Category Archives: transportation

FAA Proposes Talking About Regulations for Drones

With an airspeed less than that of the Wright Flyer, the FAA has set up work groups to finally provide specific regulations covering UAS – unmanned aircraft systems – or drones in the national airspace it solely controls. Well, fasten your safety belt, this going to be a long flight on bureaucratic airlines with the need to see and avoid political and commercial storms. Continue reading

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Drones – FAA Releases Updated Sighting Reports

After heavy criticism by Congress about ignoring the threat to public safety and the lack of oversight by the agency responsible for airspace, as well as missed deadlines to do its regulatory job, the so-called Registration Task Force delivered recommendations to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on November 2015. The thorniest details other than registration – the actual regulations -have yet to be worked out. Continue reading

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Trumped? Hyundai Motor Names David S. Kim as Lobbyist

Kim also served as Deputy Assistant for Congressional Affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Hyundai of course has a lot to lose if Trump can get a border tax through Congress even though it has a manufacturing presence in the U.S. Continue reading

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Drones – FAA UAS Symposium Registration Opens

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) announced today that registration is underway for the 2017 UAS Symposium (drones) scheduled to take place at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, VA, from March 27 to 29. Continue reading

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Goodyear Wingfoot Two Arrives in California by Year End

The rubber company has flown its blimps for more than 90 years and has operated its base in Carson since 1968. Continue reading

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U.S. Helicopter Accidents Decrease

The overall accident rate at 3.19 accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2016 compares with 3.67 accidents in 2015. The fatal accident rate declined slightly at 0.51 accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2016 compared with a 0.52 in 2015.
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Maven Launches City Car Sharing in Atlanta

The growth is impressive and part of a growing trend that threatens the traditional auto industry business model Continue reading

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Santa Monica Airport – Home of the DC-3 – is Doomed

The agreement requires the city to maintain “continuous and stable operation of the airport” for 12 years, until December 31, 2028. However, after that the Santa Monica has the right to and will apparently close the airport – with $$$dollars$$$ in city officials eyes – redevelop it. Continue reading

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FAA Changes Pilot Medical Rules. Implications for Drivers?

The new regulation has further potentially broad implications for drivers since it dovetails with two other federal actions or desires. Continue reading

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Toyota, Daihatsu Form Emerging Market Compact Car Company

Toyota is under intense competitive pressure from global automakers and is experimenting with a different organizational approach to getting mini cars to market. Honda, Maruti and Tata, among others come to mind here. However, this – potentially – could also change Toyota’s approach and cost basis to compact vehicles in established markets. Continue reading

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DOT Wants Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication

NHTSA estimates that safety applications enabled by V2V and V2I (vehicle to infrastructure could eliminate or mitigate the severity of up to 80% of non-impaired crashes, including crashes at intersections or while changing lanes. Continue reading

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Swedish Government Leaves Vehicle Inspection Intervals Intact

The EU Commission wants to modify the remuneration system to avoid financial links between technical services and manufacturers, which could lead to conflicts of interest and compromise the independence of testing. Continue reading

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Maven Car Sharing Now in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco

Maven, General Motors’ personal mobility brand, is expanding to the western United States, adding Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco as markets. Continue reading

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Rail Roads Can Save Lives

The OneRail Coalition released a new study today, “Rail Safety in the United States” that highlighted a 31% decline in rail accidents over the past 10 years, making rail transport significantly safer than other transportation. Continue reading

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FAA Evaluates Drone Detection Systems Around Denver

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), aka drones, that enter the protected airspace around airports can pose serious threats to safety. Continue reading

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