Transportation

Problem for New Zealand aviation: Laser attacks
Kiwi aviation authorities are worried about a plague of laser attacks on planes coming in for landing at the country’s airports — especially the very busy Wellington facility; laser emiiters are more powerful now and more readily available, and bathing the cockpit with green laser beam my temporarily blind pilots as they approach the airport
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U.K. governmet report reveals incidents of toxic fumes on planes
Pilots had to wear emergency oxygen masks in flight due to toxic fumes; last year 116 “contaminated air events” reported to the Civil Aviation Authority
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Scientists scan boats for radiation
Scientists from several national labs collect radiation data in Puget Sound with help form nationwide program
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U.S. remains the dominant leader in science and technology worldwide
Perceptions to the contrary notwithstanding, the United States remains the world’s undisputed leader in science and technology; the key factor enabling U.S. science and engineering workforce to grow: inflow of foreign students, scientists, and engineers
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Smiths Detection in $25 million TSA contract
The Transportation Security Administration awards Smiths Detection a $25 million follow-on contract for the company’s Advanced Threat Identification X-Ray (aTiX) systems
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DHS: 2012 deadline for U.S.-bound cargo screening unrealistic
DHS says that Congressionally mandated deadline for 100 percent inspection of U.S.-bound cargo containers is unrealistic; what is more, it is unnecessary
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New system analyzes urban traffic patterns
What will happen to traffic patterns if a new office building, sports arena, or other major facility is built? New software helps urban planners analyze and predict such patterns
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Airlines buy plane spare parts on line
More questions about airline safety: Not only do many U.S. airlines have maintenance work on their planes done by abroad in shops which are not properly inspected by the FAA — many also buy spare parts on-line from suplliers not inspected ar approved by the FAA; some airlines buy spare parts on Craigslist
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School of Robofish forms basis for underwater robot teams
Most ocean robots require periodic communication with scientist or satellite intermediaries to share information, but new robots can work cooperatively communicating only with each other
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State Department: Robust security for U.S. e-passport
Popular misconception notwithstanding, the new U.S. e-passprt are safe, says the State Department. One example: The card’s photograph cannot be removed with solvent; a laser engraving process embeds the photograph into the polycarbonate card stock, meaning that attempts to remove your picture will visibly mar the card
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Airlines may be forced to fit antiterror cameras in seats
The EU moves across a broad front to increase air travel safety; airlines will be forced to install spy-in-the-cabin cameras and increase the use of biometrics technology for passenger identification
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DHS launches 3 transportation initiatives
The Global Entry pilot program, the Passenger Service Program, and an expanded Model Ports Initiative, intended to strengthen customer service at U.S. ports of entry
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U.S. military shoots downs SCUD-like target missile in test
Lockheed Martin successfully tests sea-based missile interceptor; defending ships against missile attacks would be useful in the Persian Gulf, among other hot spots
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Electronic pre-registration for Visa Waiver travelers
DHS says that beginning 1 January 2009, passengers traveling to the United States from Visa Waiver Program countries will have to register online at least 72-hours before embarking on their trip; critics see problems
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Texas bolsters border security, enhances trade
U.S. trade with Mexico has more than quadrupled in the past 15 years from $81 million in 1993 to nearly $350 billion in 2007; projected to reach at least 10 times that number by 2020, Mexico is the fastest-growing U.S. trade partner; nearly 80 percent of the trade between the United States and Mexico is transported via roads or rail; in Texas alone, that equates to 3.1 million inbound and 2.7 million outbound trucks each year; General Barry McCaffrey says it is possible to bolster security while accommodating growing trade
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