Join State Senator Tom Torlakson for a Press Briefing on October 6 on Intelligent Transportation Technologies and a Sneak Preview of New Technologies Making Driving, Parking and Riding Public Transit Faster, Safer and Easier

  WHO: * California Senator Tom Torlakson, Chair of the Senate
         Transportation and Housing Committee
       * Larry Orcutt, Acting Deputy Director for Maintenance and
         Operations, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
       * Steve Heminger, Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation
         Commission
       * Representatives from more than 30 technology companies, government
         agencies and transportation research organizations

  WHAT:  Press briefing and exclusive sneak preview of the latest in traffic
         monitoring, collision avoidance, intelligent intersections, smart
         parking, electronic toll lanes and traveler information tools.
         Industry representatives from major car and technology companies
         will be on hand to demonstrate cutting-edge products and services,
         including systems that allow cars to communicate with each other
         and with roadways. The event is designed to provide highlights of
         the upcoming 12th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems
         being held November 6-10, 2005, at San Francisco's Moscone Center
         and SBC Park. For more information about the World Congress, go to:
         www.itsworldcongress.org.

  WHEN:  12 noon - 2:30 p.m.
         Thursday, October 6, 2005
         Lunch Will Be Provided

  WHERE:  Caltrans District 4
          111 Grand Avenue (at Webster Street)
          6th floor Atrium
          Oakland, California
          Press credentials or media business card required

  PHOTO/TV OPPORTUNITIES:  Tours of Caltrans' Transportation Management
                           Center will be available after the briefing.

  PARKING:  Prepaid parking available at Douglas Parking directly across the
            street from the Caltrans building -- enter from Webster Street;
            tell the attendant you're with the Caltrans Press Conference.

  RSVP:  To ensure that everyone gets lunch, please respond to:
         Brenda Kahn, MTC, bkahn@mtc.ca.gov, Tel. 510-817-5773.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

  Contacts:  Brenda Kahn - Senior Public Information Officer - Metropolitan
             Transportation Commission -  Tel. 510-817-5773 office,
             510-459-3881 cell - bkahn@mtc.ca.gov
   
   Lauren Wonder - Chief, Office of Public Affairs - Caltrans
   District 4 - Tel. 510-286-6120 office, 510-710-5891 cell -
   lauren_wonder@dot.ca.gov
   
   Sabrina Quirarte - Director of Communications - Intelligent
   Transportation Society of America - Tel. 202-721-4205 -
   squirarte@itsa.org

PRNewswire -- Sept. 30