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Radio PA Roundtable – August 22, 2014

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On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, some Pennsylvania-based aid workers lend a hand in dealing with unaccompanied minors at the southern U.S. border; Pennsylvania is seeing big drops in auto thefts; and the end of summer is near…a preview of Labor Day travel expectations.

Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting, commentary and analysis on the top news stories of the week.

Click the audio player below to hear the full broadcast:

RadioPA Roundtable

Radio PA Roundtable 08.31.12

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On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, Brad Christman and Matt Paul remind you to pay that state sales tax when purchasing items online, as the state focuses on stricter enforcement of the existing law; also on this Labor Day weekend, you’ll hear the results of the “State of Working Pennsylvania” report; and we’ll give you a sneak peek into the new Joe Paterno biography that hit the book stores this week.

Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting on the top news stories of the week.

Click the audio player below to hear the full broadcast:

[audio:https://s3.amazonaws.com/witfaudio/radiopa/Roundtable08-31-12.mp3]

Hitting the Road for the Holiday Weekend?

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As Pennsylvanians approach the unofficial end of summer this Labor Day weekend, many will be setting out for one last road trip before fall. AAA Mid-Atlantic expects holiday travel to be up about 2.3% in this region over last Labor Day, with most people traveling by car despite higher gasoline prices and a sluggish economy.

Jenny Robinson from AAA says dining out, visits to relatives and shopping will top many holiday lists this weekend, with round-trips averaging about 744 miles. As of Wednesday, the statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.78.

For the 8% or so expected to travel by air, Hurricane Isaac could throw a wrinkle into your travel plans, especially if you’re planning to fly to the south or Midwest. The storm was already disrupting travel the past several days, and after making landfall last night in Louisiana, the system is expected to amble north through Arkansas and Missouri and then into Illinois and Indiana.

Americans Ready to Travel for Labor Day Despite Higher Gas Prices

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Americans are ready to travel for Labor Day weekend, despite the higher gas prices.   AAA expects travel to be up almost 3% nationwide for the holiday with increases in both car and air travel.

Jenny Robinson of AAA Mid Atlantic says   consumer confidence has improved compared to a year ago and more people are prioritizing travel.  Timing may be a factor as well; she says travel tends to go up when the holiday weekend begins at the end of August.  This year, Labor Day falls on September 3rd and the travel period begins on August 30th.

There are signs of economizing, with more than half of travelers saying their trips will be shorter.  While the number of projected miles per trip is up slightly over last year, Robinson says air travel is likely fueling the extra miles.  More people are expected to head to their destinations by both plane and car than last Labor Day weekend. Travel by automobile is expected to rise by 3.1% with air travel up 3.7%. Median spending is expected to increase slightly.

It’s the third increase in holiday travel this year.  AAA projects that 33 million Americans will make trips of 50 miles or more during the last holiday weekend of summer. As the holiday weekend approaches, further shifts in gas prices could encourage, or discourage travel.

Navigating the Turnpike? There’s an “App” for That

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PA Turnpike TRIP Talk "app"

The PA Turnpike's new TRIP Talk smartphone app actually talks to you.

Keeping with the Turnpike’s plea to ‘keep your thumbs on the wheel,’ the new TRIP Talk app is both hands-free and eyes-free.  “As you move through the Turnpike or toward the Turnpike, using GPS location, it will read you – verbally – read you and alert of traffic situations that you’re coming upon,” says Turnpike COO Craig Shuey. 

The Turnpike partnered with Philadelphia-based Voicenet to develop the cutting-edge application, which provides Turnpike travelers with real-time information.  “Basically, as soon as we know it… it’ll pop up… and you’ll hear it,” Shuey says. 

 The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is announcing the new smartphone app just in time for the busy Labor Day travel weekend.  Spokesman Bill Capone estimates that more than 2-million motorists will use the Turnpike over the Labor Day travel period. 

Users are advised to launch the application before hitting the road.  State Police Troop T Commanding Officer Kathy Jo Winterbottom says it will enhance the safety of all Turnpike travelers.  “I applaud the Turnpike Commission’s efforts to develop this new way of telling drivers what lies ahead on the highway.”  

The free smartphone app is available for android or iPhone devices.  No registrations or subscriptions are necessary. 

Everything was running smoothly on the Turnpike when this reporter tried to fire up TRIP Talk on Friday morning, but the Turnpike Commission loaded a Labor Day message so we could give it a test drive.

AAA Projects a Slight Decrease In Labor Day Travel

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The Labor Day holiday travel period starts a week from today and AAA says more than 31 million Americans plan to travel at least 50 miles from home.  Compared to last Labor Day, travel is expected to be off by about 2.4% nationwide.

AAA says more people will drive and fewer will fly, thanks in part to moderating gas prices and higher air fares. Average travel distance is expected to be down slightly while spending will stay about the same. 27% of the budget will go toward fuel and travel.   

Jenny Robinson of AAA Mid-Atlantic says they’re projecting a decrease in travelers due to economic uncertainty and the increasing air fares. Travelers can expect to see increases in hotel rates but decreases in car rental rates. The holiday period runs September 1st through 5th.

Robinson says the average distance is expected to be 608 miles compared to 635 miles last year. Median spending will be about $702, compared to $697 over Labor Day 2010.                                       

Robinson says gas prices were cheaper last year, but they have moderated somewhat. More people are expected to travel by automobile this Labor Day than last. She says air fare is being more impacted by prices, and that’s where they’re seeing the decline in their forecast for the holiday weekend.