Technology Briefs - Nov. 19-25
The Latest Headlines:
- Neb. Official Pushing for 'Smart' Signs
- Con-Way Logistics Signs Partnership with DFDS
- South Dakota Launches Road Condition Hotline
- Con-Way Logistics Signs Partnership with DFDS
Neb. Official Pushing for 'Smart' Signs
Nebraska’s top transportation official, John Craig, director of the state Department of Roads, wants the state to install so-called “smart” signs around the state’s railroad crossings, AP said.The signs would tell motorists how long until a train arrives at a particular crossing, how long a train will take to get clear of a crossing and suggest different routes, AP reported.
Craig made the proposal to two committees in the Nebraska legislature.
Con-Way Logistics Signs Partnership with DFDS
Con-Way Logistics Inc., a division of Con-Way Transportation Services Inc., said Monday that it has formed a global partnership with DFDS Transport Inc., one of the largest freight forwarding and logistics firms in Europe."This partnership will immediately offer our customers and DFDS Transport custom-ers a turnkey global logistics solution for their supply chain needs," said Michael S. Bare, vice president of Con-Way Logistics. "Our partnering with DFDS Transport offers businesses worldwide access to tier one logistics services and supply chain visibility through a single-source solution.”
Con-Way said that two European-based customers of DFDS have already started using their warehouse and transportation network for distribution in the United States.
Con-Way Transportation is a division of CNF, which is ranked No. 4 on the 2002 Transport Topics 100 listing of the largest trucking companies in the United States and Canada. Transport Topics
(Click here for the full press release.)
South Dakota Launches Road Condition Hotline
Drivers in South Dakota can now just dial 5-1-1 and get up-to-the-minute data on road conditions on interstate, U.S. or state highways 24 hours a day, the Associated Press reported.The 511 number will phase out four other telephone numbers maintained by the state’s Highway Patrol by Dec. 31. A fifth number, #SAFE, that has been maintained by the Department of Transportation will be phased out by April 2003.
Callers to the system can seek out weather and road condition for a specific stretch of highway using their phone keypads to select one of several options, AP said.
A spokesman for the DOT said that eventually the system may be tuned to recognize voice commands, but that technology is still ”a long way off,” AP reported. Transport Topics
