M A S T E. Vince DeFlavia, 2011 MASITE President. President s Message. Sincerely, In this Issue

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1 The Official Newsletter of the Mid-Atlantic Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers M A S I T E n t e r c o n n e c t Volume 16 Issue 2 June 2011 President s Message As we move into the summer months, travel and vacationing will be in full swing. We are fortunate enough to be able to travel by various modes of transportation here in the US. But, as we move into the middle half of the year, I want to continue to draw your attention and focus to the following topics that relate directly to our industry s success and advancement so that our means to travel don t continue to take a back seat among our elected officials. PE Renewal In PA, September of this year represents the first time that PE s are required to obtain professional development hours (PDH s) in order to renew their state licenses. As our neighbors NJ and DE currently enforce, PA has implemented the requirement for its engineers to remain in front of the engineering industry, stay sharp, and improve/maintain our professional skills. Keeping PE s active and current with their license requirements becomes critical in that we need to continue to maintain and develop individuals as we grapple with solutions, both funding and engineering, to keep our infrastructure at and, hopefully in the future, above the levels they currently exist. ITE and MASITE offer many valuable webinars, training sessions, and technical meetings/conferences that qualify as PDH s necessary for license renewal so please take advantage of these opportunities. Educational Outreach We must continue to seek and expand opportunities to spread the message about the engineering industry, in particular the Civil Engineering discipline to elementary and secondary students. As we move forward, transitioning from our current critical state of affairs in the industry, on both state and federal levels, to one that will hopefully garner momentum and change that will lead the US to become one of the worldwide leaders in the transportation/infrastructure arena, we need to encourage our youth to seek opportunities to explore the world of engineering in their post secondary careers. MASITE s Outreach Committee is open to suggestions and participation in order to accomplish their mission to spread the meaning and importance of engineering. ITE/MASITE Resources We continue to update and create viable resources that promote upcoming events, share technical information, pass along ideas for particular situations encountered on projects, post data/information that can be useful to the industry, and network amongst our community of engineers, planners, and designers. ITE has recently rolled out the ITE Community for its members to encourage collaboration and relationship building for our community. Please feel free to share ideas that you may and feel free to participate in one of MASITE s many Committee s, we are always looking for interested and enthusiastic members to help carry on our mission. Transportation Funding PA Governor Corbett has created a Transportation Advisory Committee that has convened on various occasions and will continue to meet in order to present its findings and recommendations for long term solutions to Pennsylvania s transportation funding crisis. Stay tuned, as August 1 st is the committee s deadline, when we will hear some of the means to which our industry can revive and sustain itself for many years to come. NJ and DE are also searching for long term funding solutions and not a heavy reliance on borrowing. On the federal level, since 1980, funding for transportation has seen a steady decline. I want to echo my sentiments from my previous message that we can no longer sit pat but must be called to reach out to our elected officials to ensure our industry voices are not only heard but enacted upon at this critical time. In conclusion, I d like to wish the Student Transportation Engineering Team from the University of Delaware the best of luck in the upcoming Collegiate Traffic Bowl competition being held at ITE s Annual Meeting on August 16 th in St. Louis, Missouri. We are proud of the Blue Hen team as they return for the second year in a row to represent MASITE! Have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you all in Cape May, NJ for the MASITE Annual Meeting being held on Sept th. Keep your eye out for registration details and come join us for some great sessions and lots of fun with our industry counterparts! Sincerely, Vince DeFlavia, 2011 MASITE President In this Issue PRESIDENT S MESSAGE MASITE BOARD MEMBERS MASITE COMMITTEE MEMBERS... 2 MASITE HAPPENINGS... 3 MASITE SPONSOR NOTES... 3 MASITE 2011 EVENTS CALENDAR... 8 NEWS YOU CAN USE TRANSPORTATION HISTORY MASITE CORPORATE SPONSORS INTERCONNECT ENDINGS Page 1

2 2011 MASITE Board Members President Vincent C. DeFlavia, P.E., PTOE Traffic Planning & Design, Inc E. High St., Suite 650 Pottstown PA Phone: (610) Fax: (610) Secretary Nicole R. Kline, P.E. McMahon Associates, Inc. 840 Springdale Dr. Exton, PA Phone: (610) Fax: (610) Eastern Area Coordinator Orla H. Pease, P.E., PTOE Urban Engineers, Inc. 55 Haddonfield Road, Suite 200 Colwick Business Center Cherry Hill NJ Phone: (856) Fax: (856) st Vice President Michael J. Mudry, P.E., PTOE Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. Regional Enterprise Tower 425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 2825 Pittsburgh, PA Phone: (412) Fax: (412) Treasurer Melody A. Matter, P.E., PTOE McCormick Taylor, Inc 5 Capital Drive, Suite 400 Harrisburg PA Phone: (717) Fax: (715) mamatter@mtmail.biz Central Area Coordinator Jeffrey G. Bergsten, P.E. Michael Baker Jr., Inc North Front Street, 2nd Floor Harrisburg, PA Phone: (717) Fax: (717) JBergsten@mbakercorp.com 2 nd Vice President Kathryn L. Russo, P.E. McCormick Taylor, Inc. Two Commerce Square 2001 Market St., 10th Floor Philadelphia, PA Phone: (215) Fax: (215) KPRusso@mtmail.biz Immediate Past President District 2 Representative Eric Rensel Gannett Fleming, Inc. 209 Senate Ave Camp Hill, PA Phone: (717) Fax: (717) ERensel@gfnet.com Western Area Coordinator Jeffrey M. DePaolis, P.E., PTOE Trans Associates Twin Towers, Suite Steubenville Pike Pittsburgh PA Phone: (412) Fax: (412) depaolisj@transassociates.com 2011 MASITE Committee Members Annual Meeting Chair Lindsey Butler Orla Pease Recognitions/Awards Rebecca Chair Martinez TW&T Urban ButlerL@taylorwiseman.com ohpease@urbanengineers.com Urban remartinez@urbanengineers.com Membership Chair Jeff Uhler R, K & K juhler@rkk.com Technical Chair Dave Petrucci david.petrucci@gmail.com Educational Outreach Chair Legislative Affairs Marie Pantalone Alex Meitzler KMJ Consulting mpantalone@kmjinc.com Vandemark & Lynch ameitzler@vandemarklynch.com Newsletter Editor Dean Kaiser Orth-Rodgers dkaiser@orth-rodgers.com Website Coordinator Erik Schmidt Urban ecschmidt@urbanengineers.com Nominations Chair Mark Luszcz DelDOT mark.luszcz@state.de.us Scholarship Chair Adam Weiser DelDOT Adam.Weiser@state.de.us Student Chapter Liaison, Univ. of Del. Adam Weiser DelDOT Adam.Weiser@state.de.us Student Chapter Liaison, Penn State Robert Watts McCormick Taylor RJWatts@mccormicktaylor.com Student Chapter Traffic Planning & Vince DeFlavia Liaison, Villanova Design vdeflavia@trafficpd.com Student Chapter DiGioia, Gray and David DiGioia Liaison, Univ. of Pitt. Assoc david@digioia.org Student Chapter Liaison, WVU Scott Nale Gannett Fleming snale@gfnet.com Page 2

3 MASITE Happenings 2011 ITE Mid-Colonial District Meeting The ITE Mid-Colonial District held another successful annual meeting on April 27 th -29 th at the Crowne Plaza Old Town in historic Alexandria, Virginia. The technical sessions and panel discussions throughout the conference were very much current to the direction and needs of our industry, including urban revitalization, livability, congestion reduction, safety, tolling operations, and transportation funding. A keynote address was given Thursday by the City of Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille and Vice Mayor Kerry Donley, featuring transportation funding and projects in the area. A plenary session on Thursday featured the future direction of the Federal-Aid Highway Program, presented by Jeffery Paniati, P.E., Executive Director of FHWA. Special technical events during the meeting included a tour of the FHWA Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center and a Highway Safety Manual training workshop. Networking events during the conference included a Washington Nationals baseball game, the annual Collegiate Traffic Bowl networking reception, and a City of Alexandria bike tour. Thursday s lunch featured a discussion focusing on safety by ITE International President Robert Wunderlich, as well as presentations from the ITE International Vice Presidential Candidates Ray Davis and Zaki Mustafa. Additionally, congratulations go out to MASITE s own Jeannette Quirus, who received recognition as the immediate past president of the Mid-Colonial District. The Collegiate Traffic Bowl and networking reception was once again a highlight of the meeting, held this year at the Union Street Public House in Old Town, with teams representing Morgan State University, University of Delaware, and Villanova. MASITE congratulates the team from the University of Delaware as the repeat champions who will again represent the Mid-Colonial District at the ITE International Collegiate Traffic Bowl, later this year in St. Louis. Winning team members are Seniors Bob McGurk, Kerry Yost, and Elisa Kropat, and their faculty advisor is Dr. Earl Rusty Lee. Go Blue Hens! Special thanks go out to Gerard Baxter and his committee, as well as to each of the speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors for all their efforts in making this meeting a success! If you were unable to attend this year, save the date for next year s annual meeting at the Lancaster County Convention Center & Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, April 25 th through April 27 th. Contact Steve McGinley at SMMcGinley@mbakercorp.com to join the annual meeting committee. (See pictures on Page 5) Recognition & Awards Committee 2011 MASITE Project of Year Submissions for the 2011 MASITE Project of the Year are now being accepted. The Section s intent is to recognize and honor project accomplishments within the MASITE region for superior performance and execution of exemplary engineering and project management, the outcome of the transportation study or project, as well as the effects of the study or project itself. Submissions are due no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, August 5th, The awards will be announced at the MASITE Annual Meeting at Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ on September 19, For further details on submission and judging criteria, please visit the MASITE website at MASITE Sponsor Notes PTV America, Inc. Accepting Abstracts for the International PTV Vision Users Group Meeting Portland, OR PTV America, Inc. is hosting the annual International Users Group Meeting scheduled September 13-14, 2011 at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers. This conference brings together transportation researchers, educators, engineers, and planners to share the latest innovations in research and application of PTV Vision software. Abstracts for presentation are now being accepted. Selected authors will have the opportunity to showcase their original work and research highlighting application of PTV Vision software during UGM. Further information is available at KMJ Consulting, Inc. (KMJ) is pleased to announce on May 27, 2011, that Bridget Bitto, EIT, has joined the team as a traffic/design specialist. Ms. Bitto is a Drexel University College of Engineering graduate with three years of transportation engineering experience serving both public and private sector clients. She has conducted transportation studies, traffic impact studies, point of access studies, and transportation impact fee studies. In addition, KMJ Consulting is pleased to announce that Kivanc Caglar has joined the team as Director of Transportation. Mr. Caglar is a licensed PE in Pennsylvania with 20 years of experience practicing ITS and Traffic Engineering and is a board member of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Intelligent Transportation Society. Finally, KMJ is pleased to be on the Nelson Nygaard team for the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) Wallingford Transit Study, CT. KMJ is providing technical transit-related support to Nelson Nygaard for the evaluation of the fixed route bus system serving the Town of Wallingford, Connecticut. Page 3

4 The primary focus will be on identifying new activity centers to be served as well as the efficiency and adequacy of the existing route structure. They are also pleased to be on the Pennoni team for the PennDOT E02300 BHSTE Maintenance and Traffic Engineering Open End project. KMJ will assist Pennoni on various task orders. Urban Engineers, Inc. proudly announces the continued growth and expansion of its Traffic Department. Kellen Sporny, EIT rejoins the Cherry Hill, New Jersey Traffic team after a few years working out of Irvine, California with RBF Consulting. Several engineers within the department continue their professional development including Rebecca Martinez, PE and Robert Macioce, PE, who have been certified as Professional Traffic Operations Engineers, and Chris Burke who recently obtained his Professional Engineers license. Urban Engineers also proudly announces the expansion of its Philadelphia Traffic Department with the recent promotion of Órla H. Pease, PE, PTOE to Deputy Practice Leader for Pennsylvania. Inc., Attn: Human Resources, 6 Kacey Court, Suite 102, Mechanicsburg, PA or . EOE/M/F/D/V Editors Note As many know, my love of trains takes me all over and of course I infiltrate many railroad articles and pics into this newsletter nearly each and every edition. Without embarrassing the father in the following pictures, I have to say, aside from the joy I get when I see my own sons enjoying trains; these pics exemplify what railroading means to us H2 Engineering Services, Inc position available Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, PA, H2 provides transportation services including highway design, ADA curb ramp design and Right-of-Way acquisition services. Highway Engineer, Mechanicsburg, PA H2 Engineering Services, Inc. is looking for a qualified and motivated highway engineer with PennDOT experience. Responsibilities: Plan, develop, and coordinate highway design projects. Design, review and inspect ADA curb ramps. Perform engineering calculations/layouts. Coordinate and prepare construction drawings. Assist with business development activities and proposal preparation. Assist with construction consultation. Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering EIT minimum, Registered Professional Engineer preferred 5-10 years experience in Highway/Transportation Projects PennDOT experience required ADA curb ramp design experience a plus Proficiency in MicroStation, InRoads Thanks for the bright spot in our day Alex!!! Interested applicants should forward a cover letter which includes salary requirements and a resume to rjh@h2enginc.com or mail to H2 Engineering Services, Page 4

5 2011 Mid-Colonial District Meeting Pics Past President s Award Univ of Del Traffic Bowl Winners Turner Fairbanks Tour Morgan St Particpants Villanova Participants Turner Fairbanks Tour Washington Nats Baseball Game Tech Session Washington Nats Baseball Game Training Session Page 5

6 As always, please remember to update your contact info with ITE at Page 6

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8 MASITE 2011 EVENTS CALENDAR EVENT DATE LOCATION CONTACT Eastern Area Future Cities Central Area Future Cities Western Area Impact on Vanpooling in PA & Future Opportunities Lunch Meeting University of Delaware Student & Professionals Mixer Eastern Area Traffic Adaptive Signal Control Breakfast Meeting Central Area SimCap L & L January 22nd January 22nd January 27th 11:30 1:30PM February 17th 4 7PM February 17th 8AM February 23rd 11:30 1:30PM Sheet Metal Workers Union, Phila PA State Museum Harrisburg Peters Place Restaurant Bridgeville, PA Kildare's Irish Pub Newark, Delaware Wyndham Mount Laurel Mount Laurel, NJ PennDOT Riverfront Office Center Marie Pantalone Steve Roman Jeff DePaolis Emily Valentino Lindsey Bulter Steve Palmer mpantalone@kmjinc.com sroman@wbcm.com depaolis@transassociates.com emily.valentino@stantec.com ButlerL@taylorwiseman.com spalmer@gfnet.com D VE Week February Various Central PA Engineers Week February Various Eastern Area & MET Section SimCap Lunch & Learn with Tour of the NJ Statewide TMC Western Area Lunch Meeting PA's 511 System Western Area SimCap Lunch & Learn Central Area Night at the Races Dinner Meeting Eastern Area SimCap L & L Delaware Signal Timing Enhancement Partnership March 3rd 11 1PM March 15th 11:30 1:30PM March 29 11:30AM 1:30PM April 8th 5:30PM April 21st 11:30AM 1:30PM NJ Turnpike Authority Statewide TMC Woodbridge, NJ Peter's Place Restaurant Bridgeville, PA Peter's Place Restaurant Bridgeville, PA Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course U of D ITS Lab DuPont Hall, Newark, DE Heather Balgowan Jeff DePaolis Steven Stuart Vijay Varadarajan Adam Catherine heather.balgowan@mcmtrans.com depaolis@transassociates.com SStuart@mbakercorp.com vijay.varadarajian@aecom.com adam.catherine@stantec.com ITE Mid Colonial District Annual Meeting PTV America Vision Training VISSIM Intro & VISSIM Advanced Eastern Area McTrans HCM 2010 & HCS 2010 One Day Workshop Western Area Lunch Meeting City of Pitt. Assistant Director of Bureau of Transp. & Eng Eastern Area McTrans HCM 2010 & HCS 2010 One Day Workshop Eastern Area McTrans HCM 2010 & HCS 2010 One Day Workshop Eastern Area Support of Northley Middle School 7th Grade Career Day April 27th to 29th May 2 5 May 5th May 12th May 17th May 19th May 6th 9:30 11AM Crown Plaza Alexandria, Virginia Washington, DC Larson Design Group Williamsport, PA Engineer's Society of Western PA Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA DVRPC Philadelphia, PA Looking for host offices in the region Jerry Baxter erica.com/training /upcoming ptvvision classroomtraining/washingto n dc 2011/ ufl.edu/training Christopher Prisk Pete Terry ufl.edu/training Marie Pantalone Gbaxter@jmt.com training@ptvamerica.com mctrans@ce.ufl.edu chris.prisk@lrkimball.com Peter.Terry@bencivil.com mctrans@ce.ufl.edu mpantalone@kmjinc.com Page 8

9 EVENT DATE LOCATION CONTACT PA Engineering Legislative Day Coordination by ACEC PA Eastern Area Two Day Synchro Version 8 Training Workshop Western Area ITSPA with ASHE & MASITE Even. Social, Future of ITS in PA May 10th 8:30AM 5:00 PM May May 26th Capitol Hill Harrisburg, PA King of Prussia, PA Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh, PA Contact ACEC PA by April 4th ware.com/training.html Anthony Castellone acecpa@acecpa.org training@trafficware.com anthony.castellone@mcmtrans.com Eastern Area Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour June/July Philadelphia, PA Alex Meitzler ameitzler@vandemarklynch.com Western Area McTrans HCM 2010 & HCS 2010 One Day Workshop Chester County Smart Transportation Workshop Eastern Area Reading Phillies Minor League Baseball Game Central Area MASITE/ITSPA Golf Challenge June 22nd June 16th 8AM noon July 8th 7:05PM July 14th 8:30AM Shotgun Pittsburgh, PA Wyndam Garden Hotel Exton (previously Inn at Chester Springs) First Energy Stadium Reading, PA Range End Golf Club Dillsburg, PA ufl.edu/training Angela Garvin Tom Dominiecki Todd Trautz mctrans@ce.ufl.edu angela@tmacc.org tdominiecki@louisberger.com ttrautz@pennoni.com Central Area Tech Lunch Mtg August 24th PennDOT District 8 TBD TBD MASITE Annual Meeting September 18th to 19th Congress Hall Cape May, NJ Orla Pease Lindsey Butler Nicole Kline (exhibitors) ohpease@urbanengineers.com ButlerL@taylorwiseman.com nicole.kline@mcmtrans.com Central Area PSU Social / Mtg October 28th (?) TBD Melody Matter MAMatter@mccormicktaylor.com Eastern Area Panel Discussion October TBD TBD Jennifer Walsh jennifer.walsh@mcmtrans.com Central Area Evening Tech. Mtg November 16th TBD TBD TBD Eastern Area Joint MASITE/DE ASHE Dinner Meeting November TBD TBD TBD TBD MASITE Winter Social December TBD Gingerbread Man State College, PA Jennifer Walsh jennifer.walsh@mcmtrans.com Page 9

10 NEWS YOU CAN USE DISTRACTED DRIVING: DEADLY EPIDEMIC OR STORM IN A TEACUP? Safety measures enacted in a number of states; critics say the plans do not go far enough By Paul A. Eisenstein msnbc.com contributor 3/31/2011 When a dump truck carrying 24 tons of rock salt crashed on I-81 in Pennsylvania recently, police linked the collision, which killed one motorist and injured several others, to distracted driving. The incident is not unique. A quick search of news headlines for car accidents shows federal regulators linked texting, cellphone use and other forms of distracted driving to 5,500 deaths in 2009 the latest year for which data is available and to at least a half million injuries. Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on America s roads, insists U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the country s leading and perhaps most outspoken proponent of rules that would bar drivers from texting, making cell phone calls or using other high-tech devices while behind the wheel of a vehicle. Such measures have already been enacted in a number of states across the country. But activists believe these steps don t go far enough. Some would go so far as to even bar the use of hands-free Bluetooth cell phones, and even some technologies that claim to improve driving safety. Critics and not just those involved in the automotive industry contend that LaHood and his allies are going too far. They question some of the more frightening claims about distracted driving, and they point to the latest federal data showing that, if anything, the number of traffic fatalities has actually fallen quite sharply even as the use of supposedly distracting technologies has risen dramatically. If cell phones and all the other new technologies are so dangerous, why aren t we seeing carnage on the highways? asked Aaron Bragman, an automotive analyst with the consulting firm IHS. We re not. The number of highway fatalities is lower than it has been in years. The reality is that both sides do agree on some key issues. There s no disagreement about texting, which is not conducive to safe driving, emphasized Louis Tijerina, a senior technical specialist with Ford s advanced engineering department. Automakers have also come to support or at least accept efforts to restrict the use of handheld phones behind the wheel. Some might suggest that s driven, at least in part, by the profit motive, since it encourages new car buyers to purchase Bluetooth hands-free calling options. Indeed, Ford credits its voice-activated Sync system with helping generate a significant amount of sales. The technology can program everything from the radio to the navigation system through a touch screen by using steering wheel-mounted controls, or by using your voice. But despite the carmaker s claims that the latter method sharply reduces driver distraction, Consumer Reports recently pulled Ford products notably the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers off its influential Recommended Buy list, insisting their systems were overly complicated and distracting. The magazine isn t alone in worrying about Bluetooth systems and new voice-activated technologies. A 2006 review of more than 100 experimental studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found plenty of reason for concern. Former law officer Jack Peet, now AAA Michigan s Group Traffic Safety Manager, is among the skeptics. People often tell me they re multi-taskers, but driving itself is multi-tasking, he warned, adding that this is another way to take your attention off your driving. Peet even questions many of the new technologies designed to improve safety. Active Cruise Control which uses laser or radar to keep your car running at the same speed as the traffic ahead encourages motorists to take their eyes off the road, Peet argued. And blind-spot detection systems which look for traffic you might miss changing lanes makes drivers lazy, he added. Some auto industry officials agree that technology can have its downside. When Volvo added the City Safety system to the XC60 crossover the automaker was worried that motorists might think this auto-braking technology could let them focus on things other than driving. So Volvo made sure that whenever the system kicked in it would do so quite abruptly, explained Volvo spokesman Dan Johnston, so it s not something you want to depend on to stop your car normally. Nonetheless, critics counter the assertion that any form of new technology is a highway menace. Ford s Tijerina questions whether it s really more dangerous to be using a voice-controlled navigation system instead of relying on old-fashioned maps, or simply driving around lost and confused. He also cautions that many distracted driving studies don t reflect real-world driving conditions. They tend to bias things to make it very, very difficult, Tijerina asserts. Out in the real world people don t [face] the same level of demand required in these lab and simulator studies, and they are more likely to take appropriate steps to further reduce risks like slowing down while dictating an address. The critics cite studies of their own. There are preliminary reports showing little to no change in Page 10

11 accident rates when the use of handheld phones is banned. And the critics routinely point to the highway death toll data to question whether technology is having any impact. Figures released by the Department of Transportation last autumn recorded 33,808 traffic fatalities for 2009, a 10 percent drop from the year before, despite the fact that motorists drove more. Yet Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood cautioned it s not an excuse to rest on our laurels. Indeed, if it wasn t for today s better-designed cars, improved roadways and specially-trained emergency response teams, We d be seeing a significant increase in fatalities, insists the AAA s Peet. How much of a distraction is safe or at least tolerable and which technologies enhance or worsen driver safety will likely remain a debate for some time. But with the exception of in-car texting, analyst Bragman doesn t expect to see major changes in current laws. LaHood and his supporters, he cautioned, don t have the support in Congress, especially with Republicans in control. There isn t any interest in more regulations. CAMERAS NOW FOCUSED ON BUCKS ROADWAYS BEN FINLEY, staff writer Phillyburbs.com April 4, Big Brother - or at least big PennDOT - has arrived in Bucks County. Drive down I-95 in Lower Bucks, and images of your car will trace across monitors in PennDOT's District 6 headquarters. Pull over on the highway's shoulder, and the cameras could zoom in on your car - and even through your windshield. If you have a flat tire, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation could send one of its green-colored tow trucks. But if you're doing something wrong - such as using drugs, punching someone or throwing snowballs from an overpass - PennDOT will call police. While some of the cameras - on I-95 between Woodhaven Road and Route 1 - have been up and running for two months, cameras on the rest of those three highways in Bucks will be turned on by the end of the year. Cameras already are working along the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 309 in Eastern Montgomery County. PennDOT also plans to place cameras along Route 202 from Route 309 to Doylestown beginning in August. The Bucks cameras' activation comes nearly 20 years after PennDOT started erecting them in the Philadelphiaarea to spot traffic problems. Article continued at focused-on-bucks-roadways/article_b389b31a-5ea5-11e0-bf1f-001a4bcf6878.html FRA BANS ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON TRAINS Thomas L. Gallagher Apr 6, 2011 The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story Permanent ban took effect March 28 The Federal Railroad Administration's permanent ban on use of electronic devices, including cellphones, became effective March 28, as posted in the Federal Register. The ban prohibits the use of an electronic device -- whether personal or railroad supplied -- if it interferes with that employee's or another employee's performance of safety-related duties. The rule allows for conductors, but not engineers, to use railroad-supplied devices while the train is moving if they are for authorized business purposes. But all personal devices are forbidden for any reason. Even cameras used to document a safety hazard or violation of a rail safety law must be stand-alone, i.e. not part of a cellphone or other electronic device except in rare cases with special permission. In the event of a collision, derailment or fatality, the FRA has authority under the law to subpoena cellphone records from a cellphone provider. One of the first actions taken by National Transportation Safety Board investigators will be to pull the phone records of all crew members involved. NTSB investigators also pull the phone records of crew members on other trains in the area of the event, including the last train at that location, or any other person they think may even remotely shed light on the event being investigated. The United Transportation Union reports conductors and engineers are starting their shifts by showing other crew members that they have turned off their phones in an effort to be in compliance with the strict new regulation. STATE ROADS CAN'T HANDLE MUCH HEAVIER TRUCKLOAD April 10, 2011 By Patriot-News Editorial Board The proposal in Congress to allow heavier trucks on highways sounds innocent at first glance. If trucks could carry more weight, there would be fewer of them on the road, proponents of the change argue. Not so fast. Take a state such as Pennsylvania, which already has some of the worst roads in the country. About a fifth of the roads are listed in very poor condition, and more than a quarter of the state s bridges are in critical shape. Transportation for America dubbed Pennsylvania bridges the lousiest nationwide. If Congress allows even heavier trucks to pound the pavement, it doesn t take a Ph.D. engineer to figure out the result: more wear and tear. The proposal before it would let trucks increase their weight from 80,000 Page 11

12 pounds to 97,000 pounds. That s akin to allowing five more hippos to ride on a truck. This would be devastating for Pennsylvania roads at a time when the state can t even figure out how to fund current road maintenance. The federal government hasn t helped in that. A year ago this week, it turned down the state s ability to toll Interstate 80, which was a key part of the commonwealth s transportation funding plan. On top of that, Congress is supposed to work on a new highway bill to fund the nation s major roads, quite a few of which run through the Keystone State. With mounting deficits and pressures in Congress to cut back, it s dubious whether there will be adequate funding coming to states to maintain highways. It s also doubtful whether allowing heavier trucks would lead to fewer of them on the road. Central Pennsylvania is a hotbed for the trucking industry. Many large corporations have warehouses in the area because it s conveniently located to so many major interstate highways. We know a thing or two about trucking in this region, and we know we are always going to have a lot of truck traffic. Another option central Pennsylvania has that might not be as visible to many people is rail freight. A lot of money, including public money, has gone into expanding this industry in recent years. It was supposed to take pressure off the roads. Any major corporation trying to figure out whether to use rail or road to move goods is going to go through a simple cost calculation: Is it cheaper to use rail or trucks? If trucks can carry more weight, that will alter that calculation for some companies and could mean that truck usage goes up. Above all, safety has to be a top concern. Interstate 81, one of the major trucking and transit arteries in Pennsylvania, is already a dangerous road in terms of accidents. Estimates put truck traffic on Interstate 81 at around 25 percent to 30 percent of all vehicles, although that varies on different parts of the highway and at various times of the day. Anyone who has been on 81 late at night or early in the morning knows that cars are in the minority. Along with these heavier trucks wearing down the roads, it s a bigger calamity if something goes wrong. Companies that need to move goods nationwide have many options, including freight rail. There is no need to increase trucking weight limits. Pennsylvania s representatives, especially local Reps. Tim Holden (D-Schuylkill County) and Bill Shuster (R- Franklin County), both of whom sit on the transportation and infrastructure committee, need to fight this legislation. Our roads are in poor enough condition as is. LOWER MERION CAN KEEP ITS HISTORICAL STREET SIGNS April 19, 2011 By Robert Moran, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Lower Merion Township is no longer required to replace historical street signs with modern reflective signs that are easier to see, officials said Tuesday. The decision was made by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood in response to lobbying by U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and township officials who argued against the change. "I extend my sincere thanks to Secretary LaHood for his prompt cooperation and flexibility in allowing Lower Merion Township to keep its beloved historical street signs," Toomey (R., Pa.) said in a news release. "There is no evidence that these existing signs constitute a danger, and keeping the signs will preserve local history while saving the township money," Toomey said. The township's Board of Commissioners said that replacing the cast-iron signs, which are nearly a century old, would cost $1.5 million. In 2009, the Federal Highway Administration set new standards for road signs with certain deadlines, including a requirement that neighborhood street signs be replaced by January The new signs are meant to be more visible, especially at night, federal officials said. Other suburban communities also facing the new requirements have registered their complaints with the federal government. LaHood reopened the comment period on the regulations, and federal transportation officials are now weighing possible revisions. Cheryl Gelber, a Democratic township commissioner in Lower Merion, said in Toomey's news release that the historical street signs "help identify Lower Merion as a municipality that cares about its historic heritage." "In addition," she said, "the new standards were an unfunded mandate that would put financial pressure on the township to solve a problem that didn't exist." MY FAVORITE MISTAKE Paul Allen Newsweek, April 24, 2011 In the summer of 1972, when I was home in Seattle from college and Bill Gates was heading into his senior year at Lakeside School, we were casting for our maiden business venture. Bill had contracted with a company that measured traffic patterns by counting the car wheels that ran over pressure-sensitive rubber tubes. Every 15 minutes, a machine would punch a sequence of holes onto a customized paper tape, with each pattern representing a number of cars. The tapes had to be manually read and then re-punched onto batch-loaded computer cards. I wondered instead about using a minicomputer. Intel had a new eight-bit microprocessor, the 8008, that I thought could process traffic-flow data analysis. We tracked down an electrical-engineering student, and Page 12

13 soon he had a workable sketch for Traf-O-Data, the name Bill proposed. Armed with our data charts on hourly traffic flow, any county would know just where to install stoplights or focus road repairs. Bill and I scraped together $360 and picked up an 8008 chip at a local electronics store. Two years later, we had a working prototype machine (built on a $1,500 budget). There was just one catch. Despite efforts to sell our wares as far afield as South America, we had virtually no customers. Traf-O-Data was a good idea with a flawed business model. It hadn t occurred to us to do any market research, and we had no idea how hard it would be to get capital commitments from municipalities. Between 1974 and 1980, Traf-O- Data totaled net losses of $3,494. We closed shop shortly thereafter. Since then, I have made my share of business mistakes, but Traf-O-Data remains my favorite mistake because it confirmed to me that every failure contains the seeds of your next success. It bolstered my conviction that microprocessors would soon run the same programs as larger computers, but at a much lower cost. It also sparked my idea to simulate the 8008 microchip environment on a mainframe, which led to Altair BASIC the first highlevel language designed to run on a microprocessor. This was the essential step toward a personal computer that anyone could use, and the keystone for the creation of Microsoft. PENNDOT: INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM COMING TO NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA INTERSTATES HARRISBURG, Pa., May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire- USNewswire/ -- Interstate travelers across Northwestern Pennsylvania may enjoy smoother travels following the installation of a wireless network of traffic cameras, dynamic message signs and highway advisory radio systems. The Department of Transportation says the region's Intelligent Transportation System, or ITS, will mostly be funded by the federal government. "ITS provides the tools PennDOT needs to keep motorists better informed of crashes, weather conditions, or other potential travel delays," said PennDOT District 1 Executive Bill Petit, P.E. "The enhancements announced today will give motorists the information they need to modify travel plans if necessary." Features of the new system will include traffic cameras, dynamic message signs and highway advisory radio systems on Interstates 90, 86, 80, 79 and 376 in Butler, Crawford, Erie, Lawrence, Mercer and Venango counties. Work will begin this spring. The completed system is expected to come on-line by mid-2012, with testing continuing into early Traffic will be maintained along all interstate highways during construction of the network, although motorists might encounter some delays while the work progresses. The contractor is Bruce & Merrilees Electric Co., of New Castle, Lawrence County. The $7.3 million project will be funded with 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent state funds. 5/16/ DELDOT SPONSORRep. Hudson & Sen. Blevins; Reps. Outten, Ramone, Brady, Carson, Keeley, Mitchell HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 146th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE BILL NO. 102 AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 17 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO REGULATION OF TRAFFIC. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE: Section 1. Amend 141, Chapter 1, Title 17, Delaware Code by adding the following subsection thereto: (f) Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the Department shall: (1) Require a Traffic Impact Study or Traffic Operational Analysis for every development or redevelopment application where the population density of the subject site will increase beyond that density for the subject site immediately prior to the application being submitted to the Department. (2) Require any Traffic Impact Study or Traffic Operational Analysis to analyze at least three (3) intersections closest to each entrance or exit of a project and at least one (1) intersection that is fully controlled by signal if one (1) of the studied intersections is not so controlled. This paragraph shall not limit the Department from the evaluation of more intersections if it deems such analysis is necessary. (3) Require a Traffic Operational Analysis for all projects over 50,000 square feet or more of structure or when the Traffic Impact Study shows an increase of 10% or more of traffic at the intersection closest to the project s entrance. (4) Require any Traffic Impact Studies or Traffic Operational Analyses to list all bridges located within a half-mile radius that are listed in the publication required by paragraph (5) of this subsection. (5) Annually publish a public notice alerting the public of any bridge the State classifies as needing reconstruction or repairs. SYNOPSIS This bill requires the Department of Transportation to require certain studies, analyses, and publications for certain development or redevelopment. Page 13

14 SUBJECT: CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR NEW JERSEY LICENSEES 5/25/2011 As you may be aware, New Jersey has recently added a continuing education requirement for license renewal for professional engineers. The requirement for professional engineers is 24 PDHs for each biannual renewal period, of which at least 2 PDHs must be in the area of professional ethics. Since the law was signed in the midst of the current biannual renewal period, it is expected that the April 2012 renewal will require only 15 PDHs. Renewal periods after that will require the entire 24 PDHs. Details of the law can be found at: We recently learned that the New Jersey Board requires that courses taken to satisfy the continuing education requirement be pre-approved by the Board. A listing of currently approved courses can be found at: We have also learned that the New Jersey Board does NOT intend to send notice of these regulatory changes to all licensed engineers; rather they are depending on the societies to distribute the information. Accordingly, you should frequently check the New Jersey Board site ( for updated information. The New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers ( also has pertinent information. COMPLETE STREETS LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE 5/26/2011 Earlier this week a dozen members of the Senate today introduced the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011, S. 1056, designed to create safer streets with every project built. Led by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), the measure would direct states and regions to adopt policies to provide for the needs of all users of the transportation system, including people of all ages and abilities who are walking, bicycling, and taking the bus. Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Steven LaTourette (R-OH) introduced a companion bill in the House earlier this month. "This bill will help ensure that our federal transportation investments are creating the safest environment possible for everyone using our roadways," said Congresswoman Doris Matsui, the lead author of the House s Safe and Complete Streets Act. "Complete Streets policies are win-win for local communities: they save lives and create forward-looking projects that provide lasting value. I have seen firsthand the interest in Complete Streets on the local level, and a Federal Complete Streets standard will ensure a consistent approach for all our transportation investments." Read more at CompleteStreets.org >> GOVERNOR NOMINATES NEW TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY Shailen Bhatt, Associate Federal Highway Administrator, Offers Local, State, Federal Experience to DelDOT May 27, 2011 DelDOT News Release Dover -- Governor Jack Markell has announced he is nominating U. S. Department of Transportation official Shailen Bhatt (pronounced "SHAY-linn BAT") to become Delaware's next Secretary of the Department of Transportation. Bhatt has experience working on local, state and federal transportation issues and is currently serving as Associate Administrator at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in Washington, DC. For the last two years, he has been responsible for setting policy and managing relationships with members of Congress and has been leading FHWA's efforts in reauthorizing the nation's surface transportation legislation. "Shailen offers energy, experience and leadership," said Governor Markell. "Transportation plays a critical role in the daily lives of Delawareans. We face significant challenges in transportation. It was important for us to find someone with strong leadership skills ready to take on those challenges. Shailen offers us local, state and federal level experience. The job demands someone of his caliber." "I appreciate the confidence Governor Markell has placed in me by nominating me for this important position," said Mr. Bhatt. "The challenges facing the Delaware Department of Transportation are real, but so too are the opportunities. If I have the honor to be confirmed by the Senate, I will work tirelessly on behalf of the people of Delaware. We will work to help DelDOT reach its full potential. I look forward to meeting Delaware Senators in the days ahead and, if confirmed by the Senate, to spending time with other elected officials, DelDOT employees, civic and business leaders and the transportation community and doing a lot of listening." Before joining FHWA, Bhatt served as a Deputy Executive Director with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) where he was responsible for advancing transportation projects and addressing regional transportation needs. During his time at KYTC, he helped oversee a record construction letting period for the state. Prior to that, he was Director of the Bowling Green/Warren County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Bhatt is on the advisory committee of the State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI) and formerly served as a board member for Preservation Kentucky and the Bowling Green/Warren County Regional Airport. Bhatt currently resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Neelam. Page 14

15 HB 101 TRAFFIC IMPACT LEGISLATION June 2, 2011 All: Yesterday the Committee of 100, along with other business groups, DelDOT, and local governments, opposed release of House Substitute 1 to House Bill 101 from the House Transportation Committee. There is an account of the meeting in the News Journal this morning 02/ /Traffic-studies-bill-hitsnerve?odyssey=tab topnews text Home The bill was tabled by the committee to enable the sponsor, Rep. Hudson, to craft amendments. It is possible the bill will return to the committee before the end of the General Assembly session on June 30. I have attached the final version of the Committee of 100 s letter to the members of the Transportation Committee and House leadership. Thanks to all those who helped analyze the legislation; I can say that we had identified virtually every flaw that was raised by others at the meeting yesterday. Yesterday, DelDOT also released draft changes to the Subdivision Standards. Most proposed amendments relate to the TIS/TOA issue and their release had the effect of possibly blunting the motivation behind Rep. Hudson s bill. There is a 30-day comment period that began on June 1. We will be scheduling a joint meeting of the Committee of 100 s Land Use and Transportation Committees in the near future to develop comments for submission. ed/14%20de%20reg%201323% htm#P8_224 Most of the changes can be found in Sections 1.5, 2.1, 2.3.4, and Underlined sentences are the new language. Please give the regulations a critical read and supply any comments you believe should be included in our submission to DelDOT. Cordially, Paul H. Morrill, Jr. Executive Director The Committee of 100 POSTED IN JUNE 4, 2011 PA BULLETIN, THE NEW STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR PE CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS SEN. KERRY SEES PROGRESS ON HIS BILL FOR AN INFRASTRUCTURE BANK By Erik Wasson - 06/08/11 Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is hopeful that his bill to create a National Infrastructure Bank will move through the Senate this year. The bill could be the best shot for those seeking to boost transportation, energy and water infrastructure investment in a Congress focused on rapacious spending cuts, Kerry said. The Kerry bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Mark Warner (D- Va.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), would create an independent, nonprofit bank that would leverage private investment into infrastructure projects. The bill was introduced in March. Kerry told The Hill after a Capitol Hill event on the topic that Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) is supportive of the legislation, though he has some questions. Kerry said he is working through those issues with Baucus en route to a Finance markup of the bill. He said he does not see any special-interest opposition to the legislation at this point, and noted that it is backed by both the AFL-CIO and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which are rarely on the same side of an issue. Business Roundtable President John Engler made a pitch for the bank at the event, as did AFL-CIO Deputy Chief of Staff Thea Lee, who said the bill should include Buy America provisions. Kerry also said that Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) has included the plan in the still-secret draft Senate budget resolution. The bank would cost $10 billion, he said. Warner told The Hill that the senators might need to line up more than four sponsors before Finance is ready to mark up the legislation. He said he is reaching out to Republicans to try and find bipartisan support. It is not a pie-in-the-sky, hastily thrown together... concept, Kerry said. He said that the bill has been drafted to ensure members of Congress do not see it as creating a new entity like the troubled government-sponsored housing enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Dispel yourself of any notion this resembles Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, he said. He said the deficit-cutting mood of Congress makes the case for a National Infrastructure Bank. In this environment we are not going to see big appropriations for infrastructure, he said. He blasted the current ban on congressional earmarks as one of the dumbest things I have ever seen in my life. The Massachusetts Democrat said the public hates secret earmarks but does not want member of Congress Page 15

16 to have no ability to publicly direct funding to failed bridges and the like. Kerry emphasized the bank would not give grants, and would be self-sustaining. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) has a bill that would create a more expanded version of the bank in the House. That bill would also have the ability to issue bonds, and scores higher in terms of cost, she said. The bill has only Democratic co-sponsors at this stage, but DeLauro said she has talked to Transportation Committee John Mica (R-Fla.) about finding a version the GOP can support. NHTSA PUTS INDUSTRY ON NOTICE: A CAR IS NOT A MOBILE DEVICE Continuing a campaign initiated by Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) addressed the Telematics Detroit 2011 conference with harsh words on the growing trend to integrate infotainment technology into cars. David Strickland told those assembled, I m just putting everyone on notice. A car is not a mobile device. I m not in the business of helping people tweet better. I m not in the business of helping people post on Facebook better. That s not to say that the NHTSA and DOT are opposed to all telematics applications. In fact, the agencies support systems that provide remote vehicle diagnostics, on-board navigation and automated crash response (like GM s OnStar and Hyundai s Blue Link). What the agencies oppose is any on-board system that leads to distracted driving, frequently citing that 995 of the 30,797 fatal crashes in 2009 involved drivers using cell phones. Automakers, on the other hand, are caught between what the government requires and what their customers want. Generation Y drivers are focused on in-car technology and don t see texting as a distraction to driving; instead, they see driving as a distraction to texting, which is an alarming trend by itself. Unless--or until--cars become automated transportation pods requiring no driver involvement, this clash between technology, the NHTSA and automakers won t find an easy resolution. NEW JERSEY MASHES UP TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING 511 system delivers real-time data via phone, the Web and road signs By William Jackson gcn.com Jun 9, 2011 In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission assigned the telephone number 511 for use nationwide by state and local governments to deliver traffic information. New Jersey s Department of Transportation is making the most of it, collaborating with neighboring jurisdictions to collect near-real-time information from a variety of sources and delivering it via a number of channels, including an interactive phone service, a website and automated highway signs. The New Jersey 511 program uses those technologies to help drivers navigate one of the country s most heavily traveled corridors with up-to-date traffic information. We have an extensive network for data collection, including law enforcement, maintenance and safety crews, embedded highway sensors and cameras, and third-party data from neighboring states and commercial providers, said James Hadden, New Jersey s 511 project manager. We have one of the most advanced systems in the country. Story continued at traffic-mash-up.aspx LAHOOD: MORE INFO NEEDED ON DISTRACTED DRIVING The Associated Press - June 9, 2011 SPRINGFIELD, Ill. The U.S. transportation secretary says he wants more facts about distracted driving before discussing whether the government should regulate communications technology built directly into cars. Secretary Ray LaHood says America faces an "epidemic" of people sending s and making phone calls while driving. In a speech in Springfield, Ill., on Thursday night, he applauded car companies that are beginning to discourage the practice. But LaHood wouldn't say whether the government should regulate the trend toward building information technology directly into cars. He said that question should wait until the results of a study on distracted driving are available later this year. Earlier in the day, the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spoke out against adding distractions by turning cars into mobile communications devices. RESEARCHERS FIND VARIATION IN STATES DISTRACTED DRIVING LEGISLATION Jun 10, 2011 By Laura Walter EHStoday.com Distracted driving is the attributed cause of hundreds of thousands of crashes annually and has prompted states to create new highway safety laws. Even so, experts say distracted driving research and the legislation intended to combat the problem may not align. Page 16

17 Temple University researchers examined the distracted driving state laws passed between Jan. 1, 1992 and Nov. 1, 2010, and described a widening gap between the evidence on distracted driving and the laws being passed to address it. They discovered that laws, penalties and enforcement varied from state to state, ranging from the type of mobile device; drivers age or permit type; and where and how people use their mobile devices while driving. As of November 2010, 39 states and Washington, D.C., had one or more laws restricting use of mobile devices while driving; 11 states had no laws; and no state outlawed the use of cell phones completely. According to lead author Jennifer Ibrahim, an assistant professor of public health in Temple s College of Health Professions and Social Work, and her coauthors, no systematic review currently is in place to evaluate distracted driving laws or provide evidence on their effectiveness. The variation these researchers discovered, however, enabled them to compare legislation among states for future research on what provisions within a given law make it particularly effective. We know that distracted driving is dangerous, yet despite the diffusion of distracted driving laws, there is evidence that driver use of mobile devices is increasing, said Ibrahim. Our study is the first step toward understanding which laws really do reduce distracted driving, and thus can reduce related crashes and associated injuries and fatalities. This study was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. included work zones in the bill but removed that in order to muster more support. He tried to quash any concerns that the bill was aimed at raising revenue. "It is strictly, strictly a public-safety measure," Brady said. Rep. Michael Ramone, R-Middle Run Valley, said the bill unfairly penalizes the owner of the vehicle and not the person behind the wheel. Ramone, a business owner, said it could be difficult for businesses to determine who was driving and wind up being stuck having to pay the fine. Rep. John L. "Larry" Mitchell, D-Elsmere and a cosponsor of the bill, said he fully expected the results of the pilot program would convince lawmakers to expand the program statewide -- but that was not to be. The bill went down to defeat in an unusual tie vote. Fifteen members voted yes, 15 voted no, seven cast their votes as "not voting" and four were absent. DELAWARE LAWMAKERS REJECT PLACING CAMERAS IN SCHOOL ZONES Proposed speeding tickets had $75 fine June 17, delawareonline.com, J.L. Miller DOVER -- Speed cameras will not be coming to a school zone near you, thanks to the defeat Wednesday night of legislation that would have authorized the cameras in Wilmington and Dover in a two-year pilot program. The bill, sponsored by Wilmington Rep. Gerald Brady, would have allowed the cities' governments to authorize up to five such cameras in school zones. The system would run much like the current red-light cameras: The owner of a speeding vehicle would receive a civil assessment in the mail. Drivers would have to exceed the speed limit by 11 mph to receive a ticket, which would have carried a $75 civil penalty if paid within 20 days. Tickets paid after 20 days would have carried a $100 penalty. Brady pointed to statistics that show accident rates have declined at intersections where red-light cameras are in operation, and said the pilot program would show if the speed cameras had the same effect. Brady initially had Page 17

18 TRANSPORTATION HISTORY April 1, 1976 **35 th anniversary** Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) took over operations of six bankrupt railroads; Penn Central, Erie Lackawanna, Lehigh Valley, Reading, Central Railroad of New Jersey, and Lehigh and Hudson River. April 4, 1581 **430 th anniversary** Francis Drake is knighted for his circumnavigation of the world. April 6, 1926 **85 th anniversary** The first flight of what would become United Airlines was made from Pasco, Washington to Elko, Nevada. April 12, 1981 **30 th anniversary** The Space Shuttle Columbia blasted off on the first mission of the Space Shuttle. April 20, 1961 **50 th anniversary** The first un-tethered flight of a rocket pack was made by Harold Graham in Niagara Falls, New York. April 26, 1956 **55 th anniversary** The SS Ideal-X, the first US container ship, began its maiden voyage from Newark, New Jersey to Houston, Texas. May 1, 1971 **40 th anniversary** Amtrak began operations. May 12, 1936 **75 th anniversary** The Santa Fe Super Chief began its inaugural run from Chicago to Los Angeles. May 17, 1946 **65 th anniversary** US President Harry Truman seized control of the country's railroads in order to prevent a labor strike. May 30, 1911 **100 th anniversary** The first Indianapolis 500 was held. June 7, 1911 **100 th anniversary** Brooks Stevens, an industrial designer, was born. Stevens designed several transportation projects including the Skytop observation cars used on the Hiawatha passenger train, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk, and the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. June 20, 1911 **100 th anniversary** The first trolleybuses to operate in the UK began service in Leeds and Bradford. June 23, 1611 **400 th anniversary** Henry Hudson, his son and seven crew members were sent adrift in what is now Hudson Bay. Page 18

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