Exciting Google Maps Update!

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Two years ago, Google released StyledMaps in the Google Maps API, which allows maps users to customize their maps. Last week, Google released a number of enhancements to maps that allow more contol over feature to style, and the ways you can style them.
We are serious about maps at WATS, and are excited to see local implementation of some of these themes locally. Below we've listed some great examples of these new custom themes.
So whats next, maybe a local Blue and Gold themed map? 

Transportation bill heading to President Obama's desk

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This post comes from the United States Department of Transportation's blog, Fast Lane.  Below, Ray LaHood, US Secretary of Transportation discusses his thoughts on the new transportation bill.

More than 1000 days ago, the law that guided federal investments in transportation expired. Congress extended that law several times while legislators discussed and debated what would replace it. I'm happy to say that last Friday, 373 Members of the House of Representatives and 74 Senators voted in favor of a new law that will fund federal surface transportation policy through September 2014.

This is a good bill that will create jobs, strengthen our transportation system, and grow our economy.



Transportation moves our economy, so legislation that keeps America's transportation network operating safely and reliably is a national priority. And it's no secret that I have pressed steadily for our legislators to set aside politics and pass a bipartisan bill that puts America first.

So, it is welcome news that Congress has done that.
At DOT, where safety is our number one priority, we're excited to see a transportation plan that builds on our aggressive safety efforts, including our fight against distracted driving and our push to improve transit and motor carrier safety. Whether you ride transit, travel by inter-city buses, or enjoy driving, you deserve to know that we're doing everything we can to ensure your safety and the safety of your neighbors and loved ones on America's busy transportation network.

The new law helps DOT and the States continue that effort.



The bill also provides states and communities with two years of steady funding to build the roads, bridges and transit systems they need. That means jobs. With a series of extensions during the past three years, state departments of transportation were unable to plan beyond the short term. That means contractors and construction companies were unable to plan for big projects and unable to make the kind of employment decisions that put hard-working Americans back on the job.

With a 27-month horizon of infrastructure planning, men and women can get back to work building the roads, bridges, tunnels, and transit our economy needs to stay competitive.



Fashioning a national transportation law in the current political environment is no easy task. We all agree that efforts to move people and goods safely and effectively are critical to our economic security. But we don't always agree on how best to do that.

Last Friday, Congress completed the hard work of crafting a bill that garnered bipartisan support. Now, for the good of the nation, for the good of our states, and the good of our communities, it's time to put this bill to work.


Graph courtesy The Transport Politic

East Stadium Improvement Project Update

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Notice of Updated Temporary Traffic Control Plan
E. Stadium Improvement Project
Phase II: July 6, 2012 to August 10, 2012

Location and Limits of Affected Area:
E. Stadium Blvd. between Packard Road and Brockman Blvd.

Description of Work:
The E. Stadium Improvement Project includes the installation of new 8-inch water mains on north and south sides of the street between Packard and Brockman and resurfacing of the E. Stadium Blvd. from Packard Rd. to Washtenaw Ave. The construction includes four major phases, where Phase I includes the installation of the new water main along the north side of E. Stadium Blvd. between Packard and Brockman, Phase II includes the installation of the new water main along the south side of E. Stadium Blvd. between Packard Rd. and Brockman Blvd., and Phases III and IV will resurface the pavement along the north and south sides of E. Stadium Between Brockman Blvd. and Washtenaw Ave.

Updated Temporary Construction Traffic Control Plan:
For the duration of Phase II construction at E. Stadium Blvd. between Packard Road and Brockman Blvd., there will be one eastbound and two westbound lanes of traffic. Pedestrian traffic will be maintained on both sides of E. Stadium Blvd during this phase of construction.

To maintain the safety of all, please reduce speeds and drive cautiously through work zones. We thank you in advance for your patience as these necessary public infrastructure improvements are completed.
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Yes, that urinal is talking to you

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YES, THAT URINAL IS TALKING TO YOU
RESTROOM PROMOTION ENCOURAGES SAFE, SOBER DRIVING THIS HOLIDAY
A woman’s voice in a men’s restroom? That’s the attention-getting plan behind the latest designated driver promotion now in hundreds of restrooms around the state.

Working with the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA), restaurant and bar owners have been asked to place “talking” urinal cakes in restrooms to encourage and remind patrons to call a cab or a friend to get home safely.

The restroom reminders are part of a larger effort that also includes a statewide Fourth of July drunk driving crackdown.

“While this message isn’t new, the method of delivery certainly is,” said Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) which plans and coordinates this federally funded effort. “Not only do we want to turn some heads and get people talking, we hope everyone takes the message to heart.”

The talking urinal cakes have been used by other states for the same purpose. This one-of-a-kind promotion uses a urinal cake that features a print message and a brief motion-activated audio. According to the manufacturer, “using the elements of surprise and humor in a truly unique location will make a lasting impression on every male that sees it.” “We’re working closely with OHSP so patrons understand our members want them to get home safely every time,” says MLBA Executive Director Scott T. Ellis. “At first it may be seen as humorous, but the seriousness of the message will stand out and encourage patrons to find a safe ride home.”
Local, county and state law enforcement officers in 26 counties will conduct additional drunk driving patrols through July 8.

While enforcement is taking place across the state, the urinal cakes have been distributed in Wayne, Bay, Ottawa and Delta counties. Law enforcement agencies in other counties will be displaying banners to remind motorists of the drunk driving crackdown.

The message is especially important for young men. In 2011, men represented more than 80 percent of drinking drivers in alcohol-involved fatal crashes. Of those male drivers, more than 40 percent were men 21 to 34 years old. Statistics indicate men are arrested for drunk driving at a rate of nearly three to every one woman in Michigan.

Transportation Survey from Wayne State University

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The Transportation Research Group at Wayne State University is conducting a survey for the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the travel preferences of commuters throughout Michigan. The survey takes about 5 to 7 minutes to complete. The responses will provide a better understanding of the decision-making habits and desires of travelers when planning both daily commute trips and vacation or recreation trips. No personal information is obtained during this survey and all responses are anonymous. 

The survey can be accessed via the following link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22G3FEQ5MPG 

More than 8,000 motorists cited for not buckling up

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During a statewide effort to get motorists to buckle up, law enforcement agencies in 26 counties issued 8,050 seat belt and child seat violation tickets, nearly 1,000 fewer citations than during last year's enforcement effort.

Preliminary reports from police agencies indicate 14,761 vehicles were stopped during the May 21-June 3 Click It or Ticket campaign. The enforcement is part of a national effort to save lives and reduce injuries by increasing seat belt use.

Following the state's record-high rate of 97.9 percent in 2009, seat belt use has declined to 94.5 percent in 2011. Every 1 percent increase in belt use means 10 fewer traffic deaths and 130 fewer injuries. In 2011, nearly 200 people who died in Michigan traffic crashes were not buckled up.

"When properly used, seat belts can reduce the risk of being killed in a crash by almost 50 percent," said Office of Highway Safety Planning Director Michael L. Prince. "Efforts like Click It or Ticket are an opportunity to remind motorists about the importance of buckling up."

In addition to seat belt violations, 95 drunk drivers were arrested during the enforcement period and 53 drug arrests were made. More than 1,000 tickets were written for uninsured motorists and 535 for suspended licenses. In Detroit, a seat belt stop resulted in the arrest of a federal fugitive. While in Allegan County, a driver with unbelted young children in the car fled from police on foot and was arrested under the state's high blood alcohol content law.

Ten people died in traffic crashes over the Memorial Day holiday period. Of those, two were not wearing a seat belt, three were motorcyclists and two were riding off-road vehicles along the roadway. This is an increase from the 2011 Memorial Day holiday period when nine people were killed in traffic crashes.

Grant-funded counties participating in the Click It or Ticket campaign included: Allegan, Bay, Berrien, Calhoun, Chippewa, Delta, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Marquette, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford counties.

Officers will again take to the streets working stepped up drunk driving patrols July 1-8 and Aug. 16-Sept.

New Report Finds Young People are Driving Less

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A new report form the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and the Frontier Group found that young people (16-34 year olds) drove 23% fewer miles in 2009 than they did in 2001. The study found that the trend away from growth in miles travelled per year would likely be long term. Young are driving less for a host of reasons - higher gas prices, new licensing laws, improvements in technology that support alternative transportation, and changes in Generation Y’s values and preferences – all factors that are likely to have an impact for years to come.

A few other points from the report:
  • In 2009, 16 to 34-year-olds as a whole took 24 percent more bike trips than they took in 2001, despite the age group actually shrinking in size by 2 percent.
  • In 2009, 16 to 34-year-olds walked to destinations 16 percent more frequently than did 16 to 34-year-olds living in 2001.
  • From 2001 to 2009, the number of passenger-miles traveled by 16 to 34-year-olds on public transit increased by 40 percent.
  • According to Federal Highway Administration, from 2000 to 2010, the share of 14 to 34-year-olds without a driver’s license increased from 21 percent to 26 percent.
  • From 2001 to 2009, young people (16-34 years old) who lived in households with annual incomes of over $70,000 increased their use of public transit by 100 percent, biking by 122 percent, and walking by 37 percent.
See the full report at the Frontier Group website.

MDOT I-94 Business Loop Improvement Open House

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MDOT to host public meeting to discuss I-94 BL improvements in Ann Arbor in 2014.  The meeting will discuss construction planned for I-94 BL includes resurfacing 2.4 miles of pavement, reconstructing ramps at the I-94 interchange, improving drainage, and upgrading sidewalks and traffic signals.
Officials will host an open house-style meeting to discuss improvements to I-94 Business Loop (BL) in Ann Arbor, between I-94 and Main Street. Construction is currently scheduled for 2014. Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials will be available to answer questions about plans to convert a section of I-94 BL, between Dexter Avenue and Burwood Avenue, from four lanes to three. There will be no formal presentation given at the meeting; however, maps and project information will be on display.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 5 - 8 p.m.
WHERE: Abbot Elementary School
2670 Sequoia Parkway
Ann Arbor

See the press release below or the full sized press release here.

July 4th AATA Transit Schedule

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The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide) will not operate regular fixed-route bus service, A-Ride paratransit, senior taxi or ExpressRide services on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Regular services will resume on Thursday, July 5.

On Independence Day, AirRide service between Ann Arbor and Detroit Metropolitan Airport will operate on its regular schedule.

The Blake and Ypsilanti Transit Centers will be closed on July 4 and reopen for regular business hours on July 5. TheRide’s administrative offices at 2700 South Industrial Highway will also be closed on the holiday.

Passengers may take advantage of TheRide’s HolidayRide shared-ride taxi service on July 4 for just $5 a person. Seniors and persons with disabilities with an identification card issued by TheRide may ride for $2.50. Trips must have their origin or destination within Ann Arbor, and all trips must begin and end within the service area.

Individuals with a go!pass may ride for $3, with the balance funded by a grant from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Trips must begin or end within the DDA district boundaries, and all trips must begin and end within the service area.

The Holiday Ride taxi service operates within the city limits of Ann Arbor and east to downtown Ypsilanti between ClarkRoad/Huron River Drive on the north and Ellsworth Road/Michigan Avenue on the south. To schedule a Holiday Ride trip, call 734.528.5432.

Bus route, schedule and detour information is available at 734.996.0400 or TheRide.org.