Shift of reference point and implications on behavioral reaction to gains and losses

It is widely recognized that individual decision-making is subject to the evaluation of gains and losses around a reference point. The estimation of discrete choice models increasingly use data from stated choice experiments which are pivoted around a reference alternative. However, to date, the specification of a reference alternative in transport studies has been fixed, whereas it is common to observe individuals adjusting their preferences according to a change in their reference point. This paper focuses on individual reactions, in a freight choice context, to a negative change in the reference alternative values, identifying the behavioural implications in terms of loss aversion and diminishing sensitivity. The results show a significant adjustment in the valuation of gains and losses around a shifted reference alternative. In particular, we find an average increase in loss aversion for cost and time attributes, and a substantial decrease for punctuality. These findings are translated to significant differences in the willingness to pay and willingness to accept measures, providing supporting evidence of respondents’ behavioural reaction.     

A KBS application for market research advice in transport

This paper presents some results of a knowledge based system (KBS) development applied to market research (MR) issues in transport. This application represents a rule production approach to decisions associated with the definition of appropriate survey procedures for various operation‐management problems in a transport enterprise or agency. The basic idea is to provide an aid for the user (manager, student or practitioner), who is concerned with MR, but is not very familiar with this field or has some concerns over data‐gathering and the use of that information. It focuses on specific applications in the transport environment and gives the user some support in maintaining greater consistency in his (her) decisions.

The objective of this paper is to describe the system structure, to point out some important aspects and problems arising during its development and also to make some comments with respect to the further development of this and similar systems.     

Limitations of transport policy

There is an implication in the notion of 'transport policy' that substantial improvements could be made to the transport system given sufficient ingenuity, investment and good will. This paper argues that such policy aspirations cannot cope with the desire for ever-increasing mobility, a deep and powerful force in modern society. In densely populated countries there is no possibility of meeting the demand for unconstrained movement through construction of additional transport infrastructure, since new and longer journeys would quickly fill the extra capacity until the congestion equilibrium is re-established. What limits mobility in practice is the time individuals have available for travel, time which is equitably distributed. Transport plans need to acknowledge this time constraint as fundamental, and accordingly be realistically modest about what is achievable. It is an illusion that the transport system could be substantially more efficient whilst remaining equitable.     

Book reviews of Maritime Transport. Edited by M ary R. B rooks,K enneth B utton and P eter N ijkamp (Cheltenham UK: Edward Elgar, 2002) [Pp. 553] £150.00. ISBN 1 84064 552 0

Using the extended task-technology fit (TTF) model, this paper investigates how certain factors (e.g. task characteristics, technology (i.e. intranet) characteristics, middle managers’ demographic characteristics, task-technology fit, and perceived usefulness and usage) affect the port middle managers’ job performance. Numerous organizations in the port industry constitute the population of interest. The preliminary results suggest that the majority of middle managers believe that intranet could improve their job performance. The results from the structural equation modelling (SEM) indicate that task characteristics and intranet characteristics significantly justify their variance on task-technology fit. However, demographic variables do not predict task-technology fit. Perceived usefulness is found to be a predictor of intranet usage. Task technology fit, on the other hand, significantly predicts usage and explains the variance on middle managers’ job performance. This study is the first study to investigate the effects of intranet usage and managerial performances in an integrative perspective, taking into account various user acceptance models and users’ demographic characteristics.     

新时期交通运输与其他产业融合特征

推进交通运输与其他产业融合是贯彻党中央精神、加快交通强国建设的重要支撑。本文系统阐述了我国交通运输与其他产业的内在联系,剖析了融合的作用机理,对新时期交通运输与其他产业融合进行了定义,分析了融合的主要特征,提出了发展对策建议,对于指导交通运输与其他产业融合、推动交通运输行业高质量发展、建设交通强国具有重要意义。     

Psychological items: a useful addition in modeling travel behavior on managed lanes

Transportation - Managed lanes (MLs) are a tool to more efficiently operate segments of a freeway. As ML prevalence increases in the United States of America, it is important to understand travel...     

30万t FPSO外加电流阴极保护系统设计

考虑到FPSO设计为30年不进坞,需要设计满足外板防腐要求的ICCP系统,按照规范计算经验布置艏艉两套ICCP系统,通过数值仿真软件建立三维模型后进行模拟分析,校核在作业期间ICCP系统输出的保护电流以及船体各区域保护电位值。按照数值模拟结果,对ICCP系统设计进行调整和优化,数值结果表明,简单按照规范计算得出保护电流后确定的ICCP系统,存在部分区域保护电流分布不均,出现过保护或欠保护的现象。基于规范计算结果,采用数值仿真软件进行ICCP系统设计模拟分析后,针对FPSO船体外形结构型式特点,通过艏、中、艉部区域配置不同型号辅助阳极,增大辅助阳极屏蔽层面积,能够让外板保护电流更加均匀分布,保持合理的保护电位。     

砂砾地层电力顶管施工引起的地面变形研究

文章针对砂砾地层电力顶管施工引起的地面变形开展研究。首先,基于现有散粒土的沉降理论计算公式,进行某砂砾地层电力隧道顶管施工引起地面变形的理论计算和分析;其次,通过理论分析和现场实测,得到砂砾地层顶管施工引起的地面变形规律;最后,在现有理论计算公式和监测数据的基础上,利用规划求解,提出适用于砂砾地层顶管施工引起地面变形的沉降槽宽度系数计算公式。研究结果表明,土体损失是引起地面沉降的主要影响因素,沉降计算时必须考虑土体损失在顶进过程中的动态变化;修正沉降槽宽度系数计算公式能够较好地适用于砂砾地层中顶管施工引起的地面沉降计算。     

Discrete/continuous econometric models and their application to transport analysis

A wide range of transport‐related decisions involve the linking of discrete choices (e.g. of vehicle choice) and continuous choices (e.g. of vehicle use). In recent years econometricians have developed procedures for integrating such choices into a framework that is both economically and statistically sound. The literature is however somewhat technical. The objective of this paper is to provide a general overview of the basic elements of discrete/continuous econometric modelling with an emphasis on transport applications. It is hoped that such an introduction will demonstrate that the essence of the approach for the practitioner is quite straightforward and can be implemented with widely available computer software.     

Delivering Value for Money to Government through Efficient and Effective Public Transit Service Continuity: Some Thoughts

Abstract

This paper documents some thoughts on the reform agenda in public transit that is occurring throughout the world. The specific focus is on a growing commitment to competitive regulation through competitive tendering, and the efforts by a few governments (notably in Australia) to take control of the tangible assets used by private operators as a mechanism to exercise the opportunity, if so taken, to put services out to competitive tender. The paper reviews the theoretical arguments and empirical evidence on contracting regimes and asset ownership, and the role that government and the operator might play in a setting in which building trusting and collaborative partnerships has merit in delivering services that are in the main funded from the public purse.