Conservation and redevelopment policy for British urban dock areas

Abstract

Technological innovations in the 1960s led to fundamental changes in the location and the nature of dock and warehousing work. Cities throughout the world have adopted very different planning and development approaches to facing these changes in technology. This paper draws mainly on a survey of the British experience in order to identify common problems and suggest some ways of solving them. The first part briefly analyzes the factors which have made docklands redundant in many areas. Problems and needs as seen by local officials are then reviewed; and some of the general difficulties facing efforts to reintegrate dock areas into the larger socioeconomic systems of a city are described. Then, the alternative policies of conservation and redevelopment are discussed. Finally, future policy directions are considered.     

A technical analysis of model year 2011 US automobile efficiency

This paper investigates the new 2011 automobile fleet to quantify the variation in models’ efficiency and underlying technology attributes. This involves analysis of test data to quantify the aerodynamic, rolling resistance, and powertrain efficiency characteristics of each model, as well as analysis to understand relationships between these and vehicle fuel consumption. The findings indicate that while vehicles are about 14% efficient on average, there is wide variation and direct evidence of dramatically improved powertrain efficiency within existing models. Existing gasoline and diesel models demonstrate improved powertrain efficiency by over 25%, hybrid gasoline-electric powertrains by over 50%, fuel cells by a factor of three, and all-electric by a factor of four as compared to the average 2011 vehicle. Advanced aerodynamic and tire rolling resistance technologies are also in evidence.     

Symbolic transport choice across national cultures: theoretical considerations for research design

A recently empirically isolated latent variable in transport choice is symbolism, which examines what people believe their transport choices say to others about them and how they are judged in a social context. Whilst it is well established that symbolism differs vertically across different socio-economic groups within a country, very little work has been done on how symbolism in transport may differ between similar individuals across nations as a function of national cultural values, and how this may manifest itself in transport choices. If significant differences were to be found then this could have impacts for transport policy formulation and transfer. This paper explores and discusses these issues and concludes that the initial goal of any research into symbolic transport choices across cultures is theoretical fertility, and this is best achieved by adopting Lakatosian research programmes, using theory-driven thematic analysis to develop theoretical models for testing.     

Integrated population synthesis and workplace assignment using an efficient optimization-based person-household matching method

Transportation - Large scale activity-based simulation models inform a variety of transportation and planning policies using models that often rely on fixed or flexible workplace location in a...     

The combined effect of rain and wind on air–water gas exchange: A feasibility study

A series of experiments were conducted at University of Delaware's Air–Sea Interaction Laboratory to examine the combined effects of rain and wind on air–water gas exchange. During this study, ASIL WRX I, a combination of 3 rain rates and 4 wind speeds were used, for a total of 12 different environmental conditions. The SF₆ evasion method was used to determine the bulk gas transfer velocities, and airside profiles of wind and CO₂ were used to estimate flux–profiles of momentum and carbon dioxide. In addition to measurements of fluxes with and without rain in a wind–wave boundary layer, measurements of wave properties were also obtained. Rain is shown to alter the wind profile in the flume, and dampen surface waves. Also, SF₆ evasion indicates that with the present experimental setup, for most of the experimental conditions, rain and wind combine linearly to influence air–water gas exchange. Flux–profile relationships for marine atmospheric boundary layers, which were performed to scale up to field measurements, were explored by a comparison between SF₆-derived bulk fluxes and airside CO₂ profile measurements.     

Greenhouse gas mitigation supply curve for the United States for transport versus other sectors

To compare transportation greenhouse gas mitigation options with other sectors, we construct greenhouse gas mitigation supply curves of near-term technologies for all the major sectors of the US economy. Our findings indicate that motor vehicles and fuels are attractive candidates for reducing GHGs in the near and medium term. Transport technologies and fuels represent about half of the GHG mitigation options that have net-positive benefits – so-called “no regrets” strategies – and about 20% of the most cost-effective options to reduce GHGs to 10% below 1990 levels by 2030.     

Environmental zoning restrictions on port activities and development

With the port industry facing increased cargo volumes, the need for expansion of landside facilities is eminent. The ports face a dilemma which can cause considerable damage to their futures. This threat comes in the form of environmental policy. Since the early 1970's, Europe has been involved in an 'environmental crusade' which seeks to protect habitats and species of wildlife. The creation of 'environmental zones' to protect these areas, are spreading rapidly along the coastlines and waterways where ports are situated and in need of development to handle increased cargo volumes. This paper is aimed at developing an understanding of the potential impact of environmental zoning on the future of ports, as well as presenting the facts and legislation supporting this environmental crusade.