Coastal erosion and sea level rise: Implications for ocean beach and San Francisco's westside transport project

Abstract

One of the consequences of sea level rise resulting from the greenhouse effect is increased coastal erosion. This article discusses a model of erosion that can be used to estimate the response of beaches to sea level rise. The model is applied to Ocean Beach, California, with particular attention to the consequences of accelerated erosion for the San Francisco Westside Sewer Transport. Results obtained show that erosion produced by accelerated sea level rise could cause substantial damage to the structure. Large expenditures on beach nourishment will be required to protect the transport and the recreational value of the beach.     

Understanding Recreational Boater Attitudes to Zoning in a Proposed Marine Protected Area

Although the success of marine protected areas (MPAs) and associated zoning schemes is largely dependent on stakeholder acceptance and support, there have been relatively few studies examining the response of recreational stakeholders to MPA proposals. This study investigates the response of recreational boaters to a proposed MPA in British Columbia, Canada. Using a structured questionnaire (n = 543) and a focus group (n = 6), the research examines the level of support for the concept of marine zoning and identifies key factors influencing support or opposition. Results indicate that a small majority of recreational boaters support the concept of marine zoning, but that there are areas of concern that ought to be addressed as MPA implementation proceeds. Support for zoning was strongly related to perceived benefits, particularly environmental benefits. Furthermore, perceived benefits overall were found to outweigh concerns as determinants of recreational boater support for zoning. Major dimensions of opposition included perceptions of over-regulation, loss of access for boating, and mistrust of the government. A suggestion is that such concerns may be mitigated through focused communication and meaningful involvement of boaters in the zoning process.     

A flexible terminal/mobile lounge system for expanding the capacity of existing airports

One of the great dilemmas facing major airports is the problem of capacity and seasonal surges of activity. This paper suggests a system of small, inexpensive Airport Terminal Modules, which together with a new type of Mobile Lounge, could make available a considerable degree of flexibility. The ATM's are designed to allow maximum variations of aircraft type and passenger load as well as high ground utilization. This concept would allow major airports to be extended with a minimum of inconvenience as demand becomes apparent, thereby allowing financial expenditure to be carefully controlled and more evenly spread.     

描述有效的原料药

尽管癌症治疗在过去的十多年取得了显著进展，但肿瘤学仍属于目前最不能满足临床需要的学科领域。在过去十多年里，临床药理学的进步和研发活动方面的巨大投资使得“癌症治疗”发展为“治疗过程研究”的数量急剧增加。但事实上，癌症和其他慢性疾病一样，治疗效果都很差，由此很多大型医药公司和生物制药公司都比以往更大力度的投入资金，用于肿瘤学和其他强效候选药物的研发上。[第一段]     

Modelling inter-urban transport flows in Italy: A comparison between neural network analysis and logit analysis

In the present paper a modal split problem is analysed by means of two competing statistical models, the traditional logit model and the new technique for information processing, viz. the feedforward neural network model. This study aims to explore the modal split between rail and road transport modes in Italy in relation to the introduction of a new technological innovation, the new High-Speed Train. The paper is sub-divided into two major parts. The first part offers some general considerations on the use of neural networks in the light of the increasing number of empirical applications in the specific area of transport economics. The second part describes the Italian case study by using the two above mentioned statistical models. The results highlights the fact that the two adopted models, although methodologically different, are both able to provide a reasonable spatial forecasting of the phenomenon studied. In particular, the neural network model turns out to have a slightly better performance, even though there are still critical problems inherent in its application.     

European freight transport and the environment: empirical applications and scenarios

Environmental issues have received a prominent place in transport policies of most European countries. The coordination of such policies however, is fraught with many difficulties. The increasing freight flows after the European integration are a source of concern, but have not yet led to straightforward and effective environmental strategies.The paper focuses on the Trans Alpine freight transport systems in the light of the future integration of single national transport systems into the European transport network. The environmental, social and institutional peculiarities of this ‘region’ have favoured—in the past—the development of strong nationally-oriented policies, partly in contrast with the goals promoted by the European Union. The present analysis aims to highlight opportunities, and limits inherent, in the implementation of various infrastructure projects oriented towards a drastic change of the Alpine transport systems structure. The Alpine countries, viz. Austria and Switzerland, play a central role in the promotion of environmental benign modes of transport of goods, with a clear focus on rail. The route choice and modal split of freight flows in Europe are taking place simultaneously. In this paper the results of European freight flow models (based on logit analysis and neural networks) will be presented. An important exercise is then to assess the consequences of various types of eco-taxes on road transport in Europe. In this context, several policy scenarios will be dealt with.     

On the application of hydraulic theory to the deep-water flow through the Irbe Strait

A flow-dependent critical-point method for investigating topographically controlled flow in natural channels is applied to the bottom current through the Irbe Strait connecting the Baltic proper and the Gulf of Riga. This approach is based on the functional formalism due to Gill [Gill, A.E., 1977. The hydraulics of rotating-channel flow. J. Fluid Mech., 80, 641–671.], and here is used for the stratified flow structure observed during the IRBEX-95 field campaign. A critical section of the realizable flow regime was found to be located slightly downstream of the most pronounced horizontal constriction of the channel. The predicted baroclinic volume flux 7200 m³ s⁻¹ overestimates the observed mean bottom-water transport by around 30%, a discrepancy which most likely can be explained by the lack of sea level conditions and friction in the model.     

Ballast Water Treatment systems: “Old” and “New” ones

This paper offers an overview of the currently available Ballast Water Treatment systems, their efficacy in reducing the number of organisms in relation with the IMO and other, future standards, and explores potentially new and promising technologies and current gaps.     

Towards comfort-optimal trajectory planning and control

ABSTRACT

This paper describes a method to analyse and evaluate different trajectory planning methods and controller types for usage in automated vehicles. Its application is shown by using a novel trajectory planning approach considering comfort aspects (based on Rapidly Exploring Random Tree (RRT)), two different controllers to follow the planned path (cascade controller and flatness based controller) and a simulation method to obtain resulting lateral vehicle accelerations. The method is used to plan and drive a trajectory through a roundabout. It can be seen that the lateral accelerations of the controller-driven vehicle are in the range of the values used for planning. However, the results of both controllers show differences in lateral deviation and in smoothness of lateral accelerations. The simulation results are then compared to real-world test drives in the same roundabout. The measured lateral accelerations are in the same range as well but show a smoother progression than the two controller models.