Is it expensive to be poor? Public transport in Sweden

Transportation - One of the reasons to subsidise public transport is to improve the mobility of low-income groups by providing affordable public transport; however, the literature describes a...     

Mobile ICTs and physical mobility: Review and research agenda

The question of the relationship between the spread of communication tools and the physical mobility of individuals is not new and arose with the arrival of the fixed telephone and, more recently, the development of the Internet and especially e-commerce. The extraordinary spread of individual, especially portable, communication tools like the mobile phone, has recently generated new interest in this topic in the fields of transportation economics, geography and sociology. This article discusses the main topics that have been explored, from the debate between complementarity and substitution to analyses in terms of interactions with the spatiotemporal organization of daily activities, the size and maintenance of social networks, and, finally, perception of travel and spaces. We then identify several issues that we think merit further exploration.     

Legal and institutional factors affecting mariculture in texas

Abstract

Aquaculture and its specialized cousin, mariculture, provide some potential additional food sources and economic revenues. Technological barriers to increased mariculture production are being removed, but many legal and institutional barriers remain. Examples of the current and potential regulation of mariculture in Texas by state and federal authorities are examined. The effect of various state and federal regulations on the development of mariculture is discussed from a legal and institutional viewpoint. The potential for growth of mariculture is considered questionable without regulatory reforms, particularly at the federal level.     

Analysis of cost estimation disclosure in environmental impact statements for surface transportation projects

Reliability in cost estimates in publicly funded projects is more important today than ever with increased governmental funding to infrastructure projects and associated accountability requirements, but surface transportation projects, large and small, in the United States have a legacy of cost overruns. The problems with these overruns start with the cost estimation process before projects begin. Studies have shown that early cost estimations reflect best-case scenarios rather than realistic expectations, and have attributed technical, economic, psychological, and political reasons for underestimation. The primary objectives of this research were to determine how costs have been presented and updated in environmental impact statements, to identify endemic technical problems with cost estimation during the environmental review of surface transportation projects, and to develop recommendations for improving cost estimation and disclosure. Cost estimation methods were analyzed from the documents of 100 projects, including draft environmental impact statements, final environmental impact statements, and records of decision. The study concluded that the lack of guidance on how to include cost estimation in environmental review revealed itself in the level of detail and attention given to estimating costs. Agencies omitted or included various aspects of cost estimation randomly. Professional organizations should fill the gap of the need for specific guidance to cost estimation for environmental review so it can evolve as a state of the practice.     

The role of public transport for feasibility and acceptability of congestion charging – The case of Stockholm

In the Stockholm Trial, congestion charges and the expansion of public transport services were closely linked together in marketing efforts, as well as in political decisions. In this paper, we analyse the role that public transport may have played in increasing acceptability and feasibility of the scheme. We study four aspects of the relationship between charging and public transport provision: (i) the initial modal share, (ii) contribution to modal shift (iii) compensation to losers (iv) revenue hypothecation. Our analyses, based on a combination of primary and secondary data, support the hypothesis that public transport contributed to the successful implementation of congestion charging in Stockholm through all those four mechanisms.     

印第安纳州桥梁安全荷载分级

本文介绍了印第安纳州为确保桥梁安全运营而实施的桥梁荷载分级方法,以及实施背景、目的和使用方法等.     

Injection Characteristics of Palm Methyl Ester Blended with Diesel Using Zuech’s Chamber

This research attempts to characterize the injection of palm biodiesel blended with diesel in a Zuech’s chamber. Thailand conventional diesel (mandated blend of biodiesel at 5 % or B5), palm biodiesel (B100) and four other biodiesel blends ratios (B20, B40, B60 and B80) were investigated with single hole injector of 140 and 200 μm diameters, injection pressure of 40 MPa to 160 MPa, constant back pressure of 4.5 MPa and energize time of 2.5 ms. The results show that increasing biodiesel blending ratios leads to longer injection delay, larger injection pressure drop, smaller injection quantity discharge coefficient (C_d) and shorter injection duration. With increasing biodiesel blending ratio, high Cavitation number from biodiesel viscosity decreases Reynolds number. Increasing injector diameter from 140 μm to 200 μm has reduced injection delay, increased fuel injection quantity, discharge coefficient and remaining injection duration. The increasing of injection pressure were improve, injection delay, injection duration, injection quantity and discharge coefficient until injection pressure 120 MPa. In addition at injection pressure over 120 MPa are decrease injection quantity and discharge coefficient, it effect form the cavitation phenomena. Increasing of viscosity, density, Bulk modulus and sound velocity were effect to increase injection delay, with reduce injection quantity, injection duration and pressure drop during injection process.     

A Review of Beach Bye-Law Usage in Supporting Coastal Management in Ireland

Coastal areas are commonly the focus of a range of human activities and uses. Beaches are one example of multi-use coastal environments, accommodating activities linked to leisure and recreation, amenity, conservation and business, often simultaneously. Ireland is no different in this regard, as its beach resources provide a range of goods and services of societal value. Ireland has 16 coastal counties and their associated local authorities have a beach management remit, a role that can present a number of challenges. The use of beach bye-laws is one option to support management of beach environments by local authorities. Local authority personnel tasked with beach management from each coastal local authority were surveyed to assess the actual and potential role of beach bye-laws in contributing to more effective management of beach environments and to broader coastal management. Usage of beach bye-laws varied across local authority areas and evidence suggested that the efficacy, use, and implementation of beach bye-laws differed from county to county. Beach bye-laws offer potential but interaction with other initiatives as part of a wider program for coastal management may yield improved results.     

The slippery slope of lot consolidation in the Santa Monica Mountains: A program assessment

Abstract

The authors present an assessment of the Coastal Conservancy's efforts to consolidate small, substandard lots in the Santa Monica Mountains. Emphasis is placed on the ‘ ‘lessons learned’ ‘ by the Conservancy in its project experience as those lessons may be applicable to related efforts elsewhere. Finally, alternative means of lot consolidation are suggested. This assessment should be of relevance to other programs nationwide to address the problem of antiquated subdivisions.