Posted: 19 Oct 2009 06:56 AM PDT

PRESS RELEASE:
Honda to Begin Sales of Honda Bicycle Simulator Developed for Traffic Safety Education
TOKYO, Japan, October 15, 2009 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced plans to begin Japan-wide sales starting February 2010, of the Honda Bicycle Simulator developed for the purpose of traffic safety education. By safely experiencing the possible risks bicycle riders may face, users will improve their ability to predict risks and increase safety awareness. In addition, rider evaluation session which will follow the riding simulation will help users learn traffic rules and manners in an enjoyable way. Honda will aim for widespread use of this simulator by a range of customers including public offices, law-enforcement organizations, driving schools and educational institutions which conduct bicycle safety education programs primarily for school children and senior citizens. Honda will begin accepting pre-sale orders in November of this year.
In recent years, the total number of fatalities from traffic accidents has declined in Japan. However, the ratio of fatalities in accidents involving bicycles has increased. Bicycle riders aged 10 – 19 in and above the age of 50 have the highest chance to get involved in an accident, and approximately 70 percent of bicycle accidents are caused by violation of traffic rules.
Leveraging the know-how accumulated through its activities to promote traffic safety since 1964, Honda has been developing and selling motorcycle and automobile simulators since 1996 and 2001, respectively, as traffic safety educational devices which enable users to safely experience the risks based on real-world traffic situations. By offering these simulators, Honda's goal is to improve people's ability to predict risks and increase safety awareness. Striving to realize a richer mobility society in the future, Honda developed the Honda Bicycle Simulator as an educational tool for a wider range of people.
• Key features of the Honda Bicycle Simulator
< Hardware >
· Compact design (length 2,270mm × height 1,400mm × width 990mm, weight 88kg)
· Equipped with monitors to check right/left and behind.
· Equipped with a "walking sensor" which recognizes the user's action of walking the bicycle.
< Software >
· Contains different courses such as "going to school," "going to the grocery store," "going to cram school" and "going to a local shopping street" to offer realistic experiences for user groups of different ages.
· Contains a course for the user to learn traffic laws and manners to ride a bicycle in mixed traffic.
· After the simulation, the rider's path can be reviewed from multiple vantage points – above/below and right/left – and the riding situation and evaluation will be displayed on the monitor.

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Hybrid Cars Feared as Too Quiet for Safety - Digital Chosunilbo

Posted: 18 Oct 2009 07:15 PM PDT

Electric and hybrid cars are often touted as quieter than conventional vehicles, but research suggesting that the muted noise could pose risks to pedestrians is leading to second thoughts. With no combustion engine or exhaust system, electric cars can be nearly silent, and hybrids are also very quiet at slow speeds when using only their electric motors.

In Japan such cars will be required by the government to install artificial noise makers, Japanese media reported Friday. The measure came after a recent study by Lawrence Rosenblum, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, found that the lack of noise may threaten the safety of pedestrians.

In the study funded by the U.S. National Federation of the Blind, researchers recorded the sounds of hybrid and combustion-engine cars approaching from different directions at 8 km per hour. Subjects listening to the recordings in a lab were able to determine from which direction the conventional car was coming when it was about 8.4 m away, but they couldn't judge the hybrid's approach until it was as close as 2 m.

A car that operates too quietly would be dangerous not only for the blind but also for children, the elderly, runners and cyclists, Prof. Rosenblum said. Because of the potential dangers, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has recommended that the U.S. Congress pass a law requiring that electric and hybrid cars be audible.

Some carmakers are seeing opportunities in such regulations. European carmaker Fisker Automotive says the 2010 model of its Karma electric sports car will feature a device that can make the car sound like a jet plane. Better Life, a firm developing customized car sounds, says that they can make electric vehicles even sound like a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. They expect increased audibility to be able to resolve the safety issue as well as complaints that people feel bored when driving electric cars because of the lack of noise.

In Korea, Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group has developed a simulated engine sound system which will be included on new hybrid models.

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Batangas Schools Enjoy High-Tech Learning - BusinessWorld Online

Posted: 18 Oct 2009 09:49 AM PDT

Monday, October 19, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

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Corporate Bulletins

Dexter Dango and Glorybee Delos Santos, 2^nd year students from Calatagan National High School, got high honors as they placed 7^th in the Metrobank Mathematics Teacher Association of the Philippines Division Challenge, attended by 21 high schools from Batangas. Hard work and a reliable learning partner helped them win. The two students religiously accessed the Mathematics subject of their school™s e-learning program called Genyo.

Calatagan National High School and Lucsuhin National High School are among the schools, which are able to reap the benefits of ICT in education. This is made possible through a partnership between Diwa Learning Systems, Bato Balani Foundation and Enrique Zobel Foundation.

This is our free preview of this article.

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Text Size - Chicago Tribune

Posted: 18 Oct 2009 08:45 AM PDT

TOYS FOR TOTS CRUISE Volo Auto Museum hosts its 8th annual Toys for Tots Cruise Oct. 18. Lineup begins at 9 a.m. at the Bristol 45 Diner, 8321 U.S. 45, Bristol, Wis.; Frame Up Wheel Works, 39108 Green Bay Rd., Waukegan; and at the corner of Kirchoff Road and Meadow Drive in downtown Rolling Meadows. Participants will cruise to the museum and are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys--no stuffed animals, please. Visit www.volocars.com or call 815-385-3644.

TERROR ON THE RAILROAD The Illinois Railway Museum hosts its annual haunted event, Terror on the Railroad, Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31. Participants must be at least 13 and in good health. The event will run from 7 to 11 p.m. all eight nights. Tickets, available only at the gate, are $12. Visit www.irm.org or call 815-923-4000 or 800-BIG-RAIL (244-7245).

GHOST TRAIN The Monticello Railway Museum hosts its Ghost Train Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 30 and 31 in Monticello, off I-72 between Champaign and Springfield. The trains, with a Haunted Boxcar, run every half hour from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31. The run on the half hour from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25. Tickets are $6 for ages 2 and older. Visit www.mrym.org.

AIRLINE COLLECTIBLES The Chicagoland Airline Collectibles Fall Show is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village. It will include models, post cards, dining-service items and more. Admission is $5 with kids younger than 12 free. Visit www.graylandstation.com or call Steve Mazanek 773-775-5623.

LOOOONG RACE The Chicagoland Sports Car Club hosts the 39th annual Loooong Race Oct. 24-25 at Blackhawk Farms in Rockton. Visit www.cscc-racing.com.

TRICK OR TREAT TROLLEY Tricks and treats await you at every stop on this spooky and kooky trolley ride at the Illinois Railway Museum Oct. 24 and 25 and 31. Kids in costume get a free prize. Hours at the museum in Union are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fares are $12 for adults, $8 for kids or $45 for families. Visit www.irm.org or call 815-923-4000 or 800-BIG-RAIL (244-7245).

SKIP'S SWAP The 17th annual Skip's Auto and Truck Parts Swap Meet is set for Nov. 1 at the new Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. The meet and sale for collectible and performance vehices is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $2 for kids 6-11. Vendor fee is $35 and cars for sale $25. Visit www.skipsusa.com or call 630-340-4744.

SLOT CAR SHOW The Midwest Slot Car Show is set for Nov. 8, at Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln St., Highland, Ind. The show, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature slot cars in HO, 1:32 and 1:24 scale along with aaccessories. Admission is $5 for adults with children younger than 16 free. Vendor fee is $30. E-mail Mikedore@go.com or call 815-233-6541.

POLAR EXPRESS The Polar Express pulls into the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Nov. 27, 27 and 29 and Dec. 4, 5 and 6. The annual trip to the North Pole will be made at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. each day and include a dramatic reading of the Christmas story about a boy who is not sure whether he believes in Santa Claus. Standard class fares are $12 for adults and $8 for kids 2 through 12. Fares in premium class--a restored 1950s streamline buffet-lounge-observation car, are $25 for lounge seating and $18 for table seating. Reservations are required. Call 920-437-7623, ext. 10, or visit www.nationalrrmuseum.org.

THE POLAR EXPRESS The Monticello Chamber of Commerce hosts Lunch with Santa on the Train Dec. 4 and 5 at the Monticello Railway Museum, off I-72 between Champaign and Springfield. The journey, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., leaves the Wabash Depot in downtown Monticello and includes a reading of the story. Tickets are $20 per person. For information, visit www.polarexpressride.com or call 877-762-9011. For tickets, visit www.mrym.org.

LUNCH WITH SANTA The Monticello Railway Museum hosts the Polar Express Nov. 27 and 28 and Dec. 5 and 6 in Monticello, off I-72 between Champaign and Springfield. Departures are 10 a.m. and 1, 2:15 and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. and 1:15 and 2:30 p.m. Dec 6. Tickets are $11 per person. Visit www.monticellochamber.org.

HAPPY HOLIDAY RAILWAY Take a train ride through holiday light displays and visit with Santa Claus and his elves at the Illinois Railway Museum Dec. 5 and 6, 12 and 13 and 19 and 20. Children on Santa's "good" list will recieve a gift. Trains run every two hours at the museum in Union. Visit www.irm.org or call 815-923-4000 or 800-BIG-RAIL (244-7245).

TOYS FOR TOTS The 32nd annual Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at Dan Ryan Woods, 85th Street and Western Avenue, Chicago. The parade will proceed up Western to the Marine Reserve Center at Foster Avenue and Troy Street. Participants can gather at 8 a.m. and should bring an unwrapped new toy or game -- but no plush toys. Visit www.chicagolandtft.org or call 773-866-TOYS (8697).

BOAT SHOW The 80th annual Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoors Show sails into McCormick Place North Jan. 13 through 17. Hundreds of the latest product s and accessories will be featured along with the Huck Finn Trout Pond and green boating zone. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan 13, 14 and 15; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan 16 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan 17. Admission is $10 for adults, $4 for kids 13-15 and free for those 12 and younger. Seniors 65 and older will get $2 off Jan. 13. Visit www.ChicagoBoatShow.com .

STRICTLY SAIL Strictly Sail Chicago will be held Jan. 28 through 31 at Navy Pier. The event will include the latest sailboats and products, along with seminars and a kids activity center. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan 28 and 29, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 30 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 31. Adult admission is $12 Jan. 28 and 29 and $15 Jan. 30 and 31. A two-day adult pass is $24. Children 15 and younger are free when accompanied by an adult. Visit www.StrictlySailChicago.com.

Having a public event? Rides would like to list it. Please send the information--event name, time, place, admission/fees and contact information--to What's up, Rides, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 or e-mail to transportation@tribune.com at least two weeks before the event. Submissions will be accepted in writing only.

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