Transportation and Infrastructure

Open Source Software Helps an Oregon Transportation Department for GIS, Website Development

March 15, 2011 - Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon uses open source to create OpenTripPlanner for citizens.

Japan Tsunami Response Aided by High-Tech Warning System

March 11, 2011 - Historic earthquake and tsunami on Friday is a reminder that data collection and early warning systems have improved since the 2004 Indian Ocean catastrophe.

DHS Requests $57 Billion to Fight Cyber-Crime, Assess Networks, in 2012

March 9, 2011 - Napolitano’s 2012 budget request includes funds for key cyber-security initiatives.

Public Buses Warn Pedestrians to Watch Where They Step

March 2, 2011 - Audio warning systems are being installed in bus fleets operated by public transportation agencies.

Red Light Cameras Put States and Locals at Odds

March 1, 2011 - Despite research suggesting that red light cameras save lives, there are movements across the country to ban the cameras.

States Not Ready for IPv6, Experts Say

February 8, 2011 - More action is required by states to prepare for the IPv6 conversion.

Transit Authorities Jump Aboard $53 Billion Rail Plan

February 8, 2011 - High-speed rail authorities in New York, California and the Midwest laud White House proposal to invest $53 billion during a six-year period.

Is an Internet Kill Switch a Good Idea?

February 7, 2011 - County IT leaders mull the possibility of an Internet ‘kill switch.’

S.F. Parking Meters to Alert Drivers When Spot Is Open

February 1, 2011 - Smart parking meter system will give the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency real-time insight into parking patterns.

Golden Gate Bridge Tolls to Go All-Electronic in 2012

January 28, 2011 - New system will combine prepaid toll system with cameras that photograph license plates.

State DOTs Collaborate and Save on Software Development

January 25, 2011 - Since 1986, state departments of transportation have been saving money on shared software programs — kind of like Groupon.

Red Light Camera Debate Stirs in Connecticut

January 19, 2011 - Connecticut Department of Transportation takes position in favor of red light cameras, but state Legislature first must give approval.

Holes Remain in Smart Grid’s Cyber-Security Standards

January 17, 2011 - Although progress is being made, a federal report says smart grid security is challenged by the regulatory environment, and a lack of information sharing and metrics.

Governments Save Money Using Managed Competition

January 17, 2011 - Governments reduce costs by letting the public and private sectors compete for the same contracts.

Smart Highways, Smarter Drivers

January 4, 2011 - Seattle launches one of the nation's first Active Traffic Management systems. The technology is designed to help drivers both avoid existing traffic congestion prevent future congestion from forming.

Snow Removal Tools Gear Up in Cities

December 16, 2010 - As the official start of winter nears, cities prepare for heavy snowfall by testing new technologies that assist with snow removal.

Phoenix to Convert All Traffic Lights to LEDs in 2011

December 15, 2010 - Retrofitted traffic lights will cut emissions and save money and maintenance, Phoenix officials say.

VoIP and Network Upgraded by Growing ‘Hurricane Alley’ Suburb

November 30, 2010 - Destruction from Hurricane Ike and providing IT infrastructure for a booming suburban population has led one Texas city to overhaul its digital backbone.

Airport Body Scans and Pat-Downs Raise More Privacy Concerns

November 19, 2010 - Airport security expert says full-body scanners are a misguided safety measure.

'Bridge in a Backpack' Could Help Crumbling U.S. Infrastructure

November 17, 2010 - A bridge-building method developed by the University of Maine uses lightweight carbon tubes to make arches as strong as steel.