriptions of the
selected projects. Requests for Proposals related to the individual
projects are expected to be issued starting in late March 2008. More
Online

\[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=8401>. Address all
inquiries to Christopher W. Jenks \[cjenks@nas.edu\] TRB Director,
Cooperative Research Programs. FTA Contact \[Lisa.Colbert@doe.gov\].

### Preliminary Agenda of FTA Forums at the TRB 87^th^ Annual Meeting, January 13-17, 2008

To keep the transit industry, universities, and related organizations
abreast of FTA activities, the FTA Office of Research, Innovation and
Technology (TRI) is distributing a flyer highlighting the seven panel
sessions that FTA has organized for the *TRB 2008 Annual Meeting in
Washington, DC*, *January 2008.* 

The seven panel sessions include the following: *Session 322,* Transit
Investment and Congestion Pricing: Roundtable of the Transit Role in
Congestion Management; *Session 371,* Predicted Costs and Ridership of
New Starts Projects Versus Actual; *Session \# TBD*, Building Mobility
Management and Coordinated Transportation Systems: United We Ride;
*Session 431*, FTA Ridership Awards Program; *Session \# TBD,* Condition
Based Maintenance: Improving Rail Transit Maintenance, Reducing Costs
and Measuring Return on Research Investment; *Session \# TBD*, Final
Rule on Charter Service Regulation; *Session \# TBD,* Advanced Clean
Propulsion Technologies for Transit: Current Status, Challenges and
Future Outlook. Please visit *FTA Booth #3107*, Exhibit Hall A, Marriot
Wardman Park Hotel, 9:30am -- 4:00pm daily. FTA Contact
\[Lisa.Colbert@dot.gov\]

### Paratransit Eligibility 101, January 10, 2008

The FTA sponsored Easter Seals Project ACTION invites you to attend [the
next complimentary distance learning
event](http://www.easterseals.com/site/R?i=Bti1qQbEp0IvYxOGZ51Ohw..)---*Para
transit* *Eligibility 101*. As part of Easter Seals Project ACTION's
[Distance Learning Seminar
Series](http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ESPA_distance_learning),
Kristi Ross, Training & Technical Assistance Specialist at Project
ACTION, will address the basic information that we all need to know
about ADA complementary paratransit eligibility, This includes basic
information regarding defining paratransit eligibility, alternative
eligibility determination processes, appeals of eligibility
determinations, and how to involve people with disabilities in the
eligibility process. The event will take place Thursday, **January 10,
2008**, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm EST, via telephone conference call. If you
have technical assistance questions regarding specific paratransit
eligibility applications or appeals, contact Easter Seals Project ACTION
at 800-659-6428. [\[More
Online\]](http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ESPA_distance_learning)

### Connecting Communities Public Transportation Emergency Preparedness Workshop

*Connecting Communities Workshop* will be conducted in various sections
of the country, from November 8-9, 2007 to April 22-23, 2008. The
workshop is sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to
improve public agency interoperability during incidents by fostering
dialogue and planning efforts between transit systems, emergency service
agencies and other emergency management partners, in a structurally
formatted forum. Invited participants include representatives from local
transit agencies, police departments, emergency management offices and
others. The workshop is free to all invitees. The Workshop goal is to
bring together participants from a variety of agencies, departments, and
organizations to foster dialogue, advance planning efforts, review past
experiences, analyze best practices, and identify assets and resources
to improve overall interoperability and response during an incident.
Online
\[<http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/training/ConnectingCommunities/EmergencyPreparedness.asp>

### Intelligent Transportation Society of America's International Economic Briefing and Reception Series -- Embassy of Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 6:30pm

The Intelligent Transportation Society (ITS) of America is pleased to
invite you to become part of a trade delegation composed of 30-40
American companies, trade associations, federal agencies and
congressional offices for a briefing and reception hosted by the Embassy
of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Washington, DC.  This event is part of
ITS America's International Economic Briefing and Reception Series
involving some of America's trading partners from around the world.  Its
purpose is to promote a broad discussion of current policy issues in an
informal setting. It would provide a forum for US companies,
congressional and US Government agency staff, as well as embassy
personnel, to discuss efforts to promote international trade and
investment, especially in the fields of transportation, homeland
security, financial services, energy, defense, and science and
technology, between the two countries. Kazakhstan, the largest of the
former Soviet republics in territory, excluding Russia, possesses
enormous fossil fuel reserves and plentiful supplies of other minerals
and metals. FTA Contact \[Ronald.Boenau@dot.gov\].

## FROM THE TRI RESEARCH CORNER

### 511 Travel Information Exchange Forum

Ron Boenau, TRI, participated in the Travel Information Exchange form
sponsored jointly by the 511 National deployment Coalition and the I-95
Corridor Coalition on October 24-25 in Baltimore.

### Construction Project Management Handbook

This handbook continues to generate transit industry interest and usage.
TRI-20, is preparing to contract with Gannett Fleming, Inc., for annual
updates and enhancements of the handbook developed under project
CA-26-7071. References in various chapters will be superseded by
issuance of new FTA regulations and guidance resulting from SAFETEA-LU.
FTA sponsored and developed the *Construction Project Management
Handbook* to provide guidelines to public transit agencies undertaking
substantial construction projects either for the first time or with
little experience in construction management. This Handbook provides
comprehensive coverage of construction project management, including the
applicability of the principles of project management and of all phases
of project development. The Handbook will assist the transit agency and
the project manager with developing a clearer understanding of the
applicability of the structures and principles of construction project
management. Online
\[<http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/Construct_Proj_Mangmnt_CD.pdf>\]

### Intermodal Advance Research Working Group

Roy Chen, TRI---20, is participating in the Department's Intermodal
Advance Research Working Groups on Alternative Fuels and
Nanotechnology.  The working groups are designed to promote information
sharing between agencies; identify current research projects,
stakeholders and outreach activities; develop a road map to highlight
the most important types of research and outcomes; and develop metrics
that can demonstrate progress toward finding transportation applications
and integration of the research/technology (alternative fuels and
nanotechnology) in the transportation system.  RITA is leading the
working groups**.**

### Standards in Trade Workshop

The National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) have
solicited input from various federal government agencies for the
development of a *Standard in Trade Workshop* to be held in Brazil,
April 2008. Since a successful prior workshop held in Beijing in May
2007 was accomplished with FTA input, FTA has been asked again to
participate in the development of the agenda for this 2008 workshop. The
workshop provides a forum for discussion of standards development and
supporting activities. It identifies barriers to development and use of
international standards and examines areas where Brazil and the U.S. can
cooperate. FTA Contact \[Ronald.Boenau@dot.gov\].

### Integrated Corridor Management Requirements 2007 Workshop

The FTA Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation (TRI), the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Research and Innovative
Technology Administration (RITA) will jointly conduct an *Integrated
Corridor Management (ICM) Initiative Workshop* with the eight ICM
Pioneer Sites on November 7 and 8, 2007 in Silver Spring, Maryland. The
workshop will provide feedback to the Pioneer Sites on their initial
draft systems requirements documents and guidance on continued systems
requirements development.  Other workshop discussion topics include:
analysis, modeling, and simulation (AMS) results of the ICM test
corridor; goals and selection process for modeling up to three of the
Pioneer SitICM evaluation, use of ITS standards and knowledge and
technology transfer activities.  The eight ICM Pioneer Site corridors
include the following: I-270 (Montgomery County , MD), I-394
(Minneapolis, MN), US-75 ( Dallas, TX), I-10 (Houston, TX), I-10 (San
Antonio, TX), I-5 (Seattle, WA), I-880 ( Oakland, CA), and I-15 (San
Diego, CA).  For more information on the ICM Initiative, please visit
<http://www.its.dot.gov/icms/index.htm>. FTA Contact: Steve Mortensen,
Senior ITS Engineer, 202-493-0459 \[<steven.mortensen@dot.gov>\].

**Transportation Safety Institute's 2008 Security Training Schedule
Online**

The [Transportation Safety Institute (TSI)](http://www.tsi.dot.gov/), in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a Federal cost recovery agency that develops
and conducts worldwide safety, security, and environmental training,
products, and services for both public and private sectors. The Transit
Safety & Security Division, a component of TSI, has posted the FY - 2008
Transit Training Schedule on its Website. The 2008 Training Schedule
provides a listing of courses related to Transit Security, Transit Rail,
Paratransit, Transit Bus, and General Transit Safety Courses. Online at
\[<http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/training/Courses/Schedule.asp>\].
Also available Online at
\[<http://www.tsi.dot.gov/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1>\]

### ![](media/image1.jpeg){width="0.6in" height="0.4013888888888889in"}Traveler Information Service Usage Statistics

FTA activities help increase public awareness, access, and knowledge of
the transit content within existing 511 traveler information services.
The 511 system provides an easy way to obtain travel information
anywhere in the country, and helps travelers make better and safer
decisions on travel routes and modes.

Nationally, there are 37 Active 511 Systems as of August 31, 2007, and

28 Active Co-branded 511 Websites, as of August 31, 2007.

The usage statistics for 511 telephone Traveler Information Services
nationwide from November 2006 -- August 2007 reported to the [511
Deployment Coalition](http://www.deploy511.org/) are as follows:

+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| Total Calls    |                                                     |
| Date           |                                                     |
+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| **1,743,240**  | **August 2007**                                     |
+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| **1,738,281**  | **July 2007**                                       |
+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| **1,562,781**  | **June 2007**                                       |
+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| **1,856,259**  | **May 2007**                                        |
+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| **1,775,762**  | **April 2007**                                      |
+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| **2,590,394**  | **March 2007**                                      |
+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| **2,945,074**  | **February 2007**                                   |
+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| **2,778154**   | **January 2007**                                    |
+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| **3,331,449**  | **December 2006 --**                                |
|                |                                                     |
|                | ***National Record Peak Call Month***               |
+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+
| **2,363,670**  | **November 2006**                                   |
+----------------+-----------------------------------------------------+

-   Almost *85 million* calls nationwide since inception.

-   36 consecutive months with over 1 million calls.

-   511 was available to over 119 million Americans (41%).

-   The following 511 services launched since the last update:

> • Jacksonville -- October 2006 **.**   Louisiana -- December 2006
>
> • Louisiana -- December 2006 **.**   San Diego -- February 2007
>
> • San Diego -- February 2007 **.**   Southwest Florida -- April 2007
>
> • St. Louis -- May 2007 **.**   Georgia -- August 2007 
>
> • Massachusetts -- October 2007

 

Usage statistics for co-branded 511 websites are being revised; expect
them again in 2008. The 511 Deployment Coalition has a listserv at
Yahoo! Groups \[<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/511_coalition>\] for
everyone and anyone interested in learning more about 511 deployment and
operations issues.  To subscribe, send an email to
<511_coalition-subscribe@yahoogroups.com> and to post a message, send an
email to <511_coalition@yahoogroups.com>.

## FEDERAL RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

### Assessing the Business Case for Integrated Collision Avoidance Systems on Transit Buses

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has released a report that
explored integrated vehicle based safety systems (IVBSS) for transit
buses. The report examines available IVBSS products, potential future
products, and technologies; analyzes the benefit-cost of transit IVBSS;
and assesses the receptiveness among transit operators to use IVBSS
products and the willingness of manufacturers to develop them.
Online/scroll down to access report.
\[<http://www.fta.dot.gov/assistance/research/research_5638.html>\].

### Best Practices to Enhance the Transportation-Land Use Connection in the Rural United States

The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Best Practices
Report 582 explores how to integrate land use and transportation in
rural communities. The report also highlights programs and investment
strategies designed to support community development and livability
while providing adequate transportation capacity.

Online \[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=8243>\]

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc183397148 .anchor}**Connecting People to
Employment: An Evaluation of the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC)
Services Provided in 2006**

Report No.  FTA-VA-37-5001-2007.1 - The Job Access and Reverse Commute
(JARC) program was established to address the unique transportation
challenges that welfare recipients and low-income individuals face in
finding and keeping jobs. This study analyzed the JARC-funded services
provided in Fiscal Year 2006 and projects that these services provided
access to 43.4 million jobs, including 21.2 million low-wage jobs, and
that these services provided 22.9 million one-way trips during the year.
This report also summarizes the types of projects funded by the JARC
program, the objectives of the services provided, and the geographic
areas in which JARC services operate. Online
**\[**<http://www.fta.dot.gov/funding/grants/grants_financing_7175.html>\]

### 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.
Online \[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=5078>\]

### Demonstration of Ultra-Clean Fischer-Tropsch Diesel Fuel in Cold Weather Environment. Draft Report 

The Office of Technology (TRI-20) is helping to finalize the draft
report *Demonstration of Ultra-Clean Fischer-Tropsch Diesel Fuel in Cold
Weather Environment*.  The objective is to study the potential use of
ultra-clean Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthetic diesel fuel for transit
applications in cold-climate.  Project activities included a winter
transit bus demonstration of F-T fuel in Fairbanks, Alaska; a soil
biodegradability analysis to determine the environmental effects of
potential F-T fuel leaks; a feasibility study of the utilization of F-T
fuels for hydrogen production in association with future transit fleet
applications of reformer/fuel-cell power systems; and summary of transit
related emissions results for F-T diesel fuel.  The report is expected
to be published in the 2^nd^ quarter of FY 2008.

### Emerging Wireless Technologies for Coordinating Transit and Paratransit Services: Final Report on the Cape Cod WiFi Project

Report No. FTA-MA-26-7098-2007-1. This document is the final report of
the Cape Cod WiFi Project. The project was conducted as a partnership
between the Cape Cod (MA) Regional Transit Authority and the GeoGraphics
Laboratory at Bridgewater State College to explore the use of emerging
transportation technologies for transit and paratransit management and
operations. The report discusses the technology tested; customer
features designed, and summarize the follow-on research and
demonstrations initiated by this project. Online
\[<http://www.fta.dot.gov/assistance/research/research_5638.html>\]

### Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Program FY 2006 Service Profiles 

*Technical Memorandum*, October 2007.  Report No.  FTA-VA-5001-2007

This technical memorandum includes profiles that JARC grantees submitted
as part of the FY 2006 reporting process.   Profiles are presented in
numerical order, based on the assigned four-digit grantee identification
number.  For each grantee, subrecipients are listed in alphabetical
order. Online

\[<http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/DSFY06_Profiles_070927.doc>\]

### 11^th^ Annual FTA State Safety Oversight Program Meeting Summary

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) held its *11^th^ Annual State
Safety Oversight (SSO) Program Meeting* in Minneapolis, Minnesota on
September 17-20, 2007. This meeting was co-hosted by the Minnesota
Department of Public Safety and Metro Transit. There were a total of 95
attendees at this year\'s meeting. Sessions at the SSO meeting included:

-   Current FTA initiatives, implementation of 9/11 Commission
    Recommendations;

-   FTA's rule revision in SAFETEA-LU, affecting 49 CFR Part 659;

-   Proposed responses to recommendations from the NTSB investigation
    into the July 2006 derailment at the Chicago Transit Authority;

-   FTA's technical clarification letter regarding hazard management
    program requirements in Part 659; and

-   FTA's SSO Audit Program.

This year\'s annual meeting included a break-out session focused on
identifying and managing hazardous conditions, as well as training
sessions for SSO personnel and rail transit agency representatives. More
Online

\[<http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/Safety/sso/MeetingSummary/>\]

### Rail Passenger Safety: Equipment and Technologies

*TCRP Research Results Digest 85,* August 2007, summarizes the mission
performed October 13-October 28, 2006, under TCRP Project J-03,
"International Transit Studies Program." The digest is an overview of
the mission that investigated European rail safety programs. It includes
information on the organizations and facilities visited in Berlin and
Hennigsdorf, Germany; Reichshoffen and Paris, France; and London and
Crowthorne, Berkshire, United Kingdom. More Online
\[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=8048>\]

### Successes in Environmental Stewardship, November 2007 Newsletter 

Read the FHWA Newsletter on Successes in Environmental Stewardship
Online.

\[<http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlng/newsletters/nov07nl.asp>

## INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH

### Energy and Sustainability ([ENERGY 2007](../%20http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2007/energy07/index.html%20))

*Sustainable energy production* is one of the key issues of modern
society and requires new ideas to advance the technologies and
strategies currently in use. The main focus areas of many research
efforts are: renewable energy sources, energy storage, energy
transportation, energy efficiency, energy and sustainability. These
topics and more were the focal point of the [First International
Conference on Energy and
Sustainability](../%20http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2007/energy07/index.html),
which took place at the New Forest Campus of the Wessex Institute of
Technology (WIT), UK.

This Volume of the *Transactions of the Wessex Institute* contains the
edited proceedings of the 1^st^ International Conference on Energy and
Sustainability. The conference offered an opportunity for professionals
from the energy sector and industrial sector as well as governmental and
non-governmental organizations and other interested parties to be
involved in discussions on key issues and challenges in energy and
sustainability, and to exchange experiences and views on the current
technologies and strategies applied in different parts of the world. See
also \[<http://www.witpressusa.com/acatalog/9781845640828.html>\]

### Skyweb Express Feasibility Study -- Transportation for the 21^st^ Century

Taxi 2000 Corporation. *Skyweb Express* is personal rapid transit (PRT).
Passengers ride non-stop to their destination in small 3-adult vehicles.
Unlike other forms of mass transit, the vehicle waits for the passenger,
so there is no time lost waiting for the bus or train. PRT moves more
people more rapidly using less space and for less money that any other
form of mass transit. "*The European Commission has studied four
potential schemes, and concluded that hesitant local authorities are the
only significant obstacle*," The Economist -- March 10, 2007, Technology
pp 10-12. Taxi 2000 recently completed a feasibility study for the
implementation of a large scale system where ridership estimates were as
much as 85,000 trips per peak hour. Online
\[[http://faculty.washington.edu/jbs/itrans/SWE%20marketing%20intro.pdf](http://faculty.washington.edu/jbs/itrans/SWE marketing intro.pdf)\]
and

\[[http://www.skywebexpress.com](http://www.skywebexpress.com/)\]. See
also *Innovative Transportation Technologies -- 11th Year*
\[<http://faculty.washington.edu/jbs/itrans/>\]

### Maglev breakthrough as Munich link approved

"Linking Public Transport," Transport Times, October 2007, p. 12.
Germany has finally given the go-ahead to a 37km, £1.3bn Maglev link
between Munich and its airport. Europe's first ultra high speed
magnetically levitated train will reduce the time taken to get to the
airport from the city centre from an hour to 10 minutes. Maglev is
capable of speeds up to 500km/h, but the totally automated, driverless
TR09 Maglev train, which will enter test operation this autumn, is
likely to run at less than maximum speed. It will have breathtaking
acceleration reaching 300km/h in 97 seconds, which compares with TGV
technology taking four times as long to reach that cruising speed. More
Online, page 12 [\[Transport
Times\]](http://www.transporttimes.co.uk/)\]

### Transportation Decision Making Report 

*Research And Markets*. This pioneering text provides a holistic
approach to decision making in transportation project development and
programming, which can help transportation professionals to optimize
their investment choices. The authors present a proven set of
methodologies for evaluating transportation projects that ensures that
all costs and impacts are taken into consideration. The text's logical
organization gets readers started with a solid foundation in basic
principles and then progressively builds on that foundation. For a
complete index of this report click on:

\[[[http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/633629/transportation_decision_making_principles_of]{.underline}](http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/633629/transportation_decision_making_principles_of)
\]

### Urban Transit Systems And Technology Report. 

This is the only current and in print book covering the full field of
transit systems and technology. Beginning with a history of transit and
its role in urban development, the book proceeds to define relevant
terms and concepts, and then presents detailed coverage of all urban
transit modes and the most efficient system designs for each. The report
includes coverage of such integral subjects as travel time, vehicle
propulsion, system integration, fully supported with equations and
analytical methods. This book is the primary resource for students of
transit as well as those professionals who design and operate these key
pieces of urban infrastructure. For a complete index of this report,
please go Online at
<http://www.transportation1.org/transupdate/docs/2007-10-16.pdf>
\[<http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/574c59/urban_transit_systems_and_technology>
\]

### Work Begins on Galileo Control Centers

MUNICH, Germany --- Galileo Industries and German aerospace organization
DLR on Tuesday (Nov. 7) broke ground for one of two planned Galileo
navigation satellite control centers in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich.
The partners said they will spend about €16 million (\$20.3 million) on
infrastructure construction. However, the budget does not include
electronics and IT equipment. For the "in-orbit validation" phase, which
includes four satellites, the European Union and the [European Space
Agency (ESA)](http://www.esa.int/esaCP/index.html) have budgeted €1.5
billion. The full, 30-satellite constellation will cost €3.5 billion,
according to a spokesman for the Bavarian state government. The Galileo
project is expected to create about 100.000 jobs throughout Europe, many
of them at Galileo project partners. More Online
\[[http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193600251\]](http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193600251] )

## RESEARCH NEWS & INFORMATION

### 19,000 Environmental Impact Statements Added to TRIS Database 

\[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=8359>\]

Northwestern University Transportation Library (NUTL) recently provided
the Transportation Research Board (TRB) with more than 19,100
Environmental Impact Statement(EIS) bibliographic records for inclusion
in TRB's Transportation Research Information Services (TRIS) database.
NUTL's contribution now makes TRIS home to one of the largest publicly
accessible collections of environmental impact statements in the world.
With the more than 660,000 records of technical reports, journal
articles, conference papers, and monographs already contained in TRIS,
this addition makes the database an even more powerful tool for
practitioners.

### 511 Provides Local Assistance During Wildfire Emergency

SANDAG's Electronic Newsletter, 11-07. 511, the nation's traveler
information system, is finding more usage in American communities than
was ever anticipated. San Diego residents utilized the 511 phone system
at record levels during the October wildfires. 511 is a free phone and
Web service that consolidates the region\'s transportation information
into a one-stop resource. Merging transportation and technology, 511
puts a wealth of free, travel-related information at your fingertips -
24 hours a day, seven days a week. During the devestating fires, the 511
phone system received more than 87,500 calls between Monday, October 22
and Thursday, October 25 (previous weekly average --- 11,000 calls). The
511 Web site received more than 38,000 visitors (previous weekly average
--- 3,900 visitors). More Online
\[<http://www.sandag.org/enewsletter/feature_1.html>\]

### Amarillo, Texas, Transit is Starved for Bus Drivers 

Sean Thomas, Amarillo Globe-News. Areas across the nation face bus
driver shortages, and Amarillo is no different. The city of Amarillo's
public transit system will be down 13 drivers starting in November.
Canyon Independent School District has to use supervisors and
technicians to fill in the gaps. Amarillo has 23 drivers now and runs
eight routes and five special transportation buses. But the city will
add one more spec-trans bus and likely will need two additional drivers
for it. "What it means is, we have a lot of people working a lot of
overtime, which comes back to haunt us," said Transit Director Judy
Phelps. "They get tired. They get sick easier." More Online
\[<http://www.masstransitmag.com/publication/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=4643%5D>

### Data, Survey Methods, Traffic Monitoring, and Asset Management

*Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research
Board, No. 1993* includes 22 papers that explore revenue risk mitigation
in transportation project financing, traffic sign asset management,
estimating highway investment requirements, estimating design hourly
volumes, traffic prediction, digital dashboards, random count site
selection, wireless location technology-based traffic monitoring,
traffic flow impact on travel time variability, and transferability of
National Household Travel Survey data. This issue of the TRR also
examines the impact of nonresponse and weighting in a travel survey,
data integration impact on travel behavior indicators, iterative
proportional fitting algorithm for combining traffic count data with
missing dimensions, an electronic freight theft management system using
Internet-based mapping, and regional routing model for strategic
waterway analysis. More Online
\[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=8271>\]

### DIPNOTE --The U.S. Department of State's Official Blog 

*Dipnote,* the U.S. State Department's first-ever blog, is designed to
start a dialogue with the public. According to Sean McCormick,
Communicator for the Department, " Dipnote will provide you with a
window into the work of the people responsible for our foreign policy,
and will give you a chance to be active participants in a community
focused on some of the great issues of our world today. With Dipnote we
are going to take you behind the scenes at the State Department and
bring you closer to the personalities of the Department. We are going to
try and break through some of the jargon and talk about how we operate
around the world. We invite you to participate in this community, and I
am looking forward to stepping away from my podium every now and then
into the blogosphere. Let the conversation begin- "

More Online \[<http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/welcome/>\]

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc183397169 .anchor}**Institutional Needs in Safety
Planning Webinar November 13, 2007**\
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) will be conducting a web
briefing or "Webinar" on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, 2:00 p.m. -- 3:30
p.m. EDT that will explore solutions to the multidisciplinary challenges
associated with addressing transportation safety.  Participants must
register at least 24 hours in advance of the start of the Webinar. 
Space is limited and there is a fee for non-TRB Sponsor employees.  The
"Institutional Needs in Safety Planning" Webinar will address challenges
in addressing transportation safety by detailing the organizational
structures and collaboration strategies that promote safety integration
in the planning process.  The Webinar will detail what it takes to
successfully unite agencies and leaders in planning for safety
improvements.  The project's recommendations and lessons provide a
valuable guide for any agency wishing to foster collaboration around
safety issues. More Online
\[<http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=8354>\]

### New 511 Traffic Alert System Unveiled in Massachusetts

October 2007. The Massachusetts Highway Department announced that
commuters will now be able to access up-to-the-minute, route-specific
traffic, transit, weather, construction and event information by dialing
511 on their wireless telephones. The new MassHighway 511 service will
replace the existing SmarTraveler service, which has been in use since
1993. "SmarTraveler has been the most successful, most-used traffic
information service in the country..." said Transportation and Public
Works Secretary Bernard Cohen. More Online
\[<http://wbztv.com/local/local_story_288100240.html>\]

### NJ DOT is Giving Motorists the 5-1-1

Tuesday, November 06, 2007. The New Jersey state Department of
Transportation quietly has launched a service that allows motorists to
check on traffic conditions just by dialing three numbers. 5-1-1. Though
it won\'t be formally introduced to the public until sometime next
spring, the 511 system is fully operational. Motorists may now call for
real-time information about crashes, construction delays and other
incidents on highways around the state, said DOT spokeswoman Erin
Phalon. Currently the system is drawing about 6,000 calls a month. The
511 system offers the same information available on the DOT\'s real-time
traffic information Website,
\[[http://www.njcommuter.com](http://www.njcommuter.com/)\].

Calls to 511 are free. The system organizes information by 10 urban
areas \-- Newark, Elizabeth, New Brunswick, Jersey City, Paterson,
Trenton, Toms River, Camden, Atlantic City and Vineland. Callers may get
a report on all incidents in any one of those regions More Online
\[<http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1194327988147540.xml&coll=1>\]

### Kirkland, Washington Puts New Face on Pedestrian Program

City of Kirkland makes changes and promotes PedFlag use at crosswalks.
It was a bright solution to a grim problem: In 1995, in the wake of two
fatal accidents involving pedestrians, Kirkland installed
fluorescent-orange flags for people to carry across the street. PedFlag
is the name of Kirkland's program which places orange flags at
crosswalks to help pedestrians attract driver's attention. Link to story
in *The Seattle Times*:

\[<http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2003975784_ontheroad26e.html>\]

### GM Presents Vision of Software-Based Cars

General Motors is hoping its new focus on
[**software**](http://www.itworldcanada.com:80/#%23) and system centered
vehicles will help it drive innovation in the automobile sector.
Historically, car companies have been focused on design and mechanical
innovation and, according to GM, the role of software engineering has
been underutilized. GM's new strategy, however, is toward what it calls
"a new automotive DNA," which involves taking software and electronics
to change the concept of car designs. This means you'll see a lot more
GM researchers with backgrounds in software engineering. Link to story
on IT World Canada:

[http://www.itworldcanada.com/a/News/6b437baf-31d2-4844-89cd-068c0b5b8221.htm**l**](http://www.itworldcanada.com/a/News/6b437baf-31d2-4844-89cd-068c0b5b8221.html)

### Navigating the Road to GIS Success: Key Components of the Montana Department of Transportation's Strategic Plan 

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) GIS Section tackled some
important questions in its efforts to expand its GIS. Enhanced GIS
capabilities would streamline and support MDT's asset management,
environmental studies, safety analysis and intelligent transportation
systems (ITS). Link to story in *Directions Magazine*:

<http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=2584&trv=1>

### WisDOT Research Announce the 2008 Work Program

Every year, Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Research
submits a Work Program to the Federal Highway Administration describing
each research project and activity planned for the upcoming federal
fiscal year. The October 2007 Research and Library E-Newsletter
highlights the WisDOT's 2008 Work Program, which includes:

-   11 new Wisconsin multimodal projects

-   12 new Wisconsin materials and construction projects

-   20 pooled fund research projects

-   1 peer exchange, and more.

Online
\[<http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/library/research/reports/enews.htm>\]