Studio One to air segments on airline safety and traffic-light synchronization A study found that 65,000 airplane flights took off over the past six years with insufficient maintenance. The story will be featured on the next edition of Studio One. Viewers will also learn how Grand Forks is synching traffic lights to save gas and time for commuters. Millions of people fly on airplanes every day in the United States, and passengers expect that their aircraft is mechanically sound. However, a USA Today investigation has found that over the past six years, at least 65,000 airplanes have taken off without proper maintenance. Some customers are concerned about maintenance procedures and what the FAA is doing to correct this problem. “The FAA is very stringent on safety, no matter what angle we are looking at,” said airport authority manager Rick Audette. Driving across town is becoming more enjoyable for the citizens of Grand Forks, N.D. The town is undertaking a new project to synchronize stop lights, via computer controls. There will be several advantages to the citizens of Grand Forks when this project is finished. It will help keep gas in the car and money in the pocket. “Not only is it saving gas, it’s saving the environment, with fewer emissions and time spent en-route,” said environmental manager Melanie Parvey. Studio One is an award-winning news and information program produced at the UND Television Center. The program airs live on UND Channel 3 at 5 p.m. Thursdays. Re-broadcasts can be seen at 7 a.m., noon, 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily and at 10 a.m. Saturdays. Prairie Public Television airs Studio One at 6 a.m. Saturday. The program can also be seen by viewers in Fargo, Bismarck, Mandan and Minot, N.D.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Denver, Colo.; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. -- Suzanne Irwin, Director of Marketing, Television Center, suzannne.irwin@und.edu, 777-3818